Your photo is the first impression a captain or hiring manager will get, and like it or not, that impression forms in seconds. You could have an incredible CV, but if your photo screams “just rolled out of bed,” it’s game over.

So what are we aiming for here?

Your photo should make the reader subconsciously imagine you as already part of their crew: polished, professional, ready to jump in. No, you don’t need to sneak a crew t-shirt from the local laundry (that’s both creepy and illegal). But you should look like you're dressed for work.

📸 Basic CV Photo Rules for Yacht Crew:

  • 👱‍♀️ Long hair? Tie it back.
  • 🧔 Beard? Groom it. No sealion chic.
  • 👕 Top half of you? Smart polo or crew uniform.
  • 🤳 Pose? Simple head and shoulders is fine. Smile! No duck faces please…
  • 🕶️ Sunglasses? Nope. Take them off.
  • 🚫✨ No filters. This is not the place for Paris glow or dog ears.

🎬 Want to Get Creative? These Action Shots Work Brilliantly:

  • 🍷 Stewardess in service mode
  • 👨‍🍳 Chef plating in the galley
  • 🚤 Deckhand driving a tender
  • 🧭 Captain at the helm
  • 🔧 Engineer (clean!) in the engine room

Whatever you choose, remember: SMILE. This is not a passport photo. Definitely not a mugshot. Look warm, approachable, and like someone the crew wouldn’t mind sharing a laundry day with. Not like a serial killer. 

Imagine walking into an interview, you’d make eye contact and smile, right? (We’ll get to interviews later…) But same rule applies here.

Do I Need a Professional Photographer?

You can, but it’s really not essential. CV photos are small, and smartphone cameras today are brilliant. Just:

  • 📏 Get someone to take it from at least 1.5 metres away (closer and your face will look like it’s in a funhouse mirror).
  • ✂️ Take it as a full or half-body shot and crop it later for the right framing.

What Makes a Good Background?

Don’t settle for a sad white wall. Use your surroundings to your advantage:

  • ⚓ In a port town? Get the marina, boats, or blue skies behind you.
  • 🚪 Onboard? Step outside — the deck, bridge, or galley all make great backdrops.
  • 🔧 Engineer? Use the engine room (after you’ve tidied it, obviously).
  • 🌿 Nowhere yachtie? Head outside! Good light and a natural setting always helps. A garden, a park, a mountain — think active and adventurous.

If you're going for something more corporate, seated at a clean desk or a nice bookshelf setup can work well too (like my author photo on the back cover of my book).

Final Tips: Take Loads, Choose Later

Snap a bunch, pick the one that feels most like you. If you’re not sure, send them to me -  I’ll happily help you choose. I’ve seen thousands of CV photos… and trust me, I know what works. And what really, really doesn’t. 

Once you’ve nailed your photo, save it in high resolution and keep it ready - you’ll need it for CVs, agency profiles, crew databases, and even WhatsApp profile pics. Consistency makes you easier to recognise and remember (especially for recruiters juggling 300 names a day).

✨ For more no-nonsense tips and honest advice at every stage of your yachting journey, check out Superyacht Life: How to Start, Succeed, & Stay Sane by Erica Lay - available 1st October on Amazon.