How to get the best out of your headshot session

Whether you’re an actor chasing auditions, a creative showcasing your work, or a small business owner building your brand, one thing is certain: your headshot matters. Here are some hints and tips to help you get the best put of our Headshot session

It’s often the first impression you give casting directors, clients, or collaborators. A great headshot can open doors — and a poor one can quietly close them. The good news? You don’t need to be a model to get an incredible headshot. You just need to be yourself, prepared and relaxed, with a photographer who knows how to bring out your best.

Here’s how to make the most of your headshot session.

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Actors vs. Business Professionals: What Makes Headshots Different

An actor’s headshot is about possibility. It needs to show your range — your playing age, your casting types, and the kinds of characters you can embody — while still being authentically you. Think of it as a blank canvas that casting directors can project roles onto.

A business or creative headshot has a different job. It’s not about range, but about sending an immediate, clear signal: that you’re professional, approachable, trustworthy, and capable. Instead of asking “What roles could they play?” the photo should answer, “Would I want to work with this person?”

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Preparing for Your Session

Wardrobe

Actors: Bring a few outfit options that reflect your casting types. Subtle changes in color, neckline, or texture can completely shift how you’re perceived — from “student” to “lawyer” to “best friend.” Stick with colors that suit you and avoid busy patterns that distract from your face.

Business professionals & creatives: Choose outfits that align with your brand or role. If you’re a small business owner, you may not need a corporate suit — but you still want something polished that feels like you.

Grooming & Styling

Natural is best. If you wear makeup, think of it as enhancing rather than masking. For actors, avoid heavy looks that lock you into a type. For business clients, aim for clean, tidy, and approachable.

Mindset Prep

The night before, focus on the basics: a good night’s sleep, hydration, and eating something light but energizing before your session. A calm body and mind shine through in photos more than any styling trick.

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During the Session: Finding the Real You

One of the biggest worries people bring into a headshot session is, “What if I look stiff or fake?” The secret? Conversation.

I spend time chatting with clients before and during the shoot. When you’re talking and laughing, you forget about the camera, and that’s when the real expressions come through. I’ll also show you images as we go, so you can see the direction and feel part of the process. It helps you relax and trust that we’re capturing something genuine rather than posed.

Small adjustments — the tilt of a chin, the spark in the eyes, a half-smile — often make the difference between a shot that looks staged and one that feels alive.

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For Actors: Showing Your Range in your headshot session

Actors need headshots that suggest different types. That doesn’t mean “acting” for the camera; it means using subtle wardrobe and energy shifts to suggest character.

A soft sweater and natural smile might say “kind teacher,” while a sharper jacket and stronger gaze can lean toward “corporate professional” or “detective.” The key is versatility without losing authenticity.

Case in point: I once worked with an actor who dreaded headshots because they felt “boxed in.” By mixing up outfits and tones, we ended up with a portfolio that captured everything from friendly neighbor to serious authority figure — and within weeks, they landed auditions in both categories.

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For Small Business Owners & Creatives: Branding Through Imagery

For small business owners and creatives, a headshot is often the first thing people see on your website, LinkedIn, or portfolio. It doesn’t just represent you — it represents your brand.

We might shoot in the studio for a clean, classic look, but sometimes it’s more powerful to photograph you in your own environment: your workshop, your office, even outdoors in a space that reflects your creativity. The goal is to make the photo feel like your world.

Remember: professional doesn’t mean stiff. A genuine smile or thoughtful expression will build more trust than a forced “business face.”

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After the Session: Making the Most of Your Headshots

Once the session is done, the work isn’t over.

• Retouching: I always aim for natural. A good retouch should polish without changing who you are. Over-editing takes away the authenticity that makes headshots powerful.
• Selection: Don’t just pick the “prettiest” photo. Choose the ones that communicate the right energy — confident, approachable, versatile.
• Usage: Use your headshots across platforms consistently. Actors: Spotlight, casting sites, agents. Business owners: LinkedIn, websites, press kits, and marketing materials.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Showing up with only one outfit option.
• Overthinking poses or trying to “perform” instead of relax.
• Wearing clothes that are too flashy or distracting.
• Expecting perfection instead of aiming for authenticity.

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🌟 My Philosophy

For me, the best headshots happen when the technical side — lighting, background, framing — fades into the background, and you come forward.

It’s not about looking like someone else. It’s about capturing the most genuine version of you in that moment — approachable, confident, and ready to open doors.

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