When an employer looks at your CV, your photo is one of the first things they notice. Before they've read a single line, it has already formed an impression of you. That's why the right CV photo, small as it seems, can make a real difference. The good news is that you don't need a studio for a professional-looking photo; with the right light, a plain background and a few simple rules, your phone can do a great job.
Short answer: A good CV photo was taken within the last six months, shows your face clearly from the shoulders up, has a plain, light background and is lit by natural light. Wear simple clothes suited to the job, smile naturally and avoid filters. Whether to include a photo at all depends on the norms of the country and company you're applying to.
What makes a good CV photo
- Recent: Taken within the last six months. They should recognise you from it when you arrive for an interview.
- A plain background: White, light grey or light blue is ideal. Busy, cluttered or distracting backgrounds look unprofessional.
- Good lighting: Make sure your face is clear and evenly lit. Shadowy, dark or overexposed photos don't make a good impression.
- Suitable clothing: Choose a neat outfit that matches the seriousness of the role.
- A natural, friendly expression: Neither too formal nor too casual. A natural, confident and measured smile leaves the warmest impression.
- Framed on your face: Include your head and shoulders, with your face filling most of the frame.
How to take a good CV photo with your phone
- 1. Set up the light: Stand facing a window. Daylight lights your face softly and evenly. Avoid direct sunlight and overhead ceiling lights, which create harsh shadows.
- 2. Prepare the background: Stand about a metre in front of a plain, light-coloured wall. Standing too close casts a shadow behind you.
- 3. Put the camera at eye level: Holding the phone from below or above distorts your face. Place it at eye level on a shelf or tripod.
- 4. Use the rear camera and a timer: The rear camera is usually better quality. Ask a friend to help, or set the timer.
- 5. Take lots of shots: Take 15–20 photos with slightly different expressions and pick the most natural one.
- 6. Keep editing light: Adjusting brightness and cropping is enough. Avoid filters that change your face and heavy retouching.
Framing and technical details
- Portrait orientation: Photo areas in CV templates are usually portrait or circular. A portrait shot of your head and shoulders crops easily to different frames.
- A little space above your head: Make sure your hair isn't cut off at the top of the frame.
- Enough resolution: The photo shouldn't look blurry in the PDF. A phone photo is usually fine, but use the original file rather than a screenshot of it.
- File size: Very large files make your CV unnecessarily heavy. A JPG of no more than a few megabytes suits most cases.
Clothing by industry
- Finance, law, government and corporate roles: A jacket or suit and a simple shirt.
- Tech, marketing and creative industries: Clean, smart-casual clothing, such as a plain shirt or jumper.
- Hospitality and hands-on roles: Simple, ironed and well-kept clothes.
Plain, calm colours usually work best; avoid clothing the same colour as the background, so your face stands out.
What to avoid
- Photos cropped from holidays or weddings
- Sunglasses or hats
- Images cut out of group photos
- Social media filters and retouching that changes your face
- Old photos that no longer look like you
- Mirror selfies
Do you need a photo for every application?
The answer depends on the country and the company:
- The UK, the US, Canada, Ireland and Australia: Photos are generally not included on CVs. Many employers prefer CVs without photos to reduce the risk of appearance-based bias in hiring.
- Turkey and many other European countries: Including a photo is common and often expected.
- International companies: Follow the norms of the country you're applying in, and any instructions in the job ad.
If you do include a photo, make sure it looks professional. A poor photo can leave a worse impression than no photo at all.
If you don't have a professional photo
If you don't have a professional headshot and don't want the hassle of a photo shoot, you can use BUDDA CV's AI CV photo feature. You upload a selfie and choose a photo style, and the AI creates a clean, professional CV photo for you. This feature is offered as an in-app purchase for a small fee.
The photos you create are kept in My AI Photo Gallery in the app. When you build your CV, you can add your profile photo from your camera or photo library, or pick one straight from this gallery, then choose your template and download your CV as a PDF.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a photo at the last minute: A rushed choice is rarely the best one.
- Using the same photo for years: Your photo should show you as you look today.
- Not knowing the norms of the country you're applying to: In some countries a photo can work against you.
- Over-editing: A filtered photo won't match how you look at the interview.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
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With BUDDA CV, create your professional photo and prepare a complete CV in one place. Creating your CV is free; the AI CV photo is available for a small fee.
