5 Tips to Help Prepare You for a Headshot Session

I know, I know… you hate having your picture taken. Most people don’t like standing in front of a camera, it’s an unnatural thing to do. But that doesn’t mean you have to live with a bad headshot your whole life. Headshots are something every professional needs, yet most people dread taking them. Many people live with headshots that are old and outdated or one’s they just don’t like, simply to avoid going through the process again. Headshots don’t have to be painful, and it is possible to get a result that you are proud of. It requires the combined efforts of your photographer and you as well. Here are five tips to help you prepare to create your best headshot yet!

1. What to wear? 

Select an outfit in which you feel comfortable and confident, one that reflects your personal style. I wouldn’t recommend experimenting with something new here, this isn’t the time to try something different. Be yourself and wear something that makes you feel good and showcases your personality. Ensure that the clothes fit you properly. Clothing that is too loose or too tight will not enhance your appearance. Layering can be a good idea as you can easily modify your look by adding or removing layers. Consider the purpose of your headshot. Are you interviewing for a high-level position at a big bank? In that case, a suit might be appropriate. If you’re an actor, think about the roles you typically audition for. Are you a musician? How do you dress on stage every night to face your fans? Your headshot should represent you authentically, so embrace your unique style and own it! Try to keep busy patterns to a minimum, if possible. You are the subject not your clothing, so solid colors tend to work best. Choose colors that complement your features, such as your eye or hair color, or accessories like earrings or necklaces. Consider colors that flatter your skin tone or receive frequent compliments. Avoid bright colors and reflective materials, as these can also be distracting. Remember, you want the viewer’s attention to be drawn to you, not your loud clothing.

2.  Makeup and hair  

Whether you do it yourself or have a professional do it for you, you should arrive at your session with your makeup and hair already set to maximize your time. I recommend going light on both. Your makeup should enhance your features without appearing too heavy or different from your everyday look. If you are having it professionally done, I recommend using someone you’ve worked with in the past. You want to ensure they get it right, and you want confidence that you will be happy with the results. Your makeup should complement you, this is not the time to experiment with something new. If you are getting a haircut or coloring your hair for this session, I would recommend doing it a week or so prior, so it has time to settle in and look more natural. Bring a comb or hairbrush with you just in case, the goal is to minimize frizz and flyaway hairs. Again, we are aiming for a natural look here. If you don’t normally straighten your hair, don’t do it just for this photoshoot. For men, regarding facial hair, if you typically are clean-shaven, be sure to shave at least an hour before your session to ensure there is no leftover redness. Pay extra close attention when shaving to ensure you don’t miss any spots. Put on your glasses and check in the mirror to be sure. Use shaving cream and aftershave or a moisturizer to prevent dry skin and help reduce any redness. If you normally have facial hair, be sure to clean it up and trim everything before the shoot.

3.  Should I wear my glasses? 

Do you wear glasses every day? Then you should wear them in the shoot. If you only wear them sometimes, bring them along, and you can take some photos with them and some without. One of the biggest issues photographers face with glasses is reflections. A large white reflection in your lenses can divert attention away from your eyes, potentially ruining a photo. The best way to reduce reflections in your headshot is to have a pair of glasses with an anti-reflective coating. To check if your glasses have this coating, move them back and forth and observe the reflections on the lenses. If they have a slight green tint, they likely have this coating. If you have two pairs of glasses, one with the coating and one without, it’s highly recommended to wear the pair with the coating. Be sure to give your glasses a proper clean before arriving to ensure you remove all smudges or streaks on the lenses. Remember, the camera will pick up all of these little details.

 4. Introductory conversation with your photographer

One of the best ways to prepare for your headshot is to have a conversation with your photographer prior to your session. During this talk, you can get to know a bit about your photographer, learn their process, and perhaps gather some tips and tricks to help prepare before you even show up for the photoshoot. This is the time to establish a connection with them. Being comfortable with your photographer is one of the easiest ways to get a better photograph. If you are at ease in front of the camera, you will be able to capture a more natural pose. During this talk, you should inform your photographer of your profession, the purpose of these headshots, whether you prefer an indoor or outdoor backdrop, and how you want to be portrayed in this image. Do you want to come across as powerful, approachable, playful, or serious? Do you have some sample images of headshots you like? Share these with your photographer on a Pinterest board before your session to help them even more in seeing your vision of the final product. This conversation will help both you and your photographer get acquainted with each other, a significant first step in achieving a great result.

 5. Day of your session

Get a good night’s sleep, you don’t want to look or feel tired during your session as this will translate into your photos. It’s also essential to ensure you’re hydrated by drinking plenty of water beforehand, this will ensure your skin looks its best. Make sure your shirt or jacket is properly cleaned and ironed! If you have pets, give your clothes a quick lint roll before leaving the house to ensure all pet hair is removed. Give yourself more than enough time to get ready, you don’t want to rush! Remember, the photographer is here to help guide you through positions and poses that will make you look your best. You don’t need to memorize elaborate posing techniques for your session. It’s okay if you feel awkward or uncomfortable in front of the camera, it’s an unnatural thing, after all. Remember, it makes most people feel strange, not just you. Just trust the process and know that by the end of the session, with your combined efforts, you should have a photo of yourself that you are proud of!

Once you have a positive experience with a good photographer, you may overcome your fear of headshots and even look forward to getting them updated regularly. It’s good practice to have them done once a year, and it can even become an enjoyable process. Having an image of yourself that you’re proud of is a great feeling. Remember that first impressions are important, and often your headshot is that first impression. How many times have you met someone after seeing a really old picture of them before meeting in person? It’s awkward and leads the relationship off on the wrong foot. You don’t want to be that person. So, go out and get that headshot updated!

If you are interested in my headshot services, click HERE for more info.