Getting new headshots can be stressful, we completely understand that. As a commercial portrait studio, pretty much every person we photograph is getting headshots for their job. Whether that’s an attorney getting a new LinkedIn shot, or an actor looking for a great commercial headshot, it’s all business. Whatever your trade, we know from experience that the most successful sessions happen when you come prepared. If you want to look and feel your best, take a look at our checklist of ways that you can ace your headshot session.

1. Manage Your Time

 If you are worried about your session, then don’t rush it. Sometimes it takes a little while to warm up in front of the camera when having your headshot done. Be sure to GPS the photoshoot location in advance and allow yourself plenty of time to get there. Map your route in advance and consider what the traffic conditions will be on the day of your shoot. Give yourself at least two hours to spend at the studio. It's important that we go at a comfortable pace and not feel rushed during our shoot.

2. Get Plenty of Rest

Many professionals have crazy lives due to work and family obligations. Sometimes it’s hard to find time to take care of yourself, but lack of rest is a huge contributor to stress. This can affect everything from your attitude to your complexion. Make sure that in the two or three days leading up to the session, you do as much as you can to find time to rest. Get some decent exercise in to make sure you are tired and ready to rest come bed time. A couple nights of great sleep can make a huge difference in how you feel and look. Set aside time for yoga, meditation, a bath, or even some reading if a solid seven hours of sleep is out of the question. Being well-rested can make a big difference in how your images turn out.

3. Plan Your Wardrobe 

The clothes you bring to a session can make or break the quality of the images. Remember, what you wear on a day-to-day basis isn’t always the right choice.. Professional images are for your brand, so that means you are trying to communicate something specific. Therefore, make sure your clothing choices are deliberate and that they send the right message. Bring classic pieces that are in your color pallet. Just because you like to wear certain colors, that doesn’t mean that those colors are the ones you look the best in. Avoid shirts with busy patterns, as they distract from your face. Go for a solid colored shirt that elongates or features your neck. So, turtlenecks are out, as are solid black and solid white shirts, as they wash out your skin tone. Also avoid clothing with large logos. We don't want anything to distract from your face and eyes.

4. Skin 

If you can, drink plenty of water in the week prior to your headshot phootshoot, as this will keep your skin plump, smooth and clear. Try to eat healthy foods, as fried and salty foods cause bloating and water retention.  Also avoid sun exposure, which can make you look tired and leave your skin irritated. Get plenty of sleep to avoid dark circles under your eyes!

5. Hair

Choose a haircut and hairstyle a week or two in advance, as freshly cut hair can look strange on camera.  Understanding that you should look like your headshot photograph, choose a hairstyle that you can easily recreate for your auditions.  A neutral style that highlights the natural curve and shape of your face is always the best choice for an acting headshot. 

6. Facial Hair

Prepare your facial hair for your headshots by trimming, plucking and/or choosing a style for shaving facial hair in advance.  Knowing that plucking can leave red marks, and bleaching can irritate skin, be sure to do these things a couple of days before your session.

7. Teeth

Avoid anything that may stain your teeth on the day of your headshot photographs.  If your teeth are noticeably yellowed or stained, invest in having them professionally cleaned and whitened, but don't worry if you don't have the time or money, we can easily get the same result with a little bit of Photoshop magic.

8. Nails

Your hands may end up in some of our shots, so get a manicure for your nails. For women choose a neutral, skin tone polish, or a clear coat, so as not to distract from your face. For men a clean trim is enough.

9. 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 or get them to remove your lenses for the shoot. As we can have problems with reflection and refraction. Invariably we’ll shoot some shots with and some without glasses. You might like to bring along a couple of pairs of frames. And make sure the lenses are clean!

10. 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. We love producing range by changing the hair during the session by putting it up in a pony tail etc. 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 make up should help the viewer focus on the eyes and the mouth, which are the essence of the headshot. Our main concern is shine so we do advise bringing along some translucent powder.

We highly recommend booking the services of a professional make up artist who can be on hand throughout your shoot and ensure you’re looking your absolute best. Again we work with a number of professional make-up artists and stylist who we are happy to recommend.

11. Set Your Expectations for Headshots

Have you ever considered it’s possible to get great headshots that you don’t love? Think about that. Your photographer could create fantastic images of you that you don’t love. If you want to LOVE your headshots, make sure to communicate your expectations. Show specific examples of headshots you like and don’t like. Pick your favorites from their website! This will let them know why you to picked them in the first place. Also, never be afraid to share examples of images that you like, no matter where you find them. Start a conversation about the style and mood you are going for with great examples to draw on for inspiration. That kind of feedback can get everyone on the same page and help ensure that you will love the results. You can collaborate with your photographer by starting a Pinterest Board.