Not sure about your headshot session?
Here is a little prep and what I’d tell any friend before they sit down with me at Camley Images Photography.
Start with where the photo will live
Your headshot is going to a few places: LinkedIn, your company website, speaker bios, press kits, and email signatures. Tell me before the session where yours will appear. A consultant headed to a conference stage needs a different look than a nonprofit director updating a staff page. With industries from law and government affairs to consulting, healthcare, and tech, and each one has its own idea of “polished.”
Pick clothes that fit and feel like you
This matters more than anything else on the list.
Wear solid colors. Navy, charcoal, deep green, and burgundy all photograph well. Busy patterns, tiny stripes, and large logos pull attention away from your face.
Check the fit. Clothes that pull, bunch, or gap look worse on camera than they do in the mirror. If you tug at your collar all day, you’ll tug at it during the shoot.
Bring options. Pack more than one outfit. A blazer you can take off gives you a second look without a full change.
Think waist up. Most headshots crop at the chest, so the collar, neckline, and shoulders do the work.
Skip the trendy piece. You want a photo that still looks right in three years. The exception is those who have an already established image in the fashion or art industries or another established personal brand.
Prep the day before
Sleep. Aim for a full night. Tired eyes show up in photos. Don't fret, often this can be overcome with editing.
Water. Drink plenty the day before and the morning of.
Haircuts. Schedule one at least a week ahead, so it settles in. A fresh cut the day before rarely looks natural.
Grooming. Men who shave should do it the morning of the session, or leave a clean, trimmed beard. Skip any new skincare product you haven’t tried before.
Makeup. Keep it natural and close to what you wear on a normal workday. If you want help, say so when you book.
Glasses. If you wear them daily, bring them clean and glare-free. Ask me whether to shoot with and without.
Plan the logistics
DC traffic can wreck a calm morning. Look up parking or your Metro route ahead of time and aim to arrive ten minutes early. Rushing in flustered shows on your face. Bring your outfits on hangers, a lint roller, and any accessories you want to try.
Aim for natural, not stiff
Headshot style has moved away from the stiff, over-retouched look. People now respond to photos that look like the actual person: relaxed, clear, and a little confident. LinkedIn also wants a photo that reflects how you look today, and a recent one tends to work best.
During the session
Talk. Tell me what you like, what you hate, and which side of your face you prefer. I have heard it before, and I like to hear it from every client.
Be open to taking direction. Small adjustments to your chin, shoulders, and posture make a big difference. Trust them even when they feel odd.
Relax. Breathe out before each frame. A real smile starts with your eyes. We aren't in a rush, we can slow down to what is comfortable for both of us.
Review as you go. Look at the shots between setups and say what’s working. Just because I or any photographer say they "got the shot" doesn't mean it's your shot. I want you to be confident in what you share with the world and especially you clients.
What to do with your photos afterward
Update LinkedIn first, then your website bio, email signature, and any speaker profiles. Refresh your headshot every year or two, or whenever your appearance changes. If your appearance has changed, how will they know its you walking into the conference or event. Making people guess will impact their trust and your business opportunities.
Pro Tip: If you're a speaker and the event photographer or event host look up your image to ensure appropriate VIP coverage, they don't want to see an image from 10 years ago.
Ready to book your Session?
If you’re in Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, or Maryland and need professional headshots, reach out to me here.