You’ve finally carved out time in your packed schedule for a headshot session. Great. But now what?
What do you bring? What should you wear? How can you make sure the session goes smoothly and you get photos you actually love?
As a busy creative, you probably don’t have hours to spend planning and preparing. That’s why I’ve put together this simple, practical checklist to help you get the most from your headshot session.
Whether you’re an artist, designer, writer or coach, these tips will help you feel ready, relaxed and confident in front of the camera.
Let’s get straight into it.
Choose your outfits with care
What you wear plays a big part in how your headshots turn out. Pick clothes that make you feel good and reflect your personality and profession.
If you’re a designer or illustrator, something creative but still polished might work well. If you’re a therapist or coach, you might want a more relaxed but professional look.
Bring at least two or three outfit options. Solid colours tend to work best – patterns can be distracting and don’t always photograph well. Avoid logos, large prints or anything too busy. Neutrals, rich tones and soft textures often look great on camera.
Make sure your clothes are clean and ironed. If you’re not coming straight from home, hang them up carefully or bring them in a garment bag. Even a little bit of creasing can be noticeable in photos.
Sort out the small details
It’s the little things that make a difference. Think about your grooming – whether that means getting a haircut, tidying up facial hair, or making sure your nails are clean and neat.
For makeup, keep it natural and close to how you usually look. If you’re hiring a makeup artist, choose someone who understands the kind of look you want and who won’t go overboard. You want to look like yourself on a really good day.
Check your glasses for smudges and bring a cloth to clean them if needed. If you wear contact lenses but they sometimes irritate your eyes, consider wearing glasses instead – tired or red eyes are hard to edit convincingly.
Think about the purpose of the headshots
Before the session, take a few minutes to think about where and how you’ll use your headshots. Are they for your website? Social media? A press release?
Different platforms often suit different crops and styles, so it helps to let your photographer know how the photos will be used.
This also helps guide the mood and style of the session.
For example, if you’re updating your LinkedIn profile, you might want a confident, professional expression. If you’re a musician or creative freelancer, something more relaxed or quirky might feel more ‘you’.
If you have a brand colour palette or particular background style in mind, mention it to your photographer. A good headshot should still look like you, but it can also tie in with your personal or business branding.
Plan your timing
Try not to book your headshot session in the middle of a hectic day. Rushing in straight from a stressful meeting or with your head full of a long to-do list can leave you feeling flustered and less photogenic.
If you can, give yourself some breathing space before the session. Arrive a little early, take a moment to settle and check your appearance in a mirror.
It can help to have a quick drink of water, take a few deep breaths and get into a calm, focused headspace.
Headshot sessions don’t need to take long – many are finished in under an hour – but being present and relaxed during that time makes all the difference.
Work with a photographer who gets you
Finally, one of the best ways to prepare is to choose the right photographer. Someone who understands your work, who knows how to make you feel at ease and who can bring out the best in you.
Your headshot should reflect more than just how you look – it should show something of who you are. A good photographer will help guide you through the session, suggest poses that feel natural and give you space to be yourself.
Before the session, don’t be afraid to ask questions or share any concerns. If there’s something you’re self-conscious about or a particular look you’re going for, it’s always helpful to say so upfront.
The best results come when there’s trust and communication on both sides. You don’t need to have all the answers – just a clear idea of what feels like you and a willingness to show up as you are.
Ready to update your headshots?
If you’re a creative professional in Cranleigh or the Surrey Hills and you’d like relaxed, natural headshots that show the real you, I’d love to help.
I work with individuals and small businesses to create portraits that feel authentic, confident and true to your brand.
Get in touch to book your session – I’ll make sure the process is simple, enjoyable and stress-free.
