You booked a session! Now what?
This guide walks you through how to prepare for your upcoming headshot session with us. From wardrobe tips to self-care in the days leading up to your shoot, everything here is designed to remove the guesswork with a clear, step-by-step approach so you can arrive feeling confident and fully prepared.
1) Define your professional image
This is the first and most important step in this process. Consider this your headshot "compass". A few helpful tips:
- Identify your industry and role(s): Are you in a creative field or is your role more corporate? Tailor your looks to reflect your profession.
- Be specific about the purpose: Instead of thinking “I need a general headshot”- consider how these images will be used. Are they for LinkedIn? An "About Me" page on your website? Speaking engagements? A headshot changes depending on it's purpose.
- Consider your audience: Are you aiming to engage with potential clients, impress partners, or capture employers? Let this guide the tone of your looks—friendly and approachable or formal and authoritative.
2) Curate your looks
Now that you've got a solid idea of your professional image, next is putting together your looks for the shoot. Here are a few tips and things to know for our session:
- Use your "compass". With every look you put together ask yourself "does this look communicate to the audience I want and speak to the industry I'm in?"
- Choose the right color-palette. Here are some tips:
- bright and vibrant = energy, creativity, approachability
- rich, jewel tones = authority, sophistication, elegance
- muted and neutral = reliability, calmness, understated confidence
- We primarily focus on the top half for headshots, so multiple bottoms aren’t typically needed. However, if you’d like to include some full-body shots for a wider variety, please bring the appropriate bottoms to match the looks you’d like to showcase.
- Make sure your items are pressed.
- Bring accessories to complete your looks.
About one week before your shoot, I’ll check in with you and offer an optional look consultation. During this time, I’ll provide feedback and make suggestions to help refine your selections. Many clients find this helpful for clarifying choices, easing nerves, and arriving at their session with looks fully selected — so the day itself feels focused, efficient, and relaxed.
If you’d like to hire a stylist, we recommend Image By Buckley. You can visit her website here and her Instagram here.
3) Hair and Makeup
Whether you’re hiring a hair and makeup artist or planning to self-style, the goal is the same: to arrive camera-ready and feeling confident. Below are a few guidelines and recommendations to help you decide what’s right for your session.
Hiring a Hair & Makeup Artist
If you’d like to work with a professional, below is a list of trusted artists we frequently recommend. Please note that all hair and makeup artists are independent vendors, so availability and pricing should be confirmed directly with them.
Our agreed start time is for the photography session itself and does not include hair and makeup time. Once you’ve booked an artist, please let me know how much time they’ll need so we can plan accordingly.
- Kelsey Gizelle (approx. $140–$175) — visit her website here
- Bianca Appice-Jarvis (approx. $250–$450) — visit her Instagram here
- Amber Rose (approx. $350–$450) — visit her website here
- McKenna Guy (approx. $300-$500) - visit her website here
- Danielle Baum (approx. $400) — visit her website here
- Jill Fogel (approx. $400–$600) — visit her website here
(Pricing ranges are approximate and subject to change.)
Self-Styling
If you’re comfortable doing your own hair and makeup, you’re welcome to self-style. Please arrive camera-ready for your first look. Be sure to bring a small touch-up kit, along with any hair tools or accessories you may need for transitions between looks.
No Makeup?
If you don’t typically wear makeup, we still recommend making an exception for your headshot session. While you may feel comfortable bare-faced day-to-day, studio lighting and high-resolution cameras can be unforgiving. Consider hiring a hair and makeup artist, or use the weeks leading up to your shoot to practice applying a light, natural layer of well-matched foundation.
Hair Tips
If you’re planning a haircut, timing matters. For men, we recommend scheduling cuts about one week before your shoot. For women, 1–2 weeks is ideal. The goal is to capture your hair at its most typical length and avoid the look of a very fresh cut — your headshots should reflect how you usually look and how you’ll appear when you walk into a room.
If you color your hair, plan to do so at least a week before your session to allow the color to settle and look natural on camera. We recommend avoiding major color changes right before your shoot for the same reason: your headshots should feel like you, not a departure from your everyday look.
If you have facial hair and would like to start with bearded looks before transitioning into a clean shave, feel free to bring your shaving tools. The studio has bathrooms available where you can comfortably shave between looks.
When planning facial hair changes, it's important to intentionally pair facial hair and clean-shaven looks with specific outfits. Rather than repeating the same looks twice, this approach helps keep the session focused and ensures each image feels purposeful.
Nails
Hands may occasionally be visible in your photos, so we recommend keeping nails short and natural, or painted in a neutral/nude tone.
4) Self-Care
In the day or two leading up to your shoot, a little self-care can go a long way. These small steps help ensure you arrive looking refreshed and feeling your best:
- Stay well hydrated.
- Avoid salty foods or anything known to increase inflammation.
- If you’re prone to breakouts, steer clear of foods or products that typically trigger your skin.
- Prioritize a good night’s sleep — aim for 8+ hours if possible.
We’re here for you
If you have any questions as you prepare, don’t hesitate to reach out. You’re always welcome to email us, or feel free to call if you’d prefer to talk things through.
(424) 272-6423
We’re excited to work with you!