4 Reasons Your Career Center Needs a Headshot Booth (+ Setup Tips)

In today’s competitive job market, a professional headshot is no longer just a nice-to-have, it’s a powerful career asset.

Studies show that professional headshots increase perceived competence by 76% for job seekers, making a polished photo a key factor in helping students stand out to recruiters and hiring managers.

And for university career centers, offering access to a high-quality photo booth is a strategic investment that drives student engagement, levels the playing field for underrepresented groups, and strengthens the center’s role in student success.

Here’s why more colleges are adopting professional photo booths, and how your career center can implement one to support students and elevate your impact.

1. Boost Student Engagement & Foot Traffic

A self-serve headshot booth acts as a powerful gateway service, drawing students into the career center. Once there, they can be introduced to the wealth of other resources available.

Georgia State University for instance, experienced a remarkable surge, with over 5,000 photo sessions in just one academic year.

Headshots became their #1 booked career center service, surpassing the engagement of even resume workshops or mock interviews.

This clearly shows how a photo booth can be a magnet for early student interaction.

Similarly, University of Maryland leveraged a grant and student government funding to provide their Iris Air booth in the library, making it free and accessible to students and alumni.

Also Read: How to help make students great portfolios?

2. Enhance Job Search Success & Career Center Outcomes

In today’s visually driven professional landscape, a polished profile image can directly influence hiring outcomes.

A strong headshot helps students make powerful first impressions on platforms like LinkedIn, Handshake, and employer career portals, often becoming the deciding factor in whether a recruiter clicks through.

Statistics from LinkedIn show:

Members with a photo receive up to 21 times more profile views
And up to 36 times more messages compared to those without a photo.

By helping students stand out online, career centers not only support their job search success but also boost placement rates and strengthen the center’s role as a critical driver of student outcomes.

Pro Tip: To boost booth usage, try tying headshots to LinkedIn workshops, hosting “Headshot Days” with snacks or giveaways, collaborating with student groups, and featuring the booth at career fairs or orientation events.

Also Read: How to improve FDS response rates?

3. Ensure Equity & Broad Access

Not every student has the financial means or opportunity to access professional photography studios. Photo booths level the playing field by providing:

Free, high-quality headshots to all students, regardless of their socioeconomic background.
Self-service privacy and comfort, which can significantly reduce anxiety for students who might feel self-conscious in a traditional studio setting.
More inclusive participation, including those from underrepresented groups, ensuring everyone has the tools to succeed.

This aligns with broader higher education goals of student success and inclusivity, ensuring all students have equitable access to resources that enhance their employability.

For instance, University of Texas at Dallas UT Dallas, supported by GM Financial, offers free professional photos, with a direct link for students to book appointments via Handshake.

Also Read: What are some federal funding options for career centers in the US?

4. Provide Measurable ROI & Funding Justification

The data generated by photo booth usage can be invaluable for demonstrating the career center's impact and justifying ongoing investments.

Data from Georgia State University helped them demonstrate career center value:

Headshot sessions outpaced all other services
Foot traffic increased
Year-over-year usage rose
Each visit unlocked coaching opportunities

These tangible metrics provide compelling evidence of the booth's return on investment and its effectiveness in supporting student success.

Also Read: How is Hiration a better Big Interview alternative?

How to Set Up a Professional Photo Booth

Setting up a professional photo booth doesn't have to be complicated. Here are key considerations based on leading university practices:

Choose the Right Booth System

Self-Service Focus: Opt for systems designed for user-friendliness, allowing students to take and edit their photos independently. Companies like Iris Booth are widely adopted by universities for their self-serve capabilities, often featuring touchscreens or QR code controls for a touchless experience.
Quality Output: Ensure the system offers professional-grade lighting (e.g., ring lights), a neutral backdrop (often white or grey for versatility), and a high-resolution camera for crisp, clear images.
Software Features: Look for integrated software that provides basic editing tools (cropping, teeth whitening, blemish removal, filters) and easy digital delivery via email or cloud storage. Many systems also offer a tutorial for users.

Strategic Placement

High-Traffic Areas: Position the booth in a visible, easily accessible location within the career center, library, or other student-frequented areas. University of Maryland placed their booth in the library, making it highly accessible.
Accessibility: Ensure the booth is wheelchair accessible and designed to accommodate all students. NC State University explicitly mentions their Iris professional photo booth is wheelchair accessible.

Operation and Access

Self-Service Hours: Maximize availability by allowing drop-in, self-service access during career center hours, and potentially extended hours if feasible. Many universities, like UC Irvine and Texas Tech University, offer drop-in access with no appointment needed for individual sessions.
Clear Instructions: Provide clear, concise instructions on how to use the booth, including attire suggestions (business professional or business casual is typically recommended), posing tips, and photo retrieval steps. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville emphasizes that a staff member or Peer Career Advisor can assist, but the booth is also simple enough for self-use.
Email Integration: Ensure the system seamlessly emails photos directly to the student's university email address (or preferred email) for easy download and use. This also allows for data collection on usage if desired.

Maintenance & Promotion

Regular Checks: Periodically check the equipment to ensure it's functioning correctly, the backdrop is clean, and lighting is optimal. Have a clear protocol for technical issues, whether it's an internal IT team or vendor support.
Promote Widely: Announce the photo booth's availability through campus emails, social media, career fair promotions, and during orientation sessions.
Integrate with Services: Train career center staff to actively encourage students using the booth to explore other services like resume reviews, mock interviews, or career counseling.
Usage Policies: Establish clear usage rules, emphasizing that the booth is for professional headshots only and detailing appropriate use, as outlined by UC Irvine and University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Also Read: What are some of the best practices for setting up virtual career treks?

Final Thoughts

By carefully planning and implementing these steps, your career center can successfully set up a professional photo booth that significantly benefits your students' career readiness and boosts engagement with your services.

And for career centers looking to amplify this kind of impact, Hiration helps you deliver career readiness support 24/7.

With AI-driven support for resumes, interview prep, and LinkedIn optimization, your team can save hours on repetitive tasks while focusing on the high-touch guidance that drives student success.

Want to see how other universities are using it to boost outcomes and student confidence? We’d love to give you a quick walkthrough.