Have you ever encountered questions like, “What size should a headshot be?” This is a crucial question. Why? Formatting your headshot to the acceptable size is essential.
So, we will discuss the various headshot sizes here. These include headshot sizes for actors, corporate, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc. Keep reading for more information on this topic.
What Size Should A Headshot Be?
Consider an aspect ratio of 8 x 10 inches for headshots for casting submission.
This headshot size is popular because most casting directors hate dealing with images larger than the mentioned standard headshot size. Most of them have gotten used to this size (8 x 10 inches).
What Size Should Actor Headshot Be?
Here are the headshots actors or actresses can submit when seeking to audition for movie roles.
“W x H” (Width x Height)
You should submit 8 x 10 inches headshots. That’s what some movie directors expect actors and actresses to submit for movie roles. However, some directors accept 10 x 8 inches.
Now, here is the big question. Is there any law in the industry that states that actors or actresses must provide a specific headshot size during casting submission? There’s none! That’s the plain truth.
The headshot sizes (8 x 10 inches or 10 x 8 inches) have been what actresses and actors have submitted for casting roles for ages. Thus, it became a norm.
The latest is that most movie directors request print headshots these days. It might seem hilarious, but that’s what’s happening. And you must provide your headshot in the requested format or lose out to others that do.
So, provide printed quality headshots if your potential employers demand that. However, note that print-quality headshot file sizes might be too large for submission on certain websites.
In other words, consider the file size if you’re submitting your image to Actor’s Access or Backstage.
A Handy Tip: You can get a professional to resize your photos without compromising quality. The photos’ quality will remain intact, but the file size will reduce.
Anyone that opens your headshot will only see that it is smaller. But when they zoom in, the quality should be intact.
What Size Should Corporate Headshot Be?
Firstly, there is no specific size for corporate headshots. The most important thing is meeting the requirements of your potential employers.
Like a job interview where all companies don’t ask the same question, corporate headshots cannot be the same size. The size or shape of the headshot you provide on a company website or for a job will depend mainly on what the hiring firm requires of you.
For instance, some firms may request a rectangular, circular, or square-shaped headshot. It might not even be the request of the employer but the website designer. It’s the headshot format or size you can submit on the website.
A Handy Tip: The thing about corporate headshots is that you cannot have a one-size-fits-all headshot. Your headshot should have multiple uses.
Get a headshot you can format and use for different purposes. You should be able to adapt the finished file to suit various uses.
Assuming you work for a magazine and you wrote an article for them. In this case, an image size of 8 x 10 inches will be acceptable. But if your finished headshot is circular, it won’t be useful. And that means you have to take a fresh headshot.
So, whether you’re an entrepreneur or working for a company, you need different headshots for any application.
What Size Should LinkedIn Headshot Be?
LinkedIn headshot has a specific size. The platform even provided a clear description of the image size.
Firstly, the image format should be JPEG or PNG. The platform doesn’t accept any other file format, at least for now.
The headshot file size should be 8 megabytes (8 MB). Plus, the image should be a pixel size of, say, 400 x 400. Please, note that this is the minimum.
A LinkedIn image or headshot’s maximum width and height is 7,680 x 4,320.
A Handy Tip: The quality of your headshot matters a great deal. Potential employers may not take notice of the size, but they’ll notice the quality. And what they see will impact their decision.
Your headshot tells potential employers all they need to know about your professionalism, attention to detail, and taste. It shows them how much you value your career and more.
LinkedIn will not turn down your image, even if it is terrible. The platform’s primary focus is size. If you can meet the size requirement, you can successfully upload your image on the platform.
However, LinkedIn advice is that you provide quality headshots. Let your headshot grab the attention of your potential employers and motivate them to check your profile in detail.
How can you get quality headshots for your LinkedIn profile? You must have heard you can take quality headshots with your mobile phone. But if you want a quality headshot, be ready to hire professionals to take and edit your photo.
What Size Should Twitter Headshot Be?
Twitter is a social media platform, so most people don’t think it can add value to their professional careers. But if you’re serious about getting noticed and want your employers or potential employers to take you seriously, all your social media accounts should have quality headshots.
In other words, replace your Twitter profile photo with a headshot. And remember to adhere to the social media platform’s requirements.
Here are the file sizes Twitter requires.
Firstly, consider using PNG, JPEG, or GIF. The platform supports these file formats.
Twitter headshot or photo size is 2 MB. The minimum and maximum pixel is 400 x 400 and 1500 x 1500, respectively.
What Size Should Facebook Headshot Be?
Like other social media platforms, headshots aren’t commonly seen on Facebook. Instead, you’ll find portraits and other kinds of photos.
But if you are a professional and want your potential employers or customers to see you that way, let your Facebook profile photo be your headshot.
What size should the headshot used for the Facebook profile be? There is a specific requirement for photos uploaded on Facebook.
Firstly, remember that profile photo displays on computers and smartphones are 170 x 170 pixels to 128 x 128 pixels.
Can you put your headshot in the cover photo section of your Facebook? Yes, you can! Placing a headshot in a cover photo will even give you more visibility.
Endeavor to adhere to the photo requirement when uploading a headshot as a cover photo. The requirement is 820 (w) x 312 (h) on computers and 640 (w) x 360 (h) on smartphones.
What Size Should Instagram Headshot Be?
The good thing about Instagram is that it doesn’t have specific photo requirements. You can upload any photo size as your profile picture. However, I recommend you use 110 x 110 DPI.
One thing you also must understand about Instagram photos is that they’re small when viewed on smartphones. But on a desktop, probably a 32 inches desktop, they can be 3 to 4 times as large.
So, upload a good quality headshot on your Instagram profile. Why? This will ensure the quality isn’t compromised when a potential employer or client zooms the headshot.
Tips For Cropping Business (Corporate) Headshots
It is essential to crop your business headshots. Don’t rely on the finished file from your photographer. Here are tips to follow when cropping your business headshot.
1: Consider the position of your head:
How you position your head is essential in a headshot. And it’s the difference between a professional headshot and a casual one.
For a professional headshot, here is what you need to do.
The image is clear enough. You can see the grid, including how many squares I am using. As you can see, I aligned the eye to the third line on the grid. However, keep in mind that I was cropping tight here.
Here is what you should do when cropping wider? Just position your head in the top third portion of the image, and you’re good to go.
There is an explanation for this, though. It is called “cropping using the rule of thirds.” This process will ensure you follow appropriate framing rules.
You can see how properly aligned the image above is. That’s what you get when you follow the rule of thirds.
2: Your face should be in the center:
Maintain your face in the center. Make sure to give your potential employers the notion that you made a mistake by pushing the image more to the left than to the right or vice versa.
3: Avoid cropping too close or too wide:
Avoid the temptation to crop too close or wide for your business photos. This is why you need a professional photo editor to help you.
Avoid cropping too close or wide because of the impression your image would create. Your potential clients or employers may think you made a mistake, and you don’t want them thinking about you this way.
How should you crop them? Let the top section of your hair be in the frame. Check the image below.
A Handy Tip: Crop the section where the tie and jacket meet in a male headshot. In general, cropping should be just above the chest. That’s the best place to crop.
Conclusion
What size should a headshot be? The recommended or acceptable size is 8 x 10 inches. Most movie directors hate dealing with anything above this.
However, there is no law or rule that the size of your headshot should be 8 x 10 inches. But then, since it’s what many directors want, why not go with the flow?
You should also remember to upload high-quality headshots on your social media accounts.
