Prepare for your headshot session

Start with one question: where will this photo go? A LinkedIn profile needs a tight crop that reads small. A website needs room for text. A press page needs a calm background. Write the answer in two lines and send it to me. I plan the framing around it.

Then pick the looks. The Professional covers 1 to 2 looks. The Personal Brand covers 2 to 3 outfits or backdrops. Choose solid colors in mid or deep tones, and bring a second top as a spare. The wardrobe guide lists colors by background.

Get a haircut one to two weeks early, so it settles. Tidy facial hair the morning of the session, not the night before. Skip anything new on your skin in the days before. Plan the session for the time of day when you look best, which for most people is not late afternoon after a full day.

Glare comes from the angle between the light and the lenses, and a small head tilt usually fixes it.

Arrive five to ten minutes early and eat something light. Bring each outfit on a hanger and a lint roller. I set the light, show you a first frame and adjust from there. The first minute is usually the stiffest, so we start slowly. I direct each frame, so you do not need to know how to pose.

An office session needs no park permit. For an outdoor spot, I confirm the rule for the place before you book.

Pick your favorite and update your profile the same day. Use the same photo on your email signature, company page and speaker bio, so people recognize you.