Prep for success: Getting ready for your Corporate Headshot Session.

A great headshot should look professional, confident, and approachable, but most importantly, it should look like you.

Whether you’re an executive updating your LinkedIn profile, an attorney or a real estate professional building your personal or professional brand, or simply overdue for a new headshot, a little preparation before your session can make a big difference.

The good news is that you don’t need to overthink it. Here are a few things I recommend to help you arrive ready for your session.

What Should You Wear?

Start with what you would normally wear when meeting an important client.

Your headshot should represent how you actually present yourself professionally. If you normally wear a suit, bring one. If your everyday business attire is more relaxed, there’s no reason to suddenly put on a tie just because you’re having your picture taken.

The goal isn’t to dress like someone else. It’s to present the best version of yourself.

I generally recommend solid colors and clothing that fits well. Neutral colors, blues, grays, earth tones, and other understated colors tend to photograph beautifully and keep the attention on you where it belongs.

Try to avoid very busy patterns, extremely bright colors, large logos, and anything that might distract from your face.

And bring options.

Even if you think you already know exactly what you want to wear, bring a couple of shirts, jackets, blouses, or other options. Sometimes an outfit that looks great in person doesn't work as well with a particular background or lighting setup.

We can figure that out together.

Think About Where Your Headshot Will Be Used

Before your session, think about where people are most likely to see your photograph.

LinkedIn? Your company website? Business cards? Marketing materials? Real estate signs and mailers? Social media?

You may need something different for each. For example, a traditional corporate headshot may work perfectly on your company website, while a slightly more relaxed photograph might feel better for LinkedIn or social media.

Some professionals often need even more variety because your headshots appear everywhere from websites and business cards to signs, postcards, flyers, and other marketing materials.

Knowing how you're going to use the photographs helps us create images specifically for those purposes rather than trying to make one photograph do everything.

Hair and Makeup

Come to your session with your hair styled the way you normally like to wear it professionally.

This usually isn't the time to experiment with a completely new hairstyle. You want to recognize yourself when you see your finished headshot.

Makeup should generally be clean and natural. Avoid anything overly bright, flashy, or dramatically different from what you normally wear.

The same goes for men. If you normally have facial hair, make sure it's groomed the way you want it photographed. If you prefer a clean-shaven look, shaving before your session is usually the better choice.

Glasses Are Absolutely Fine

If you wear glasses every day, you should probably wear them in your headshot.

They're part of how people recognize you. If you have multiple pairs of glasses, feel free to bring them.

Don't worry about glare. That's something I handle through lighting and positioning.

Don't Worry About Knowing How to Pose

This is probably one of the biggest concerns I hear.

You don't need to know how to pose. That's my job.

I'll guide you through your positioning, posture, expression, and even small adjustments to your head and shoulders. Often the difference between an average headshot and a great one comes down to very small changes.

You don't need to practice expressions in the mirror either. I'll take care of that too.

Get Some Rest and Stay Hydrated

It sounds simple, but getting a good night's sleep and drinking plenty of water before your session really does help.

Try to avoid staying up unusually late the night before, and don't drastically change your routine because you're having photographs taken.

You want to arrive looking and feeling like yourself.

Give Yourself a Little Time

Whenever possible, don't schedule your headshot session between two appointments that have you watching the clock.

My corporate headshot sessions are designed to be efficient, but I never want you to feel rushed.

Giving yourself a little breathing room before and after your appointment makes it much easier to relax, and that almost always shows in the photographs.

Tell Me What You're Looking For

If there's a particular style you're after, tell me.

If you need your new headshot to match photographs of other people at your company, send me an example.

If you're a real estate professional and your brokerage has specific branding requirements, let me know.

And if you've seen one of my photographs that you particularly like, show me.

The more I understand about what you're trying to accomplish, the more intentionally I can photograph you.

One Last Thing: Don't Stress About Your Headshot

A lot of people walk into my studio telling me they're uncomfortable in front of a camera.

That's completely normal.

You don't have to walk in knowing how to pose, where to look, how to smile, or what your "good side" is. That's why you're hiring a professional photographer.

My job isn't simply to put you in front of a camera and take a picture. It's to create the right lighting, help you with wardrobe choices, guide you through the session, and pay attention to all of the little details that ultimately make the shot work.

We'll keep the session relaxed, make adjustments as we go, and create a headshot that feels professional without looking stiff or forced.

Come prepared, bring a few wardrobe options, and let me take care of the rest.