What to expect for your headshot session…

Before the session:

1) Don’t wear white. I will be shooting these on a white background, so if you wear a white shirt you will become a floating head.

2) Keep your top simple. No distracting logos. Solid colors work best. Avoid fabrics that are worn and pilling.

3) Get plenty of rest leading up to your session, it will make a big difference in how your eyes look!

4) Hair and makeup: Consider getting a haircut or styling your hair as you would for an important event. If you wear makeup, apply it as you normally would, emphasizing a natural look. Go easy on the mascara! You want the headshot to look like you do on a typical day.

5) If you are wearing jewelry, keep it small and simple. You are the product, not your jewelry.

6) Avoid foods and situations that may trigger skin problems. I can fix a pimple or two, but not a major breakout.

7) Be careful how much sun you get leading up to your session, you don’t want a sunburn or peeling skin!

8) If you wear glasses, clean them right before our session! You would be surprised how noticeable dirty glasses are in a headshot portrait.

During the session:

After you arrive, we will talk for abit about your headshot, discuss your needs, then do a quick hair and glasses check. I will position you behind the lights and take a few shots while making some adjustments. Then we will review those images together on my laptop screen, and if necessary, go back and shoot a few more until we get something that we are both happy with. You’ll pick an image out of the set and then your session will be over. The whole process should take about five minutes total.

After the session:

After all the headshots have been done, I will edit them to make them stand out and pop. I will do some minor retouching for pimples and other non-permanent blemishes. I do not alter physical appearances, like making faces slimmer, removing double chins, etc. When you use this headshot for an application, you need to look like the image when you arrive for your interview.

Remember that headshots are an investment in your personal or professional image, so take the time to prepare and communicate with your photographer to achieve the best outcome. Enjoy your headshot session and the opportunity to capture your best self on camera!

If you have any questions or would like more information, feel free to reach out to me at mike@freetimeportraits.com. I am looking forward to capturing these memorable moments and providing you with beautiful portraits!