How to Make the Most of Your Headshot
If you’re anything like me, being in front of the camera can be anxiety inducing. Suddenly, I’m very aware of my breathing, that my smile is probably slipping down my face, and what do I do with my hands?! But over the years of needing to be our test model and taking people’s portraits, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the difference when it comes to getting a headshot that really captures you and your personality. Here are 5 easy tips to help you get a better headshot.
It starts before you step into the studio
1. Get a good night’s sleep
They say when you want to start waking up earlier, it’s not about what you do in the morning, but what you do the night before-- and the same goes for your headshot. Make sure you get a good night's sleep before your headshot appointment and drink lots of water. On top of making sure your skin looks healthy and hydrated, getting a good night sleep before can help alleviate stress. Arriving at your photo session well-rested helps you enjoy the photo process and put your best foot forward.
2. Have your outfit ready to go
Similarly to getting a good night’s sleep, you want to reduce any stress and last minute changes before your headshot. Have your outfit ironed and set-out the day before. Having this ready before helps you to not stress-out trying to find an outfit that looks good and fits well (I know as well as the next person, COVID has forced me into an all new wardrobe). While we’re on the topic of wardrobes-- stick to solid colors and avoid small patterns. Small patterns tend to look a little funky on camera.
3. Do your research
Now, this is going to sound funny, but you need to do your homework before your headshot. While models make it look easy, finding a ‘style’ of headshot that you like can take some work. Cruise through LinkedIn and see who’s headshots you like-- notice what you like about them? Is it the setting/background? Are they in a fun pose? Does their expression look genuine? Having this ready before you arrive at the studio can make it easier to communicate the look you’re going for with your photographer.
The day of your headshot
4. Arrive early
Now, I’m not just saying this as a photographer, but so you can have a relaxed and enjoyable headshot experience. You never know when there’s going to be traffic or delays on public transit or you’ll have a hard time parking or finding the building. Build in some extra time to get to your headshot at least 10 minutes early so you don’t arrive stressed or overwhelmed (remember that good night of sleep you got?). It also gives you extra time to deal with any last minute primping or dealing with deodorant on your shirt. Pro-tip: if you have deodorant on your shirt, grab another part of the fabric and rub it against the deodorant stain-- like magic it’ll go away!
5. Have fun!
Try your best to have fun and enjoy the experience. Once you let go of the self-consciousness you’ll be amazed at how great the photos can turn out. Your photographer can take care of helping you find the right lighting or angles, just focus on relaxing and letting your personality shine through. One thing I like to do is have something funny to read before I get in front of the camera-- it can be a silly podcast or (my personal favorite) Dad jokes to help me relax and have a genuine smile on my face.
