Headshot Session Preparation

When it comes to your upcoming business or actor headshot photo session, there are a number of ways you can prepare in advance to make sure you have the most successful and positive photo experience. Every shoot is different, so what you’ll need to prepare might change based on your unique photography needs, but overall, these are my top headshot photo session tips to ensure you look and feel your best during your photo session.

Skin

Drink plenty of water
Try to eat healthy foods, as fried and salty foods cause bloating and water retention
Avoid sun exposure, which can make you look tired and leave your skin irritated
Avoid fake tan, but if you really want to – apply it 3-4 days before the shoot
If you wish to, wax and manicure your eyebrows and remove facial fuzz 3-4 days prior to your photo shoot just in case you have a skin reaction.
The night before brush your lips with your toothbrush to help get rid of any dead skin
Get plenty of sleep!

Your Smile

Your smile is the most important business tool and I’ll encourage 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.

Try to avoid eating or drinking anything that will stain your teeth leading up to the shoot or just before.

You may want to bring your toothbrush and toothpaste to have a quick clean before having your photos.

Clothes

Solid colours look great in headshots.
Stay away from patterns, keep it simple.
Fitted and tailored clothing works best. Loose or baggy tops will make you look larger.
If you love your arms, tank tops can work nicely. If you don’t, long sleeves often work better than short sleeves.
Bring a few changes of clothes, just in case something happens
Make sure that ALL clothes are ironed and pressed ready to go a day or two before the shoot to ease the potential stress of finding an outfit
Don’t worry about shoes if just shooting headshots. Be comfortable.

Ladies Hair & Make-up

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 making an appointment with your hairdresser please arrange this for the day prior or even the morning of the shoot. It is a good idea to get these booked and in the diary now.

Makeup should be simple but well done so your natural assets stand out on their own. This means that makeup should help the viewer focus on the eyes and the mouth, which are the essence of the headshot. Please don’t wear false eyelashes as they can cast a shadow on your eyes.

If you have a spot or blemish don’t try to cover it with foundation or powder as it is easier to retouch in photoshop

Nails

Your hands may end up in some of our shots so cut and clean them. For nail polish choose a neutral, skin tone polish, or a clear coat, so as not to distract from your face.

Gents

I recommend that you get your haircut 2 to 3 days prior to the shoot so it doesn’t have that “freshly cut” look.

Glasses

If you normally wear glasses we’ll shoot some shots with and some without glasses to get rid of reflections.

Above all, Enjoy yourself!

Although you will be working hard during your shoot it will also a fun and enjoyable experience. I fully understand that some people hate having their photo taken or think they are un-photogenic. This is an area I specialise in so please do let us know if you have any worries or concerns about being photographed.