HEADSHOT & BRANDING PREP GUIDE

This guide will walk you through some helpful tips for getting the most out of your headshot session.
First impressions last, so be prepared to look your best to give that best impression to important people!

WHAT TO WEAR

Determining what to wear is just as difficult as finding the right photographer for your perfect headshots!
Even though your face is the focus of your headshots, what you wear still matters.

The most important thing to remember when choosing your clothing is to be sure that everything fits properly.
Don't buy clothing based on the size… no one will know what size you purchased but they will see how it fits!

Choose clothing because it FITS!
Tailored and well-fitting clothing will go a long way in a photograph and wearing it to the office!

CLOTHING TIPS

DISTRACTIONS

Patterns, logos, and loud accessories will steal the focus from your face.
This is why it's best to stick to solid colors, toned-down accessories, and modest tops.

THE FIT

Your headshots will mostly focus on the upper half of your body,
so it's important to make sure your top/jacket fits well so you look professional. Baggy, loose clothing just looks unprofessional.

SLEEVES

Short sleeves add skin to the edge of a headshot, and can also be distracting, which is why long sleeves are better.

FABRICS

Since I’ll be taking your photos using proper lighting techniques and equipment, it’s important to make sure that your top won't be transparent in bright light.
You can also incorporate textures for variety as well!
You can see this in the photo to the right - Beth is wearing solids, but the texture in her suit gives a more professional and styled look than a solid color would have.

COLORS

Solid, jewel or natural colors are best. Not only do they look more professional but they’re not distracting. Shades of blue, grey and brown tend to work best.. and of course, black is very typical in a professional photo.

White has a professional and modern look, but it will also reflect more light than a darker color, so keep your skin tone in mind.. we don’t want you to look ‘washed out’!

UNDERSHIRTS

You might wear an undershirt daily, but they tend to show up in photos since brighter lighting is used. It’s best to skip the undershirt for your headshots if possible.

UNIFORMS / SUITS

If you're required to wear uniform, be sure to bring
everything along that might be needed…
belts are the most forgotten item!

If you’re expected to wear a suit to work, feel free to bring along different ties and we can switch them up for different looks or I can help you choose one if your undecided!

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY….. TRY IT ON!

No matter if you just wore it yesterday, its best to try on all your clothing options before your shoot to make sure you’re truly happy with how it will look in photographs.
Trying everything on a few days before your session gives you the chance to come up with a plan B if something no longer fits!

CLOTHING COLOR GUIDE

USE COLOR TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!

It’s best to find colors that compliment your skin tone, hair color and other features when choosing clothing. A very inexpensive and quick way to do it is to think about other people that have a similar look - like celebrities! They have stylists that are paid to source specific colors, textures and styles that will make them look their best, so seek out a celebrity that has a similar look and then search them on the internet to see what colors they’re typically wearing! I’ve also used https://colorwise.me/ many times when helping my clients choose clothing!

WHERE TO START

Basing your outfit on a neutral or solid color will ensure you don't overwhelm the frame. The colors that look best in photographs are neutrals (khaki, ivory and brown), dark colors (black, grey and navy) and jewel tones (blues, reds, greens) because they look great with most skin tones and hair colors.

LAYERS

Layering is great for adding interest to your headshots, covering insecurities and giving a ‘polished’ look to your photos.
Consider using the color wheel when choosing your layers to make sure that your colors don’t clash!

REDUCE LIGHT REFLECTION USING DEEP COLORS

If you're planning to have your headshot photo session outdoors, choose deeper colors instead of pale, light colors to avoid looking washed out due to light reflection.

CONSIDER YOUR BRANDING COLORS

If your headshots will be used on your website and marketing material, consider using your brand colors in your outfits.
Find small ways to work these colors into your outfit so that your photos are complementary.
If your company's main color is yellow, you could wear a yellow shirt under a jacket!

FACIAL GROOMING

Facial grooming should be a main concern since these photos will be close-up and focused on your face,
so be sure to groom your eyebrows, beard, mustache, neck area, and even your nose and ears! (This goes for men and ladies! lol)

  • For best skin results, be sure to cleanse and moisturize your face daily before bed.

  • Use a gentle scrub about twice a week for a couple of weeks leading up to your session to get rid of deep-dirt.

MAKEUP

Bring your makeup basics with you in case there are things we need to change. For touch-ups during the session, feel free to bring your powder, blush, different shades of lip color to give different looks in your photos!

  • No sunscreen, please. I will be using a mixture of natural light and lighting equipment during your session. Light reflections and bounce-back can be an issue with some makeup products... The shiny particles in sunscreen can make it seem that you applied glitter to your face for your photos... unless you're 12 or younger, you don't want that!

  • Don't use too much of anything... cake-ing on your makeup, powder, blush, eyeliner, concealer etc to cover up blemishes will not look good on camera... there's Photoshop for that! And be sure that eyeliner and mascara aren't clumpy!

  • Ensure your foundation and powder color matches your skin.. the last thing you want is for your face and neck to be completely different colors! And be sure to blend foundation and powder lines well.

  • Enhance your best features! For most people, this means their eyes or teeth.. use proper amounts and colors of eye shadow / liner / mascara / lipstick to make them pop! (Just becareful not to look like you're straight out of an 80's ad! lol!)

  • Don't overuse countouring, highlights or bronzer (feel free to bring it with you and I can help if anything is needed)

  • Don't cover up all your freckles, birthmarks or beautymarks... but don't make fake ones either! Yes, that's become a 'thing' lately and it won't stand the test of time.. just be yourself!

HAIR

FOR WOMEN

We've all had to deal with
fly-aways and unruly hair, but they're not ideal for your headshot session as they can be difficult to edit out,
so feel free to bring along any products that make your hair behave better… and I have a frew at the studio too!

GO PRO

Ideally, if you have some extra budget, you could hire a professional to assist you with your hair on the day of the session, but it’s definitely not required.

I always prefer my clients look like themselves in their photos, so if you’re comfortable with your hair styling, don’t feel pressured to visit the salon!

DON’T MAKE BOLD CHANGES
AT THE WRONG TIME

If you’re planning to cut or color your hair for your headshots, don't do it too close to your session date. You never know when something might go wrong or if you’ll be completely happy with the new look.

BE YOURSELF

Not only should you feel comfortable, but people should still be able to recognize you. Opt for a hairstyle that you would likely wear to work. Up-styles can really open up your face and neck if you’re accustomed to wearing them.

CURLS OR STRAIGHT

My answer to this is always to consider your natural self.
The goal is for these photos to look like the enhanced version of you, not the hanging out at the house version! If you’d normally curl or straighten your hair to attend a dinner or event, then go for it… but if you’d normally leave it natural no matter where you’re going, then leave it be and don’t try to be something you’re not!

FOR MEN

HAIRCUTS

If you are going to cut your hair before your headshot session,
don’t do it the day before.

Cutting your hair a few days before ensures the lines look a bit more natural and gives your hair a chance to recover should something go wrong.

SHAVING

If you generally shave the hair on your head every few days, shave it the day before your session for the best results.

While your face needs to look ‘tidy and neat’ the day of your session, you also want to avoid razor burn.

Whether you’re shaving your face clean or simply tidying up your facial hair, use a new razor and shaving cream, then moisturize your face afterward for best results in your photos.

TINY HAIRS

Don’t forget to trim stray nose, ear, neck and eyebrow hairs before your session.. they will show!

OTHER IMPORTANT TIPS

OVERALL LOOK

Some clients know exactly what style of photos they're looking to achieve, yet others have no idea! Whether you have an idea or not, a good place to start is Pinterest... You can make a board of ideas and share it with me or you can so a few screenshots of things that you've seen of other people that you like (or dislike!) so I can see what's in your head!

PROPS

Feel free to bring along anything you’d like to incorporate into your session that will help tell 'your story' or accentuate the things you want to show off in your photos.
Example: If you’re an architect, it could make sense to bring along blueprints.. but bringing more than 3 sets could be overkill.
Just keep in mind that adding in too many props can get a little overwhelming and move the focus from 'all about you' to 'all the things'.

BACKDROPS & FURNITURE

I have several backdrops in an array of colors that we'll choose from based on the answers on your questionnaire and the wardrobe items you bring.
I also have several antique and modern chairs, couches, stools, and other furniture that we can use for posing.
If you have something specific you'd like to use, feel free to bring it along!

PRACTICE

It seems a little crazy, but practicing your facial expressions for different emotions and body language in the mirror will help more than you can imagine!

Most people worry about their smile looking too cheesy or not being able to do a 'straight face', so practicing helps! HOWEVER....
I don't want you to go overboard and feel like you're posing on the red carpet for a movie premiere or the cover of Vogue! Models and actors are very aware of their body and face because they're trained to be.. that's not what I want from you! I want you to be your natural self... if you're a naturally smiley, giggley and bubbly person, it will likely be a little difficult for you to do a serious look, but I promise I'll coach you through it if that's the look you need in your photos!

The best way to practice is to think of different emotion-evoking words and use your face to 'say it without saying it'!
Here are a few to get you started: joyful, excited, charming, confident, determined.

SLEEP & RELAX

Photos can show stress and anxiety, so take it easy on the day of your session!
Try listening to your favorite songs on the way to the studio to help you feel relaxed and get into the right mindset.

And, of course, nothing makes you more feel rested than a good sleep the night before your shoot!

STYLE GUIDES

WOMEN

  • This is the most classic look for business headshots. Make sure you choose a well-fitting blazer that accentuates your body shape, as this will be the key item to this look. Styling the blazer with simple black trousers and a white blouse brings this outfit together, but feel free to get creative and wear a color that complements your skin tone, eye and/or hair color. (or the company logo!)

  • A skirt and blouse option is a perfect combination for the woman looking for a more feminine style. This outfit is a great example of a monochromatic look, using different tones of neutral beige throughout the outfit. If you're looking to add a little personality to this outfit, a silk scarf is a great accessory to give this look a little flair.

  • White is a great option for those looking for something a little more carefree. I love pairing a white silk blouse with jeans and nude shoes, which gives your look a little more of an unassuming feel. If you're looking to add a tailored aspect to this style, throw on a white blazer, which screams statement item!

MEN

  • Those in more professional industries typically opt for a more conservative look. Don't forget to accessorize, these items add important details to your look. Brown leather shoes and a belt pair nicely next to the navy which will elevate your style.

  • This look takes a light khaki blazer, a subtle ‘barely there’ plaid print and pairs it with chinos and a classic chambray shirt, making the outfit read a bit more casual. This is a great option for the man who might not need to look as conservative in his headshots.

  • For business casual looks or those in a more creative industry, try this look! Pairing the bomber with a polo, like this henley-type sweater, will give you the option of going without the jacket in your shots. Keep your accessories simple with classic white sneakers and a watch to round out the look.

A professional headshot and branding photos can do wonders for the face of your business!

Nailing your style requires careful preparation…. Looking your best boosts your confidence which will reflect in your headshot!

I hope this guide has helped you to feel more prepared for your session!

Feel free to reach out with any questions!