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The Short Answer
Choose solid-coloured clothing that fits well, handle any grooming appointments a few days before, get a solid night of sleep, and leave yourself time to arrive without rushing. Bring two or three outfit options and any reference photos you have. The photographer takes care of the posing, expression, and adjustments. Your job is to show up prepared and ready to follow direction.
Wardrobe
Clothing choices affect how polished, professional, and focused a photo looks. The goal is clothing that frames your face and suits your professional context without competing with either.
- Solid colours read cleaner than patterns, prints, or logos. A plain navy, charcoal, or deep green does more for a headshot than almost any styled outfit.
- Bring two or three outfit options. Having a choice on the day makes it easier to pick what photographs best against the background and lighting.
- Clothing that fits your body now photographs better than clothing that doesn't sit right, regardless of what it cost.
- Press or steam everything before you arrive. Creases are clearly visible under studio lighting, especially at collars, lapels, and sleeves.
- Avoid shiny fabrics such as satin or silk blends. They catch light unpredictably and create hot spots that are difficult to retouch.
For a full breakdown covering colours, necklines, jackets, glasses, and what to avoid, read What to Wear to Your Headshot Session.
Grooming
Aim for a clean, intentional appearance that still looks like you. Overdone or brand-new-for-today grooming tends to read differently on camera than expected.
- Hair: If you need a cut, schedule it three to seven days before, not the day before. Fresh-cut lines that haven't settled can look stiffer than intended. Professional styling is best done the same day.
- Makeup: Natural, matte products photograph the cleanest. Glossy or shimmery finishes create reflections under studio lighting. Wear makeup the way you would for a professional event if you normally wear it.
- Facial hair: Arrive with it in a deliberate state. A clean shave or a well-maintained beard both photograph well. The in-between stage does not.
- Glasses: Clean the lenses thoroughly. Smudges are very visible under studio lighting. Bring a backup pair without transition or blue-light coatings if possible.
For the full grooming guide covering hair, shine, skincare, sleep, and what not to do the day before, read How to Look Polished for Your Headshot.
The Week Before
A week out is the right time to handle anything that needs advance preparation.
- Go through your wardrobe and decide what you are bringing. Lay it out and look at it honestly. If anything pulls, bunches, or doesn't sit right, leave it behind.
- Schedule a haircut now if you need one, at the three-to-seven-day mark.
- Book professional hair or makeup if you are planning to use either. Confirming the appointment early removes a variable from the morning of.
- If this headshot is for a company website or employer, confirm any dress code or background colour preferences. Getting that information before the session is easier than reshooting later.
- Look through past photos you like and note what worked: the angle, the hairstyle, the tone. One or two reference photos on your phone are useful at the start of the session.
The Day Before
- Get enough sleep. Fatigue is visible in portraits in ways that editing only partially addresses.
- Drink water. Hydrated skin photographs differently than dehydrated skin. The difference is visible.
- Avoid heavy alcohol or very salty food. Both can cause overnight puffiness, especially around the eyes and jaw.
- Do not try new skincare products. A reaction the night before a session has nowhere to go by morning.
If something comes up, please get in touch at least 48 hours in advance and we can find a new time. Rescheduling requests made with less than 24 hours notice are subject to a $50 rebooking fee.
The Morning Of
- Iron or steam your clothing. Wrinkles do not disappear under studio lighting.
- Trim or shave facial hair. Whatever your preference, arrive with it intentional rather than in-between.
- Keep makeup natural and non-shiny. Today is not the day to test a new product or a new style.
- Check your collar and neckline for lint, creases, or anything out of place before you leave.
- Leave enough time to arrive without rushing. Stressed energy shows in photos.
What to Bring
- Two or three outfit options, including a backup in a different colour
- A lint roller
- A hairbrush or comb
- Lip balm
- Makeup touch-up items if you wear makeup
- A glasses cloth if you wear glasses
- Oil blotting sheets if your skin tends to get shiny
- One or two reference photos on your phone if you have them
- Employer dress code or background instructions, if applicable
On the Day
You do not need to know how to pose. Before the first shot, you will receive specific direction for your hands, shoulders, chin, and expression. You follow the instructions as they come.
The first few frames are warm-up. Most people feel self-conscious for the first couple of minutes and settle naturally after that. The best photos almost always come after that initial period. There is no pressure to be camera-ready on the first frame.
If you feel awkward or uncomfortable at any point, say so. The session is adjustable. For more on this, read How to Look Natural on Camera.
What Not to Do
- Do not try new skincare products in the days before. Reactions and flare-ups are difficult to address before the session.
- Do not get an experimental haircut the day before. There is no time to recover from a cut that didn't go as planned.
- Do not apply heavy lotion or shiny products on your face the morning of. They catch studio lighting and create hot spots.
- Do not arrive rushed. Stressed energy is visible and takes several minutes to settle in photos.
- Do not assume retouching will fix everything. Minor blemishes and temporary redness retouch well. Clothing that doesn't fit, visible glare on glasses, and fatigue do not.
- Do not try to memorize poses from online. Poses that look good in other people's photos often require a different body type, lighting setup, or photographer. Let the direction come from the session.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How early should I prepare for my session?
- About a week out is enough. That gives you time to sort out wardrobe, schedule a haircut at the right point, and take care of anything that can't be left to the morning of. For corporate or team sessions, your employer may send instructions earlier than that.
- What should I bring?
- Two or three outfit options, a lint roller, a hairbrush or comb, lip balm, makeup touch-up items if you wear makeup, a glasses cloth, blotting sheets if your skin gets oily, and reference photos on your phone if you have them.
- Do I need to wear makeup?
- If you wear makeup regularly, wear it the way you would to a professional event. If you don't wear makeup, you don't need to start. The goal is to look like yourself at your best. Avoid products with a glossy or shimmery finish.
- Can I bring someone with me?
- Yes. Most people find it easier to focus when it is just them and the photographer, but bring whoever makes you comfortable. Just let the photographer lead the session.
- What if I am running late?
- Get in touch as early as possible. Some sessions have room to adjust; others don't. The earlier the notice, the more options are available.
- What should I avoid on the day of my session?
- Heavy lotion or oil on the face, new skincare products, glossy makeup, and anything that causes you to arrive rushed or stressed. Do not try to memorize poses. Let the photographer direct you.