You’re Booked! Now What?

First, take a deep breath.

You do not need to know how to pose, what to do with your hands, or how to smile on command. That’s my job.

This Headshot and Branding Session Prep guide will walk you through an overview of everything you need to know before your session so you can show up feeling prepared, confident, and ready to create images that truly love. Follow the links this article for even more detailed guidance.

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What to Wear

Choose Clothing That Fits Well

The most flattering clothing is clothing that fits properly. Avoid:

• Oversized or baggy clothing
• Extremely tight clothing
• Wrinkled fabrics
• Items that constantly need adjusting

If you’re between two options, the one that makes you feel confident is usually the right choice (but bring both!).

Bring Multiple Options

For both headshot and branding sessions, variety is your friend.

For branding sessions, consider bringing:

• A professional look
• A business casual look
• A more relaxed or lifestyle option
• Layers such as jackets, blazers, sweaters, or cardigans

For shorter headshot sessions, bring:

• Your primary outfit choice
• One backup option
• A blazer, jacket, or layer for variety
• Any simple accessories you regularly wear

Having options gives us more flexibility and helps create a larger variety of images.

Best Colors for Photos

Colors that typically photograph well:

• Navy
• Emerald
• Burgundy
• Teal
• Plum
• Soft earth tones
• Rich neutrals

Try to avoid:

• Neon colors
• Bright red
• Stark white
• Colors that closely match your skin tone
• Patterns and large logos

If you’re unsure, bring a few options, and I’ll help you decide. Check out this page for more:
What to Wear for Headshots & Branding Photography

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Hair, Makeup & Grooming

Haircuts

Schedule haircuts and color a week or two before your session. Now is not the time to try something new! Try bangs after your photoshoot.

Makeup

Professional makeup is highly recommended. Professional makeup is one of the best investments you can make for your headshots or branding session. It photographs beautifully, helps create a polished look, and can reduce shine and undereye shadows that are often more noticeable on camera.

If you’ll be doing your own makeup:

• Aim for a polished version of your everyday look.
• Camera lighting tends to soften makeup, so don’t be afraid of a little extra definition around the eyes.
• Avoid products with shimmer or glitter.
• Bring your lipstick, powder, or other touch-up products with you.
• Practice beforehand! Don’t try this for the first time the day of your shoot.

For branding sessions, consider how your makeup aligns with your personal brand. Whether your style is natural, corporate, creative, or glamorous, the goal is to look like your best, most confident self.

Not a makeup person? That’s perfectly fine. A natural, well groomed look photographs beautifully too. The goal isn’t to look different, it’s to look like you on your best day.

Facial Hair

If you normally wear facial hair, keep it looking the way you typically wear it. The goal is for people to recognize you when they meet you.

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The Week Before

Get Plenty of Rest

A good night’s sleep can make a significant difference in how you look and feel in photographs. The camera reallllly notices tired eyes.

Stay Hydrated

Hydrated skin photographs better and generally looks healthier and more vibrant. Start a few days before your session and skip wine with dinner. We know how much alcohol can effect our sleep.

Avoid Major Beauty Experiments

This is not the week for:

• Chemical peels
• Aggressive facials
• New skincare products
• Spray tans you’ve never tried before

Avoid the Sun

Try to avoid prolonged sun exposure for a few days before your session. Sunburn, tan lines, peeling skin, and redness can be difficult to hide and may affect the final look of your images. If getting a spray tan, choose a professional over a DIY experiment.

Practice Smiles and Poses

You don’t need to spend hours practicing in front of a mirror, but it can be helpful to become familiar with your expressions before your session if you’re feeling anxious.

• Looking at yourself while smiling naturally
• Noticing which side of your face you prefer
• Practicing a relaxed expression between smiles
• Taking a few quick selfies to see what feels most like you

That said, don’t stress about it. Most of the expressions that look best in photos happen naturally during the session. I’ll guide you through posing, help you find flattering angles, and coach you through expressions every step of the way.

Gather Inspiration

Spend a few minutes looking at headshots or branding photos online and save a handful of images that catch your attention. Pay attention to things like clothing, backgrounds, lighting, expressions, and overall style and feel of the photos.

You don’t need to know the technical reasons you like an image, just save the ones that make you think, “I’d love a photo like that!” Sharing a few examples before your session helps me understand your goals and ensures we’re creating images that fit your personal brand, industry, and personality. Remember, these are inspiration images, not expectations. We’ll create something that feels authentic to you.

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Branding Session Preparation

Think About Your Audience

Ask yourself: Who am I trying to reach? That might include:

• Corporate clients
• Small business owners
• Patients
• Customers
• Investors
• Job recruiters

Understanding your audience helps us create images that connect with the right people. Use this Branding Shoot Checklist for a masterclass in prep:
Branding Shoot Planning Checklist

Gather Inspiration

Save a few images that you love. This doesn’t mean we’ll copy them, but it helps me understand:

• The style you like
• The level of formality you’re looking for
• How you plan to use the images

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The Day Before

Confirm Your Outfit Choices

Try everything on! Make sure:

• Clothing fits comfortably
• Buttons close properly
• Shoes work with your outfits
• Accessories coordinate

Steam or Hang Your Clothing

The camera notices wrinkles more than you think. Hang everything up the night before so you’re not fighting with an iron five minutes before leaving.

Pack Everything Early

• Clothing options
• Accessories
• Props
• Touch-up makeup
• Hair products
• Water bottle

Bring Relevant Props

While this is necessary for branding photos, props can also be used in headshot shoots as well. Sessions often feel more authentic when we include items that represent your work. It also helps with the age old question, “What do I do with my hands?” Examples:

• Laptop
• Notebook
• Phone
• Product samples
• Tools of your trade
• Books
• Coffee mug
• Packaging or branded materials

If it helps tell your story, bring it!

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The Day Of Your Session

Give yourself plenty of time

Map to the location where we’re shooting and make sure you give yourself plenty of wiggle room for traffic and delays. Nothing is more stressful than knowing you’ve missed 10 minutes of your shoot time.

Eat!

No hangry headshots! Eat a nourishing, light meal so you feel more comfortable and energized.

Arrive Relaxed

You don’t need to worry about being photogenic. You do not have to be comfortable in front of the camera, and you definitely don’t need to be a supermodel. That’s what I’m here for.

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During the Session

This part is on me! My job is to guide you through the entire process. I’ll help with:

• Posing
• Expression coaching
• Outfit selection
• Hand placement
• Body positioning
• Natural interactions

Most clients tell me they were nervous before their session and surprised by how easy and fun the experience felt. In fact most of the time, We’re having so much fun that we don’t want it to end!