How to prepare for your Professional Headshots: 5 simple steps
1. Communicate with Your Photographer
Good communication before the session is one of the most important parts of the process.
Before your shoot, think about what you would like your headshots to communicate. You don’t need to arrive with one exact photograph that you want to replicate—in fact, it is better not to. Instead, collect a few visual references that reflect the mood, colour palette, lighting, angles or overall feeling you are drawn to.
These references give us a starting point and help us understand each other more clearly. They also allow me to prepare properly for your session: I can consider the lighting, equipment and modifiers I may need to create the right atmosphere.
Every person is different, so every headshot session should be approached differently. The more we communicate beforehand, the more personal and purposeful your photographs can be.
2. Plan Your Outfits
An outfit that looks great in everyday life may not always work as well on camera. Busy patterns, strong stripes and distracting details can draw attention away from your face—which should always be the focus of a headshot.
Bring a few carefully considered options, including both light and dark colours. Simple, solid pieces usually photograph beautifully, although colour is always welcome. Softer, understated tones are often easier to work with and help keep the attention on you.
Think about the neckline as well. An open neckline can elongate the neck and allow the skin to frame the face naturally. A very high neckline may make the neck appear shorter, so it is often best to avoid one unless it is an intentional part of the look.
Most importantly, choose clothes that feel like you. You should feel comfortable, confident and able to move naturally.
3. Get a Good Night’s Sleep
Try to rest properly the night before your session. Sleep affects much more than the appearance of the skin or the area beneath the eyes—it influences your energy, expression and ability to feel present.
Some small details can be adjusted during retouching, but tiredness is not simply something that can be edited away. When you are well-rested, it is easier to connect, relax and enjoy the experience.
Give yourself a calm evening, prepare everything in advance and allow plenty of time on the morning of your shoot. Arriving rested and unhurried will make a real difference.
4. Tell Me How You Feel
Many people feel slightly nervous when they first step in front of the camera, and that is completely normal.
Talking can help us connect and make the experience feel more natural, so please don’t be afraid to speak. Tell me if something feels uncomfortable, if you need a pause or if you are unsure about anything. You can also ask questions at any point during the session.
A headshot session is a collaboration. The more openly we communicate, the easier it becomes to create an environment in which you feel safe, understood and relaxed.
5. Be Present and Trust the Process
You don’t need to perform or force a particular expression for your headshot. Instead, allow yourself to settle into the rhythm of the session.
Try not to overthink how you look. Trust your photographer—and simply assume that you look great. Your job is not to analyse every angle or expression; your job is to be present.
When you focus on the moment rather than the camera, your face and body begin to relax. That is when the most natural, engaging photographs appear. Give yourself time to ease into the process, trust the guidance you receive and let everything else follow.
