Melissa Spurrier Photo

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Head Shots

Dallas Professional Headshots: Your Headshot Session Prep Guide

A little preparation for your headshot session can go a long way! As a Dallas headshot photographer, I wanted to share some tips for your session to help you have the best possible experience and receive photos you’ll love. 

Keep reading for all of my pro tips on preparing for your headshot session! 

a woman in a black leather jacket taking a headshot in a studio in dallas
a woman sitting on an orange leather couch wearing a pink blazer and taking a professinal headshot in a studio
a woman wearing professional attire taking a headshot
a woman wearing a yellow blouse taking a headshot in a studio in dallas with a blue backdrop

What to Wear to Your Headshot Session

One of the questions I know my clients will always ask me is what they should wear for their headshots! 

While I love buttoned-up, professional headshots, I also think that a pop of color or a pattern sometimes works really well for headshots – without overdoing it, of course. Not only can it help differentiate your photos you but thinking outside the box for your outfits can also help you feel more like yourself and more comfortable for your photos! 

Colors and patterns 

For individual photos, don’t be afraid of textures and patterns, as these are a great way to add your personality and make your images more dynamic. With that being said, be cautious with loud, busy patterns or distracting prints. Personally, I recommend solid – think jewel tones, navy, black, white, or gray.

Choose professional attire 

For the “buttoned up” type of professional headshots, I always recommend selecting clothing items that align with your industry. Some examples include a pantsuit, a suit with a skirt/dress, a jacket, or, if you aren’t going to wear a jacket, a very professional dress/blouse. Avoid ruffles and bows, as these are very distracting in images. 

For an individual headshot session, you’ll be moving during your session in a variety of poses, so you’ll want your look to be complete from head to toe. Be sure to test your outfit in different ways, like standing and sitting, to make sure your clothes don’t look too baggy or create unflattering wrinkles.

Furthermore, collar choices are very important for headshots. If you are wearing a collared shirt, make sure you have a well-pressed dress shirt with a properly tied tie. Noticeably low-cut or high-neck styles can also create unflattering proportions.

If you’re ever unsure about your outfit choices, I’m always here to help. I’m always more than happy to send over suggestions and more sample images to make choosing and putting together an outfit easier.

a woman wearing a blue button up and jeans taking a professional headshot in a studio
a woman wearing a yellow dress and flower crown taking a professional headshot
a woman standing with her arms crossed wearing a pink blazer and crossing her arms in front of her taking a headshot

How to Prepare for Your Headshot Session

Hair, makeup, and skincare

When it comes to hair and makeup, don’t be afraid to do your hair and makeup so that you look like you. Also, don’t hesitate to go a little heavier than usual on makeup (eyes/lips).  Remember, hair and makeup are meant to enhance your features in your photos – not make you look like an entirely different person. 

If you wake up with a blemish, don’t worry – apply your makeup as usual because this is an easy fix in production. You can avoid shiny or oily skin with a light matte powder. Facial moisturizer and lip balm also go a long way. Also, I recommend getting a haircut a few days before your session, not the day before. 

I also include light retouching for all headshots – so if you’ve got a honker the day of your shoot, just let me know and I’ll easily be able to touch it up in post!

For the men, consider using moisturizer (or practicing with a bit of basic skincare) and using chapstick the day of your session.

Don’t wear clothes with logos or branded clothing items 

This is a big one – avoid any clothing items where the logo is noticeable and pulls away from the main focus of the image – you! Graphics, logos, or branded clothing are all very distracting. 

Don’t forget about your shoes! 

If you’re taking a full-length shot, you’ll need to think about what shoes to wear as well. Avoid open-toed shoes or sandals or shoes that look well-worn or scuffed. 

Don’t stress about posing 

Posing is weird. And it makes people uncomfortable, which leads to uncomfortable photos. But don’t worry about posing – I’ll be there to guide you into poses that feel natural, resulting in photos you’ll love. If you want, you can look up poses beforehand that we can recreate during your session. 

Don’t come to your session on an empty stomach

Make sure to eat before your session and stay hydrated! Also try to get a good night’s sleep the day before your session so you can look and feel your best. 

Communicate with your photographer

Don’t hesitate to reach out to me before your session! Especially if you have any questions or have a specific vision for your session. It’s also a chance for us to get to know one another better so you feel more confident and comfortable in front of the camera. 

a woman sitting in a chair with a floral backdrop behind her
a woman sitting on an orange leather couch taking a professional headshot
a woman wearing a black tshirt has her arms crossed in front of her and is standing in front of a green backdrop
a woman wearing a black leather jacket and striped T-shirt with her hands on her hips standing in front of a purple backdrop

Dallas Mini Headshot Session Day

What is a mini headshot session? 

A mini headshot session is a quick, simple, and easy way to get updated headshots at a lower price point. These are different from my individual headshot sessions as they’re a shortened version of what I usually offer. 

It’s a great option if you’re short on time and are okay with only receiving one or two images, often with light retouching. Mini headshot sessions aren’t something I offer regularly, but I do love to offer these every once in a while! 

Dallas mini headshot session day 

Last year, I hosted a mini headshot session day with Elizabeth Rist, a wonderful local makeup artist providing on-site touch-ups. We got a lot of differently styled and creative portraits of four women with a variety of colorful backdrops. The goal with a mini headshot session day was to fit as many clients in as we could, and to do a kind of marathon photography session. I had each client send me a mood board of inspiration, and we were able to capture each woman’s unique personalities and style!

Do you live in Dallas and want to be a part of the next Mini Headshot Session day? I would love to have you! You can get in touch with me here! 

When should you choose a mini session vs a full headshot session? 

As a photographer, if you come to me with this question personally, I’ll always recommend opting for a full headshot session over a mini headshot session. However, there are times when a mini session is a good alternative option, such as when you need a photo asap or it’s a photo that is for your company directory, an event, or your LinkedIn. 

a woman wearing a yellow blouse taking a headshot in front of a teal backdrop
a woman sitting in a chair taking a professional headshot in a studio in dallas
a woman laughing and sitting on an orange couch
a woman with a studio set up and microphone having a professional headshot session with a purple backdrop

Ready To Book Your Headshot Session?

I hope you found this headshot session prep guide helpful. Whether you’re looking for corporate headshots or individual professional headshots, the bottom line is that headshots are a must-have! A headshot is your first representation of you – this image conveys your unique personality and tells your personal story.

Looking for a Dallas headshot photographer for your corporate headshots or individual professional headshots? I’d love to chat with you and get the ball rolling! Your branded headshots don’t have to be boring. Or painful. I bring everything together with inclusive brand photography you can count on to highlight your unique personality and your values. 

You can reach out to me here, and I look forward to what we can create together!

Read these next: 

Why You Should Have a Professional Photographer at Your Upcoming Event or Party

Everything You Need to Know About Corporate Event Photography

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