The CV photo has always been a subject of debate. Should we include one? Should we not include one? For those who have chosen to use their own, here is our advice to follow before publishing it on your CV. By following these few tips, you will know:
- What photo should I put on a CV?
- How to take a photo for a resume (yourself)
- How to take a CV photo with a professional who will know how to show you off to your best advantage.
What photo should I put on a CV?
The CV photo is a very simple way to make your CV more attractive . You can include in the header your CV photo , a portrait of you. Although it is not mandatory, it is however advisable to put one, especially if you are applying for a sales position for example.
We often hear that a CV photo is not mandatory because it can be discriminatory. But whether we like it or not, we project ourselves much more onto a profile and a candidate on whom we can put a face, rather than an empty CV without a photo.
If you choose to include one, choose it wisely! We regularly see CV portraits "I have my gaze lost in the clouds", black and white photo booth style effect, selfies or retouched/cut out photographs, poor quality or even family photos... you'd think that a CV is actually a Facebook profile! And how many candidates simply don't look like their CV photo , it's crazy!
Like it or not, the image on your CV creates a sense of proximity with recruiters. Unfortunately, too many candidates attach photos that do not present them to their best advantage, which penalizes them later in their job search.
If you already have some photos available, take a recent one in color, with a neutral or white background. Also, make sure that it is neither too small nor too old.
How to take a CV photo yourself?
Choosing the right outfit
Your CV photo should reflect a positive professional image: preferably choose a neat outfit and avoid as much as possible wedding photos that we see in too many applications.
To choose your outfit for your CV photo , you must determine the aspects of your personality that you want to highlight. In any case, do not wear less than a shirt (no polo or t-shirt) and avoid accessories (cap, beanie).
Dress in the outfit you are expected to wear for the job. For example, to apply to a startup, photos in a suit are not common, while in a large group, more seriousness is expected (jacket, tie with a well-tied knot).
Our advice is to choose a white shirt (so sober), which you can wear open/close with or without a jacket/tie depending on the type of company you are applying to for a job.
đź’ˇ Good to know
There are many ways to position the candidate's photo on a CV. Take inspiration from our CV templates with photos to find the one that suits you best. Original, modern, designer or more classic CV templates are available to give you ideas.
Take the CV photo at the right angle
To take a CV photo yourself, you can try with your mobile phone, selfie style.
To do this, take the photo ideally during the day, facing a window (preferably open) to let natural light shine on the image. Stretch your arm out far enough to find yourself facing the image, without a “fish-eye” effect.
Take your portrait ideally from the front or very slightly at an angle if you absolutely want to show your “best profile”. But avoid shoulders in the foreground. The expression on your face is more important than your posture which risks doing you a disservice.
Never take a photograph with a view from above, it will make you look superior.
Don't hesitate to ask a friend for help if needed!
Should you smile in a CV photo?
Do you know a company that is looking for candidates who never smile on a daily basis? Who are neither funny, nor friendly, nor amusing on a daily basis? I think you have the answer to the question.
So regarding the right attitude to adopt on the CV photo , take a very smiling pose, as if you were saying “Hello” to your best friend. The recruiter will interpret the message as “Hello, I am a very friendly person, working with me is a pleasure!”.
If you are afraid of not being serious, go ahead with a little more restraint but stay 100% yourself. You are the one who will be recruited, not an actor.
Make a professional CV photo with a pro
Taking a high-quality photograph is a challenge. To do this, don't hesitate to use the services of a professional photographer to take it. The rules of shot, framing, retouching and lighting are not easy to master, it's a profession!
If this solution interests you, here is a short guide to the different photography services dedicated to resumes…
Photo Job
The Photo Job service allows you to book a professional photoshoot in the Paris region. You can have your photo taken in the studio, in Plessis-Robinson, or outdoors in the city of Paris. A professional photographer, a portrait specialist, will give you advice and take the best possible photo to boost your CV. Different packages are offered, to adapt to your needs:
- Express package : €59 - 1 professional CV photo with retouching included - 20-minute session in the studio with advice from the photographer. Possibility to order additional photos.
- Premium Package : €129 - 3 professional portraits with retouching included for your CV and LinkedIn profile - 35 to 45 minute session in the studio. Possibility of having several outfits during the session. Formatted for social networks, website, business cards.
Options are available such as express delivery of retouched images or advice on how to improve your CV and/or LinkedIn professional profile. The photographs are royalty-free, without logos or watermarks and without transfer of your image rights.
The first package remains affordable for small budgets and allows you to obtaina quality professional CV photo to impress your recruiter. The possibility of an outdoor shooting is also a real plus to change from the usual and too classic setting of the photo studio.
My professional portrait
This professional photo service offers you the chance to enhance your profile with a studio photo shoot. Three options are available:
- CV – 1 Portrait: €35. Classic, dark background.
- CV Pop! – 1 Portrait: €39. Colored background of your choice.
- CV – 2 Portraits: €49. Classic, dark background.
Booking is done online, with the choice of a 15-minute session in a studio in Paris, Levallois-Perret or Lyon. You can choose the color of the neutral background (gray, black, white, blue) or colored (yellow, red, green, sky, pink). Options are offered such as:
- Color rendering + black and white: €10
- Delivery within 24 hours after selection: €15
- Premium retouching options (imperfections, skin tone balancing, reduction of shine and dark circles, etc.): €15
Standard retouching (light, contrast, colorimetry, skin tone uniformity) is included. Photographs are delivered in JPEG format (1500 pixels), with non-commercial use for any media (digital and paper).
CV photos are sold at an affordable price and even allow you to have some fun with the choice of background color. The retouching option is interesting to enhance your photo, if you don't have any skills in this area.
CV photo
The professional, qualified and experienced photographers of the "Photo CV" agency take portraits for all types of professions : senior executives, engineers, doctors, flight attendants, salespeople, communications professionals, freelancers or even human resources professionals. They have 8 years of experience to support you during your shooting.
The offers proposed:
- Business : €49. With or without appointment. Coaching from the photographer, 30-minute shooting.
- Business + : €79. By appointment. Coaching, professional makeup, 30-minute photoshoot.
- Business premium : €139. By appointment. Coaching, professional makeup, 50-minute photo shoot, 6 retouched photos, several outfits to choose from.
The photo shoot is booked online with confirmation within 24 hours, in Paris-Est (Paris 20th) or Paris-Sud (Montrouge). Different options are possible:
- Professional makeup: €34 (included in Business + and premium)
- Hairdressing: €34
- Retouched photo: 10€/photo
The service therefore benefits from solid experience and comprehensive offers which even allow you a real professional makeover to highlight your application.
🛠️ Discover the CV Photo service
Photo CV "Ever"
The "Ever" service offers you to book your special CV photo shoot for free , outdoors and with a professional photographer. The offer is available in 8 countries and more than 18 major cities in France such as: Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Marseille, Paris, Toulouse, Lyon or Rouen. A true guide, the photographer will put you at ease and highlight your application.
After booking, you have access to different guides sent by email ("how to be natural?", "what professional outfit to choose?", etc.), as well as examples of galleries. An exchange is possible with your photographer by SMS, or with the Ever team by email to answer your questions.
The photoshoot is free, with no obligation to purchase. Following your shooting, you will receive a link to your private photo gallery containing a minimum of 30 quality portraits that will be offered to you. The price of a photo is €15.
This offer therefore gives you great freedom, a less conventional shoot and professional photos at a low price that you are free to choose.
Photo Up
The agency "Photo Up" offers a professional shooting for €75 in a Paris studio (15th or 17th), lasting 20 to 30 minutes. Under the guidance of a professional photographer, you define your expectations according to your sector of activity and your personality. Different backgrounds can be chosen (gray, black or white), but also the style of your portrait (dynamic, lively or serious).
A few first shots are taken to give you time to find your pose and to obtain more natural shots. You can then change your outfit, add accessories like a tie or change to a more modern background.
After the session, all CV photographs taken in the studio are sent to you by email in low definition. You have the possibility to choose 5 shots which will be retouched and then delivered within 24 hours. The retouches include: lighting, framing, colorimetry, contrast or background retouching. A “Fine Retouching” option (€20) is possible for more advanced retouching: correction of imperfections, teeth whitening, etc.
What is the best service for a CV photo?
In conclusion, our choice is rather for the service "Ever" which offers more relaxed shootings in all the big cities of France at very affordable prices. The photographers are professional and the service is without surprises since you only pay for the photos you like.
Some examples of CVs with photos to download
All our CV templates have a photo as an illustration. Feel free to take inspiration from it and follow our advice to optimize yours. And if you are comfortable with the objective, why not try a Video CV ? What better way to stand out from the crowd ?
The CV photo in the style of a professional profile
On this CV template, a large space is left to the candidate's photograph and face. The landscape format, the size of the photo and its enhancement by a graphic element recall the famous "professional profile". The eye is attracted, then diverted towards the main information of the job seeker. Our advice? Make sure to choose a good quality, serious and bright portrait to match this CV example.
đź“Ą Download the profile CV template
Landscape photo to enhance your header
On our "Man" CV template, the entire header is reserved for your photograph. This example is striking and professional, but requires a good quality shot, in landscape format. The best shot? A wide photo, taken on a neutral background like in our example. The portrait blends naturally into the CV and matches the sober colors that are used.
đź“Ą Download our male CV template
A simple and discreet CV photo
Easy to use, this CV template allows you to use any professional photo. Whether your photo is in landscape or portrait format, it fits easily into the round frame reserved for this purpose. A graphic and colorful element highlights it. No need to take care of your posture since this CV photo only shows your face. Just think about smiling!
đź“Ą Download the quick resume template
A rectangular and atypical frame for your CV photo
On our atypical CV template, even the space provided for the photograph is out of the ordinary. Rather than round or portrait-style, the frame is rectangular this time. The photograph introduces your "about" and highlights your description in the manner of a newspaper. This particular format only lets you see the essentials of your face: your smile and your friendliness.
đź“Ą Download the atypical CV template
The square, classic and modern format for the CV photo
This resume places your photo in the right corner of the document, just above your contact information. Its square format gives you the freedom to choose a portrait where only your face or the upper part of your body is visible. This is an opportunity to choose a professional background, as in the example! The bright photo fits very well in this clear and innovative template.
đź“Ą Download our innovative CV template
A CV photo in an original frame
The "Font" CV template offers a graphic and original document, just like its photograph. In this CV, the CV photo is highlighted by an original geometric frame that changes from the simple round or square format. If your outfit allows it, think about matching the colors used in your CV as in our example. It's a little extra that will definitely impress your recruiter!
đź“Ą Download our free CV template to create
While a CV photo is not mandatory, it can enhance your application and help you stand out. Have you chosen the model that will highlight your portrait? Discover our guide to help you write your CV !
