| If you're getting your first professional headshots | | | | unnoticeable. |
| taken, or if you're having a professional photographer | | | | 2- Elegant and slightly formal clothes. A well tailored |
| do a portrait session for you, here are a few things | | | | jacket and a well tailored shirt is a very good choice |
| you might find useful to know in advance... | | | | for men and for women. For women, a fashionable, |
| WHAT TO BRING: | | | | figure-flattering top, dressy sweater or dress is also |
| 1- Bring a comb or brush and a light hair-spray. Heavy | | | | a good choice. You don't want look as if you're going |
| sprays and gels make your hair look unnatural and | | | | to a job interview. You do want to wear what you |
| stiff, so something with a light hold is a better idea. | | | | would for a nice dinner party or event. Dark colors |
| 2- Bring a light face powder (yes, also for men) and | | | | are best for this look. |
| a powder applicator - a brush is best - to reduce any | | | | 3- Edgy and unusual clothes. Particularly for actors, |
| shine on your face that may build up during your | | | | musicians and entertainers who have a unique look or |
| shoot. Make sure the powder is a good match for | | | | play a broad range of performances of any kind. For |
| your skin tone. | | | | this 'look', bring the clothes that define your particular |
| 3- Moisturizer. Men and women; before you apply any | | | | style. If you are from a specific ethnic background |
| makeup or powder, put a light layer of moisturizer on | | | | and have traditional clothing (saris, kimonos, sarongs, |
| your face. This prevents your face from looking dry | | | | etc.), bring those! If you prefer to dress in vintage |
| and it gives your skin a fresh, smoother texture. | | | | clothing, bring your favorite vintage suit or dress. |
| 4- Lip Balm. For men (or women who prefer not to | | | | Whatever your style, bring the outfit, accessories |
| wear much or any makeup), bring a lip balm. Dry lips | | | | and makeup that you feel really exemplifies your |
| show up very badly in photos. A non-shiny, | | | | individuality. |
| non-waxy, no-color lip balm is essential! Avoid | | | | As for what to wear for a portrait session, the range |
| chapstick, as it tends to leave a white residue. | | | | is a bit broader. It depends entirely on what type of |
| 5- If you normally wear makeup, bring it with you. | | | | portraits you're getting. |
| Blush, concealer, eye-shadow, mascara, lipstick etc. | | | | A FEW BASIC RULES FOR ANY PHOTOGRAPHY |
| Be sure to bring a few different shades of | | | | SESSION: |
| eyeshadow and lipstick, as some colors may not look | | | | 1- Colors which look great on almost everybody: |
| as well on camera as others. Avoid high gloss lipsticks | | | | white, black, grey, earth-tones (reds and browns) |
| or very shiny lipgloss. These often look too unnatural | | | | and jewel-tones (greens and blues). Warm colors or |
| and reflect too much light in photos. | | | | monochromatic tones are almost always best. For |
| DO NOT OVER APPLY! You may think that you need | | | | most people, pastels, khakis, oranges and yellows are |
| a heavy application of foundation on your skin, but | | | | not flattering to the skin and should not be worn for |
| this is actually a terrible idea. Even slightly uneven | | | | photos. (However, if you are an exception to that |
| foundation will show very clearly (and very badly) in | | | | rule, by all means, bring the colors that suit you best.) |
| your pictures. It's much better to just touch up | | | | 2- Clothing choices to avoid: Large, bold prints, logos |
| individual blemishes rather than putting on a layer of | | | | or patterns. Again, these draw the eye away from |
| foundation. | | | | your face, which is not a good thing. You don't want |
| 6- Bring deodorant. If your session is indoors or in a | | | | your outfit to dominate your photos. Don't wear |
| studio, you can usually expect to be under warm | | | | clothing that is too loose or too clingy. Very loose |
| lights for quite some time. You don't want to have | | | | clothing and very tight clothing both have the effect |
| perspiration stains in your photos, so remember to | | | | of unflatteringly altering the appearance of your body |
| apply an extra 'layer' of deodorant right before your | | | | shape. Shiny fabrics should generally be avoided as |
| session begins. | | | | well. A simple satin is fine, but anything with a lot of |
| 7- Bring a toothbrush or dental floss, just in case you | | | | shine will reflect light and tends to overemphasize the |
| have the remnants of your last meal stuck in your | | | | figure. |
| teeth! | | | | 3- Do not over-accessorize. Keep it simple. If you |
| 8- Eyedrops. Sitting for a photo-session means a lot | | | | have one particular piece of jewelery you'd like to |
| of not blinking. Which can be irritating to your eyes | | | | wear, don't wear any other pieces with it. A big, bold |
| and if you're under bright lights, it's even worse. | | | | necklace can sometimes look really wonderful, but |
| Right before your session, put in some drops. | | | | not if it's also worn with big, bold earrings. Again, too |
| WHAT TO WEAR | | | | many extra visuals will detract from your face, which |
| For headshots, it's usual to have at least two or | | | | should be the only focal point in your pictures. |
| three different 'looks'. These tend to be 1: Casual and | | | | 4- Go light on the perfume or cologne. Heavy |
| informal. 2: Elegant and slightly formal. 3: Edgy and/or | | | | application of perfumes or body-sprays before your |
| unusual. This means you should bring the following | | | | session is not a good idea. If you must wear a scent, |
| clothing choices: | | | | wear much less than you normally would. Many |
| 1- Casual and informal clothes. A simple shirt (or | | | | people have allergies to scents, and you don't want a |
| sweater) and jeans, is always a good bet here. Do | | | | photographer who is trying to take your photo |
| not wear t-shirts with logos, brand names or any | | | | through watering eyes and sneezing fits. |
| obviously printed words on them. These draw the | | | | 5- Bring something special .Even if you don't plan on |
| eye away from your face, which is the last thing you | | | | wearing or using it during your photo-shoot, bring |
| want in a headshot! Do not wear work-out clothing | | | | along your very favorite article of clothing, just in |
| or sweats, although a plain hoodie is fine. Make sure | | | | case. You could also bring a decorative blanket or |
| your jeans are basic as well. No applique, no artfully | | | | scarf. The blanket or scarf can sometimes be used |
| splattered paint or bleach marks and if there are rips | | | | as your backdrop, which guarantees your photos will |
| or holes, make sure they're small and fairly | | | | be very personalized, just for you. |