We all have this feeling of dread. You know you are having your headshot taken but now the hard part begins, actually prepping for the session.
Choosing what to wear, how to do your hair, what to bring, and how to do your make up are all things that most of us think about before we have our image taken. Here are some of my foolproof tips to make sure you look your best.
1. Make sure you feel great in what you are wearing. Really. Above color, style, pattern and anything else I suggest below, this is the number one thing. If you feel great, you will look great.
2. Keeping #1 in mind make sure your clothing fits well. If it is too tight or too loose, choose another options. Ill fitting clothes are one of the biggest reasons that headshots do not look as great as clients want them to.
3. Wear color. Yes, white and black are classic but almost everyone looks better in some color. You can see this in action in my own photos I documented in this blog post.
4. For professional images, keep patterns minimal and small on larger pieces of clothing. So if you are wanting some pattern on a shirt, keep that pattern small.
5. Make sure you hair is styled well. Meaning it stays in place, has fly always tamed, and looks like you want it to look.
6. If you color your hair, make sure you color looks like you want it to. Yes, photographers can fix your roots but that comes at an extra expense.
7. Wear shoes that allow you to feel secure in your stance. Yes, even if your feet aren't going to be in the images. I take many headshots with clients in their sneakers or even flip flops. This is how they feel most comfortable.
8. Wear some make-up. Really. Even if you like more of a natural look, studio lights will wash anyone out. So at the minimum, add some blush, a little mascara, and some lip gloss. You don't need to come totally glammed out with contour, concealer, and false eyelashes. But step it up a tiny bit to compensate for the light that we will be using.
9. Show your style. If you want to stand out in your images throw on a scarf, a piece of jewelry, or other accessory that allows you to personalize your image and stand out.
10. Have fun. Really. The old style of headshots looking cold and stiff is so 1990. Bring the twinkle in your eye, that fantastic smile, the smirk, and personality that will make you stand out amongst the crowd.
If you keep these tips in mind, we are going to capture a great image of you that you will be proud to use in your business.
Want some tips on how to feel more comfortable in front of the camera? Check out this blog post.