BEFORE YOUR SESSION
A Little Preparation Goes a Long Way
CLOTHING
Choose What Photographs Well
Bring well-fitting clothing in solid or subtle colors. Jackets, sweaters, button-down shirts, and clean layered looks all photograph well. Avoid anything overly busy or distracting.
GROOMING
Hair & Facial Hair
Come with your hair and facial hair styled the way you normally want to be seen. If you shave, take enough time to avoid irritation or rushed edges.
OPTIONS
Bring More Than One Look
Bring several clothing options if you have them. We can compare colors, layers, jackets, and shirts in person and choose what works best on camera.
DAY OF
Arrive Ready, Not Stressed
Bring your clothing clean and wrinkle-free, give yourself enough time to arrive comfortably, and don’t worry about posing or expression. I’ll guide you through that.
You don’t need to know how to pose or what expression to make before you arrive. I’ll guide you through that during the session. The most useful preparation is simply choosing good clothing, taking care of grooming details, and bringing a few options so we have flexibility.
WHAT TO WEAR
Clothing That Photographs Well
Start with clothing that fits well through the shoulders, chest, and neck. Solid colors and subtle textures usually photograph best because they keep attention on your face rather than your clothing.
Jackets, sport coats, sweaters, button-down shirts, polos, and clean layered looks can all work well. Darker neutrals such as navy, charcoal, black, and deeper blues are reliable choices, but lighter colors can work beautifully too.
• Solid or lightly textured shirts
• Sport coats and jackets
• Sweaters and quarter-zips
• Clean button-down shirts
• Fitted Henley shirts for more casual professions
• Simple layers with good fit
Avoid oversized clothing, very busy patterns, large logos, neon colors, and anything that bunches or pulls awkwardly when you sit or turn.
WHAT TO AVOID
Clothing That Can Distract on Camera
Busy patterns, oversized clothing, large logos, and very bright colors can pull attention away from your face. They can also become more distracting in a tightly cropped professional headshot than they seem in person.
Fit matters just as much as color. Shirts that bunch around the collar, jackets that pull through the shoulders, or clothing that is noticeably too loose can be difficult to correct once you’re in front of the camera.
Generally avoid:
• Large or high-contrast patterns
• Neon or extremely bright colors
• Large logos or graphics
• Clothing that is noticeably oversized
• Shirts with stretched or uneven collars
• Jackets that pull or bunch when buttoned
• Anything you already feel uncomfortable wearing
You don’t need to avoid personality or color completely. The goal is simply to make sure your clothing supports the photograph instead of becoming the first thing people notice.
Dress for Your Professional Setting
Your headshot should match the level of formality your role calls for. Both traditional business attire and business-casual looks can photograph well when the fit is clean and the styling is simple.
MORE TRADITIONAL
Suit or sport coat
Dress shirt
Tie when appropriate
Navy, charcoal, black, gray
BUSINESS CASUAL
Open-collar shirt
Sweater or quarter-zip
Henley shirts
Simple layered looks
If you’re unsure how formal to go, bring both. We can start with the more formal option and remove layers as the session progresses.
GROOMING & SHAVING
Look Like Yourself—Just Prepared
Facial hair does not need to be removed for a professional headshot. A beard, mustache, stubble, or clean shave can all photograph well when the grooming looks intentional.
If you normally shave, give yourself enough time beforehand to avoid redness or irritation. If you wear facial hair, trim stray hairs and clean up the edges so the shape reads clearly on camera.
A few simple things help:
• Trim stray beard or mustache hairs
• Clean up the neckline and cheek lines
• Avoid shaving immediately before the session if your skin becomes irritated
• Moisturize the night before if your skin tends to look dry
• Bring a comb or small grooming tool if needed
The goal is not to change how you look. It’s simply to make sure the details are taken care of before we start photographing.
FINAL PREPARATION
Hair, Skin & the Small Details
HAIR
Style It Like You Normally Wear It
Have your haircut far enough in advance that it feels natural by the day of the session. Style your hair the way you normally want to be seen professionally, and bring your usual product or comb if you may need a quick adjustment.
SKIN
Keep It Simple
Stay hydrated and use your normal moisturizer if your skin tends to be dry. Avoid trying unfamiliar skin treatments immediately before your session. Temporary blemishes and small imperfections can be handled during retouching.
FINAL DETAILS
Check the Things You Might Forget
Clean your glasses, check your collar, empty bulky pockets, and bring anything you normally wear professionally. If you’re unsure about glasses, ties, jackets, or another detail, bring the option and we can decide together.
BRING OPTIONS
Give Yourself a Few Choices
Bring a Few Looks
Three or four good clothing options are usually enough. Different colors, shirts, jackets, and layers can photograph differently than they look in the mirror, so having choices gives us flexibility.
Wear What Feels Like You
Your clothing should still feel natural to you. A professional headshot should represent how you actually want to be seen—not make you feel like you are dressed as someone else.
If you’re unsure between two options, bring both. We can decide what works best once we see them on camera.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Let’s Create Your Headshot
You’ve done the preparation. I’ll take care of the posing, expression, lighting, and the small adjustments once you’re in front of the camera.