How to prepare for your business headshot or LinkedIn profile portrait

Congratulations! You have decided it’s time to update your headshot for your online business profile. Here are some top tips and techniques for a great corporate headshot or for a refreshed LinkedIn profile.

A few days before the business headshot photoshoot

• Rest and Hydration. Planning for your corporate headshot session increases the likelihood of success. The most important things you can do at least two days prior to the shoot are a) get a good night’s rest (at least 7 hours of sleep per night) and b) drink lots of water. When you are rested and hydrated, your skin will look its best and you will reduce the impact of issues including puffy eyes. Also, limit alcohol intake during these days prior to the photo shoot. Also, keep your skin hydrated with a good quality moisturizer.
• Plan Your Wardrobe. Don’t wait until the morning of the shoot to plan your wardrobe. I suggest starting one week in advance. Look at other headshots on LinkedIn or other peer companies / organizations. What do you like or dislike about these portraits? Are you aiming for traditional business attire, business casual, casual, or something else? In most instances, I recommend being the best dressed in your category. If you are looking to attract new customers, do you think wearing a suit and tie or a dress matches the expectation of your target customer, or do they expect to see you in something more casual? If you strive to be the team leader, manager or CEO, it may make sense to dress as if you already have that position. Make sure you have an outfit that works. It is clean, pressed, and ready for the photoshoot? Is it fitted properly? If you try the outfit on a few days in advance you have time to make adjustments.
  • I suggest not wearing white tops unless it is a white shirt or blouse that will be mostly covered by a jacket or sweater. I suggest solid colors or solid shades of gray. Textures in the fabric can also be desirable. Avoid colors that are too trendy.
  • Avoid fabrics that are sheer or shiny. Shine is the enemy of a great portrait. We don’t want to see shine on your face, shine on clothing or shiny jewelry. Avoid makeup with glitter or shimmery elements. Anything shiny will reflect light in your headshot, and some may look like holes in the image.
  • Short sleeves or long sleeves? Long sleeves should be the choice for most.
• Makeup. This is a personal choice for those that wear makeup. Are you comfortable with your personal look or do you want to have a professional makeup artist do your makeup? Same for hair. If you choose to get a haircut for the session, do it at least one week in advance. As noted above, avoid glitter or other makeup that produces excessive shine.
• Glasses. If you wear glasses, make sure they are clean and look good for the shoot. Did you have an antiglare coating applied to your lenses when you bought them? Good! If not, there could be an issue with glare from studio lights. Consider whether you would be comfortable without your glasses on. Another option is to have an optician remove the lenses so that glare will not be an issue. and you can still wear your frames.

The Day of the Professional Headshot

• On the day of the headshot, have your outfit ready to go and decide if you are wearing it or bring it to the session. If you are taking it with you, consider using a garment bag or plastic bag to protect it from the elements and staining.
• Look in the mirror and practice your look, your smile, and your game face. I often tell my clients to think of their greatest achievement – something that makes them proud – and project that positive image back to the photographer. Keep your back straight, and bend at your hips so that your face and upper body are just an inch or two leaning forward. Never lean back. Leaning in just a little shows that you are engaged with the viewer of the image and that helps to project positive energy. Also, don’t stand square to the camera, and don’t be stiff. A slight turn of your body to one side adds dimension. The photographer will help you with posing, but now you have a head start and can be ready.
• Finally, take a deep breath in and relax.
• Have fun with the session.

Rod Arroyo, Portraits By Rod, Detroit Headshot Photographer