How to Prepare for Your Headshot Photography – Headshots Do’s and Don’ts

Want to have a successful headshot session?

Below you will find some wardrobe tips and details to help you prepare for your
headshot session to help take out some of the guess work in deciding what to
wear and how to wear it.

Clothing Choices for your Professional Headshot Photography

When choosing your clothing for you professional headshots avoid complex patterns like stripes or checks and opt for solid colors wherever possible. This will not only give the headshot a more classic look but will be more tolerable to look at in several years when styles and trends have changed.

Some general guidance:

  • Horizontal lines can be difficult to look at.
  • Varying patterns on different articles of clothing can make for a disaster of a headshot.
  • Vertical lines in clothes should be minimal but the presence of them can have a slimming effect.

The most important wardrobe tip for professional corporate headshots is to wear something you like, that makes you feel good! Feeling like you look good with nice clothes, a polished look and a warm smile will result not only in your enjoying the outcome of your headshot but also effectiveness in meeting your goals for it as well. It’s supposed to make you look confident and professional so take the time to choose something professional and classic to help you achieve desired results in your photograph.

Hair for Headshot Photographs

I don’t know how I can drive home the importance of your hair; bad hair can ruin your whole shoot! Play it safe and go to the hairdresser right before the session. The headshot will last for at least a year, don’t be stuck with janky hair.
But… don’t style your hair in an unusual way, look like you normally do, maybe a bit neater for your headshot photo session.

Glasses for Headshot Photographs

If you wear glasses most of the time, you will want to wear them in your headshot photo. To eliminate glare or reflections, bring empty frames or remove the lenses from your glasses. Additionally, we can take photos with and without the glasses.

Suntans for Headshot Photographs

Do not overdo the sun for a headshot photo. It looks great, but in moderation. Sunburns can be an expensive problem. It causes facial shine, red noses and cheeks, strap marks, hat lines and peeling, which are fixable but at an additional cost.

Some other DO’s and DONT’s

DO:

  1. Take two or three changes of clothing so you can experiment with contrasting colors before we begin. You only need the top half of the outfit for “head and shoulder” type headshots.
  2. Ask me what color background we are using and what prime color would compliment it.
  3. Tell me (before you arrive) the image you are trying to convey. What type business are you in? What is your corporate or business culture? Look at other photos of those in your company for samples to compare.
  4. If you are “not” a corporate type, let me know what type of look you want to portray. Maybe send me samples of stuff you like.
  5. Dark clothes attract less attention and put the attention on your face and eyes.
  6. Guys: if you have a heavy beard, trim it right before arrival.
  7. Guys: Do bring something additional if you are adding a “casual” look (vs. just taking off a suit jacket and tie and trying to make your white shirt look casual.)
  8. Take along a button down, golf shirt, or something similar on a hanger so it is indeed “casual” but still fresh.
  9. Be yourself! Well? Maybe tone it down a notch. LOL.
  10. Brush your teeth before the shoot!

DON’T:

  1. Don’t get a new hair cut just before the shoot. Give it a week.
  2. Don’t wear something that might “clash” with background (know the background color in advance.)
  3. Don’t wear white unless you wear it underneath something.
  4. Don’t wear jewelry that would distract from your face or that looks dated.
  5. Don’t overdress. Don’t wear “big” jewelry, big scarves, big hair.
  6. Don’t wear loud stripes or checks. Avoid herringbone. No short sleeve shirts please.
  7. Don’t wear a turtleneck (unless it is a very good look for you.) In general a v-neck style will be more attractive.
  8. Don’t wear a jacket you cannot button, or you have to stretch to be able to button. It will not look good and you will not feel good about it. Bring something that fits properly.
  9. Don’t over-do your makeup. And I don’t mean the “style” of your makeup, I mean in the thickness and amount of application on your skin.
  10. Don’t be afraid to ASK me / CALL me about any of these BEFORE you arrive.

Whew! I know that was a lot!