Preparing for your Headshot Session
WHEN PREPARING FOR A HEADSHOT SESSION, YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN. I'VE PUT TOGETHER THE FOLLOWING GUIDE TO HELP YOU PREPARE SO PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY AND LETS KNOCK THIS OUT OF THE PARK.
WHAT TO WEAR
Keep in mind that headshots are from the upper-chest up and we want the focus to be on your face and expression. Clothing should compliment and match the look you're going for, but not draw any undue attention. We want the viewers eye to be drawn to your face and expression, not your clothing.
Aim for:
clothes you love and feel great in
clothes that are form-fitting
favor solid covers over patterns
layers - a jacket or sweater that works well with one of your tops
Try to avoid:
overbearing patterns - they distract
baggy, loose or ill-fitting clothing - they add unwanted pounds
high collared shirts/jackets - they shorten the neck
wrinkled clothing - the camera will put a laser focus on this
For women, there are a lot of options when it comes to necklines. I've included a chart below with some advice on what to bring there.
I've put a cross on styles that are not suitable for a headshot - not because they're not flattering, but because they make too big of a statement. I've put a question mark on those that may look ok but could also be too complex and distracting. Again, think simple. We want the focus to be on you and your expression.
COLORS
People often ask what colors are best and I don't really have a solid answer for that as it varies by person. Honestly, I'm less concerned about the color than I am the pattern and how distracting it may be. If you focus more towards solid colors, its hard to go wrong.
EYEWEAR
If you wear glasses, bring every pair you own. I'll do my best to remove any glare from the lights in your glasses. Sometimes we have to try various pairs depending on how they respond to light.
MAKEUP
This section is for the ladies. Guys... please don't wear makeup; it'll be very noticeable.
Just as with clothing, "keep it simple" is the name of the game here, less-is-more. If you think about how stage makeup is purposefully overdone to stand out at a distance, headshot makeup should be the opposite. You need much less in such a close shot, and too much will be very noticeable. Keep it light and natural.
My lighting will help to minimize wrinkles and retouching will take care of those little blemishes we all have.
TRY TO AVOID:
heavy eyeliner - avoid sharp, harsh lines, keep it soft
eyeshadow
penciled in eyebrows with a harsh line - they need to look natural
too much blush
lip liner and lipstick (bring in a clear/neutral gloss to keep your lips shiny and/or a hydrating lipstick in neutral colors to even out chapped lips and uneveness)
powder foundation - liquid concealer works better on camera
fake eyelashes or clumpy mascara - keep them delicate
LIPS
Yes I have a whole section dedicated to lips. Being in Minnesota the winters tend to bring dry lips and with such a closeup it can be very noticeable if you have dry or cracked lips. If you have even slightly dry lips, become best friends with a tube of chapstick in the weeks/days leading up to your session. Trust me, it'll be worth it.
JEWELRY
Unless its very specific to your look/brand, I prefer to keep the use of jewelry to a minimum. It can very easily overpower a shot and be distracting. We'll be creating killer shots that draw the viewer into your eyes and expression, jewelry will generally only serve to detract from this objective, rather than enhancing. You can certainly bring necklace and earring options to try, just try to keep them small.
QUESTIONS?
Ok that was a lot to read. At the end of the day, don't sweat it, I want you to be as relaxed as possible for your shoot. Just think simple and natural and we'll work from there.