4 Tips to Prep for a Successful Headshot Photoshoot

Solid colors look great in headshots, however if going with a pattern keep it simple.
Bring a few changes of clothes to the shoot.
Make sure that ALL clothes are ironed and pressed before the shoot. Wrinkles in clothes are difficult to Photoshop out. Don’t expect the photographer to do this.
Bring a lint brush or roller with you.
Don’t worry about shoes if just shooting headshots. Be comfortable.

Start with your hair down and towards the end of the shoot put it up in a ponytail for a more casual look.
Start natural. Just enough to cover up any blemishes, add eyeshadow and darker lipstick later in the shoot.
Try not to use matte styles of makeup. It will dry out your skin.
Bring your makeup and moisturizer with you to the shoot in case your skin does get dry or you need touch ups.
Bring lip balm or lip gloss with you to help keep lips looking soft.
Don’t do any extreme beauty regimens right before your shoot, like facial peels, tanning or extensive exfoliating. Your skin can look very irritated.
Get rid of any unwanted hair a few days before your shoot. Clean up brows and upper lip hair.

Shave right before you leave for a shoot. A 5 o’clock shadow can’t be Photoshopped easily. Use cooling gel or aftershave to help with skin irritation.
Bring some oil absorbing sheets to soak up any oil or sweat that might build up during the shoot.
Bring a brush and some hair product (gel/hairspray) with you to the shoot to help calm fly-aways.

Before the shoot look at your face in the mirror and see what side you like better. Everyone has a good side, find yours.
If you have one eye that is visibly smaller than the other, bring the side of your face with the smaller eye towards the camera. It will help reduce the difference between the two.
Try different expressions in the mirror. A good photographer will get different expressions from you during the shoot.
Get inspired by some of your favourite celebrity headshots as a reference

Have music playing to relax you and have fun with it
Follow the photographer’s direction. Even if it sounds a little silly.
Don’t force your smile, have a conversation with your photographer and talk about happy moments that will bring that natural smile forward
Squint, Squint, Squint!!! Squinting your eyes just a little will also help the shots look more confident and natural. The deer in headlights look pretty horrible.
Relax after a few shots and take a breather. Take a sip of water and step away from the lights every so often.