Styles
Outdoor headshots
Outdoors gives you the best light source there is and the most opportunities to ruin a photo. Both problems are solved by where you stand.
Open shade, not sunshine
The best outdoor light is not sunlight, it is shade with a bright sky above it: under a tree that is not dappling, beside a wall that blocks the sun, or in a doorway. That gives soft, directional light with both eyes lit and no squint.
Direct sun does three bad things at once: it makes people squint, it creates hard shadows under the nose and eyes, and it clips the highlights on the forehead. It is the reason outdoor portraits have a bad reputation.
- Shade with open sky above, not the sun.
- Overcast days are ideal — the whole sky becomes a softbox.
- Avoid dappled light: patches across the face look like a rash.
- Face the brightest part of the sky, not the sun.
The background does the rest
Outdoor portraits are read as relaxed because of the background, not the light: greenery, a wall, a street, water. The convention is a shallow depth of field, which phone cameras approximate in portrait mode, and a background that does not contain anything distracting.
Watch for the small disasters: a lamppost growing out of the head, a bin, a parked car, a sign, another person. They are invisible on the phone screen and obvious on a desktop.
- Nothing growing out of the head or shoulders.
- No text, signage or logos behind the subject.
- Background slightly darker or quieter than the face.
- Check the frame on a larger screen before you finish.
When outdoor beats studio
Outdoor portraits suit people whose work is outdoors or place-based — landscapers, agents, coaches, hospitality — and anyone whose profile benefits from looking approachable rather than formal.
They are less good for corporate directories, where the convention is a plain background. If you need both, generate an outdoor set for social and a studio set for the directory from the same source photos.
How it works
Three steps from a phone photo to a finished image
Upload your photos
Six to ten selfies with different angles and expressions.
Pick a style
Business, editorial, black and white, cinematic — or a profession set.
Download the set
A consistent batch of portraits, ready for your profile.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I take a good outdoor headshot?
Stand in open shade with the sky in front of you rather than the sun, and check the background for anything distracting. Shade with a bright sky above gives soft, even light; direct sun makes people squint and clips the highlights.
What is the best time of day for an outdoor headshot?
An overcast day, or the hour after sunrise and before sunset. Both give soft, diffuse light. Midday sun is the hardest to work with, which is why the standard advice is shade rather than a specific hour.
Can an outdoor headshot look professional?
Yes, for profiles where approachability matters more than formality — hospitality, property, coaching, trades. For corporate directories and CVs, a plain-background studio portrait is the safer convention.
What if the background is distracting?
Change position first. If that is not possible, the background can be replaced: an outdoor portrait with a busy or unsuitable setting can be cut out and placed on a plain or styled background.
Try it on your next photo
Free to download on the App Store. iPhone and iPad only.