Congratulations on getting ready to book your first professional headshots! If you’ve never worked with a professional photographer before, you’re probably wondering what to expect, how to prepare, and if there is anything you can do to guarantee a successful shoot. Here are some quick-fire tips and tricks to nail your very first headshots!

Know why you’re getting headshots

It helps to know what your headshots are being used for. Are you auditioning for colleges? Applying to jobs on LinkedIn? Having an idea of what you need out of your headshot session will help both you and the photographer be more prepared.

Talk to the photographer

If you have absolutely any questions or concerns about getting your headshots taken, see if you can speak to the photographer. I offer free consultations - which is an excellent opportunity for me to go over my entire process with you from booking to receiving your final retouches.

Try on your outfit

You don’t want to get dressed right before your shoot only to realize the outfit you picked is extremely uncomfortable!

**For more tips on putting an outfit together, here’s my blog on preparing actor outfits and business outfits.

Do your research

Have an idea of what stands out to you in other people’s headshots. If there is another professional whose branding you adore, ask yourself what it is about their photos that speak to you. If you know you want to use your headshots for a particular type of work, see what the branding of other people in that niche looks like!

Think about layers and accessories

Adding layers to your looks adds so much character and variety. I love to stretch a look to make the most out of my time with every client. Accessories work the same way. Some jewelry or a watch can help guide the eye across the image and inform the story that the headshot is telling.

** Read more about accessories in headshots here.

Specific is your best friend!

For your first headshots, it can seem appealing to get something that will work for a broad range of work. The more general a headshot is, the less it can serve you by telling a clear and specific story. The best headshots leave the viewer thinking “Oh something is going on there.”

Trust the process

Getting headshots is weird! It’s completely normal to feel a little nervous. My best advice is to remember that the photographer is the one working. It’s their job to make you feel comfortable, understand your branding goals, and coach you through the session. The more information you give the photographer, the more tools they have to guide you through. It’s a collaboration! Always feel free to speak up if you have an idea or feel like you aren’t covering the type of shots you came in hoping to get. Your photographer will thank you for the open communication!

As a photographer, it is my goal that all of my clients feel comfortable and represented by the work that we do together. I try to keep an open dialogue at all times so I feel that by the time you’re on your way to my studio, I know your goals and interests and can confidently photograph you. Once the homework is done and both photographer and client are on the same page, the photoshoot is just the fun part! We get to play your favorite music and have a great time!