So you’ve booked a headshot session with me, but you’re not sure what to do next? Don’t worry! I am here to help guide you through this process! Getting in front of a camera can be quite daunting for some. In my experience as a client, when I booked my first photoshoot, I found myself wondering what to expect, what to wear, what to bring! I received wonderful headshots (this was 20 years ago), but I wish I knew more beforehand so I could have prepped better AND been less frazzled beforehand.

So, I’ve created these guides to provide you with some assurance beforehand and to make your session run smoothly.

I have worked with people from all walks of life from actors, musicians, authors, and teachers to lawyers, real estate agents, fitness coaches and dentists. From kids, to retirees. Everyone needs a good headshot!

Ok… so let’s get into it!

AS SOON AS YOU BOOK:

Start thinking about your skin and hair. If needed, book yourself a Salon visit for the week that your session is booked! I recommend booking your appt for 3-7 days before! You definitely want that fresh cut and/or color before you get in front of the lens. Call way ahead so you can make sure they have an opening for you!

If you don’t have a regular Hairstylist here are a few stylists and salons I recommend:

Sacramento Area:

Heather Grabin

Korynn Gonzales-Novotny

Evergreen Salon

Sector 7 Salon

Bay Area:

Fringe Salon - Peninsula

Allure Salon - East Bay

Code Salon - San Francisco

Other Areas:

Seela David Salon - Chico

** These stylists and salons are recommended based on my personal experience working with them OR by clients who have come in with amazing cuts/colors for their sessions. I cannot personally guarantee results and can only recommend them based on results I’ve experienced.

IF YOU HAVE BOOKED PROFESSIONAL HAIR & MAKEUP FOR YOUR PHOTOSHOOT

FOLLOW HERE FOR PREP!

GENERAL PREP:

It’s also great to start a solid skin routine as soon as you book. There are many ways to healthier skin and most of it is ROUTINE, ROUTINE, ROUTINE!

These tips are from my own dermatologist and esthetician! I wanted to give you all the best tips I can!

WASH YOUR FACE! So much can be done by ensuring that you are washing your face every morning and every night. Listen, do you need perfect skin for your photoshoot? Heck no! We all have flare-ups, whether they are hormonal or environmental but let’s do the most we can to look our best! Gentle, fragrance-free face soap like Cetaphil is best, however, if you have one recommended to you by a professional, by all means, use that.

DRINK MORE WATER! Your hair, skin, and nails will thank you! Skip the soda pop once-in-awhile for a big glass of water! How Much Water Should You Drink? Multiply by 2/3: Determine your weight and multiply it by 2/3 (or 67%) to determine how much water to drink daily. For example, if you weighed 125 pounds you would multiply that by 2/3 (.67) and learn you should be drinking about 84 ounces of water every day which is about 10.5 cups of water. PRO-TIP: I fill up several water bottles a day with around the exact ounces I need per day with ice water so I know I’ve gotten my daily recommended amount and it works wonders!
MOISTURIZE! It’s never too early to start moisturizing. Determine the moisturizer that works best for your skin type and use it often! Don’t forget to moisturize your neck and chest too!
SUNSCREEN! Wear plenty of it! Especially on your face and chest. Tan lines aren’t a good look for a photoshoot! And sunscreen keeps you youthful, my dermatologist recommends it for ALL shades of skin.
HORMONAL ACNE & Other skin conditions: If you have hormonal acne or another skin condition, many of these tips can help, but may not solve your issues completely. Speak to a dermatologist if you aren’t seeing the changes you’d like after all these steps.
1-2 WEEKS BEFORE:
Start thinking about what you would like to wear and what you would like to portray for your headshots.
NEED WARDROBE INSPO? Check out my Pinterest boards.

There are some DO’s & DON’TS when it comes to headshot attire. Here are some of the basics:

IF YOU OPTED FOR THE STYLE PACKAGES CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO: FASHION CONSULT PREP

1-3 DAYS BEFORE:

You’re just a few days away! It’s time to prep your nails, face and more!

FEMININE PREP:

Paint your nails A NEUTRAL color or CLEAR polish.
Bring a nude/neutral non-shiny bra, patterned bras show underneath clothes ESPECIALLY under studio lights!
Seamless underwear is best

MASCULINE PREP:

Men: Clean and trim your beard starting 2-3 days before so you have time to fix any mistakes or shape issues and the morning of your shoot will be an easy touch up!
Men: Clean your nails and neatly trim them.
EVERYONE:
WAX, TRIM or PLUCK YOUR BROWS and FACIAL HAIR: Now is the time! Any waxing to the brows, face, underarms etc should be done 3 days before so your skin can heal. If you pluck or wax the day before your photoshoot makeup will not adhere to the skin as well as it should because your skin releases oils on newly waxed/plucked skin. DID YOU KNOW? Wearing brow or face makeup within 24 hours of waxing/plucking can intensify any irritation and may clog your still-open pores!
Pack your photoshoot bag! You have your outfits, you have your list…Make sure you iron or steam and hang clothing that needs to be hung, fold up the other items and put them in a bag so you’ll be ready to go on the day of!
Drink plenty of water.
Moisturize the night before and the morning of!

And as always, if you need further help, just email/message me and I can help!