How to Prepare for Your Photoshoot

Having a professional headshot is very important in today’s virtual world. We have become a very visual society. Whether you are online building your business network, developing important business relationships or looking for a job; your headshot says a lot about you.

Here are some quick tips on how to prepare for your headshots.

Be Yourself

The absolutely most important thing to remember when choosing what to wear for you photoshoot, no matter what type, is to wear something that you feel good in. Being in front of the camera is awkward enough for most people; you don't want your clothing to make you more self-conscious.

Clothing Fit

Your clothes should fit you just right. Clothing that is too big will make you look bigger and sloppy. Make sure the buttons are not pulling on your button-down shirt and that you can button your jacket. Your shirt and jacket collar should fit properly around your neck without a gap between your shirt and collar. If you are doing a full body photo, stay away from baggy, wide legged pants.

Stay Consistent with Your Branding

Take a few minutes to think about the tone you want to project in your business headshots. Depending on the culture of your company, you may want to come across as hip, friendly or creative. Or, if you work in professional services, you may prefer to project an air of formality, knowledge and trustworthiness. The location of the photo shoot (in a studio or on location) will also have a bearing on your best camera-ready outfit.

Keep it Simple

Wear clothing that is not seasonal.  You want to look relevant all year round.  

Hair

Hair is such a personal thing so it’s best that you feel like you in your pictures. Feel free to bring whatever styling products you need in order to create your look. If you are planning on a CUT, get this done a few days before your shoot.

If you have longer hair, bring accessories so that we can shoot it up and down.

For those shaving, shave well the morning of your shoot. If you have scruff or a beard, make sure you trim your edges so they are nice and clean. If you want some shots with and without facial hair, bring your grooming tools and you can shave during your session.

If you are shaving off a beard that you have had for a while, do this at least a week before.

Color

Jewel tones are universally flattering. Avoid wearing tops in flesh tones (cream, beige, pastels, peach or yellow) as they will blend your face into your clothes. If you have a logo or brand color, coordinate your clothing color to be cohesive with that.

Black – black is classic, but can make you appear heavy and somber. If your hair is black, it will blend in to your jacket. Bring a color option if you are on the fence about it.

A fail-safe tip is to pick a top that accentuates your eyes and goes well with your skin tone.

Lips - IMPORTANT

Please moisturize your lips for a few days before your photoshoot. Dry, chapped lips are very hard to retouch. You’ve been warned.

Skin Care

Take great care of your skin 4-6 weeks before your session. Hydrate and nourish your skin especially.

·      Get a good night of sleep before your session.

·      Don’t eat salty foods a few days prior.

·      If you get Botox, do it 4-6 weeks before.

·      If you get a peel, do it more than a week before your shoot.

Make-up

Makeup should be simple but well done so your natural assets stand out on their own. If you are unsure about your makeup, I can recommend a make-up artist. Please discuss this with me in advance so that we can coordinate schedules.

·      If you work with a new make-up artist, bring pictures of make-up you like.

·      Keep the lip color close to your natural lip or one shade darker with medium gloss

·      Go easy on the blush

·      Eyes should look defined, but natural, with blended eyeliner

·      Neutral color eyeshadow works best

·      Blend, blend, blend!

Avoid:

·      Spray tans and tanning salons

·      Foundation with sunscreen

·      Sparkly bronzer or eyeshadow

·      Hard-edge lip liner

·      Hard-edge eyeliner

·      Heavy smoked-out eyeshadow

·      False eyelashes or clumpy mascara

·      Too much blush or dramatic lip color

·      Glitter 

Jewelry

You need the be the main focus in your headshot. Consider wearing no jewelry, unless it’s part of your brand. If you want to wear jewelry, keep it minimal so it doesn’t distract from what is most important, your face.

Glasses

If you normally wear glasses and have a strong prescription, or glasses with no anti reflection coating, we do advise that you visit your opticians and either borrow a pair of blank frames or get them to remove your lenses for the shoot. As we can have problems with reflection and refraction. I'll shoot some shots with and some without glasses if you prefer. You might like to bring along a couple of pairs of frames.

Your Smile

Your smile is the most important business tool and we will be encouraging you to laugh and smile naturally during your session. Research by Reading University has also proved that people look longer at a smiling face than one that isn’t. Don't worry, I will get you to smile and look natural in front of the camera.

With this in mind you may like to book an appointment with your dental hygienist to give your teeth that all important polish and brush up to make your pearly whites look even more fantastic.

I hope you found these tips on what to wear for business headshots helpful.  If you have any questions, please contact me before your shoot.