How many outfits should I bring to a headshot session?

Bring 2–4 outfits for a standard headshot session. Most professional sessions include time to change, and variety gives you options for different platforms — a formal blazer for LinkedIn, a more relaxed look for a personal website or speaker bio.

Should I get my hair and makeup done professionally for headshots?

Yes, if your budget allows it. Professional hair and makeup adds $100–$300 but pays dividends in the final images. Even subtle touch-ups reduce the amount of retouching needed and ensure you look polished under studio lights, which flatten and reveal imperfections that the eye ignores in person.

What colors should I avoid wearing for headshots?

Avoid pure white (blows out under studio light), black (can feel heavy and absorb detail), and busy patterns like small stripes or checks (create visual vibration in photos). Solid mid-tones — navy, burgundy, forest green, grey, dusty rose — photograph consistently well and keep the focus on your face.

How long does a headshot session take?

A standard individual headshot session runs 45–90 minutes. Corporate on-location sessions (photographing a full team) typically allow 10–20 minutes per person. Express headshot events (trade shows, conferences) can deliver a final shot in as little as 5–10 minutes per person.

How many final images will I receive from a headshot session?

Individual sessions typically deliver 10–30 final edited images from a 1-hour session, depending on the photographer and package tier. You should receive at least 2–3 strong selects per outfit change. Corporate packages for teams often deliver 1–3 retouched selects per person.

How to Prepare for a Headshot Session: A Complete Guide for 2026

April 25, 2026

Why Preparation Matters More Than You Think

A great headshot is 50% the photographer's skill and 50% your preparation. The most technically gifted photographer cannot fix a wrinkled shirt, mismatched outfit choices, or the distracted expression that comes from walking into a session without knowing what to expect. Thirty minutes of preparation the day before will make a measurable difference in your final images.

Choosing Your Outfits

Clothing is the most important preparation decision. Your goal is to look polished and intentional without letting the outfit compete with your face.

How Many Outfits to Bring

Bring 2–4 outfits for a standard session. This gives you options: one formal look for LinkedIn and corporate bios, one business-casual look, and optionally a more relaxed option for personal website or social media use. Changing outfits adds variety without extending the session significantly — most photographers build 5–10 minutes per change into their timeline.

Color and Pattern Guidelines

Best colors: Navy, deep blue, burgundy, forest green, charcoal, dusty rose, warm grey. These read as professional, contrast well against neutral backgrounds, and keep focus on your face.
Avoid pure white: White shirts and blouses tend to overexpose under studio lights and create distracting brightness near the face.
Avoid solid black: Black absorbs light and loses texture detail under studio conditions. It can make you look flat or heavy.
Avoid small patterns: Fine stripes, houndstooth, and tight checks create a "moire" optical vibration in digital images. Solid colors or very subtle textures photograph far better.
Match your industry: A lawyer or financial advisor should lean formal. A creative director or therapist might opt for something warmer and more approachable. A tech executive might go with a clean, minimal look. Your outfit should match how you present professionally.

Fit and Condition

Lay out every outfit the night before. Check for wrinkles, stains, missing buttons, and loose threads. If anything needs ironing, do it the night before — not the morning of the shoot when you are already pressed for time. Clothes that fit well photograph far better than clothes that are too loose or too tight. A blazer that is one size too large will look sloppy even under ideal lighting.

Grooming Preparation

Hair

If you color your hair, time your appointment so roots are not visible (within 1–2 weeks of the session). Get a haircut 3–5 days before — not the day before, which can leave the cut looking too fresh and stiff. On the day of, style your hair as you normally would for an important meeting or presentation. Avoid trying a new product or style for the first time.

Skin

Stay hydrated in the days leading up to your session. Avoid heavy alcohol the night before, which causes puffiness. If you are prone to dark circles, a good night's sleep matters more than any product. On shoot day, use your normal skincare routine — moisturizer matters, as dry skin photographs poorly.

Professional Hair and Makeup

Even for men, professional grooming for headshots is worth considering. A professional makeup artist for headshots adds $100–$300 to your session cost and typically spends 30–60 minutes on preparation. Under studio or strobe lighting, subtle unevenness that the naked eye ignores becomes visible — a skilled MUA knows how to compensate. Many headshot photographers offer hair and makeup add-ons or can refer you to stylists they work with regularly.

On the Day of Your Session

Arrive Early

Give yourself 10–15 minutes before your scheduled start time. This lets you settle in, meet the photographer, and transition mentally from whatever you were doing before. Arriving rushed or stressed shows up in your expression — the camera picks up tension in the jaw, neck, and eyes immediately.

Bring the Right Things

All planned outfits on hangers (in a garment bag if possible to avoid wrinkles in transit)
A lint roller
Your everyday makeup kit for touch-ups between outfit changes
A comb or brush
Reference photos — images of headshots you like, or examples of how you want to look

Communicate With Your Photographer

Before the session begins, tell your photographer:

Where these headshots will be used (LinkedIn, website, speaking bio, press kit, print)
Your preferred background style (neutral, environmental, dark, light)
Whether you want a formal or approachable tone
Any poses or angles you already know are flattering for you
Any concerns about specific features you would like addressed in retouching

Warm Up Your Expression

Many people freeze when a camera is pointed at them. A few tricks that help: right before a frame, take a breath and exhale fully — your face naturally relaxes. Practice your natural smile in the mirror at home so it does not feel forced. Some photographers will ask you to laugh naturally, look away and then back, or talk while they shoot — go with it, these techniques produce the most natural expressions.

Retouching Expectations

Standard headshot retouching includes: blemish removal, skin smoothing, minor dark-circle reduction, teeth whitening, and background cleanup. It does not typically include body reshaping, removing glasses glare (wear contacts if this is a concern), or dramatic face restructuring.

Ask your photographer upfront: "What retouching is included in your standard delivery?" and "What does additional retouching cost?" Premium headshot photographers may deliver heavily retouched selects by default; others deliver lightly retouched files and charge $25–$75 per image for additional work.

Getting Your Images

Most headshot photographers deliver a proof gallery within 3–7 days of the shoot, and final retouched selects within 1–2 weeks. Corporate team sessions at scale (50+ employees) may take 2–3 weeks. Ask your photographer for a specific delivery date in writing before you book.

Final images are typically delivered via an online gallery (Pic-Time, Pixieset, Shootproof, or similar) as high-resolution JPEGs suitable for print and web. If you need web-optimized crops or specific aspect ratios for platforms, request them during your consultation — most photographers can provide them at no extra cost.

Looking for a headshot photographer in your city? Browse our directory to find photographers near you with portfolios filtered by specialty. For a full breakdown of what headshot sessions cost in 2026, see our headshot pricing guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many outfits should I bring to a headshot session?: Bring 2–4 outfits for a standard headshot session. Most professional sessions include time to change, and variety gives you options for different platforms — a formal blazer for LinkedIn, a more relaxed look for a personal website or speaker bio.
Should I get my hair and makeup done professionally for headshots?: Yes, if your budget allows it. Professional hair and makeup adds $100–$300 but pays dividends in the final images. Even subtle touch-ups reduce the amount of retouching needed and ensure you look polished under studio lights, which flatten and reveal imperfections that the eye ignores in person.
What colors should I avoid wearing for headshots?: Avoid pure white (blows out under studio light), black (can feel heavy and absorb detail), and busy patterns like small stripes or checks (create visual vibration in photos). Solid mid-tones — navy, burgundy, forest green, grey, dusty rose — photograph consistently well and keep the focus on your face.
How long does a headshot session take?: A standard individual headshot session runs 45–90 minutes. Corporate on-location sessions (photographing a full team) typically allow 10–20 minutes per person. Express headshot events (trade shows, conferences) can deliver a final shot in as little as 5–10 minutes per person.
How many final images will I receive from a headshot session?: Individual sessions typically deliver 10–30 final edited images from a 1-hour session, depending on the photographer and package tier. You should receive at least 2–3 strong selects per outfit change. Corporate packages for teams often deliver 1–3 retouched selects per person.