You made an investment into your headshot so it’s important to be prepared for it.
INTRODUCTION
You booked your headshot session with a photographer. Now what? It can be a little nerve-wracking heading into a photoshoot session, especially when it’s your first time. To ensure you look your best for your session, we put together some valuable tips on how to prepare for your headshot session.
DETERMINE PURPOSE
It’s important to understand what you’ll be using your headshot for and how you want to present yourself to the world. Will you place your headshot in a professional setting such as on your company website or LinkedIn profile? Or perhaps you want to put it on your social media and show your fun side (or moody, or whatever you’re feeling at the moment). If you need it for a professional setting, do you want a serious look or go for something a bit more relaxed?
There is no right or wrong answer to how you want to present yourself to the world. It’s always helpful to know what you want before you walk into your headshot session. And if you don’t, that’s ok. Consult with family, friends, or even your photographer.
PLAN YOUR WARDROBE
Choose your outfit keeping in mind your purpose and the image you want to convey. Solid colors and simple patterns are safe choices as they won’t distract from your face. Busy patterns, bright colors or large logos can divert attention.
Check with your photographer to see what color backgrounds will be used and choose contrasting colors to stand out. Or tell your photographer the colors you’ll be wearing.
Bring several outfits to your session to have some variety and flexibility. If I could give advice on this in one sentence, it would be – bring an outfit that makes you look and feel fantastic. Because when you feel good, you look good.
If you’d like to dive deeper, check out our blog post, What to Wear for Your Headshot Session.
Hair, Grooming, Makeup
Yes, you should aim for a well-groomed appearance. A picture is worth a thousand words and sometimes, it might be your only chance to make a first impression on someone.
For Men
Consider getting a haircut a few days before the shoot to allow time for it to settle. Consider a fresh shave or well-maintained beard, whichever suits your style.
For Women
Consider a blowout and makeup if it’s within your budget. If you do makeup, a natural look and minimal makeup often produces the best results for headshots.
REST UP
The night before your headshot session is not the time to go out raging and come home at 3AM. Get at least eight hours of sleep the night before. You want to look well-rested.
Proper rest will help reduce puffiness and dark circles around the eyes, ensuring a fresh and energized appearance. Ideally, you want to get consistent rest but that may not be possible for some people, especially in a city that never sleeps. If that’s the case, try to make an exception for your session and get your “beauty sleep” the night before your session.
Check out this article from Sleep Foundation on what sleep deprivation does to your appearance. It also talks about how sufficient sleep can lead to a healthier complexion and stronger hair and reduce wrinkles.
RELAX AND BE YOU
Easier said than done but it is important to relax and let your authentic self shine through. Trust that your photographer knows what they are doing. All you have to do is show up and be you.
If you get too nervous or the shoot is not going the way you want it to, pause, take a break (and a breath) and start again. After all, you are investing in yourself so take the time you need to present yourself in the best way possible.
CONCLUSION
A professional headshot is an investment well worth your time and effort. The tips above are meant to ensure a smooth and fun headshot session. Plan your wardrobe, consider grooming, and get plenty of rest the night before. You may not have time for all the tips mentioned above and simply show up to your headshot session. If that happens, that’s totally fine! Just be yourself, let your personality shine through and let your photographer handle the rest.
