You’ve taken the leap and booked your headshot session! You want to create professional images that reflect your skills, intelligence, and personal brand. But how do you prepare?

Don’t worry! I’ve put together this quick guide to help you feel ready to go on the day of your session!

What should I wear?

Clothing is a way to express yourself, and it’s important that the outfit you choose for your headshots matches your personality and conveys the message you want about your business and yourself.

That said, the simpler and more neutral the clothing, the better. Go for solid colors and avoid neons and busy patterns. Be sure to iron all your clothes before the shoot so they don’t appear wrinkled in your photos. And when it comes to shoes, remember that no one will see your feet in a headshot, so wear something comfortable!

Bring a few different outfits to choose from, and I’ll help you decide on the best one for your images! The most important thing is that you’re comfortable because if you’re not, it will show in your photos.

Should I do my own hair and makeup or hire a professional?

Whether you hire a makeup artist or hair stylist is completely up to you! Some people do so because they want to look their best, while others feel comfortable handling their appearance on their own. If you don’t often wear much makeup or don’t like the way your makeup has appeared in photos, definitely consider hiring a professional to do it for you.

The most important thing is that your headshots look like you, so make sure to do your hair and makeup in a way that is normal for you. After all, you want people to recognize you from your photo!

Should I get a haircut before my session?

If you do choose to get a haircut, schedule it at least a week before your session. We’ve all had bad haircuts, and you want to give your hair time to grow out, just in case it’s too short for your liking.

How do I pose?

Posing is something you definitely don’t have to worry about! It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in thousands of photos or you avoid the camera like the plague—I’m here to help you feel relaxed and have fun. I’ll coach you into a variety of poses and expressions and shoot photos from different angles to make sure we have a lot of great images and options for you to choose from. And I’ll never just put you in front of the camera and expect you to figure it out; there will always be plenty of clear direction!

I don’t like the way I look in photos. What can I do to change that?

Many people feel that they’re not photogenic, and most of the time that’s because they’ve only had photos taken by friends and family, not a professional. As a professional photographer, I’m an expert in lighting, angles, and post-production, so I know how to create photos that you will love!

Should I have headshots taken in a studio or outside?

Both are great options, and fortunately for you, we’ll do both at your session! Studio light and backdrops offer better control of the images, while natural light can give your photos a fresh, clean feel. I’ll photograph you in both settings, giving you more options to choose from!

These are some of the most common questions I hear when it comes to headshot sessions. If you have more questions, feel free to get in touch! I’d love to chat with you!