Headshot Prep Guide

WHAT TO WEAR

Bring a nice selection of outfits you feel great in. Simple and clean wins every time! Solid colors and subtle patterns are best… avoid bright colors and strong patterns so you remain the focus. Understated jewelry also keeps the focus on you.

Be sure your clothes are clean and pressed. A nice crisp, upright collar on a dress shirt is polished and professional. Relaxed collars are fine too if that is the intended style of the shirt (casual shirts or women’s soft blouses).

Clothes that are well-fitted look great. Too baggy or too tight won’t be flattering.

If your headshots are for business or a job search, dress the part! You’ll want to dress to the formality of your industry.

Bring both dress and casual clothes for a variety of looks… leather jackets, sweaters, layers, plain nice tshirts… anything you feel great in!

Bring as many outfits as you’d like! More options means more creative choices. We can discuss and select together and photograph as many looks as you’d like! This gives you a nice variety of looks to choose from.

HAIR

Style your hair the way you normally would. If you plan to get a haircut or color before, I recommend doing it at least a 3-7 before so it’s not “too fresh”.

Bring a small kit of some of your hair products for touchups… a brush/comb, hairspray, gel, etc.

MEN - Have beards or mustaches very neatly groomed, as well as brows… and don’t forget nose and ears!

WOMEN - Style as usual and don’t be afraid of plenty of volume! If you have longer hair, bring an elastic and we can do some with a ponytail, too!

MAKEUP

Natural, simple and clean makeup looks best. Avoid makeup with SPF, and shimmer in eyeshadow or blush because it doesn’t photograph well. No need for contouring. Avoid matte lipsticks. Do not apply strong lip color… if that is what you normally wear just bring it with you and we can always go darker but you can’t really go lighter, so let’s make that call as we go along

THE WEEK LEADING UP TO YOUR SESSION

Drink plenty of water and get lots of sleep. That always makes you look refreshed and your best!

Exfoliate and moisturize.

If you decide to get a facial or do waxing, be sure it is several days before your session, just in case it causes any temporary redness or blemishes.

Avoid the sun, and wear sunscreen if you are outdoors. Also, spray tans don’t usually look very natural in camera, so let’s go with your natural beauty!

And relax… I will guide you every step of the way and we will have a fun time!

IF YOU ARE HAVING HAIR & MAKEUP AT THE SESSION

These are instructions from our hair and makeup artists on how to prep for your appointment (PLEASE READ):

HAIR 

- Please make sure your hair is completely washed and blowdried. If your hair is naturally curly please come with blow dried hair (it's ok if it's poofy/it doesn't have to be perfect) or prepared to be styled 

- If you plan on wearing extensions please wash and blow dry them. You can wash them in the sink with shampoo and just a quarter size amount of conditioner on the ends (if they are brand new then they are too silky and if you have worn them we don't want crunchy hair to work with!)

- If your hair doesn't hold a curl, wash your hair with dawn soap instead of your regular products (just for this event to allow maximum retention)

- PLEASE DO NOT COME WITH WET HAIR 

MAKEUP

- Please come with a clean face, no mascara/makeup/ moisturizer is ok!

- Wear a button down or loose fitted top

- please apply Carmex or lip balm before bed and that morning

- If you are getting brows/lips cleaned up please do it a few days before your event so your skin can heal, putting makeup on freshly waxed skin can cause the makeup to set unevenly 

- If you are wearing lash extensions please make sure your set if freshly filled

- We supply lashes and makeup but if you have a personal preference you are more than welcome to bring your own!