It might sound obvious, but because it’s the one piece of advice everyone neglects, it’s worth mentioning: get some sleep!

Being well-rested is the foundation for looking your best in your professional headshot. The night before your photo shoot, get plenty of sleep to ward off dark circles and puffy eyes. A full night’s sleep will help you appear bright-eyed and radiant during your headshot session. It will also give you the energy you need to genuinely have fun in front of the camera.

Bonus tip: stay hydrated as well!

When you feel great, you’ll look great.

When it comes to dressing for your headshot, keep it simple. Avoid trendy options, and steer away from anything with graphics or text. Bold patterns and stripes can be distracting so skip those. Most people photograph well in neutral colors, and I recommend sticking with those unless you have a signature look or brand.

Make sure your outfit is clean and pressed in time for your headshot session. And if you’re having a hard time deciding, feel free to bring a few options and we can make a decision together about what will photograph best.

Remember: you – not your outfit – should be the focus of the photo.

I want you to look like yourself on your best day, so stick to your normal beauty and makeup routine. No need for extra makeup, although I do recommend bringing along any cosmetics that you routinely use for a quick touch-up before your headshot.

If your style is a more natural look, just make sure your face is freshly washed, your brows are well-groomed, and you use a touch of lip balm, (I’ll have some available for your if you need it), and you’ll be camera-ready.

You should look like your everyday self in your photo: wear glasses if people are used to seeing you in them and groom your facial hair as you usually would.

Don’t get a new hairstyle or fresh haircut shortly before your picture. This tends to look unnatural in photographs.

The morning of your session, style your hair as you usually would, using a bit of extra hairspray or product to keep everything in place. Right before you get in front of the camera, take a final look in the mirror to confirm that your hair is laying exactly how you like it to be.

While our photoshop professionals can fix almost any imperfection, hair can be tricky to correct. This is because the strands go in so many different directions. It’s always better to have your hair neatly styled for the photo than to try correcting messy tresses in post-production.

Most people don’t love getting in front of a camera. And that’s perfectly normal! If you’re nervous, sometimes just saying so out loud will ease your nerves.

Before you get in front of the camera, take a deep breath and relax. Once you’re ready for your time in the spotlight, assess your posture to ensure you are standing/sitting tall: this will help you project your inner-confidence and professionalism.

And that’s it. You’re ready.

If you have anything you’d like to share beforehand, such as telling me which side is your “best” side or revealing any concerns about a blemish or scar, just tell me! I’ve heard it ALL before – there’s nothing you should be embarrassed about. It’s much easier to tell the photographer these things ahead of time than to put up with a portrait you don’t like.