A photographer’s tips on prepping for headshots
Being in front of a camera can feel daunting so I often send out a little checklist to clients ahead of time to help them plan. This is a more in-depth description. Some things will apply to you, some not, but I hope it helps!
TEETH
- Brush and floss
- Have that coffee/tea AFTER your photos. It will undo your careful brushing and then there’s Murphy’s Law of spillage.
- If your teeth have stains and you’re worried about them in close-ups they can be lightened in post-processing, but not so much that it looks unnatural.
GLASSES
- Clean your lenses. Smudges are tricky to touch up in Photoshop, especially if they're visible in every photo. I find a quick soap & rinse in the kitchen sink, followed by a polish get mine as clean as they’ll ever be.
- If you have TRANSITIONS (lenses that change into sunglasses in bright light) you can: take them off and just hold them in a few shots OR bring a backup pair with traditional lenses OR choose a location that isn’t too bright and your photographer can add light with flash (doesn't cause lenses to go dark).
SKIN
- Have a blemish? Cut yourself shaving? Worry not, those are easy touch-ups in Photoshop.
- Moisturize in the morning to avoid dry skin.
- Worried about shiny skin? Bring along some tissues/wet wipes for touch-ups.
FACIAL HAIR
For those with beards and moustaches, give them a little trim the day before, nothing drastic, just a tidy-up.
HAIR
If it’s almost time for a haircut – and you trust your hairstylist – you might be able to schedule your appointment for the day before or even the day of your shoot. I don’t know about you but I can never get my hair to look as good at home.
If your session is outside and it’s windy or humid, bring along hair product. Long hair, especially, can be unruly on a gusty day. With any luck, there’ll be a sheltered spot with some good light but be prepared to tame your tresses in between shots.
MAKEUP
If you don’t normally wear makeup don’t feel pressured to. But for those that do, eye makeup tends to fade in photos. Apply mascara and eyeliner a bit heavier. Bring lipstick/gloss with you to re-apply just beforehand as it wears off throughout the day.
TISSUES/WIPES
- Wind and humidity can trigger runny eyes and noses so bring a few tissues in a pocket just in case.
CLOTHES
- Avoid large patterns and logos as they’re distracting and, potentially, date your photos
- Baggy clothing adds bulk so choose something that fits you well. Most headshots are just your head and shoulders. You can ask your photographer what they’ll see in the shot. Structured jackets always look good.
- Iron! Not all clothes need ironing, but a super wrinkly shirt is hard to hide so don’t skip it.
- Choose colours that flatter your eye colour and skin.
- Wear neutrals and swap out accessories like scarves/jackets/sweaters/jewelry between shots.
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