Your Guide to Preparing for a Head Shot, Brand or Product Photography Session
Whether you're updating your head shot, building a brand library, or capturing high-quality product images, a little preparation can go a long way. Each session type has its own nuances, so follow these tips to ensure a smooth, productive, and enjoyable experience.
How to Prep for a Head Shot Session
Your head shot represents you professionally, so think of this session as an opportunity to show your authentic self with a polished touch.
Choose the Right Photographer
Make sure that the photographer’s editing style, session planning process and package offerings fit well with your session needs! See THIS blog post for more info on this.
Choose Your Outfit Wisely - See my pinterest board HERE for more inspo!
Go for solid colors or subtle patterns that reflect your personality and brand aesthetic. My client questionnaire preps us both in this area before the session!
Avoid overly busy prints or flashy accessories that could draw attention away from your face.
Neon colors are fun in theory but they cause wild color casts on skin and surrounding backgrounds. Avoid neon colors in outfits if possible.
Bring a couple of options if you’d like, one casual and one slightly more formal, to give variety.
Make sure the outfits are flattering and comfortable enough to wear in a variety of sitting and standing poses. Do a try-on at home in advance to make sure.
Iron outfits and get dressed on-site to avoid spills or wrinkles in transit.
Practice Expressions
Practice relaxed, natural smiles in the mirror. Aim for a look that is approachable and professional. Pro tip: when smiling, try to laugh first! It brings out a more natural smile, even if it’s following a moment of timidness!
Avoid overly intense or posed expressions—think of the camera (and photographer) as a friend you’re engaging with.
Prep Hair, Makeup & Nails if Applicable
Keep it simple and true to how you look on a good day at work. A little bit of extra grooming goes a long way.
Avoid heavy makeup unless you’re comfortable with it in daily life. Remember, these images should feel like you.
Nails will be in your photos! Have them styled and maintained as you’ll want them in your marketing photos. Less is more, as to not distract!
Add in Comfort
Play your favorite music in the background
Bring someone along who helps you to feel more comfortable and brings out the best in you.
Preparing for a Small Business Brand Session
Branding sessions involve a mix of head shots (see above), work spaces, tools, and lifestyle elements to tell the story of your business. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
Define Your Brand Style & Goals
Consider how you want to be perceived: Is your brand fun and approachable, or refined and professional? How do you want the photos to feel? Communicate this vision with your photographer.
Make a note of any specific colors, props, or key items you want to include to capture your brand personality.
Create a private “mood board” on Pinterest that represents the feel and vibe that you’re going for. This can include colors, textures, tones, aesthetics poses, image cropping and expressions. Share it with your photographer in advance and update your shot list with any crucial details.
Gather Props & Products
Bring items that represent your brand—this could be work tools (such as a laptop, mic, camera, planner, calculator, etc.), favorite books that were pivotal in your brand journey, special certificates or other signature items.
Bring any business cards, printed marketing materials and/or brand swag that you have!
If your business includes products, bring a few best-sellers or iconic items to add diversity to your shots.
Bring any favorite surfaces or textures that you’d like to have photographed with your products, if you plan to photograph some on your own and want to keep some cohesion in your imagery. (Example- marble or quartz cutting boards, special fabrics, pampas and dried grass layers, etc.)
Bring a model for demos if needed!
Set Up Work Spaces and Key Scenes
Prepare any spaces that will be in the background. De-clutter and arrange items that showcase your work environment authentically but professionally.
Think about where you’ll need “white space” in images for adding text or graphics later; make sure these shots have room around key elements.
Getting Ready for a Product Photography Session
If you’re focusing on products, this session is all about capturing quality images that reflect your inventory’s unique details.
Ensure Products Are Ready for the Spotlight
Inspect each item closely for any smudges, tags, or imperfections that might show up on camera.
Consider adding small props that complement your product, such as relevant items that show how it’s used or add context.
Create Consistency in Background & Lighting
A consistent look is key for product images, especially if they’ll appear in online listings or social media feeds.
Discuss your preferred background and lighting style with your photographer, whether it’s a clean white, a rustic wooden look, or something unique to your brand.
Consider Flat Lays and Detail Shots
Flat lays can showcase a group of products or tell a story with related items, which works great for social media posts.
Request a mix of close-up shots and wider angles to give flexibility in your marketing materials.
Final Tips for All Sessions
Regardless of the session type, here are some extra pointers to make sure things go smoothly:
Get a Good Night’s Sleep
It may seem obvious, but feeling well-rested helps you feel confident and look refreshed.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration keeps your skin looking its best, which is especially important for close-up head shots.
Bring Snacks
Don’t let yourself get hangry during a potentially longer session.
Arrive Early
Give yourself extra time to get comfortable with the space and change on-site, especially if you’re shooting at a new location.
Not Sure Which Session Type is Right for You?
If you're still deciding which session suits your needs best, be sure to check out our blog post HERE that breaks down each session type: head shots, branding, and product photography. It'll help you find the perfect fit based on your goals and where you’ll be using these images.
If you’re local to the Roseburg, Oregon area, please reach out via the contact tab to schedule your session! If you aren’t local, make sure to grab the freebies (coming soon!) as you prepare for your session.