Your headshot is your business card

In the Social Media era, people meet us online before we actually meet in person. You want to make sure that your profile picture will capture their attention, and leave the best first impression possible.

You have finally booked a professional photographer to update your headshot. If you are like most people and get a bit nervous in front of the camera, know that there’s no reason to stress out. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for your studio session and create an amazing new headshot.

Clear your schedule and leave plenty of time for your session.

You want to be relaxed and have fun, so make sure you give yourself plenty of time on the day of your session.

Wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable.

Solid colours work best, as it keeps the focus on you. Textures also look great on camera. Think chunky sweaters… we add interest while keeping the solid colours. Neutrals with a pop of colour look really good on camera. Bring a couple of solid tops, and a couple of blazers/jackets, having some contrast between the tops and blazers. If you wear ties, bring 2 or 3. Ladies, bring a few different accessories… scarves, earrings, and necklaces if you usually wear jewelry.

We usually avoid patterns. Small ones can cause moiré effect, causing a wavy distortion on the fabric. Big patterns take the attention away from you. Unless it aligns with your line of work (an artist or fashion designer), we tend to keep it simple.

Make sure your clothes are wrinkle-free. A nice fitting is so important, nothing too tight or too baggy, just right.

Hair & Makeup

Keep your hairstyle as you normally wear it. You want to look at your photos and see yourself in your headshot. Bring your hairbrush and I’ll make sure your hair is at the right places when we click the camera.

If you are planning on getting a haircut, make sure it’s done a few days before the session. The same applies to spray tans.

Chin down!

You’ll hear me say this over and over during our session. It feels weird but it looks good on camera. I’ll ask you to stretch your chin forward (think of a chicken neck), and move your chin slightly down. That will do two things: define your jawline (and disguise a double chin) and bring your eyes forward. Headshots are all about the eyes.

Keep a positive attitude! This will definitely show in your pictures.

Smile with your eyes. And enjoy your beautiful new headshot.