How to Prepare for Your Headshot Session
Once you book your Signature Headshot Session, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your photoshoot the day before you arrive to the Studio. While most of the information is provided at least a week before the session so you can start pulling everything together, the most important tasks are really left for 24hours before the session.
Prepare your wardrobe options
Make sure to pull together all the clothing that fits well and is suitable for your headshot ahead of time and make sure it’s ready to go 24 hours before your session.
Every client receives wardrobe guidance via email about a week before their photoshoot so there’s plenty of time to shop for something new if needed. The goal is to have 4-6 good outfit options on hand for us to choose from - the final decision doesn’t have to be made right now, you just need to have options. We will go through your clothing together once you arrive for your headshot and select the best outfits for you right then and there. And if you feel more comfortable and prefer to make that selection yourself, you’re also welcome to come to the Studio ready to be photographed, but it’s still a great idea to prepare your clothes at this time to make sure you’re set with what you need.
➡️And you can get some wardrobe tips right here: https://www.nlalorphotography.com/blog/how-to-pick-what-to-wear-for-headshots
Iron/steam clothes
It’s very important for all clothing to be wrinkle-free and on hangers so they don’t look rumpled in your headshot. Taking some time to make sure your selected outfits look good, don’t have stains, and are without wrinkles will save a lot of disappointment later.
Go to bed early and get lots of rest
This one is probably the hardest to follow. It’s so important to be well rested on the day of your photoshoot! Adults often stay up watching TV or reading well into the night and this is the one activity you’ll want to avoid (or at least be mindful of) the night before your headshot session. So go to bed early and get 7-8 hours of sleep if at all possible, it really makes a world of a difference.
Drink plenty of water
The other really important self-care item is to drink lots and lots of water. You want to be well hydrated for your photoshoot, which means drinking water the day before and the morning of your session. There’s no need to go overboard, but I know that a lot of us simply forget to drink water during the day, which is why this is a great tip to keep in mind.
Eat a good breakfast
If your headshot session is in the morning, make sure you eat a good breakfast beforehand. Having your portraits taken is often a nerve-wrecking endeavor, and it’s infinitely worse if you’re hungry during the process. So make sure to eat a good meal before your session. There are drinks and snacks in the Studio, but it’s always better to take care of your body with some nourishing food beforehand.
Have everything ready ahead of time
Don’t leave things until the last moment. It’s always worse if you’re scrambling to leave on time and have to gather up your things from all over the house. Put your clothing aside in a specific spot. Make sure you have your things ready to go and easily reachable for when you need to leave. The goal is to avoid stress as much as possible so that you can arrive in a calm mood and ready for your headshots.
I hope you found these tips helpful! I do my best to take care of everything for each session in the Studio, but there are simply some things my clients have to do on their own. Being prepared makes such a huge difference in the result we’re able to achieve and the quality of the experience in the end.
