The Complete Guide to Professional Headshot Preparation: Expert Tips for 2025
TL;DR - Quick Preparation Checklist
Essential prep (do this first):
Book 3-4 months ahead for important deadlines
Get a haircut 3-7 days before your session (not day-of)
Practice your expression in a mirror for a week beforehand
Get 7-8 hours of sleep the night before
Day of session:
Wash face, skip heavy lotions (causes shine under lights)
Shave within 4 hours if you shave daily
Wear solid colors, avoid patterns and logos
Bring multiple outfit options
Industry-specific attire:
Legal/Finance: Suit and tie (traditional business)
Tech/Creative: Nice shirt + jacket (tie optional)
Medical: Clean, conservative styling for trust-building
Colors that work: Blues (trust), grays (sophistication), earth tones (approachability), or match your eye color
A great headshot starts before you even step into the studio. What most people don't realize is that proper preparation makes the difference between a good photo and a powerful professional tool that opens doors. Here's everything you need to know to look and feel your absolute best.
Studies show 75% of business-to-business buyers use social media to evaluate vendors, and 65% of recruiters say a professional headshot significantly influences hiring decisions. Your headshot often serves as the first impression long before any in-person meeting.
The Night Before & Day-Of Preparation
The Night Before
Get 7-8 hours of sleep to look truly rested and avoid puffy eyes
Remove all makeup completely and moisturize thoroughly
Hydrate well - your skin will thank you tomorrow
Lay out your outfits and check for wrinkles, pet hair, or missing buttons
Day of Your Session
Wash your face to remove oils and reduce shine
Skip heavy lotions - they create unwanted shine under studio lights
If you shave daily, do it within 4 hours of your session
Keep beards neatly trimmed
Trim ear, nose, and eyebrow hairs if needed
Pro tip: Don't worry about acne, razor cuts or skin imperfections - we handle these perfectly in post-production.
Hair & Makeup Strategy
Get a haircut 3-7 days before your session - not the day of. This gives you time to adjust if needed.
For Women:
Hair: Keep it classic and avoid dramatic changes right before your session
Makeup: Timeless, natural, and polished works best. Studio lighting shows everything, so use matte powder to reduce shine
Consider professional makeup for important sessions - it photographs better under studio lights
Avoid experimenting with new products right before your shoot
For Men:
Facial hair: If you shave daily, do it within 4 hours of your session for the smoothest look
Beards: Keep them neatly trimmed; consider a professional barber trim the day before
Eyebrows, nose, and ear hair: Trim if needed - studio lighting reveals everything
Consider a professional shave for high-stakes sessions (medical school applications, C-suite roles, etc.)
For Everyone:
Avoid hair dyeing right before your session unless you do it regularly
Gray hairs are easily addressed in post-production - don't worry about them
For complex styling: Book morning sessions so your hair looks its best throughout the shoot
What to Wear: Industry-Specific Guide
The Universal Rule
Your face should be the focus, not your outfit. The goal is for people to recognize you when they meet you in person - dress like the best version of yourself, not a character you're playing.
Industry-Specific Guidelines
Legal & Finance: Traditional business attire remains the standard. Think suit and tie for men, structured blazer and blouse for women.
Tech & Creative Industries: More casual and personality-oriented looks work well. A nice dress shirt with a well-fitted jacket (no tie needed) projects modern professionalism.
Medical & Healthcare: Convey competence, compassion, and professionalism. Clean, conservative styling builds trust with patients.
The Truth About Ties: You really only need one if your industry still requires them - think attorneys, bankers, and traditional corporate roles. For everyone else, a nice dress shirt with a well-fitted jacket looks polished and professional without being stuffy.
Research-Backed Color Psychology
Blues convey trust and stability - work for everyone
Grays project sophistication and balance
Earth tones communicate approachability and reliability
Match outfit colors to your eye color when possible
What Works Best
For Women:
Structured pieces work best - jackets create flattering lines and frame your face
Avoid loose, hanging fabric around sleeves and torso
Great options: Suit jacket with blouse, cardigan with dress, tailored dress alone
Simple and sophisticated: A quality blouse with a well-fitted jacket - keep it simple and let the jacket shine
Necklines: V-necks and scoop necks are universally flattering; avoid high necklines that can look bulky
Sleeves: Long sleeves or 3/4 sleeves look more polished than sleeveless (which can look too casual)
Jewelry: Keep it simple - classic earrings, subtle necklace, professional watch
Makeup: Natural and polished is best; consider professional makeup if it's an important session
For Men:
The modern approach: Well-fitted dress shirt with sport coat or blazer (tie optional for most industries)
Clean alternative: A simple, quality t-shirt with a well-fitted jacket - surprisingly sharp and modern
Suit jacket vs. sport coat: Suit jackets look more formal; sport coats are more approachable
Shirt fit is crucial - ensure proper collar size, sleeve length, and no pulling across the chest
Tie guidance: Only necessary for traditional industries (law, banking, finance)
Colors that work: Navy, charcoal, classic blue shirts, subtle patterns okay if they're small
Grooming: Fresh shave or well-trimmed beard; consider a professional shave for important sessions
Critical Fit Check for Everyone:
Jacket fit is everything - not too tight (pulls across chest/back) and not too baggy
Cuff length matters - sleeves shouldn't be too long
Shoulder fit - the jacket should sit properly at your shoulder line
When in doubt, get it tailored - a $20 alteration can make a $100 jacket look like $500
For Everyone:
Solid colors always - avoid busy patterns and logos
Well-fitted clothing that makes you feel confident
Bring multiple options - we'll help you choose the most flattering
Bringing Your Personal Brand: It's perfectly fine to incorporate personality into your professional look. What we wear often serves as a personal brand signature - something that distinguishes you and makes you memorable. This could be:
A signature color that you're known for wearing
A distinctive accessory like a classic watch, unique eyeglasses, or meaningful jewelry
A style element that reflects your personality while staying professional
Industry-appropriate flair - a creative professional might wear a bold blazer, while a consultant might have a signature pocket square
The key is balance: professional first, with thoughtful touches that reflect who you are. Your headshot should feel authentically you while opening the right doors.
2025 Trends: What's In and What's Out
What's Trending
Authenticity over heavy retouching - minimal editing is preferred
Natural lighting over harsh studio lighting - creates a warmer, more approachable feel
Personalized backgrounds that reflect your profession or personality
Genuine expressions over rigid, overly posed looks
Diversity and inclusive representation across all industries
What's Out
Heavily edited "plastic" looks - audiences value authenticity
Bright, harsh lighting that creates unflattering shadows
One-size-fits-all approaches - your headshot should reflect your unique professional brand
Research-Backed Mistakes to Avoid
#1 reason for reshoots: wrong clothing choices. Test your outfits 2-3 days before your session.
Technical mistakes that hurt your image:
Forced smiles look unprofessional - aim for genuine expressions
Poor lighting creates unflattering shadows
Wide-angle lenses distort facial features
Poor posture appears unconfident
Strategic mistakes:
Rushing the process - great headshots require thoughtful preparation
Choosing based on price alone - while 68% of startups use AI headshots for cost savings, they were only indistinguishable from professional photos 62% of the time in blind tests
Not considering your audience - your headshot should speak to your ideal clients or employers
What to Bring to Your Session
Multiple outfit options - we'll help you choose the most flattering
Any jewelry or accessories you regularly wear professionally
Hair products and makeup for touch-ups
Reference images if you have a specific style in mind
An open mind and readiness to enjoy the process
The Bigger Picture: Why This Investment Matters
Your headshot isn't just a photo - it's a strategic tool for your professional success. Research consistently shows that professional headshots increase perceived credibility, improve engagement rates, and can be the deciding factor in competitive situations.
Questions?
Every session is different, and we're here to help you look your absolute best. If you have specific questions about preparing for your industry, timeline, or style goals, just ask. We've worked with everyone from neurosurgeons to tech entrepreneurs and know what works.
The most important thing? Come ready to enjoy the experience. When you feel relaxed and confident, it shows in every shot - and that authentic confidence is exactly what makes a headshot truly powerful.
