How to Prepare for a Headshot Session

Alright!

You’ve booked your new headshots session.

Now it’s time to think about how to prepare.

First, I recommend getting a good night sleep before your shoot.

Get hydrated and allow for plenty of time to get ready

If your clothes need it, a quick ironing goes a long way for your headshot.

You’ll also want to pick out an outfit or two! Think comfort, and think layers. 

If you are not used to a makeup and hair routine, consider giving yourself a few minutes to apply foundation and a quick style.

Once we are on set I’ll take it from there, I’ll guide you through some simple poses, postures and techniques that can get us ready for your new headshot.

Natural Light Indoor Headshot
Natural Light Indoor Headshot

Portrait of a client at The Natural Light Studio.

A few tips on getting ready for your professional headshot session

Whats should I wear? focus on your clothes that you love to wear, that you feel comfortable in, and that align with your professional style or brand colors.

When picking outfits, think layers! Feel free to bring an additional jacket, scarf or cardigan, and/or bring another top. I personally prefer black long sleeve tops layered with a denim short sleeve button up. For outdoor sessions, it’s suggested if needed to wear a tank top for easy changing. Don’t forget to iron your clothes!

What colors should I wear? Solid neutral colors translate the strongest in photography. Bright colors can work great, however, I suggest avoiding tops are bright red or bright green when shooting outdoors. In the studio these colors don’t reflect as much and can be very complimentary. Most popular colors are black jackets with solid colored tops in blue and white.

Textures such as linen, silk, sweaters, or knits work great. When working with patterns, choose a design that is smaller in print. Large dots or stripes can distract from your headshot. But with that being said, don’t be afraid to bring your favorite patterned top just in case!

When choosing tops, focus on complimentary neck lines. For example, I prefer a black V-neck line with a washed out denim jacket. I like the contrast between the top and jacket and the texture of the denim. Other clients will have a round neckline blouse in auburn with a black blazer.

Make sure to give yourself plenty of time if you are using a professional hair and makeup stylist or if you are doing it on your own. For minimal makeup a few things to think about: I’ve found that foundation and mascara are the most important when being photographed. For outdoor sessions when styling hair consider a setting spray or style for possible windy conditions.

A client getting ready for a headshot session.

One of my amazing assistants and clients on location for a headshot session.

During your Session

We will use a posing stool for easy sitting shots and standing poses for natural movement.

Most shots are portraits only, above the waist unless requested.

I may have an assistant with me to use modifiers to control light.

For outdoor sessions, it is highly recommended to wear walking shoes.

Be ready to relax and have some fun 🙂

Common Headshot Outfits

Click on image to enlarge.

QUESTIONS?

Let me know if you have any questions, I’d be happy to help provide any additional support for you to prepare! If you haven’t booked your session yet, hop over to Book Now to submit your form.

It’s raining. Now what? Use the Natural Light Studio for Business Headshots

Solutions for Outdoor Photography Headshot Sessions

So what do you do when it’s raining or even worse snowing the day of your headshot photography session?

When it rains, it pours right? Well, in Portland, Oregon it does. And this year even snow. This presents challenges in booking an outdoor on location headshot.

Our solution is the light and bright natural light studio located in NW Portland. With a few light modifiers, a couple poses and you are all set with a new headshot.

The photographs below were made using the studio with large windows to allow the south facing light to illuminate the space.

Natural Light Studio Examples

Interested in an outdoor or on location photography session?

SCHEDULE A PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICE TODAY
ericajmitchell@gmail.com | (831) 402-3895

What Images Do I Need For My Business?

Portraits of Practioner Liisa photographed on location at the Lan Su Chinese Garden and Tanner Springs Park in downtown Portland Oregon. View Portraits

How Does It Work?

Photography is a tool to tell a story without words that adds depth to your marketing message. Businesses use photography specifically to build a brand and to use as a way to reach their customers.

My goal is to create photography to show the viewer your product or service. Your images show them where you are and what you are doing, they then resonate and become familiar with the work. Ultimately, we want our images to sell our work when we aren’t showcasing it in person.

There is a way to photographically tell your story to grab the attention of your ideal clients. Let us look at how.

Rhythm on the Rails Johnnie Mazzacco by Erica J Mitchell Photographer

Published editorial images of Rhythm on the Rails writing retreat with Johnnie Mazzacco. A Rhythm on the Rails participant enjoying the expansive river views via Business Class. View full post

First, what images do I need for my business?

Photography can be a creative new way to grow your business, attract and stay competitive in the marketplace. Let’s take a look at your story and answer these photographically to be able to share your business with your target audience.

Who are you?
What do you do?
What do you offer?
How do you do it?
Why is it important?
What does it look like?

Women with Moxie Networking in Portland Oregon

Marketing photography for the networking business Women with Moxie during their 2018 promo video. View Women with Moxie’s promo images

What’s Your Story?

Business Portrait – Who are you?
You’re a consultant and expert in your field, find a location you love, and outfit your feel amazing in and show off that smile. This image is the most important because it tells your viewers who you are. If there is only one image you need, it’s this one. The traditional headshot can be a portrait that you use in all your advertising and social media needs.

Service or Product Feature – What do you offer?
What you sell needs to be seen. If you sell the most amazing chocolates or the best website customer service, your product and your service can be photographed. For example, if you create websites, details of your brand or working style can be a source of understanding for your clients. We want to know how you work. If you sell chocolates, of course we want to see what we are getting, yum!

Development and Production – How do you do it?
Sometimes how we do our work is the highlight. If we are creating one of a kind hard wood pieces by hand, the tools we use can bring in interested buyers.

Lifestyle and Culture – Why is it important?
Perhaps your mission is the driving force behind your images. You take a stand for women’s health and wellness. Focusing on images that empower women can inspire a connection and bring you opportunities to make a difference.

Storefront, On-location – What does it look like?
The classic brick and mortar. If you have a fantastic spot nestled in the neighborhood or on the corner in the city, we want to know where you are. Your place in the community can be a source of connection and can make it easier to reach you.

Event Coverage – What happened?
One of my favorite types of images for a business are the events the business hosts or participates in. Events are a place for connection to community members, a space for bringing like minded people together or a place to celebrate. Event photography is a way to spread your brand and reach your community.

Kathy Stanley Portrait Photography by Erica J Mitchell

Artist and education Kathy Stanely walks in Laurelhurst Park, a favorite spot of hers, for her portrait and branding session to add to her collection of images to promote her upcoming art projects and classes. View her session images

Time To Share Your Story

Being Published?
Use Your Photography in Printed or Online Articles

Need Photography for Your Website?
Be Visual and Professional Online

Want to hand out that amazing card?
Elevate your Digital or Print Presentations, Business Cards and Brochures

Need to make a post to your channels?
Use Your Photography in Social Media Platforms to Market to your Fans

Meeting new clients or have business networking opportunities?
Have Personalized Photography when you are Networking In person 

Inspiring Women's Conference in Portland, Oregon

Inspiring Woman Leaders was an annual conference held in Portland, Oregon whose goals were to promote women in leadership positions, as well as those who lead women. View their event

Interested in Working Together?

Let’s answer these photographically and then share your story with your audience on your website and social media platforms to generate higher connectivity of your business.

Natural Light Headshots: Outdoor vs. Indoor

Lighting is everything and in photography it’s the source of our (photographer’s) work. So when considering professional photography for your new Headshot, start with the light.

You wouldn’t think that physics plays a role in how a natural light photographer works but it’s essential.

For example when photographing outdoors during high noon the photographer has to consider the following: the yellow colored sunlight and the direction it shines, the sunlight hitting green grass and reflecting up, the cool blue sky color reflecting down and any other surfaces reflecting color.

When indoors photographing can be a lot more simple but so can the background. The warm sunlight hit’s the white transparent curtains and diffuses onto the subject.

Left: On Location in Client’s Workspace
Right: Indoor Natural Light Studio

Location is the next thing to consider. Where you choose to be photographed plays a part in the outcome of your headshot. Do you want a natural environment or background to enhance your surroundings? Do you want a white background? Do you want to journey a city block or park?

Outdoor portraits made in the downtown Pearl District, Portland, Oregon.

One reason to work with an indoor studio is base sometimes solely on weather. Here in Portland, Oregon we can get a lot of cold and rainy weather which makes outdoor locations harder to achieve. You definitely don’t want to be freezing and smiling at the same time.

Indoor studios provide controlled lit lighting, temperature controlled spaces and the ability to change into other outfits.

Indoor studio lit portraits made in Northwest Portland, Oregon.

So now it’s time to think about your next Headshot. Do you want to play in studio or adventure into the great outdoors, city blocks or your own workspace?

Want to work together? Contact Erica by email (ericajmitchell@gmail.com) for Indoor and Outdoor Headshot Sessions starting at $249.00. Let’s play with some light!

Outdoor and On Location Headshot Examples

In Studio Natural Light Headshot Examples