From Awkward to Awesome: Your Best Headshot Starts Here

A professional headshot is more than just a photo—it’s your first impression. Whether it’s for LinkedIn, your company website, or personal branding, a high-quality headshot can open doors, communicate confidence, and leave a lasting impression. But getting in front of a camera can feel intimidating if you’re not prepared. That’s where I come in!

As your photographer, I’ll guide you through every step of the process, ensuring you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to capture the best version of yourself. Let’s break down what makes for an outstanding headshot and how we’ll work together to achieve it.

Headshots Don’t Have to Be Hard!

We'll start with a conversation before your session to get to know you and your brand, and let you get to know me. Whether you're a creative entrepreneur, business professional, or somewhere in between, we’ll clarify what kind of impression you want to make. From there, I'll guide you through every step—from choosing the right backdrop to finding your best angles. My goal is to make the process easy, collaborative, and even a little fun.

1. Know What You Want

Take a few minutes to think about how you want to come across in your headshot.

  • Are you going for approachable, confident, creative, or all of the above? Knowing the vibe you're after helps us plan everything from poses to lighting.

  • Check out some headshots you like—Pinterest and LinkedIn are great places to gather ideas.

  • We'll have a quick chat before your session to align on your goals and brand personality.

The more intentional you are about your vision, the more you'll love the final result.

2. What to Wear (and What to Skip)

Your outfit should show off your personality—not fight for attention.

Pro Tips:

  • Stick to solid colors or subtle patterns—think timeless, not trendy.

  • Avoid busy prints, bright neon colors, or anything that doesn't make you feel 100% confident.

  • Bring a couple of options—we can always swap outfits if something isn't photographing quite right.

I'll guide you on what works best on camera and help you fine-tune your choices during the session.

3. Accessorize Wisely

Accessories can elevate your look—if they're done right.

Pro Tips:

  • Keep jewelry simple and minimal. Small earrings or a classic watch work great.

  • Glasses? Make sure they're clean, and I'll help angle the light to avoid glare.

  • If you're not sure whether to wear something, bring it along—we can always try a few looks and see what works best.

A little goes a long way when it comes to adding personality without distraction.

4. Hair & Makeup: Natural Is Best

A professional headshot isn't the time to try out a bold new look.

Pro Tips:

  • Hair should look like your everyday best—freshly styled, not overdone.

  • Makeup should be natural and enhance your features, not hide them.

  • If you're hiring a makeup artist, let them know you're doing a headshot session so they can keep the look camera-ready.

I'll give you time for a quick mirror check before we start shooting to make sure you're happy with how everything looks.

5. Rest & Hydrate

The best headshots start with feeling your best.

Pro Tips:

  • Get a good night's sleep the night before—no one wants tired eyes in their photos.

  • Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your session.

  • Avoid alcohol or salty foods the night before—they can cause puffiness.

A little self-care goes a long way in helping you look refreshed and confident on camera.

6. Grooming Tips (Because the Details Matter)

A little grooming makes a big difference.

Pro Tips:

  • Schedule haircuts or beard trims a few days before—not the night before.

  • I always try to check for flyaways, smudges, or anything out of place before we start shooting.

Looking polished doesn't mean looking perfect—it means showing up as your best self.

7. Personal Brand, Personal Vibes

Your headshot should tell people who you are—not just what you look like.

Pro Tips:

  • We'll talk through how you want to be seen—friendly, confident, creative, approachable?

  • I'll tailor the lighting, backdrop, and posing to match your brand vibe—whether that's a clean background for a polished corporate look or a darker, more dramatic setting for a creative or entrepreneurial feel. I recommend avoiding a blank white background—it can come across as sterile, overly bright (overshadowing your face), and ultimately uninspired. The brightest part of the image should always be you.

  • We'll capture a variety of expressions so you have options for different platforms (LinkedIn, social media, websites, etc.).

Your headshot is more than just a nice photo—it's a statement.

8. Trust the Process (and See It in Real Time!)

Feeling a little camera shy? You're not alone! Most people aren't used to being photographed—but that's exactly why you're hiring a professional.

Pro Tips:

  • I'll guide you through everything from poses to expressions, so you're never left guessing.

  • We'll review images as we go, live on screen, so you can see what’s working (and what isn't). Seeing your images in real time helps alleviate anxiety by giving you more control over the final result—we can re-take shots as many times as it takes to get the look you're happy with.

  • My goal is to create an easygoing, collaborative experience where you feel confident every step of the way. I pride myself on helping create professional headshots my clients actually like and are proud to use.

When you trust the process, great headshots happen—I'll make sure of it.

Ready to Get Started?

Your best headshot is closer than you think—and getting there can actually be fun. I’m here to make sure the process feels effortless, collaborative, and maybe even a little fun!

Whether you're refreshing your LinkedIn, launching your business, or finally crossing 'get a great headshot' off your to-do list, I’m here to guide you through every step to capture the best version of you.

Let’s create something that not only makes you look good—but makes you feel ready to take on whatever’s next.

Interested in booking your headshot session? Let's chat! I can't wait to work with you!

Ready to capture your next perfect portrait or headshot? Let's talk! Schedule a call today or contact me directly at 480.257.6757 (text or call). I’d love to help you bring your photography vision to life!