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John DeMato Blog

Welcome to the Deliver Magic blog, where experts who speak, coach, train, consult, and write books will find actionable insights to elevate their personal brands through visual storytelling. From strategy tips and branding photography to live event coverage and storytelling techniques, discover step-by-step guides designed to help you align what you say with how you show up in photos. Get ready to unlock the magic behind creating a cohesive visual identity that drives engagement, builds credibility, and inspires your audience. #DeliverMagic

[FREE OFFER] A faster way to update your headshot

 

Is your headshot collecting dust?

 
 

Rather than stress over finding a photographer, shoot it yourself.

 

I was chatting with a speaker colleague the other day, and he mentioned how he finds it funny when he visits certain speaker websites, he sees a headshot that was taken from their “glory days.”

It’s at least 10 years old, their clothing, hairstyle and overall appearance confirms it.

As a result, it looks nothing like the person walking on the Earth today.

He mentioned he finds it a bit off-putting and nonsensical as if they’re hiding or concealing something that will ultimately be revealed the moment they hit the stage, which inspires a “who is this person” thought unnecessarily in the minds of those in the audience. 

I agreed. I’m not a big fan of the “glory day” headshot, either. I also know that many speakers are slammed for time and don’t want to carve out a couple hours for a headshot session.

So that got me thinking. 

What if there was a way that I can help out speakers create a new headshot fast with as minimal friction as possible?

Sure, I offer headshot services, but that photo comes with strategy, logistics and scheduling, which takes up time to coordinate.

As a result, over the past week, I consulted with the photographer and video producer sides of my brain, and together, we created a video:

Shoot It Yourself: Create High-Quality Headshots With Your Phone

In this 10-minute clip, you’ll learn how to create a high-quality headshot with nothing more than the camera that’s sitting in your pocket 24/7.

In this Shoot It Yourself video, you’ll learn:

  • Setting up your smartphone camera

  • Composition techniques

  • Choosing the best location

  • Working with sunlight

  • How to create an honest and confident expression

The best part?

It’s FREE :)

Not sure it’s possible to capture a professional headshot with your phone? Well, the photos used in this post were photographed using my IPhone - no fancy camera, lighting gear, or any post-production tweaking done to the image!

Long story short - It’s possible, folks.

And it can be captured on your own time!

Want to check it out? Grab your copy of the video here.

PS - If you find the video valuable, please share the signup link with your audience on social and give your colleagues and clients a chance to capture a magical smartphone headshot as well.

Here’s the link: www.johndemato.com/siy-headshot