How to Prepare for Your Headshot Session

Headshots can be nerve-wracking and stress-inducing, but they don’t have to be! Follow these tips to make your session go smoothly, and to help ensure we work together to get the best possible images!

• Come camera ready!

• If you plan on wearing a tie for part of your session, come with your tie on and ready… we all know how tricky they can be to tie!

• Make sure you are polished — nails painted (if your hands will be in any shots), beard trimmed/shaved, makeup applied.

• If you are planning your session for outdoors, you will not be able to wear Transitions lenses, so a 2nd or backup pair of glasses (or no glasses) is a better option.

• Bring a lint roller! Quality clothing is much less likely to pick up lint/debris/hair. Try to avoid dark cotton clothing, as that will attract the most lint and be noticeable in the photos.

And now onto frequently asked questions about headshots!
1) Where should we do them?
2) What should I wear?
3) Can you do touchups?
4) What do I get with my headshot session? How do I get my images?
5) Do you have a studio?
6) What else can I do to get the best headshots possible?

I thought I would address these all in one handy blog post landing spot, and also show some of my favorite examples so future clients can show me the style and feel they're looking for with their portraits.

1) Where should we do my headshot photo session?
If you have a space at your place of business (either indoors or outdoors), that is a good place to start, but I am happy to meet you anywhere within the Champaign-Urbana area also.  The U of I campus offers a ton of great outdoor locations with good light. In general it's best to not photograph during midday due to awful light, but I can usually find enough good shady spots with the buildings and trees there.

If you're looking to use your place of business, it may be helpful to text me a couple of photos of the lighting/window/ceiling height availability. Large windows or doorways are great for lighting the face, but low ceilings and fluorescent lighting are not-so-good. If you really prefer to use an indoor space but your office isn't ideal, I have some locations that can work instead (see photos below).

2) What should I wear? 
This is entirely up to you, though I generally recommend that people shy away from reds and oranges for headshots, as well as super bright white shirts (unless covered by a blazer/jacket/cardigan). Blazers and jackets are always a solid choice and can be dressed up or dressed down.  Many women choose to wear a nice blouse or sweater (I prefer with sleeves).

3) Can you do touchups?
YES! The first round of images you get in your gallery will be lightly retouched for color and saturation, but if you need further small edits (blemishes, flyaway hairs, teeth lighting, skin softening), those can be applied to your final image choices prior to download.  Just let me know what you need done! (Please note: extensive edits may require an additional editing fee.)

4) What do I get with my headshot session?
The session generally lasts about 10-20 minutes, and about 1-2 weeks following the session, you'll receive a link to your online gallery.  From there, I'll give you instructions on how to mark your final 2 images (included with the session fee). You'll then receive a download link, and the images with print release are yours to use for whatever business purposes you need!  Additional prints or digital images are also available for purchase from the gallery.

5) Do you have a studio?
I have access to a studio in downtown Champaign that I can rent as needed. It is mostly white walls and very neutral. It’s great for minimalist headshots! I do also have a traveling lighting setup that I can use anywhere. I typically find a pleasing/neutral background in your place of business, or on location and then supplement flash to get the look and lighting that I want. I also have several outdoor locations around Champaign that I can suggest, depending on the look you’re going for.

6) What else can I do to get the best headshots possible?
A few things to note:
a) If you have Transitions lenses, you will not be able to do outdoor portraits unless you remove your glasses. Please let me know ahead of time if you have this type of lenses because we will need to most likely do an indoor studio-type setup with flash for your photos.
b) Decide if you need any horizontal portraits. Certain website/blog/social media outlets require a horizontal version of images to fill a template. This is helpful to know ahead of time!
c) Talk with Holly if you have any props or tools of the trade you would like to incorporate -- a photographer's camera, a chef's knife set, and a doctor's stethoscope are all things I have photographed during a headshot session!
d) Are there any brand or company colors we could incorporate to make your brand stronger? This is a popular idea for small businesses who rely so much on themselves as their brand. In my own headshots (below), I chose an orange backdrop and then a gray backdrop (both environmental) with colorful tops to strengthen my brand and my audience perception of Holly Birch Photography.

There you have it!

Ask about our multiple employee discount for corporate businesses.
To book your own headshot session, message Holly today!

Original post: July 2018
Modified: Sept. 2022