How to Prepare for your Session

A powerful headshot starts with preparation. We are about to give you a new kind of headshot experience that will help you stand out.

A high-quality headshot should capture you as you are on your best day.

We will use fantastic lighting to highlight your best angles, but you will be in front of the camera, so it’s paramount that you arrive ready.

In the end, you have invested time and money in having a modern, high-end headshot. Make sure you are on top of the game by following these tips.

Dress for success (cheesy, I know) from head to toe. You’ll look, feel, and photograph your best if you dress well.

For Men

Headshot clothing

If you have clothing you want to wear that does not fit these guidelines, please bring them with you anyway! Bring your favorite clothes. I also suggest including items that follow these guidelines:
  • The fit of your clothing is key. Ill-fitting shirts and jackets are easy to spot and result in a messy appearance.
  • Bring at least 2 suits or sport jackets. Simple designs without patterns is most effective.
  • For individuals sessions, bring 3 or more pressed plain dress shirts without patterns (one color). Use your best-fitting shirts with firm collars and collar stays. We don’t want curled collars! Shirts with more structure are better than floppy shirts.
  • Don’t forget ties. Choose a couple of ties that are complementary and without bold patterns.
  • If you want to make the most of your headshot session, bring a few more casual looks: a leather jacket, a turtleneck, a plain, high-quality t-shirt, and maybe even a hat if you have one. It’ll be wise to dress from head to toe especially if you’d like any full-body or half-body portraits.
  • Bring anything you enjoy wearing!

Headshot Hair

For hair, style it how you would normally do it on a great hair day:

  • Do not get a haircut the same day of the headshot session.
  • Bring every hair styling product and tool you use every day to style your hair.
  • Come freshly shaven and trimmed, including your nose hairs. Trim any crazy outlier eyebrow hairs, but don’t over do this.

Headshot Glasses

Wearing your glasses in your headshot is a smart idea if you wear glasses every day. Having a number of frame and lens options would be beneficial. If you sometimes wear glasses and sometimes wear contacts, bring the glasses to try.

Headshot Shoes

Bring some professional shoes just to be safe, just in case we move into something less close-up.

For woMen

Headshot clothing

If you have clothing you want to wear that does not fit these
guidelines, please bring them with you anyway! Bring your favorite clothes. I also suggest including items that follow these guidelines:

  • The fit of your clothing is key. Ill-fitting shirts and jackets are easy to spot and result in a messy appearance.
  • If you are attending an individual session, bring four or more of your best fitting professional tops/dresses. These shirts and dresses should be solid or at least have a non-distracting pattern. Consider wearing one that matches your eye color. Gemstone colors/tones often look great.
  • Don’t be afraid to wear a jackets if you want to professional look.
  • If you want to make the most of your headshot session, bring a few more casual looks: a leather jacket, a turtleneck, a plain, high-quality t-shirt, some fun dresses and maybe even a hat if you have one. It’ll be wise to dress from head to toe especially if you’d like any full-body or half-body portraits.
  • Bring anything you enjoy wearing!

Headshot Hair

For hair, style it how you would normally do it on a great hair day:

  • Do not get a haircut within 3 days of the headshot session.
  • Drastically changing hairstyles before a session should be avoided as well.
  • Bring every hair styling product and tool you use every day to style your hair.
  • Come freshly shaven and trimmed, including your nose hairs. Trim any crazy outlier eyebrow hairs, but don’t over do this.

Headshot Make up

At the headshot session, my makeup artists will handle everything, so you don’t have to bring any makeup if you selected professional makeup.

  • Please use a light touch if you are doing your own makeup. The best makeup, in my view, is natural makeup that simply accentuates the natural beauty of the wearer.
  • In a headshot, eyeliner can be overbearing and false eyelashes are often especially distracting. I generally prefer no eyeliner or false eyelashes, but I suggest using sparingly if my clients are committed to using it.
  • Make sure to bring lipstick and/or lip gloss with you. Usually a shade or two darker than your natural lip.
  • Don’t forget tools to apply, remove, and touch up makeup. Avoid makeup that contains SPF, which will make your skin look more shiny.

Headshot Glasses

Wearing your glasses in your headshot is a smart idea if you wear glasses every day. Having a number of frame and lens options would be beneficial. If you sometimes wear glasses and sometimes wear contacts, bring the glasses to try.

Headshot Shoes

Bring some professional shoes just to be safe, just in case we move into something less close-up.

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