Glow-up guideEvidence first
Digitals day: how to shoot agency digitals at home
Digitals are plain photos agencies use to see you as you are. You need a phone, daylight, a plain wall and someone to hold the camera.
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How this affects your score
Digitals quality is the largest changeable factor in our score, and fixing it is free: the digitals kit on this site checks each shot on your phone.
01
What agencies ask for
- Kim Dawson: portrait, full length, smiling and profile. Phone photos are fine in soft natural light, with "no filters, makeup, hats, or sunglasses".[3]
- Campbell: a smiling headshot, a non-smiling headshot, a ¾ shot and a full body shot, minimal makeup.[4]
- Heffner: no filters or retouching, a neutral background, natural light, "No makeup, natural hair".[5]
- Ford: a "clean face with absolutely no makeup", hair pulled back, a form-fitting outfit.[12]
02
The set
03
The two nights before
- Adults need 7 or more hours of sleep; aim for 7–9 before a shoot.[54]
04
What you never need to pay for
- The FTC says real agencies don't make you pay for photos or use their photographer. You don't need a portfolio to apply.[34]
Questions
Asked, answered.
Can I take digitals with my phone?
Yes. Kim Dawson and Heffner say phone photos are fine. Use daylight from a window, stand a step away from a plain wall, and have someone else take them at chest height.
This is general information, not medical advice. If something hurts, spreads or affects your mood, see a clinician.
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Free · 3 minutes · 18+
See which of your points can change.
Twelve categories, checked against what agencies publish. Free, about 3 minutes, adults 18+.