How To Get The Most From Your Headshot Session
How to Get the Most from a Professional Headshot Session
Whether you're refreshing your profile for LinkedIn, updating your company website, or building out a personal brand, a professional headshot is one of the most practical images you can invest in. It's also one of the most commonly underprepared for.
A small amount of thought beforehand makes a meaningful difference to what you walk away with. Whether we're shooting in my Glasgow studio or I'm coming to your offices for a team session, the preparation is largely the same. Here's what I share with every client before we meet.
Wardrobe
Solid colours over patterns. Busy prints and small checks create a visual distraction that pulls focus away from your face, which is entirely the point of a headshot. Darker mid-tones tend to work well under studio light; bright whites can blow out under flash.
The most important thing, though, is to wear something that feels genuinely like you. Confidence reads in photographs, and nothing undermines it faster than an outfit that doesn't feel natural.
Bring Options
Particularly on a branding session, this is key. 2 to 3 options is the sweet spot here. You want enough variety for a few distinct looks without making the session feel like a costume change.
Layering is a practical shortcut. A jacket or blazer over a plain shirt gives you two looks without needing a full outfit swap, which is particularly useful if you're coming straight from the office. Bring everything on a hanger and keep it that way until you need it. Creases from a bag or a seat are more visible than most people expect.
Grooming
Get a haircut at least a week before the session, not the day before. A fresh cut can look slightly unnatural or unsettled in the first few days, and it tends to show. The same applies to hair colour: touch-ups are best done five to seven days ahead.
On the day itself, keep products light. Heavy wax, spray, or anything that adds significant shine can create problems under studio lighting and catch the flash in ways that are harder to fix in post.
Skin and Make-up
Stick to your normal routine. A matte moisturiser works well under flash; skip anything with SPF, as it tends to create a white cast that shows up in images. For make-up, aim for your polished everyday look rather than going heavier for the camera. Bring your kit along for touch-ups during the session.
For those prone to shine, a light dusting of powder on the day is worth considering.
The Night Before
Sleep and hydration genuinely show up in photographs. Puffy eyes, dry skin, and the general look of a rough night don't vanish in editing. Drink enough water the day before and get to bed at a reasonable hour. It sounds obvious until you don't do it.
On the Day
Give yourself time to arrive without rushing. If you can build a few minutes of margin into your journey, do it. Stress and tension show in photographs more than most people expect: typically in the jaw and shoulders.
There's no pressure once you're here. We'll ease into things gradually.
What to Expect
Sessions are relaxed by design, wherever they happen. In the studio, we work through your looks at a comfortable pace with images showing on a live screen as we go, so you can see how things are looking in real time. On location, the same approach applies, we’ll take as much time as is practical to get a shot that actually works for you.
If you're based in Glasgow or elsewhere in Scotland and looking for a professional headshot photographer, get in touch. Studio sessions and on-location bookings are available throughout the year, for individuals and teams alike.