HEADSHOT PHOTO SESSION TIPS FOR WOMEN
How to Prepare So You Look and Feel Like Yourself
If you have a professional headshot session coming up, you may be wondering what to wear, how to style your hair, whether you need professional makeup, and what you should do to prepare.
The good news?
You don’t need to reinvent yourself for the camera.
The best headshots look polished and professional while still feeling recognizably like you.
After more than 20 years of photographing women of all ages, professions, and personalities, one of my favorite pieces of advice is still the simplest:
Keep it simple.
Here are a few things that can help you arrive feeling prepared, comfortable, and confident.
CHOOSE CLOTHING THAT FEELS LIKE YOU
There are very few absolute rules about what you should wear for a headshot.
Start with clothing you already know makes you feel good.
Your headshot isn’t the time to experiment with an entirely new style or wear something simply because you think it looks “professional.” Ideally, your wardrobe should feel like an elevated version of what you would naturally wear when meeting an important client, attending an audition, speaking at an event, or representing your business.
In general:
- Solid colors tend to photograph beautifully.
- Clothing that fits well and holds its shape usually photographs better than something very loose or oversized.
- Simple necklines help keep attention on your face.
- Layers such as jackets or blazers can create additional variety.
- Bring a few options so we can decide together what works best on camera.
- Think about how the color of your clothing works with your hair, skin tone, and the background we’ll be using.
Patterns aren’t automatically wrong, either. A subtle pattern can work beautifully if it suits your personality and profession.
The goal is not to follow a rigid list of rules.
It’s to make sure you are the first thing people notice—not your clothing
BRING OPTIONS
Even when you think you’ve chosen the perfect outfit, I recommend bringing a few alternatives.
Something that looks wonderful in the mirror may photograph differently under studio lighting, and sometimes an unexpected choice becomes the favorite.
During your session, I can help you evaluate colors, necklines, jackets, jewelry, and other details so you don’t have to make every decision beforehand.
If you’re unsure about something, bring it.
We can decide together.
KEEP JEWELRY SIMPLE
For most professional headshots, understated jewelry works beautifully because it adds personality without distracting from your face.
If jewelry is an important part of your personal style, however, there is no reason to remove it simply because you’re being photographed.
Actor headshots can have different considerations because casting professionals generally want as little distraction as possible. In those sessions, we may choose very minimal jewelry or none at all.
Again, the purpose of the photograph matters.
DO:
- In general, neutral solids are better than patterns.
- Fitted and tailored clothing works best. Loose or baggy tops will make you look larger than you desire.
- Try on your top(s) with your bra in front of bright light and mirror to check for transparency. Studio lights may shine through thin fabrics.
- Model your tops for a friend and take some quick photos with your phone so you can see yourself in your tops.
- If you love your arms, tank tops can work nicely. However, long sleeves often work better than short sleeves.
- If you have long dark brown or black hair, your may hair blend into darker clothing, so consider wearing a lighter colored top.
- As we age, lighter colored tops may be more flattering and fresh.
- Darker colors close to face, can draw attention to wrinkles.
- White or Off-White can work nicely unless you feel it washes you out.
- Make sure your jacket buttons or closes or else you will look WIDE!
AVOID:
• Busy patterns, plaids or stripes.
• Short sleeved tops where the sleeve is loose on arm.
• Shiny fabrics like silk or satin.
• Loose or baggy tops. Or jackets that are too small and do not button!
• Pastels – the light color washes out in studio light.
• NO Jewelry if you are getting an actor headshot.
MAKEUP SHOULD STILL LOOK LIKE YOU
You don’t need dramatically heavier makeup simply because you’re having professional photographs taken.
If you normally wear makeup, arrive looking like a polished version of yourself.
If you rarely wear makeup, you do not need to suddenly become someone who does.
The goal is healthy-looking skin, definition around the eyes, and enough polish to photograph well while still feeling natural.
Professional hair and makeup can also be a wonderful option. I work with experienced artists who understand how to prepare clients specifically for the camera while keeping the finished look natural and authentic.
For many women, having hair and makeup professionally done also makes the experience more relaxing—you can arrive and let someone else take care of the details.
PREPARE YOUR SKIN GENTLY
In the days before your session, keep your skincare routine fairly normal.
This isn’t the ideal time to experiment with a new facial, aggressive treatment, self-tanner, peel, or unfamiliar skincare product.
Instead:
- Stay hydrated.
- Moisturize as you normally would.
- Avoid excessive sun exposure.
- Give your skin time to recover from waxing, threading, or other treatments.
- Get a good night’s sleep if you can.
And don’t worry about temporary blemishes.
That’s what professional retouching is for.
DO:
- Do wear mascara as well as lipstick close to your natural lip color.
- Do consider having a professional do your make-up for you. Tracy can book this for you. ( Tracy’s stylists do both hair and makeup)
- If you have a makeup session, arrive with a clean face.
- You should only use an oil-free moisturizer and an eye cream prior to your session and do not use any sunscreen.
AVOID:
- Sun exposure for 1-2 days prior to headshot session.
- Don’t worry about blemishes. They are easily retouched!
- Don’t wear too much face powder over foundation – digital is sharp and too much powder will show and be impossible to retouch.
- Don’t wear sunscreen or any SPF to the photoshoot.
WEAR YOUR HAIR LIKE YOURSELF
Your headshot should look like the person who walks into the meeting, audition, or office.
Wear your hair in a way that feels familiar and comfortable to you.
If you’re planning a haircut or significant color change, it’s usually helpful to do it far enough in advance that you’re comfortable with the result before your session.
Professional hairstyling is also available if you’d like additional polish or simply don’t want to worry about doing it yourself.
But whether you work with a stylist or prepare your own hair, the same principle applies:
You should still look like you.
DON’T MAKE BIG CHANGES RIGHT BEFORE YOUR SESSION
This is one of the easiest ways to make your photo day less stressful.
Try not to schedule major beauty experiments immediately before your shoot.
That might include:
- A dramatically different haircut
- A new hair color
- An unfamiliar skincare treatment
- A spray tan you’ve never tried before
- New cosmetic procedures
- Anything that could potentially irritate your skin
Give yourself enough time to settle into any changes before stepping in front of the camera.
READY TO UPDATE YOUR HEADSHOT?
If your current photograph no longer reflects who you are today, I’d love to help you create one that does.
Hello, I’m Tracy Wright Corvo.
I’m a Honolulu-based headshot and personal brand photographer with more than 20 years of experience helping people feel comfortable, confident, and genuinely like themselves in front of the camera.
I photograph professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, actors, and individuals as they step into new chapters of their work and lives. My approach is relaxed, collaborative, and highly personalized—because the best photographs do more than make you look good. They should capture your presence, your personality, and how you want to be seen today.
Whether you need a polished professional headshot, updated actor photos, or personal brand imagery that feels unmistakably like you, I’d love to help you create photographs you’re excited to share.
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