Irrespective of your profession, sooner or later you will need to get a headshot. The importance of this kind of picture cannot be downplayed as it is a great tactic to showcase yourself as well as your brand to the world.

We all know that pictures are more compelling storytellers; hence, a great headshot conveys a lot of meaning to the person who views it. If you didn’t fully understand the power of a picture, then you need to. Therefore, to ensure that you are telling the viewer what you want them to “hear” when they see your headshot, then you must put careful consideration into your preparation for the shot. 

So, in this article, we will share with you some important tips that will help you to prepare for your headshots and photos in Vancouver or anywhere in the world.

How to Prepare For your Headshot Photo

To prepare for your headshot photo session, you need to do the following: 

1. Plan your Outfit

Your outfit speaks volumes about your person and the story you are trying to tell. It would be counterproductive to wear a soldier uniform for your photo when you are a doctor and would want to use the picture in your field. Therefore, the outfit you will wear should reflect who you are and what meaning you want the viewer to understand when they see the picture. 

Please understand that we aren’t saying that you must dress in your professional garb, instead, there should be a reflection of your identity and personality in your outfit. 

Moreover, headshots aren’t only used for professional purposes; hence, the purpose why you are taking the picture is a major factor that decides the kind of outfit you will wear. In terms of appearance, you can choose a corporate look, business casual, brand-specific, or even causal appearance. You can check out this guide: https://www.indeed.com/.

A mistake that many folks make is that they go to the studio or location where the session will be taken with just one outfit: This is one mistake you should avoid. The recommendation is that you should go with a minimum of 3 outfit selections with different style ranges.

Going with different outfits will allow you to display different styles and ranges which can come in handy in the future. Besides, the photographer can help you decide from the options which outfit best describes the look you are going for. 

2. Get your Hair and Makeup Done  

For Women

Your hair should be made a day before the shoot. Do not forget to go to the photoshoot with the essential items required for styling your hair such as hair spray, hairbrush, etc. This will help you to make some touch-ups if required.  Click here to learn how often you should touch up relaxed hair.

As for the makeup, it is best that you do it a few hours before the session if possible at the location of the shoot: Doing this will ensure that the makeup remains lovely and fresh for the camera. However, if you do it before coming to the location, ensure you pack makeup essentials to perform touch-ups if required. 

For Men

You should cut your hair a day before your session to prevent five-o’clock shadows or stubble. You can book an appointment some days before the actual cut to enable you to decide on how you want to cut or style your hair. 

While you might want to change your looks for the shot, it is usually the best that you stick to your normal day-to-day haircut instead of making a drastic change. Why is this important? 

Well, have you ever seen the headshot of a person (especially a professional headshot) and thought that the person in the picture looks quite different from the real person? If you have, then you should have a guess why it is best you stick to your normal day-to-day look.

3. Decide on the Headshot Style

When it comes to headshot styles, there are two main types: Studio backdrop and environmental. The former is best for creating a business or corporate look while the latter creates a casual look that allows you to be more expressive while integrating natural elements to improve the overall look of the picture. 

Depending on your choice, you will have to inform your photographer of your preference. This way, they can prepare accordingly to meet the demands of the style that you have selected. Visit https://www.simonrochfortphoto.com/ to learn how to choose the right photographer for your headshot photo session.

Conclusion

Headshot photos are expressive reflections of our identity and personality. They are also a great medium for showcasing ourselves and our brand to others. Therefore, it is vital that we send the right message via the pictures we create. 

Therefore, in the article above, we have provided you with 3 major tips that will help you prepare for your next headshot session in Vancouver or anywhere in the world.