The best next-level headshot tips from our professional photographer

Learn how to expertly prepare for your next headshot session to look and feel your best

A high-quality headshot can serve many different purposes for business professionals: a LinkedIn profile picture, a visual to go with your website bio or an image to share for a promo of your next public speaking event.

Although headshots are necessary for many businesspeople, you may feel hesitant or uncomfortable in front of a camera. That’s why preparing for your professional portrait ahead of time can make a huge difference in how you look and feel during your session.

Continue reading to learn some do’s and don’ts for headshots from our in-house professional photographer.

Tip #1: Wear the right clothes.

Choosing the proper attire for your headshot ensures you feel confident in your photos. Pick an outfit you would wear if you were meeting with an important client, partner, or vendor.

The focus of your headshot should be you, and your clothes shouldn’t be too distracting. Avoid the following when choosing your outfit:

Whites and beiges (or flesh tones)
Busy patterns
Large horizontal stripes
Polka dots
Animal prints, and
Shirts with logos

Wear what accentuates your best features and conceals what you’re not comfortable with. For example, if you don’t want to draw attention to your upper arms, don’t wear a sleeveless top unless it’s under a blazer. If you plan to wear a suit, gray and navy blue are great neutral colors.

Solid jewel tone colors are a classic choice and complement just about everyone. If you are in a more traditional type of business, a blazer photographs well and looks professional.

If you wear jewelry, plan to keep it simple the day of your photoshoot by avoiding large statement pieces. If you wear glasses, feel free to wear them during your headshot session. However, if you don’t plan on wearing your glasses for your photos, try to take them off a couple of hours in advance to avoid indentations on your face.

Tip #2: Look for inspiration.

If you’re unsure about what poses to do or props to bring for your headshot, look at professional headshots online to figure out what you like best.

Looking for inspirational photos can help you maximize your photo session because you’ll know exactly what type of feel you’re going for. Ensure your inspirational headshots align with your company’s brand and other team members’ photos.

Tip #3: Practice your poses.

It’s essential that you feel as comfortable as possible during your headshot session, and it can be daunting to come into it not knowing what poses you would like to do.

Once you’ve gotten inspired for the look and feel by other professional headshots, try practicing the poses of the people in those photos in the mirror to give you an idea of what you’d like and help you prepare before the day of the photo session. Practicing your smile before taking your headshots is also a good idea.

Tip #4: Prepare in advance.

Before your headshot session, you’ll want to do all that you can in the days leading up to it to ensure you’ll look your best on the day of.

Pick out your outfit well in advance in case you need to have it dry-cleaned or tailored before your headshot. If you plan on getting a haircut or hair color touchup, do this a couple of days to a week before your headshot session so you can get used to how you look with your new hair and have time to learn how to style it.

If you want to have your makeup professionally done, make your appointment as soon as possible and ensure enough time between your appointment and your headshot session. We also advise that men groom or shave the day of their headshot to avoid a five o’clock shadow.

Finally, it’s important that you get a whole night’s sleep the night before and drink plenty of water to help you feel and look rested on the day of your session.

Are you looking for a professional headshot in Orlando?

You’ve come to the right place! With over 18 years of experience, our professional headshot services at Different Perspective can help you establish credibility, support brand identity, and set your business apart from your competitors.

We provide professional headshots both in our studio in Orlando, Florida and on location, depending on your business’s unique needs.

Contact us today to learn more.

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