If you’ve ever wondered what it’s actually like to be a headshot photographer in Los Angeles, the short answer is: no two days are the same… but they all revolve around people, capturing goal-specific headshots, and a lot more prep work than most people realize.
Being a Los Angeles headshot photographer isn’t just about showing up with a camera and taking a few photos. It’s about helping someone show up as their best, most confident version of themselves—and that starts long before they ever step in front of the lens.
Morning: Prepping for the Sessions
On shoot days, the work doesn’t start when I arrive at the studio—it starts at my computer.
I’m reviewing the lineup for the day, looking over client notes, how they plan to use their photos (LinkedIn, company websites, casting profiles, social media, etc.), and revisiting the looks we discussed during their consultation a week prior.
A lot of people underestimate how important client preparation is. The more intentional we are going into the session, the more tailored and successful the shoot will be.
We’re not just taking photos—we’re creating headshots that are designed with a specific purpose in mind, whether that’s for business, personal branding, or casting.
By the time I leave for the studio, I already have a clear direction for how the sessions for the day will flow.
Arriving at the Studio
Once I’m in the studio, it’s all about setting the tone.
One of the biggest misconceptions about headshot photography is that it’s purely technical. It’s not—it’s relational. Almost every client I see walks in a little nervous (which makes sense—being in front of a camera is a vulnerable experience), so creating a comfortable, supportive environment is just as important to me as getting the lighting right.
We’ve curated a playlist with upbeat but chill music, keep a fridge stocked with refreshments, and have a private dressing room—everything you need to feel at ease during your headshot session.
After all of that, the lighting and backdrops get dialed in. While I have the equipment and setup to create a consistent look across my work, I’m always making small adjustments depending on the person—their features, their wardrobe, and the overall feel we’re going for.
Then we wait for our first client of the day.
During the Shoot: Direction + Connection
Once the client is in the studio and ready to be photographed, this is where everything comes together.
A headshot session is part coaching, part collaboration, and part intuition. I’m constantly reading the person in front of me—adjusting direction, refining expression, and helping them settle into something that feels natural but still intentional.
I direct each session based on their goals and the type of headshots they need:
- Business professional headshots — I have them imagine themselves greeting a potential client. Kind eyes, soft, friendly smiles.
- Actor headshots — I give character-driven direction and have them step into the type they’re portraying.
- Personal branding headshots — This is where personality really matters, so I guide them toward feeling like themselves, just with a bit more intention and awareness.
It’s not about forcing expressions—it’s about drawing them out.
And honestly, this is my favorite part of the job. Watching someone go from slightly unsure to completely owning the camera never gets old.
Between Looks: The Details Matter
In between shooting, we’re adjusting wardrobe, tweaking hair, and making sure everything reads correctly on camera.
Small changes make a big difference:
- A slightly different neckline
- Rolling a sleeve
- Adjusting posture
- Shifting the lighting just a touch
These are the things most people don’t see, but they’re what elevate a good headshot into a great one.
After the Session: The Work Continues
Once the session wraps, the job isn’t even close to over.
Now comes the behind-the-scenes work that most people don’t see:
- Culling through hundreds of images to find the strongest options
- Final touches—color correction, contrast, and framing to ensure every image feels polished and consistent
- Building out personalized galleries for easy viewing and selection
- Following up with clients and guiding them through the selection process
- Editing and retouching the client’s selected headshots
- If the client has opted in to filming, creating a personalized behind-the-scenes video from their session
Most people think a photographer’s job begins and ends at the photoshoot, but a large part of the work actually happens before and after the session.
Why This Work Matters
At the end of the day, being a headshot photographer in LA means being part of someone’s bigger picture.
For business professionals, it’s their first impression online.
For actors, it's the image they see that helps them decide if you get an audition
For creatives, it helps define their personal brand.
For teams and companies, it creates consistency and credibility across platforms.
In a city like Los Angeles—where first impressions often happen digitally—your headshot does a lot of the talking before you ever get the chance to.
👉 Read more about it in our blog post about the The Psychology of Headshots
Running a business in this space also comes with its own highs and challenges, which I’ve talked more about in this interview on the realities of building a creative business:
Thinking About Updating Your Headshots?
If you’ve been putting off updating your headshot, you’re definitely not alone. A lot of people wait until they have to—but the best time is usually before that moment hits.
If you’re in Los Angeles and looking for headshot photography that has personality, is intentional, and actually gets you noticed, you can learn more or book a session 👉 here!
