Quick Tips on Preparing for a Professional Headshot

Many articles have been written about preparing for a professional headshot. I've seen some that are 20 steps long! Well, I'm happy to report that with a little common sense and your desire to get a great headshot without having to shuffle through 100 proofs to find your best look, the process is fairly straightforward (and filled with common sense).

Here are four comprehensive steps to make sure your next (or first) headshot is your best headshot - minus the anticipated anxiety!

1) Don’t forget to relax

It sounds simple enough, but often the hardest to accomplish. If you are not relaxed, that mood will be conveyed in the photo through body language and expression and diminishes the quality of the photo.

Try to focus on improving your posture throughout the shoot, and listen to the photographer’s direction. If at any point, you have concerns, express them. Whether it is before the shoot, or during, do not hesitate to voice any concerns as they arise.

2) Get some rest and hydrate

This is a simple one. To help avoid dark circles under your eyes, hydrate plenty at least a day before and day of the shoot, and also try to rest well the night before.

3) Dress comfortably and avoid busy clothing and jewelry

In terms of clothing – definitely be your usual stylish, fashionable self but bear in mind that the subject of your photograph is your face and not your outfit. Make sure to wear something you feel confident and comfortable in so that mood comes through in pictures.

For a traditional business look, classic dark suits are a great choice. To choose a well-pairing tie, aim to wear a shade that falls between the color of the suit and shirt underneath. A crew neck undershirt in place of a v-neck undershirt is often better especially with thinner lighter colored shirts where the neckline may show through. Also, avoid shirts with button-down collars.

For a business casual look, skip the jacket and opt for a colored dress shirt or blouse that, ideally, is darker than your skin tone. In both cases, a timeless headshot will be best served absent of all jewelry.

Overall, avoid things like turtlenecks and clothing with bold and distracting patterns and colors. Also, avoid clothing with grid-like squares or minuscule herringbone patterns. Avoid shiny and reflective articles of clothing, and avoid black cotton shirts as they pick up lint very easily. Also, refrain from wearing neutral gray clothing if you will be photographed on a gray background. Female executives may want to avoid wearing short sleeves or sleeveless blouses as they draw attention to bare arms.

In all cases, avoid clothing with busy patterns, colors, graphics or text. And, although we discourage jewelry of any type, if you so choose to wear a chain or neckless, it should be short enough so that it does not get cut-off in the final image. Remember, a traditional headshot is cropped just below the shoulders.

4) Come Hair and Makeup Ready

Unless this is a model or actor shoot, and a hair/makeup artist has already been scheduled, come to the shoot with hair and makeup ready. Feel free to bring a hairbrush, hair spray or gel, in case a quick touch-up is necessary once you arrive for the shoot.

Additionally, shine can be an issue in headshots, so best be prepared. If the weather is warm, you might want to bring a small towel to dab away any sweat or use paper towels that may be available in the venue’s or studio's restrooms. Also, avoid applying shiny lipsticks or lip glosses.

Men, if your shoot is scheduled later in the day, do your best to avoid 5 o’clock shadows as they will often be visible in the images. And, If you are going to get a haircut, get it a few days before the shoot. This way, the cut will grow in a little and you will have some time to get used to how your hair looks and feels.

So, that's about it. Not so bad. Like I said, a lot of common sense. A really great headshot photographer will know how to bring the best out in you. It's oftentimes more about the expressions coached and captured by the photographer than anything else.

For a more in-depth look at what it takes to prepare for the perfect headshot, request my free eBook ‘Guide to the Perfect Headshot’.