How To Prepare for Your Headshot Session

A common question for any headshot session is “How do I Prepare”? This post is geared to help you in all aspects of your shoot. Remember, you will likely only take a picture from the waist up, so bottoms and shoes are less important.Here are a few quick tips on what to wear for your session:

Wardrobe

When choosing your outfit for your headshot, think style plus comfort. When you feel good in your clothes, you look good in your pictures. Here are some quick tips for your wardrobe:

Bring 5-6 outfits.

Your portraits should be a reflection of you, just more polished. Choose outfits you love. Think of those special pieces you might not wear often because they’re impractical for day-to-day use, or the go-to blouse you always wear when you’re going somewhere nice.

Something Dark.

Bring at least one dark outfit or top. Black, Navy or Charcoal work best here.

Something Light.

For your light outfit, think angelic. Soft, gauzy, maybe even layered and sheer. It doesn’t have to be white, you could go with cream, nude, light pink – whatever.

Something Stylish.

This outfit is your chance to really show your personal style. Fun/Funky/Whimsical If you tend toward more conservative tastes, choose a different adjective. Instead of Funky, try Structured, Soft, Elegant, or Formal.

Something Sexy.

This one is entirely your call. You could skip sexy, and that’s up to you. But if you’d like to, you can be an understated sexy in a backless formal dress, or a more overt sexy in a pretty pinup-style swimsuit. Beautiful lingerie is lovely and empowering.

Consider Necklines.

I love to be able to see your collar bone, so boat neck, scoop neck, square neck, deep V and off-the-shoulder are my favorite necklines. Whatever you choose, try to make it more interesting than the basic T-Shirt neckline. If you love turtlenecks, go for it! Feel free to bring whatever calls to you. Mixing up the necklines will add variety to your shots, so try not to bring all of one style.

Think Texture.

Sumptuous textures lend a rich, tactile element to your photos. Delicious.

Avoid Prints.

Patterns and prints are distracting. We want people to look at you when they see your portrait, and even the most beautiful print will steal that attention. Check out the photo above for an example. I bet one of the first things you noticed about it was her dress. It’s a great dress, but she has great eyes, too – and they aren’t the first thing we see.

Fit Your Form.

Fitted clothing that shows your shape work best for photographs. Skip that billowy, blouson top, or anything with dolman or batwing sleeves. While they might be flattering in person, they will not be slimming in camera. This applies to any body type. Choose outfits that will hug your curves, especially your waist, hips, arms, and chest.

Men: Bring a dress shirt and a few ties, all freshly pressed.

Women: Bring a neutral pant suit/skirt and a few long sleeve shirts that work under the jacket, all freshly pressed. Avoid spaghetti straps.

Hair

Don’t cut or dye your hair right before the shoot, especially men since stylists tend to cut hair a little shorter so it looks like it’s at its proper length about 2 weeks later.

If you color your hair, make sure your color your roots are not visible. It is extremely difficult and cost-prohibitive to correct.

Men: Shave right before appointment, unless you are going for a scruffy look.

Women: Remove any unwanted facial hair. 

Jewelry

Men: none

Women: If you wear earrings, simple studs are recommended. If you wear a necklace, keep it simple without any charms or pendants.

Makeup

Keep your makeup light and natural. Bring your portable makeup kit for touch-ups, if needed.

Sleep

Get plenty of rest. Try to have everything set out and ready to go the night before and get to bed a little earlier than you typically would, especially if you have an early shoot. Lacking sleep will leave you skin looking puffy and irritated so be sure to get plenty of sleep before your shoot. 

Hydrate your skin

Drink plenty of water. Keeping your skin hydrated will also keep it looking its best for the day of your shoot. When you don’t drink enough water your skin will look dry, dull, red and puffy. The week leading up to your shoot you want to drink at least eight glasses of water each day to ensure your skin is well hydrated. Do not drink alcohol within 24 hours of your shoot.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out to our team.

Book your Headshot Session Now!