HEADSHOT PREP GUIDE - A GUIDE NOT A RULEBOOK

Best Headshot Photographer in the Bay Area

While it’s my job to make you look great in front of the camera, it’s very important to follow these tips to make sure your clothing, hair and makeup photograph great too.

THE EXPERIENCE

When it comes to your headshot photo session, there are a number of ways you can prepare in advance to make sure you have the most successful and positive experience. Every session is different, so some of these tips may or may not be applicable to your unique photography needs, but overall, these are my top tips for everyone to ensure you look and feel your best during your photoshoot. 

MAIN TIP: Simple is better.

HEADSHOT CLOTHING  

If you have clothing that you want to shoot that does not fit these guidelines, please bring those clothes! Bring your favorite clothes.

The fit of your clothing is important. Baggy or excessively tight clothing won’t bring out your best look.

For individual sessions, bring 4 or more of your best fitting professional tops/dresses. These shirts and/or dresses should be solid or have a non-distracting pattern. Consider bringing one that matches your eye color. When in doubt, wear navy.

Bring a few professional jackets if that’s a look you want.

I strongly suggest making the most of your headshot session by bringing some more casual layered looks: leather jackets, a mock turtleneck, a plain, high-quality t-shirt. Bring outfits from head to toe if you want any awesome full or half body portraits.

Bring anything you enjoy wearing!

NOTE: Excessive retouching of stains and wrinkles will incur additional charges.

DO:

  • Make sure whatever you decide to wear is that it fits WELL - if it’s too snug or too baggy this will ruin your portrait.

  • Express Session clients -come dressed ready to go. If you booked a full Signature session experience please bring a couple of outfits as we’ll have time to explore different looks. (Express Sessions are very short and do not allow enough time to change clothing.

  • Solid colors.

  • Fitted and tailored clothing works best. Loose or baggy tops will make you look larger than you desire.

  • Try on your top(s) with a bra if applicabble in front of bright light and mirror to check for transparency. Studio lights may shine through thin fabrics.

  • Long sleeves often work better than short sleeves. Showing a shoulder or part of your arm could make your headshot distracting.

  • If you are planning on wearing a suit jacket or blazer, consider a simple solid color underneath - perhaps a high quality short-sleeved tee.

  • Keep earrings small and simple.

  • Use hair products to avoid loose/stray hairs. Trim stray eyebrows or nose hairs. You mostly likely will not want those in your photos.

  • Ultimately- if you are wearing something that you feel great in - it will come through in your expression and body language.

AVOID:

  • Fake eyelashes

  • Necklaces

  • Patterns, plaids or stripes

  • Loose or baggy short-sleeved tops

  • Shiny fabrics like satin

  • Linen (wrinkles will show)

  • Jackets that are too small and cannot not be buttoned

  • Pastels – the light color washes out in studio light

  • Avoid white or off-white as it can wash you out

  • Button down shirts that don’t fit well - any gaps between buttons means your shirt doesn’t fit well. This goes for shirts that are too big in the neck collar area too.

  • Bulky sweaters

  • Stained clothing

HEADSHOT MAKEUP

If you wear makeup, consider a light natural look.

DO:

  • If you wear mascara, keep it natural looking not clumpy.

  • Base makeup MUST be properly color matched. If your face doesn’t match your neck it will be VERY noticeable in the studio lights.

  • You should only use an oil-free moisturizer and an eye cream prior to your session and do not use any sunscreen with white residue.

  • Do consider having a professional do your make up for you. We can recommend one of our great artists that can meet you at the studio.

  • Moisturize your face and lips - starting a few days beforehand if this isn’t part of your regular routine. You don’t want flakey or dry skin on your face.

AVOID:

  • Sun exposure for 3-4 days prior to your photoshoot.

  • Don’t worry about small blemishes. They are easily retouched.

  • Don’t wear too much face powder over foundation – digital photography is sharp and too much powder will show and will be impossible to retouch.

  • Don’t wear sunscreen to the photoshoot.

  • Avoid very dry lips - cracked or very dry skin will come through in the studio lighting.

HEADSHOT HAIR

Please take the time to style your hair nicely. Do not get a haircut within three days of the headshot session. Bring everything you use to style your hair, including anything you use to tame flyaways.

DO:

  • Whether or not you work with a stylist, make sure you wear your hair in a way that you think looks most like you!

  • Adding some wave or curl to the hair usually looks great in headshots.

  • Most cuts look better after one week. It is usually NOT a good idea to get your hair cut or hair colored the day before your session. 

HEADSHOT JEWELRY

Bring simple jewelry that does not distract. We will shoot with and without jewelry. Mostly I prefer no jewelry to eliminate distractions, but it’s up to you what we shoot! 

HEADSHOT GLASSES

If you wear glasses every day, you should have your glasses in your headshot. If you sometimes wear glasses and sometimes wear contacts, bring the glasses to try. If you have multiple pairs, bring them, so we can try multiple frames and lenses. If your glasses do not have the non-reflective coating we will most likely not be able to photograph you wearing them.

HEADSHOT GROOMING & SKIN

  • It is very helpful to wax and manicure your eyebrows, nose hairs and remove facial fuzz prior to your photo shoot. BUT make sure to do this 3 or more days before your session, just in case you have a skin reaction.

  • Removing facial hair and exfoliating ensures that any foundation will go on smoothly and prevents applied powder from becoming attached to those fine hairs, which are very visible in your close-up digital photographs. 

  • Consider having a facial a week before. Or at a minimum use a facial scrub 48 hours in advance to remove blackheads. They will appear in the photo otherwise. Check out my favorite esthetician in Pleasanton for a great facial (at least 3 days in advance of your photoshoot.)

So - why all the do’s and dont’s? After 24 years of experience, I have found that those that did not follow some of my simple advice, ended up being disappointed in their photographic image. Remember, I want you to look great! So please, take me up on my offer to review your clothing (via zoom, facetime, or snapshots) so I can help you decide on what to bring to the studio to have a successful photoshoot.

Any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out!