Ah the dreaded headshot photoshoot. The day where you have to get all dressed up in some uncomfortable outfit that you literally never wear so that you can go stand uncomfortably in front of a camera and awkwardly smile for a few minutes. The process sure does suck, but hey, you got some decent photos out of it right? Well, I want you to know that it doesn't have to be this way. You can get some amazing headshots and enjoy the process. Here's how:
Talk to Your Photographer
There is nothing more disappointing for both you as a client and your photographer than for you to go through a photoshoot, you're shown the final photos, and then you're not 100% satisfied with them. You didn't go through all this effort and pay all this money just to end up with a disappointing product. The best way to prevent this outcome is to have a conversation with your photographer prior to your photoshoot. This is your opportunity to make sure that you and your photographer are on the same page about how your session is going to go. This is where you're going to talk about the location, what side of your body you prefer to have photographed, do you want full-body shots in addition to your headshots, etc.
A lot of photographers will automatically include a consultation as part of their client experience, but if the one you've chosen doesn't, don't hesitate to reach out and ask to schedule one. Between researching and a selecting a photographer, paying a deposit/retainer (if applicable), and planning out your styling and outfit, you've already put a lot of effort into this photoshoot, and it hasn't even happened yet. Don't leave room for a potential miscommunication that will leave you dissatisfied with the final photos.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
For the love of all that is good in this world, please wear a comfortable outfit to your photoshoot. If your shoes are two sizes too small and they're pinching your feet, that's going to show in your photos. If you're wearing a long-sleeved pantsuit outside in the middle of summer and you're close to passing out from heatstroke, that's going to show in your photos. A lot of people think they can just power through whatever discomfort their outfit is causing them and still get a great headshot, but I promise you, you will be so much more satisfied with the final results if you're comfortable during your photoshoot. Your smiles will be genuine, your poses won't look awkward, and your overall body language will be warm and inviting.
Think about it, your photoshoot is so much more than the final product: It's the experience of getting dressed up, of being treated like a model for a few hours, and being photographed in a way that you don't really get to experience all that often. When you see your headshots you're going to remember the day of your photoshoot. Do you want to remember a day full of discomfort and forced, awkward smiles, or do you want to remember a fun day that where you felt like a model?
Pick a Location that You Like
This tip is a bit more dependent on the photographer you've chosen, but make sure you like the location where your photos will be taken. If it's a studio environment, you're more than likely fine. If you're doing an on-location shoot, talk to your photographer about potential backgrounds. Do you want water? Greenery? An urban vibe? Do you want to be inside in an office space, or by a window? This all goes back to the first tip, where you talk to your photographer so that the two of you know what the final photos should look like.
Your headshot photoshoot doesn't have to be a drag. You can enjoy both the experience of the photoshoot and the photos that you get from it. Talk to your photographer, wear comfortable clothes, and make sure you like the location. Do these things and you'll come away with photos that you're 100% satisfied with.