Prep Tips For Stand Out Corporate Headshots

Prep Tips For Corporate Headshots

What To Wear

Clothes

• I can’t stress this enough. Try your outfit on ahead of time. Georgie will ask you to button up your jacket during the shoot, as it creates a more polished, professional look and shapes the body. Your weight can naturally change over time, so it’s a good idea to try your clothes on a few days before your session to make sure everything still fits comfortably
• Avoid clothing that is too tight or too loose, as they can look unflattering
• Don’t wear something you feel you should wear but it just doesn’t feel comfortable
• Try to avoid clothes that show too much skin, as this can be distracting
• Wear something from your existing wardrobe that fits well and you enjoy wearing
• Make sure your clothes are presentable where they are pressed and clean

Colours

• Solid colours tend to look better than prints as they distract from the face
• The most unflattering colours are yellow and burgundy (muddy red) which the camera is not a fan
• Wear a colour that matches your eyes or compliments your colouring
• Is there a particular colour people compliment you on when you wear it?
• Don’t ignore wearing white or black as they look great on camera
• If you are conscious about your weight, wearing black is very slimming.  White can also make you larger. 
• Avoid colours that are similar to your skin colour, they will make you look washed out where there is no contrast. 
• If you do go with a print, make sure it’s not too large or loud
• Avoid large distracting logos

Styles

• Choose either long sleeves or sleeveless styles rather than short sleeves. When a headshot is cropped, short sleeves can leave an awkward sliver of exposed skin, which can look unbalanced in the final image.  If you choose sleeveless make sure you are confident about the shape of your arms, as they will feature heavily in the shot. 
• Belts and shirts tucked into trousers showing the waistline can visually cut your body in two and this can sometimes be unflattering for headshots. Clean, uninterrupted lines help create a more balanced and polished final image eg wearing a jacket creates simple lines 
• Don’t wear plunging necklines as they scream ‘unprofessional’.
• Avoid see-through or sheer clothing
• Satin clothing shows up every bump and lump on camera – to be avoided 
• Jackets with shoulder pads make your shape look out of proportion in a headshot – to be avoided
• Puffed sleeves also make you look out of proportion – also to be avoided
• If you are a big chested woman think about wearing a jacket that can be easily buttoned up.  This will create a nice slim downward arrow shape to the shirt or top underneath, which is very flattering. 

Jewellery

• Don’t wear long necklaces, as furthermore, they will be cut off in the cropped headshot
• Therefore, simple earrings are better, as loud earrings can detract from the face
• Don’t go overboard on jewellery – simple is best

Hair

• Don’t get your hair coloured right before the shoot, the best time to do it is about a week before.
• Washing your hair the day before can be beneficial, as it can reduce flyaway hairs.
• People with long hair usually have it hung one side in front and other side behind.
• Brush your hair before the photoshoot
• Tidy eyebrows
• Men should shave in the morning to minimise the appearance of stubble.

Make Up Prep Tips

• Georgie will be dusting you with light translucent face powder to reduce the shininess seen by the camera
• Don’t pack on the foundation. Just wear light day make-up and Photoshop will do the rest
• Don’t wear fake tan
• Avoid lip gloss (as it creates white patches on your lips in the camera) – use pearl or matt lipsticks

Prep Tips For Your Well-Being

Feel Good And You Will Look Good

• Make sure you are well-rested and try to have an early night
• Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol the night before
• If you don’t like having your photo taken, try not to be anxious. You are in the right hands here where Georgie aims to make you look your very best. Take a look at Geogie’s insight on this subject.
• Ever heard of box breathing? it’s a game-changer when calming your anxiety before a photo session.

Other Prep Tips

• Check your teeth, and make sure that stubborn piece of spinach from your last meal is removed.
• Try to avoid going in the sun for a few days before your headshot photoshoot.  It’s hard to remove sunburn marks in photoshop
• Avoid facial peels and exfoliants the night before, as they will make you skin look blotchy
• Make sure your skin is moisturised but don’t apply it just before the photo shoot, as you’ll turn up too shiny. 
• Use lip balm a for few days beforehand to reduce dry patches on the lips, this especially applies to men.
• Your hands may or may not be seen in the shot therefore make sure your fingernails are clean.
• If you wear eyeglasses make sure the lenses are clean.

Furthermore, if you get stuck, pick out a choice of clothing on the day of the shoot and Georgie can give you the final say on what would be great for you and the camera.

Remember To Be Yourself

And The Authentic You Will Shine Through

Sydney Headshot Photographer

Based in Darling Point, Georgie works with clients across the Sydney CBD and surrounding suburbs – from the Eastern Suburbs to the North Shore. If you’re searching for a headshot photographer near you in Sydney, Georgie comes to your office, home or preferred outdoor location.  Find out more about Georgie’s Process.