How to Prepare for your Headshot

The answer depends on what you need. Our sessions are based on the length of the session as well as the number of final images you need/want. 

The Solo Session: Your studio session is a quick 15-20-minute studio session and includes 1 retouched image (head and shoulders). You pick the image on the spot. This session is good for someone that needs a quick headshot for a resume or for companies who have new hires.

The Double Take: It's a 30 minute studio session and includes an online gallery to choose your images from.  Time permitting you can choose your images during your session. You get two different looks (head and shoulders) and 2 retouched images. This session is great for giving you a couple of looks to use for your online presence and marketing materials.

The Trio: This is a 40 minute studio session and includes an online gallery to choose your images from. Time permitting you can choose your images during your session. You can be photographed in 3 different looks (head and shoulders) and will received 3 final, retouched images. 

The Professional Collection: A 1.5 hour studio session and an online gallery to choose your images from.  Time permitting you can choose your images during your session.  You can be photographed in unlimited looks and you receive 6 retouched images. These images can be head and shoulders, torso, and seated. This session gives you a bit more time making it easier to change your look and/or your hair and makeup. It's also great for creating a wider variety of looks for your social media profiles, your website, marketing materials, etc.

After your session, your images to review will be sent via a secured online gallery within 2-3 business days, delivered via email. You can view and choose your images with this gallery, and it has a  "Favorites" feature that allows you to narrow to your final choice(s).  Once you have chosen your images, you will be emailed your images or sent instructions on where to download.  

The majority of our Headshot sessions are photographed in my studio, located in North Augusta, SC. If you need or prefer a location session, you can upgrade for a small fee. We will work with you to design the perfect session and pick the right location for you!

We will talk about this beforehand, but below are some basic tips to keep in mind:

EVERYONE

• Bring several "looks" to your session. 
• Wear clothes that suit your personality, style and brand.
• Wear clothing that fits well - not too tight and not too loose.
• Solid colors are best. Most colors work well, but colors that are a little more subdued tend to work best. Bring something that matches your eye color and skin tone. A safe bet is to wear colors that you tend to get compliments on or you feel your best in. That's a good indicator that the color compliments your skin tone and hair. 
• Darker colors (blue, gray) and mid-tones look good on most people.
• Stay away from clothes with large busy patterns. Avoid strong patterns, bold stripes, clothing with checks and herringbones and logos. 
• For the most part, avoid white or really light clothing. They draw the eye away from the face and tend to lose detail in some photographs. 
• Be sure to coordinate your clothing choices with the photographer before the session in order to coordinate colors that will compliment the environment or background. For studio portraits, we tend to choose from brown, gray, black or white backgrounds since these work well with nearly any clothing color.
• With all of that said, bring a unique piece or two of clothing that speaks to your personality and style. A cool jacket, hat, scarf or even sunglasses. Maybe a hobby or unique talent item like a guitar, sports item, painting supplies, etc. Who knows? We may be to squeeze something fun in at the end of the session. 
• In a headshot session, your lower half usually isn't in the photos. That said, you just never know, so make sure your pants/skirt match your top, are clean and wrinkle free. 
• Jeans are always a great look, as well as some stylish and well fitting pants. 
• Make sure your clothes that you bring are clean, fresh and wrinkle free. This goes double for collared shirts and suits. The camera picks up more detail than you think. Removing wrinkles in clothing is not covered with Standard Retouching.
• Collared button down shirts are great for both men and women. Men need a solid color with a crisp-clean white shirt underneath. Bring a couple of jackets or ties to quickly create some variety in your images. All shirts need to be clean and pressed. 
• Keep your accessories simple. Neckties, scarves, and jewelry should not draw attention away from the face.

MEN

• Solid or small print, darker colored shirts.
• Men need a solid color button down shirt with a crisp-clean white shirt underneath. Bring a couple of jackets or ties to quickly create some variety in your images. All shirts need to be clean and pressed. 
• Men need to wear a V-neck undershirt, as it's less likely to show up in your photos.
• Dark sports jacket or suit coat over a white or light blue shirt.
• Simple tie without broad stripes, avoiding bright red.
• Small pinstripes or conservative patterns are ok.
• Clean shaven face. Even men can benefit from a touch of powder to reduce shine!
• Haircut more than one week old. Don't get your hair cut the day before your session. Your hair will more natural if you get it cut several days in advance.

WOMEN

• Women may want to have their hair styled the same day. Hairstyle most likely down, not pulled up or back.
• Fresh application of daytime makeup. While keeping it natural, wear a little more than usual. Just like stage lights, studio lights can quickly diminish the appearance of makeup. 
• Dark jacket over a simple silk top or blouse.
• Avoid bold or busy patterns on your jacket or blouse.
• Or, a sweater or top with a simple, conservative neckline.
• Make sure to dress comfortable but classy. V-neck and U-neck sweaters and tops are great. Stay away from clothes that are too tight or uncomfortable.
• Ladies, make sure you're wearing the right bra for your top/dress.
• Simple, elegant jewelry, matching earrings and necklace are ideal. Earrings no longer than your thumbnail or small hoops are suggested.
• If you're going to wear jewelry, make sure that it matches your outfit and other pieces of jewelry you're planning to wear. Bring a few options and we can help advise you.
• Headshots are all about your face and your expression. When in doubt, keep it simple. The same goes Professional Headshots as well as for Talent, unless you have a specific character or style you're trying to achieve. 

Please let us know if you have any questions that we haven't covered. We are more than happy to guide you about what to wear, what to bring or how to prepare for your headshot session. You can text us photos of your clothing ideas or you can can check out in a "What to Wear for Your Headshot Session" Pinterest board. 

Hair and makeup are not included in your session fee, however, we highly recommend it, for both men and women. For men, a light touch of makeup helps get rid of any shine. For women, a professional makeup artist is recommended. If you're comfortable doing your own makeup, here a couple of tips to keep in mind. 

• Fresh application of daytime makeup. While keeping it natural, wear a little more than usual. Just like stage lights, studio lights can quickly diminish the appearance of makeup. That said, a lighter touch on the cheeks is recommended (it can be more difficult to correct in Photoshop and may require additional retouching charges.)
• Stay away from makeup that has a glittery or dewy finish, or that has SPF. They may cause your skin to appear more shiny on camera. This applies to eye shadow as well as foundation and powders. 
• Be sure to bring some face powder, blotting cloths and other makeup to your session.
• Come to your session ready to be photographed. You don't want to spend your session time on hair and makeup!

• DON'T cut or color your hair right before the session. Give your new hair cut or color a few days. 
• DO get a blow out the day of your session.
• DO get a facial. They are great before a headshot session, but just like your hair, give it a few days.
• DO rink lots of water and moisturize your skin. Also, bring some translucent powder or blotting towelettes to your session.
• Get a good night's sleep the day before your session, drink plenty of water, and avoid salty foods and alcohol. A puffy face and dark circles are not your best friend.
• If your session is late in the day, take time to freshen up your appearance. Men should shave again to to diminish the five o'clock shadow as close to your session time as possible. Everyone needs to minimize the shine on your skin. Even the guys will benefit from a touch of powder!

Standard Retouching includes blemish removal, whitening and brightening of the eyes and teeth, reducing dark circles under the eyes, a little skin softening, and removal of stray hairs. You will still look like yourself... the best version, like you just came back from vacation!

There are times when retouching isn't necessary, company ID cards for example, and we can certainly accommodate that. There are also times when more than Standard Retouching is desired. We can certainly handle that for you for a small upgrade fee.

We will send your secured link to an online gallery 2-3 business days after your session. Once you give us your final selections, it'll be another 2-3 business days to receive your retouched images. We will send you an email with a link to a DropBox folder. Please download and backup your images upon receipt. Rush delivery is available for a small fee.

• In order to reserve your session, we require at least a 50% deposit, however most people opt to pay in full.
• Session reservation fees are nonrefundable. We are happy to reschedule your session once without penalty, with at least 24 hours advance notice. After the first reschedule, a $50 fee is required to reschedule. 
• If you cancel at least 24 hours in advance of your session, you will receive a full credit for a future session to be used within 90 days. Cancellation requests made within 24 hours of the session date/time may not receive a session credit. 
• Please note that we are not trying to be difficult or unaccommodating. That being said, if we reserved a session for you, and you cancel, we could have been photographing another client.