Why does my headshot matter as a medical professional?

Your headshot appears on hospital directories, NPI registries, LinkedIn, conference bios, and patient-facing materials. A professional photo builds trust and credibility with patients and colleagues.

Can I take a good headshot with my phone?

Absolutely! Modern smartphones take excellent photos. Follow this checklist for lighting, background, and framing, and you can take a headshot that rivals studio quality.

What if I can't get a perfect photo on my own?

That's where MedShots AI comes in! Upload your best selfies and our AI generates studio-quality headshots with perfect lighting, background, and professional attire. Try our free generator first!

What's the ideal resolution for a medical headshot?

Aim for at least 1000×1000 pixels. Most modern phones shoot at much higher resolutions. Hospital badges typically need 300+ pixels, but higher is always better for versatility.

Should I wear my white coat?

For most medical contexts, yes! A white coat over professional attire is the gold standard for physician headshots. Nurses may prefer scrubs or business attire depending on the context.

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Professional Headshot Checklist

12 expert tips for the perfect medical headshot. Check each item as you go — track your progress to photo perfection.

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Lighting

Face natural light source

Position yourself facing a window or outdoor shade

✅ Do: Face a large window for soft, even illumination

❌ Don't: Stand with a window behind you (creates silhouette)

Morning or late afternoon light is most flattering

Avoid harsh shadows

No strong overhead lights or direct sunlight

✅ Do: Soft diffused light with minimal shadows on face

❌ Don't: Direct overhead fluorescent lighting

Overcast days provide the most even, flattering light outdoors

Even exposure across face

Both sides of your face should be similarly lit

✅ Do: Balanced lighting on both sides of the face

❌ Don't: One side bright, other in shadow (split lighting)

If using a ring light, position it directly in front at eye level

Background

Clean, neutral background

Plain white, light gray, or solid neutral color

✅ Do: Plain white or light gray wall

❌ Don't: Busy room, bookshelf, or patterned wallpaper

A white wall is the easiest background — no setup needed

No distracting objects

Remove objects, people, or clutter from frame

✅ Do: Nothing visible behind you but clean background

❌ Don't: Plants, lamps, or art appearing to grow from your head

Check for items "growing" out of your head (poles, plants)

Framing

Head and shoulders visible

Crop from mid-chest up for a standard headshot

✅ Do: Head and shoulders fill 60-70% of the frame

❌ Don't: Full body shot or face only (too close)

Leave a small amount of space above your head

Eyes in upper third

Position your eyes roughly in the upper third of the frame

✅ Do: Eyes positioned at approximately 1/3 from top

❌ Don't: Face centered or at the bottom of the frame

This follows the "rule of thirds" for natural-looking portraits

Portrait orientation (3:4)

Vertical/portrait crops are standard for headshots

✅ Do: Vertical photo with 3:4 or 2:3 aspect ratio

❌ Don't: Landscape (horizontal) orientation

Most ID and profile photo requirements use portrait orientation

Attire

Professional attire

White coat, scrubs, or business professional clothing

✅ Do: White coat with collared shirt/blouse, or neat scrubs

❌ Don't: T-shirt, tank top, or overly casual clothing

For medical professionals: white coat over business attire is ideal

Neat grooming

Hair styled, clean-shaven or well-groomed facial hair

✅ Do: Well-groomed hair, no stray hairs on face

❌ Don't: Unkempt hair, visible stubble (unless intentional)

Get a fresh haircut a few days before if possible

Expression

Genuine, confident smile

A natural smile that reaches your eyes

✅ Do: Natural smile with slight teeth visible, eyes engaged

❌ Don't: Forced grimace, overly wide smile, or stone-faced

Think of something that makes you happy just before the shot

Look directly at camera

Make direct eye contact with the lens

✅ Do: Direct eye contact with the camera/lens

❌ Don't: Looking to the side, down, or at your phone screen

If using a phone, look at the camera lens — not the screen

Frequently Asked Questions

Skip the Checklist — Let AI Perfect It

MedShots AI handles lighting, background, attire, and composition automatically. Upload any selfie and get a perfect headshot.

Try our other free tools: Headshot Analyzer · Before/After Demo