How to Look Your Best for Professional Portraits: Expert Tips and Tricks


Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Choose the Right Outfit
  3. Grooming and Makeup Tips
  4. Practice Your Poses
  5. Get a Good Night's Sleep
  6. Communicate with Your Photographer
  7. Bring Props and Accessories
  8. Relax and Be Yourself
  9. Conclusion

Introduction

Preparing for any type of professional portraits can be both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Here, at Daniel Plasencia Photography, we like to keep things on the exciting side! However, whether you're updating your LinkedIn profile, getting headshots for your acting career, or just capturing family memories, the key to great portraits lies in thorough preparation. This means preparation in the days prior to your shoot as well as during the session itself. The good news is that having your professional portraits taken is a lot easier than you might think! Every bit of preparation will help you get the most out of your professional photography session and even enjoy the process! This guide will walk you through essential steps to ensure you look and feel your best on camera, resulting in stunning headshots that truly represent you. Without further ado, here are the best headshots tips. Click here to view more of my work!

Choose the Right Outfit

Selecting the perfect outfit is crucial when preparing for professional portraits. Your clothing choices can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your photos. Here are some tips to help you make the best decisions:

  • Stick to solid colors: Solid colors tend to photograph well and don't distract from your face. Avoid busy patterns or logos that may date your photos quickly. This includes bright neon colors, floral patterns, bright stripes and polka dots, or anything else that might distract the viewer's attention. It may sound counterintuitive, but by keeping your outfit more on the plain side, you will actually stand out more in your photos and leave more of an impact.
  • Choose flattering necklines: V-necks and scoop necks are generally flattering for most people. They help elongate the neck and draw attention to your face.
  • Layer your clothing: Layering adds depth and interest to your outfit. Consider wearing a blazer over a shirt or a cardigan over a dress. This can elevate the look of the portrait and convey a sense of sophistication.
  • Coordinate colors with your skin tone: Choose colors that complement your skin tone and make you look vibrant and healthy. I'm not going to tell you which colors you should or shouldn't wear, but I will say if you don't like how a particular color looks on you, don't wear it to your session! It may be a good idea to ask your photographer what color the backdrop or background will be so that you don't "blend" into the background. For example, if shooting outdoors in nature or greenery, it may be a good idea to stay away from a green outfit. You'd be better off wearing a complementary color to green such as red or orange so that you stand out from the background. This will make your photos "pop" so to speak.
  • Bring options: It's always a good idea to bring a few different outfit choices to your photo session. This allows for variety and ensures you have backup options if needed. Usually, I recommend bringing a nice or dressy option and a more casual option for variety.

Remember, comfort is key. Choose clothing that makes you feel confident and at ease. When you're comfortable, it shows in your photos. Another tip is to wear a certain outfit several times before your shoot, that way you break the outfit in and make sure it is comfortable before you commit!

Grooming and Makeup Tips

Proper grooming and makeup can make a significant difference in how you look in your professional portraits. Here are some best headshots tips for grooming, makeup, and hair:

  • Get a haircut or trim about a week before your session. This allows your hair to settle and look natural. Have you ever walked right out of haircut appointment, looked at your hair and thought it maybe didn't look so great? You're not alone! Usually, within a few days to a week your haircut will start looking awesome and this will reflect in your photos.
  • For men, shave or trim facial hair the morning of the shoot. If you have a beard, make sure it's well-groomed and conditioned. You want to make sure that the beard is not messy. Trust me, it will require a lot more editing and the final product won't look as good with a messy beard!
  • Use a gentle exfoliating scrub a few days before the shoot to achieve smooth, glowing skin. Also, use moisturizers and a proper skin care routing. This will reduce the amount of blemishes on your skin so that your skin will look amazing in the photos!
  • If you wear makeup, opt for a natural look. Use matte foundation and powder to reduce shine, and choose neutral eyeshadows and lip colors. If you go too heavy on make-up, it might create harsh and unpleasant highlights on your face. This usually happens with flash in a studio setting.
  • Don't try new skincare products or makeup right before the shoot to avoid potential allergic reactions or breakouts. Stick to your normal routine and you'll be good-to-go!
  • Bring your makeup kit for touch-ups during the session, especially if the shoot is outdoors and it's hot out!

Remember, the goal is to look like the best version of yourself, not someone else entirely.

Practice Your Poses

While your photographer will definitely guide and direct you during the session, it's helpful to practice some poses beforehand. This can help you feel more comfortable and natural in front of the camera. Here are some headshots ideas to try:

  • Practice your smile: Stand in front of a mirror and practice different smiles. Find the one that feels most natural and confident. Of course, nothing beats a completely candid and natural smile. A natural look will always look better than a rehearsed smile. However, it can give you an idea of what your smile looks like so that you're aware of it during your portrait session.
  • Work on your posture: Stand up straight, pull your shoulders back and down, and elongate your neck. Good posture can make a significant difference in how you look in photos. Elongating your neck can accentuate your jawline and make the photo more flattering!
  • Try different angles: Rather than face the camera head-on with your shoulders pointing towards the camera, turn your body slightly to the side and look over your shoulder. This can create a more dynamic and flattering pose.
  • Practice hand positions: Decide what to do with your hands. They can be in your pockets, crossed in front of you, or one hand on your hip. Also, hands can posed in various other creative ways as your photographer may suggest.
  • Experiment with head tilts: Slight head tilts can add interest to your photos and help define your jawline. Generally, a head tilt towards the higher shoulder gives a slightly more feminine look, while a head tilt towards the lower should gives a more masculine look. Keep in mind, neither approach is wrong and they are both interchangeable on men or women depending on the look and vibe of the shoot.

Remember, overall, the key to having incredible portraits taken is to look natural and relaxed. Overly posed or stiff positions can make your portraits look unnatural.

Get a Good Night's Sleep

One of the most important aspects of preparing for professional portraits is ensuring you're well-rested. A good night's sleep can do wonders for your appearance and confidence. Here's why it's crucial:

  • Reduces under-eye circles and puffiness
  • Improves skin complexion
  • Enhances overall alertness and energy levels
  • Helps you feel more relaxed and confident

Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep the night before your photo session. Also, try to maintain a consistent sleep schedule in the days leading up to the shoot.

Communicate with Your Photographer

Clear communication with your photographer is essential for achieving the best results. Here are some points to discuss:

  • Your goals for the session: What will you use these photos for? LinkedIn, company website, acting portfolio? The intended purpose of the photos will define the aesthetic and theme of the portrait session.
  • The style you're aiming for: Do you want formal, casual, or somewhere in between?
  • Any specific shots you'd like to get. I'll keep these in mind during our shoot and try to implement them as much as possible.
  • Your best features or angles. We all have a side that we feel looks better than the other. If this sounds like you, make sure you communicate this to your photographer so that we know which side to photograph you from to achieve the most flattering results!
  • Any concerns you have about being photographed. Some clients are nervous in front of the camera and some aren't. As photographers, we have many methods that we use to have you feeling cool, calm, and collected during your shoot.

Most photographers offer a pre-session consultation. Take advantage of this to discuss these points and ask any questions you may have.

Bring Props and Accessories

Props and accessories can add personality and context to your portraits. They can also help you feel more comfortable and natural in front of the camera. Consider bringing:

  • Jewelry: Simple, classic pieces that complement your outfit.
  • Glasses: If you wear them regularly, bring them along. Keep in mind, sometimes the use of flash will cast a reflection in glasses. That said, the flash can be adjusted and moved around to avoid a reflection of the light modifier in the glasses. I have extensive experience shooting portraits of clients with glasses, so rest assured, it won't be an issue!
  • Professional tools: Items related to your profession (e.g., a stethoscope for doctors, a laptop for tech professionals). These help tell a story and can add credibility to your headshot for use in your particular field!
  • Books or magazines: These can be great for more casual shots. I love a good shot of someone reading a book or posing with a book. It just adds a certain mood to the photos that is magical!
  • A favorite jacket or scarf: For variety in your looks. This depends on the season of course and whether the shoot is outdoors or indoors, so that's something to keep in mind.

Remember, less is more. Choose props that will enhance your photos without overwhelming them.

Relax and Be Yourself

The most important tip for preparing for professional portraits is to relax and be yourself. Here are some strategies to help you feel more at ease:

  • Arrive early: Give yourself plenty of time to get to the studio or location, change, and settle in. Nothing causes more stress than running late! I'll usually arrive at least 30 minutes to one hour before the shoot to scope out the light conditions, crowds, and areas to use for the photos. I'd say for clients 15 to 20 minutes early is usually sufficient.
  • Bring a friend: If your photographer allows it, having a trusted friend present can help you feel more relaxed. The same goes for any family members which may wish to have present during the shoot.
  • Use breathing techniques: Deep breaths can help calm nerves and reduce tension. Ever heard of box breathing?! It's great for relaxation! Take a deep breath lasting 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds and then hold again for 4 seconds. Do this repeatedly until you're relaxed! I learned this amazing trick during a meditation class I took a couple of years back!
  • Listen to music: Create a playlist of songs that make you feel confident and relaxed. Alternatively, I'll bring a Bluetooth speaker and put on Spotify. I'll play whatever music you want to listen to. Yes, even Beyoncé and pop music! It doesn't matter if I like it or not, it's about you!
  • Trust your photographer: Remember, they're professionals who know how to make you look your best. I will make sure to pose you properly and capture your most flattering angles!

Remember, the goal is to capture the authentic you. Don't try to be someone you're not – your genuine personality is what will make your portraits truly shine.



Conclusion

Preparing for professional portraits doesn't have to be stressful. By following these headshots tips – from choosing the right outfit to practicing your poses and communicating with your photographer – you'll be well-prepared for a successful photo session. Remember, the key is to look and feel like the best version of yourself. With proper preparation and a positive attitude, you'll end up with headshots that truly represent you and make a great impression.


Are you ready to take your professional portraits? Contact me to book! Start planning today, and don't forget to share your experiences in the comments below. We'd love to hear your own tips and tricks for preparing for professional portraits!