HEADSHOT TIPS TO HELP
YOU LOOK GOOD
Professional & Confident
Done in Minutes
Headshot Tips: How to Prepare for Your Session
You do not need to know how to pose or perform for the camera. I will guide you through every detail during your session. These simple preparation tips will help you arrive feeling comfortable, polished, and ready to create a professional headshot you feel good about using.
Be Well Rested
Energy shows in your expression. Arriving rested helps your face look fresh, engaged, and present. A well-rested look supports the confidence and professionalism you want your headshot to communicate.
Hydrate for Healthy-Looking Skin
Hydrated skin tends to photograph better. Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your session, and use moisturizer so your skin looks refreshed and comfortable on camera.
Time Your Haircut
Schedule your haircut about a week before your headshot session. This gives your hair time to settle naturally while still looking fresh and intentional. The goal is a sharp, professional look without the just-cut appearance.
Take Care of Grooming Details
The camera picks up small details, so basic grooming helps you look more polished. Trim, tweeze, or shave the day before your session so your look feels clean and finished.
If you normally wear facial hair or light scruff, we can photograph you with it. If you want variety, you may also bring shaving supplies so we can create both looks during the session.
Trust Your Natural Smile
You do not need to practice a smile before your session. Over-rehearsed expressions often look forced. I will guide you through natural expressions that feel confident, approachable, and professional.
Keep Jewelry Simple
Jewelry should support the portrait, not compete with your face. Simple pieces such as small studs, a delicate pendant, or a clean watch usually work best. The focus should stay on you.
What About Blemishes, Shaving Cuts, and Retouching?
Small temporary distractions are handled during standard headshot retouching. This includes blemishes, shaving cuts, minor redness, under-eye refinement, light complexion smoothing, and small hair clean-up.
The goal is not to make you look artificial or overly edited. The goal is to create a polished, natural result that still looks like you. My approach is to remove distractions while preserving the character, texture, and expression that make the portrait feel real.
You can read more about my approach to natural headshot retouching .
Bonus Tip: Unlock Your Best Posture
Great posture instantly conveys confidence. But our screen-focused lives can make us slouch. A simple stretch can help you stand taller, feel stronger, and project presence.
I’ve created a quick 45-second video to show you exactly how.
Final Thought: You’re in Great Hands
Preparation makes all the difference. From there, I’ll guide you through the session and take care of the details, so you can stay comfortable and confident. The goal is a headshot that works as hard as you do.