How to Prepare for Your Headshot

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR HEADSHOT

Confidence starts with preparation.

You are about to experience a different kind of session—one built on expert direction and genuine connection.

 

Our goal is to capture “you on your best day,” projecting confidence and approachability.

 

To get that effortless, high-end look, details matter.

 

My role is to guide you into the best light and the most authentic expression. Your role is to arrive ready so you can feel relaxed and confident in front of the camera.

 

This is a commitment to your professional future. When you look your best from head to toe, you feel your best—and that confidence will come through in every shot.

 

Your Wardrobe Should Fit and Flatter

Nothing flatters more than clothing that fits properly. Please try everything on in advance.

If you aren’t sure, it isn’t the right size.

 

The Clothing You Choose is Important!

Remember, dark colors are slimming, stand the test of time, and ensure we photograph you at your very best.  Styles come and go!  This portrait will represent what you choose so your face and eyes should draw the attention, not your clothing. Because not everything that feels right photographs well, following our recommendations is essential to your successful session.

 

Let Your Personality Shine

Arrive well rested and well fed; you can’t hide a bad mood, or fake a good one. Details count. If you see it, so will the camera.  This is where you have control over the impression you will create.  Dressing your best means you won’t look back on a missed opportunity and experience the regret of wishing you had taken the time and care to dress appropriately.

 

 

 Essentials for Ladies

 

What to Wear – Women

  • For individual sessions, bring 3-6 of your best fitting professional tops/dresses.
  • These blouses or dresses should be a solid color.  Avoid big prints and busy patterns. Consider bringing one choice that matches your eye color. 
  • Be aware that different necklines will change the apparent shape of your face.
  • For a no-jacket casual look, choose a blouse in a color other than white – ideally darker than your skin tone.
  • A white shirt by itself is generally a bad idea – unless you plan to wear it underneath something (like a jacket).
  • Be stylish and fashionable, but remember, the portrait is about your face and not your clothes.
  • I strongly suggest making the most of your headshot session by bringing some more casual looks: leather jackets, a turtleneck, a plain, high-quality T-shirt, some fun dresses, or maybe even a cool hat if you have one. Bring outfits from head to toe if you want any awesome full-body portraits.
Remember: The fit of your clothing is important. Clothes that are too big or too small for you don’t bring out your best. Select and wear clothes that make you feel comfortable — something that makes you look and feel good. Bring anything you enjoy wearing!

Headshot Hair

  • Your headshot includes hair, so arrive with clean, dry hair.
  • Recent haircuts can look new and not the best. If you’d like a fresh haircut, try to schedule it for a few days before the headshot session.

Headshot Makeup

  • Your session includes professional makeup, so please arrive with no makeup.
  • My makeup artist will handle everything – you do not need to bring any makeup.
  • But feel free to bring lipsticks and/or lip glosses. 

Headshot Jewelry

  • Bring jewelry you love or always wear. We can photograph you with and without jewelry.
  • Keep jewelry simple.  Avoid jewelry that would distract from your face or that looks dated.
  • The portrait is about your face, not your jewelry.
  • Be prepared to remove facial piercings or multiple ear piercings.

Headshot Glasses

  • If you wear glasses every day, you should have your glasses in your headshot.
  • If you sometimes wear glasses and sometimes wear contacts, bring your glasses
  • If you have multiple pairs of glasses, bring them, so we can try multiple frames.

Headshot Shoes

If you have any interest in full-body portraits, or think you might, bring full outfits including nice shoes.

Style Suggestions

Our Style Guide will give you guidance on how to look your best!  It’s great for helping you choose the clothing style that will best suit you.

Ever After Portraits’ STYLE GUIDE – It’s a MUST READ!

Be sure to check out our BRANDING Clothing Suggestions for Women Pinterest board, too!

If you’d like other clothing ideas, here are a few places to shop online:

Interested in something vintage?  That’s always FUN!  Check out RevampVintage

Want something really glamorous for your Session, but don’t want to spend lots on a dress you’ll wear once?  Did you know that you can Rent the Runway?!  THIS is my personal favorite!! Check out Rent the Runway!

Wish you had a personal stylist? Check out Stitch Fix for Women

Want something made custom for you? Check out eShakti!

And if you are up for a TOTAL makeover, you might want to check out Dressing Your Truth!

Worried about looking photogenic in front of the camera?

This little guide will help you understand why we may ask you to stand a certain way during your session, or tilt your chin up or down, etc.

Come on — bring out your inner gorgeous!

Just look over our “GUIDE TO LOOKING GORGEOUS”

How to pose and how you stand makes a HUGE difference!

We love “Posing Secrets of the Red Carpet”  – BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT!

This is all the info you need to get your gorgeous on!

 

 Essentials for Gentlemen

 

What to Wear – Men

  • The fit of your clothing is important. Clothes that are too big or too small for you won’t bring out your best.
  • Bring at least 2 suit or sport jackets. Solid colors without patterns is best.
  • The standard business look is a suit jacket, dress shirt and tie.
  • Bring 3 or more pressed plain dress shirts without patterns (one solid color-I encourage dress shirts that are NOT WHITE). Bring your best-fitting shirts with crisp collars and collar stays. We don’t want curled collars!  Shirts with more structure are better than floppy shirts.
  • Bring a couple of complementary, simple ties, preferably without bold patterns.
  • A casual business look is often a jacket and open dress shirt, a shirt and tie (no jacket), or a dress shirt on its own.
  • Polo shirts are a good look for some businesses. Be sure the shirt is in good condition and fits well.
  • For a no-jacket casual look, wear a colored shirt.
  • A white dress shirt by itself is generally a bad idea – unless you plan to wear it underneath something (jacket or sweater) – and even THAT I discourage.
  • Make sure your jacket and shirt fit you well. A poorly fitted jacket or shirt will be obvious in the portraits (especially around the neck for men).
  • Don’t overdress.
  • Turtlenecks are almost always a bad idea (since they crowd the face).
  • Clothes should be neatly pressed and look new or like new.
  • Avoid busy patterns and large lines/stripes.
  • I strongly suggest making the most of your headshot session by bringing some more casual looks: leather jackets, a plain, high-quality T-shirt, or maybe even a cool hat if you have one.
  • Bring outfits from head to toe if you want any awesome full-body portraits – don’t forget SHOES.

Remember: Select and wear clothes that make you feel comfortable — something that makes you look and feel good.  Bring anything you enjoy wearing!

 Headshot Hair

  • Please take the time to style your hair.
  • Hair Product is your friend – especially for those stubborn cowlicks or hairs that don’t want to lie down.
  • Don’t get a new hair cut JUST before the session. (You may want to let it grow out a bit or get used to styling a new cut.)
  • Shower between the time of your haircut and the session.
  • Bring every hair styling product and tool you use every day to style your hair.
  • Come freshly shaven and trimmed, including your nose hairs.
  • Trim any crazy outlier eyebrow hairs. Tweeze the ones in the middle – no unibrows. Brush your brows up and outwards to avoid the mad scientist look.
  • You should also groom your facial hair. Keep it neat and low or none at all.
  • Do use lip balm.  Your lips should not be chapped or flaky. If you have chapped lips, start a few days in advance to get your lips in shape. Don’t wait until the day you are getting your headshot.
  • Do not try/use any new product on your hair, face or body the day before or a few days before your shoot, in case you have a bad reaction to the product

Headshot Glasses

  • If you wear glasses every day, you should have your glasses in your headshot.
  • If you sometimes wear glasses and sometimes wear contacts, bring the glasses to try.
  • If you have multiple pairs of glasses, bring them, so we can try multiple frames.

Headshot Jewelry

  •  Keep jewelry simple – a great watch or cufflinks is all you need.

 Headshot Shoes

  • If you have any interest in full-body portraits, or think you might, bring some nice shoes, and full outfits.

Style Suggestions

Below is a great video for helping you to figure out the best clothing for your body type. It’s shorter than 4 minutes, so please take time to watch it!

How to Dress to Flatter Your Body Type for Men: Men’s Fashion Advice

How to match your tie and pocket square is a great read,

 Be sure to check out our BRANDING Clothing Suggestions for Men Pinterest board

 Wish you had a personal stylist? Check out  Stitch Fix for Men

Our Number One Tip For Your Session?

The focus of your Photographic Experience is genuine moments and expression. That’s why you hired a professional to elicit expression and flatter you in ways only a professional knows!
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or text us at 571.434.0009. We hope you find these suggestions helpful -- we look forward to seeing what you choose to wear!