You've picked your outfits. Great — that's one piece of the puzzle. But the clients who walk in truly prepared do a few things beyond wardrobe that make a real difference in their photos.
I'm not talking about anything complicated. I'm talking about sleep, hydration, grooming timing, and — honestly — just knowing what to expect so you're not anxious when you walk through the door.
Here's everything I tell my clients in the days leading up to their session.
The Week Before
Hydrate Like You Mean It
I know this sounds like generic wellness advice, but your skin genuinely looks different when you're well-hydrated. Dull, dehydrated skin is harder to light well and harder to retouch naturally. Drink more water than usual in the 3-5 days before your session. Your skin will thank you — and so will your photos.
Get Consistent Sleep
One rough night won't ruin your headshot, but several in a row will show up as puffy eyes, dark circles, and tired-looking skin. Aim for your normal sleep schedule the week of your session. This isn't the week to binge a new show until 2 AM.
Don't Make Drastic Changes
This is a big one. Do not get a dramatic new haircut, try a new skincare product, or experiment with a new facial treatment in the week before your session. I've had clients show up with an allergic reaction from a new moisturizer, or with a haircut they hate. You want to look like you — the best version of you, but recognizably you.
If you want a fresh haircut, get it 5-7 days before the session so it has time to settle in and look natural.
Skip the New Skincare
New retinols, chemical peels, harsh exfoliants — all of these can cause redness, peeling, or breakouts if your skin isn't used to them. Stick with what you know works. Your headshot session is not the time to experiment.
The Day Before
Steam or Press Your Outfits
Wrinkled clothing is one of the most common issues I see. Even if we're only photographing you from the chest up, a wrinkled collar or bunched-up blazer is distracting and looks sloppy. Steam everything the night before and hang it up — don't fold it back into a bag.
Grooming: Timing Matters
Facial hair: If you shave, do it the morning before your session or the night before — not right before you walk in. Fresh razor burn shows up on camera as redness and irritation, especially around the neck and jawline. If you keep a beard, trim and shape it the day before.
Eyebrows and facial grooming: If you get your eyebrows threaded or waxed, do it at least 2-3 days before your session. The redness from waxing can take a day or two to fully fade.
Nails: If your hands might be in the shot (branding sessions especially), make sure they're clean and groomed. No chipped polish.
Moisturize
Apply a good moisturizer the night before and the morning of. Well-moisturized skin photographs better — it has a healthy glow without being greasy. If you have oily skin, use a lightweight, matte moisturizer.
The Day Of
Eat Before You Come
This is surprisingly important. Low blood sugar makes you irritable, unfocused, and tired — none of which photograph well. Eat a real meal before your session. Don't show up running on coffee and anxiety.
Arrive On Time
I build buffer time into every session, but if you arrive late, we're starting rushed — and rushing is the enemy of great photos. Give yourself a few extra minutes so you can walk in calm, not flustered from traffic or parking.
Bring Outfits on Hangers
Don't stuff your wardrobe options into a backpack. Bring them on hangers, ideally in a garment bag. You'll have space to hang them and change in my studio.
Makeup and Grooming Notes
For everyday makeup wearers: Wear your normal makeup, maybe 10-15% more than usual. The camera slightly softens makeup, so going a touch heavier keeps things looking defined. Avoid anything glittery or shimmery — it catches light unpredictably.
For everyone: Bring blotting sheets or translucent powder. Studio lighting is warm, and even people who don't normally get shiny will get a little glow on their forehead and nose. A quick blot between outfit changes keeps your skin looking fresh.
Foundation tip: Make sure your foundation matches your neck. A visible line where your makeup stops is one of the most common issues I see — and it's hard to fix in post without it looking unnatural.
The Mental Prep
This is the part most people don't talk about, and it might be the most important.
It's Normal to Be Nervous
I want to be clear about this: the vast majority of my clients are nervous when they arrive. Executives, attorneys, doctors, actors — it doesn't matter. Most people are not used to being in front of a professional camera, and that's completely fine.
Here's what I can tell you after hundreds of sessions: every single one of those nervous clients left happy with their photos. Every one. The nervousness fades fast once we get started.
You Don't Need to Know How to Pose
This is probably the number one concern I hear: "I don't know what to do with my hands" or "I'm not photogenic" or "I always look weird in photos."
You don't need to know any of that. That's literally my job. I coach you through every angle, every expression, every subtle adjustment. I'll tell you where to put your chin, how to shift your shoulders, when to relax your jaw. You just show up — I handle the rest.
The people who look "natural" in professional photos didn't just happen to look that way. They had a photographer guiding them through it.
Drop the Performative Smile
The best headshots don't come from forcing a big smile. They come from genuine micro-expressions — a slight smile, a confident look, a warm but approachable expression. I'll get you there. Sometimes it's through conversation, sometimes through specific prompts. Either way, we're going for real, not yearbook photo.
What Happens When You Arrive
Knowing the process kills most of the anxiety, so here's exactly what a session looks like:
- You arrive, we chat. I'll ask about what you need the photos for, your industry, your vibe. This isn't small talk — it helps me tailor the session.
- We pick your first outfit. Based on what you brought, I'll recommend what to start with.
- Test shots to warm up. The first few frames are just to get you comfortable with the light, the camera, and the process. Nobody expects perfection in the first 30 seconds.
- We shoot. I'll guide you through expressions, angles, and micro-adjustments. Most clients hit their stride within 5-10 minutes.
- Outfit changes. We'll swap looks and adjust lighting if needed.
- Same-day previews. Before you leave, you'll see your photos on screen and know exactly what you're getting. No waiting weeks wondering if they turned out.
The whole session takes about 45 minutes to an hour. It's not a half-day commitment — it's less time than a lunch break.
A Few More Quick Tips
- Leave the sunglasses off for at least 30 minutes before your session. Sunglasses leave temporary indentations on the bridge of your nose that show up on camera.
- Avoid heavy drinking the night before. Alcohol dehydrates your skin and can cause puffiness around the eyes.
- Bring a lint roller or I'll have one — pet hair on a dark blazer is a classic last-minute issue.
- Don't overthink it. The best thing you can do is show up rested, fed, and on time. I'll handle everything else.
Get the Full Prep Guide
I send every client a detailed prep guide after booking that covers wardrobe, grooming, and what to expect. It's free and it takes the guesswork out of the process.
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