10 Tips to Get the Most Out of Your Professional Photoshoot
Stepping in front of a professional camera doesn’t have to feel like sitting down under a spotlight for an interrogation with the KGB. It’s totally normal to feel anxious when even just thinking about having your photo taken. Instead, let’s turn that anxiety into excitement with a bit of preparation! We’ve been taking professional headshots since 2005 so we’ve used our years of experience to put together ten tips to help you rock your next photoshoot with confidence.
1 - Prepare With Purpose
Prepare, prepare, prepare! Sketch out your vision for the shoot. Are you aiming for a classic look? Or something more unique? Understanding what you want in advance will help both you and your photographer. It’s like having a map before you set off on a road trip. If you’re not sure what background color or type you want, what you should wear, or how close you want your photo cropped, don’t sweat it. Tell the photographer what you need the photo for and where it’s going, and they can help use their expertise to take care of those details for you.
When we did this workshop as a team to take our own photos, everyone was told to pick a word they wanted to convey (such as creative, friendly, leader etc.) and choose their look weeks in advance. This helped everyone create a vision for what they wanted people to feel when they look at their photo.
2 - Choosing Clothing for Photos
Your choice of attire can speak volumes. The good news is that the days of only wearing a black or blue blazer to your headshot are over (unless you want to wear one, of course, since it’s still such an awesome classic look). A professional headshot doesn’t have to look like you’re wearing a uniform. Bring in elements of your personality in your clothing choice to show your style.
Opt for outfits that compliment you and make you feel confident when you wear them, and check out specific headshot tips for choosing clothing here.
3 - Invest in a Professional Photographer
We know headshots can sometimes feel out of the budget, but we cannot stress enough how important it is to hire a professional. You might have a friend or coworker with a photography hobby, but they still shouldn’t take your headshot. Trust us, hire a professional. It’s always less expensive to get it right the first time than to have to do it again later, and some studios like ours have a reshoot guarantee.
Professional makeup artists and hair stylists can also help you bring out your best features. Keep in mind that your headshot, however, should look like you do on a natural good day. It’s not a glamor shot.
4 - Communication is Key
Communicating with your photographer is crucial, so make sure you get along with your photographer and feel comfortable talking with them. They should know your best angles and be able to address any concerns you may have. Remember, it’s a collaboration, not a solo mission. If you have questions, ask! Your photographer is there to make you feel comfortable and confident. These photos are for YOU so you should have a say!
5 - Practice Your Poses
Avoid stiff or unnatural poses by practicing in front of a mirror. Familiarize yourself with how your body looks and feels in different positions and which poses make you feel and look confident. Try standing and shifting your weight to the left and right and see how that feels, and try sitting in a chair and twisting your shoulders left and right to see how it looks and feels. It’s a bit like learning new dance moves for your favorite song: experiment on your own, then rely on your photographer as a dance partner for the final result. And if you’re wondering what to do with your hands, we have solutions for that.
6 - Get Some Rest
We know that the night before a shoot can be full of a lot of anxious pacing, but a well-rested face is a photogenic face. Make sure you get plenty of sleep the night before to avoid looking and feeling tired. It will be hard to look your best if you’re exhausted!
7 - Don’t Forget to Eat
You want to feel energized and alert for your photoshoot, not ready for a nap or in need of a meal. We can’t tell you how many people lose focus and concentration during their headshot session because they didn’t eat enough before the shoot and end up tired, out of it, or even hangry. Make sure you have something to eat before your shoot so you’re not distracted by hunger and you have enough energy to bring your real personality to the photos. Bring snacks in case you need a break, even if the session is short.
We also recommend steering clear of alcohol the night before AND the day of your headshot session since it can be dehydrating to your skin, cause redness in your face, and make you feel and look foggy.
8 - Get There Early
Get to the location early enough to get familiar with the setting and chat with the photographer. It’s not just about being punctual but also about getting comfortable. If you’re running late or confused about where you’re going, adrenaline is kicking in and it can make you feel frazzled, which will come through in the photos.
9 - Pack Smart
Bring a bag with essentials - extra outfits, makeup for touch-ups, collar stays for your shirt collar, and snacks for energy. We keep a lot of essentials like combs, hair spray, curling irons and more in our studio because there’s nothing worse than wanting to run a hairbrush through your hair for your photo and not having one with you. It’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
10 - Be in the Moment and Have Fun
Finally, the best way to make sure you get great photos is to enjoy the process. Let your genuine personality shine through. When you’re having fun, it shows in every shot. It sounds counterintuitive for a photo, but don’t think about what the photo looks like while you’re having your photo taken. Be in the moment, show your true self, and then look at the photo to make sure you captured that. If not, delete the photo and try again. Capturing a great photo is as much about trying new things and removing the photos that don’t work as it is about photographing.
Final Thoughts
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be set to make the most out of your photoshoot. It’s all about being prepared, staying relaxed, and embracing the experience with a little bit of flair! Find a professional photographer who is a true collaborator with you so that it doesn’t feel like a trip to the DMV.