Having professional headshots taken is something that most professionals do infrequently. The images are used on business cards, websites and literature or brochures that may be in use for several years. You’ll be seeing that photo a lot and it’s important that it be the best professional representation of you possible. It’s important to take care in selecting a professional headshot photographer to ensure you get the best images possible for your brand or business.

It probably goes without saying that your clothing choice is important. That doesn’t mean that picking clothing is easy though! 

The images from your session will often be the first impression that anyone has of you, so you want to make sure they reflect who you are. A confident professional. One of the best ways to make sure you’re showcasing your confidence is by selecting clothing that reflects you and your personal style. Don’t’ wear a business suit if the only time your clients might see you in one is at a wedding or formal event.

Now that you know you don’t have to wear a business suit unless that’s what you typically wear try to avoid complex patterns like stripes or checks. Horizontal lines can be difficult to look at in a photo and mixing patterns can make the photo feel busy. Vertical lines can have a slimming effect but should be minimal. It’s best to opt for solid colours whenever possible. This will not only give the headshot a more classic look but will be more visually pleasing several years from now when styles and trends have changed.

You don’t want to choose clothing (or a hairstyle) that are too trendy as it can date the photograph. If you are wearing a tie, choose something classic. A simple pattern or a bright colour if you like but avoid anything too over the top.

For women, selecting the right clothing can feel more complicated but the rules are really the same. A classic business suit or simple blouse and skirt or trousers are great options. Again, don’t wear anything too trendy or a pattern that’s busy. It’s best to choose something with an Autumn or Winter look rather than a summer style.

The most important wardrobe tip we can offer though, is to wear something that you like. Something that makes you feel good. The confidence that comes from knowing that you look good along with a warm smile will result in an image that you love and will help you achieve your marketing goals. Headshots are supposed to convey that you are a confident and polished professional so take the time to choose clothes that convey that message.

Find out what we can do for your professional headshots by contacting us HERE

Figuring out what to wear is only the first step in preparing for your headshot session. You’ll also want to pay special attention to your hair and nails.

It can’t be stressed enough, the importance of well-groomed hair in your headshot enough. Bad hair can ruin your whole session! Play it safe and go to the hairdresser or barber right before the session. You’ll probably use your headshot for at least a year. You don’t want to wish that you’d gotten a trim every time you see it! Don’t style your hair in an unusual way. You want to look like you normally look.

Please don’t forget the importance of your hands in your portraits. Whether you choose to do your nails yourself or have them manicured, keep them clean and if you wear nail polish use coordinating colours. 

These simple tips will go a long way in ensuring that you end up with a headshot that shows that you are a true professional

If you wear glasses most of the time, you will probably want to wear them in your headshot photo. To eliminate glare or reflections, bring empty frames or remove the lenses from your glasses. If you’d like photographs with and without your glasses, just let your photographer know.

Do not overdo the sun for a headshot photo. While a tan can look great, too much of a good thing can ruin your photos. Sunburn can be an expensive problem. It causes facial shine, red noses and cheeks, strap marks, hat lines and peeling, which the photographer may be able to retouch, but it will cost extra.

Many people choose to have their makeup done professionally for their headshots. It’s a good idea! A professional makeup artist will know how to make you look your best for the camera. If you’re doing your makeup yourself, keep it natural. (We have make-up artists available but do please ask if you're planning on booking us for your headshots)

Find out what we can do for your professional headshots by contacting us HERE

Here are a few more things to keep in mind on headshot day.

1. Take two or three changes of clothing so you can experiment with contrasting colours. You only need the top half of the outfit for “head and shoulder” type headshots.

2. Tell your photographer before you arrive what image you are trying to convey. What type of business are you in? What is your corporate or business culture? Look at other photos of those in your company for samples to compare. If you are “not” a corporate type, let the photographer know what type of look you want to portray.

3. Dark clothes are less distracting and put the focus on your face and eyes.

4. Men: if you have a heavy beard, shave right before arrival.

5. Men: Bring additional clothing if you’d like to add a “casual” look. Some people take off their suit jacket and do more casual photos in just a shirt and tie. However, a more casual button down can also look good for a more casual look.

6. Brush your teeth before the shoot!

1. Don’t get a new haircut just before the session. Give it a week.

2. Don’t wear something that might “clash” with the background.

3. Don’t wear white unless you are wearing layers and it is underneath.

4. Don’t overdress. Don’t wear “big” jewelry, big scarves, big hair.

5. Don’t wear loud stripes or checks. Avoid herringbone. No short sleeve shirts, please.

6. Don’t wear a turtleneck (unless it is a very good look for you). In general, a v-neck style will be more attractive.

7. Don’t wear a jacket you cannot button, or that 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.

8. Don’t over-do your makeup. Meaning in the thickness and amount of application on your skin.

Getting a professional and polished headshot that represents you and your business is pretty simple if you follow these tips and hire an expert. If you’d like more information about scheduling a headshot session with us, simply contact us HERE

Whether you need daily images for Instagram, images for blog posts, website banners, Pinterest images, Facebook Ad images, or something else, a good personal brand photographer will make sure you have everything ready to go at your fingertips, and they will be formatted correctly for each platform. Many traditional photographers shoot vertical portraits, which are hard to use for website banners and Facebook ads or close-ups that don’t leave the space you need to add text or other graphic elements to the image. A personal brand photographer shoots with your needs in mind and provides you with images that are perfect for creating content.

Our goal is to provide you with every image you will need for three months which will make your social media management and content creation more efficient. No more wasting ten minutes taking a low-quality iPhone picture when you have the perfect image ready and waiting for you every day. You will be able to batch create your posts with ease and efficiency, saving you time and helping you get ahead, so that you can schedule posts in advance and not have that hanging over your head each day.

Hopefully you have found these tips for getting a great headshot helpful and that they get you excited about updating your current headshot or having one taken for the first time. Headshots can be used in a number of ways. They may be on your business card, company website or social media pages, printed materials and even signs. A high-quality professional photo is often your first chance to make a good impression with a first time client. If you don’t currently have a headshot that you love, then we should talk. We can work with you to create a headshot that makes you and your business stand out.

Find out what we can do for your professional headshots by contacting us HERE

Make sure you know how the images will be delivered and how long they will take. Make sure that you understand how you can use the images and whether you have to give the photographer credit. We never require credit with business brand photography and neither do we restrict image use in any way. Our goal is to help you look your best and convey your image and brand to potential customers.