How to Prepare for a Headshot: A Simple Countdown From a Photographer
Last updated: 29/09/26
Good news first: you don't need to do very much to prepare for a professional headshot. Most of the work is mine. Lighting, posing, direction and retouching all happen on my side of the camera.
But there are a handful of small things that genuinely make a difference, and a few common mistakes that are easy to avoid if you know about them. After 20 odd years of photographing people for their business headshots, these are the bits of advice I find myself giving again and again.
I've laid it out as a simple countdown, so you know what to think about and when.
The quick answer
To prepare for a headshot, avoid any big changes to your appearance in the week before, keep your usual grooming routine, get a good night's sleep, and arrive with clean glasses, tidy hair and two outfit options on hangers. If you wear makeup, go for your normal look with a matte finish, and bring powder to take the edge off any shine.
About a week before
Choose your outfits. Try them on now rather than the night before, in case something doesn't fit the way you remember. My what to wear for a headshot guide covers colours, necklines and fit in detail.
Book any haircut for around a week before. That gives a fresh cut time to settle and gives you time to get used to styling it. The day before is too close for comfort if it doesn't go to plan.
Don't try anything new. A new skincare product, a dramatic colour change, a first attempt at fake tan or an eyebrow tint at a new salon: any of these can go wrong and leave you with something to worry about on the day. Save experiments for after the shoot.
Think about the sun. A week of gardening or a weekend away can leave strap marks, a pink nose or sunglasses lines. Retouching can help, but it's easier to avoid them in the first place.
Collect a few examples you like. If a colleague's headshot or someone's LinkedIn photo caught your eye, save it. It helps me understand what you're after.
The day before
Get your clothes ready. Iron or steam anything that needs it and hang it up. Creases show more on camera than in the mirror.
Clean your glasses properly. Not a quick wipe on your jumper, a proper clean. Every smear and fingerprint shows under studio lights.
Keep your evening easy. A late night, a few too many glasses of wine or a very salty meal can all show around the eyes the next morning. Nothing dramatic is needed, just a normal, sensible evening.
Get some sleep. It's the cheapest way to look fresher in photos.
On the morning of your headshot
Stick to your normal routine. You want to look like yourself, so do your hair and face the way you would for an important meeting.
Go easy on heavy moisturiser just before you leave. Rich creams can add shine under studio lights. If your skin needs it, apply it earlier in the morning so it has time to sink in.
Give yourself plenty of time. Rushing in late and flustered is the one thing that can really unsettle a session. Aim to arrive a few minutes early with time to catch your breath.
Hair
Wear it how you normally do, or how you'd wear it to see a client. Your headshot should look like the person people will meet.
Bring a brush, comb or small amount of product for a quick tidy before we start.
Flyaways are fine. I can tidy a few stray hairs in retouching, but a big frizz or a stubborn cowlick is easier to sort before the camera comes out.
If you have long hair, we can try it both in front of and behind your shoulders to see which works best.
Beards and facial hair
Trim a day or two before. It gives any redness or nicks time to calm down, and your beard will look neat but natural.
If you're usually clean-shaven, shave on the morning, but be gentle to avoid irritation. Bring a razor if you have a five o'clock shadow by lunchtime and your session is later in the day.
Keep the shape you usually have. This isn't the moment to try a new beard style.
Glasses
If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your headshot. They're part of how people recognise you.
Clean them thoroughly before you arrive, and bring the cloth with you.
Lenses can reflect lights, but that's my job to manage. Small adjustments to the lighting and the angle of your head usually take care of it.
If you have tinted or light-reactive lenses, bring a clear pair if you have one, just in case.
Not sure whether to wear them? We can take shots with and without so you can decide afterwards.
Makeup
If you wear makeup day to day:
Wear your usual look, perhaps a touch more defined than an ordinary Tuesday, but nothing heavier than you'd wear to an important meeting or evening event.
Matte or satin finishes photograph better than very glossy or shimmery products, which can look shiny under the lights.
Bring powder and your lipstick for quick touch-ups.
Groom your eyebrows a few days before rather than the day before, to avoid any redness.
If you don't wear makeup:
That's completely fine. You don't need to start now.
A light powder can help with shine on the forehead, nose and chin, which appears on almost everyone under studio lights.
Want someone else to take care of it? I can arrange a professional hair and makeup artist to join your session. Many clients say it's the best decision they made, because it takes away all the worry about getting it right.
Skin, teeth and the little things
Drink plenty of water in the days before. It won't change your life, but it helps you feel fresher.
Don't worry about the odd spot or blemish. Temporary marks like that are exactly what natural retouching is for. I'll remove them, but I won't change the shape of your face or make you look airbrushed.
Check your teeth after coffee or lunch if your session is later in the day.
Hands and nails sometimes appear in shot if we do crossed-arm or more relaxed poses, so keep them tidy.
What to bring with you
Two or three outfits, on hangers
Glasses and a cleaning cloth
A brush, comb and any hair products you use
Powder, lipstick or balm for touch-ups
A razor, if your session is late in the day
Any examples of headshots you like
[Anything specific to your studio or process]
Preparing your mind as well as your face
If the thought of being photographed makes you uneasy, you're not the only one. Most of my clients say they hate having their photo taken before we've even started. The best preparation is simply to tell me, so I can pace the session for you. I've written a whole guide on it: Hate having your photo taken? How camera-shy people get great headshots.
Preparing for a team headshot day
If you're one of a team being photographed at your office:
Check what the dress code is, since your company may have a preferred look.
Keep your slot time free and arrive a couple of minutes early.
Bring a jacket or second top to your desk, so you can switch if needed.
Pop to the bathroom mirror before your slot for a quick check of hair, teeth and collar.
If you're organising the day, my guide to on-site team headshots covers everything from room set-up to scheduling.
Your headshot preparation checklist
A week before
Outfits chosen and tried on
Haircut booked (if needed)
No new treatments, tans or big changes
The day before
Clothes ironed and hung
Glasses cleaned
Beard trimmed
Early night
On the day
Normal hair and makeup routine
Light on heavy moisturiser
Touch-up kit packed
Arrive with time to spare
Frequently asked questions
How should I prepare for a professional headshot?
Keep your normal grooming routine, avoid big changes to your appearance in the week before, get plenty of sleep, choose well-fitting clothes in solid colours, and arrive with clean glasses and a couple of outfit options.
When should I get a haircut before a headshot?
About a week before is ideal. It gives the cut time to settle and you time to get used to styling it.
Should I wear makeup for a headshot?
If you usually wear makeup, wear your normal look with a matte finish. If you don't, you don't need to. A little powder can help reduce shine under studio lights.
Should I shave before my headshot?
If you're usually clean-shaven, shave gently on the morning. If you have a beard, trim it a day or two before so it looks neat and natural.
Should I wear glasses in my headshot?
Yes, if you normally wear them. Clean them thoroughly beforehand. Your photographer will adjust the lighting to reduce reflections.
Will you retouch spots and blemishes?
Yes. Temporary marks like spots, small scratches or redness are removed as part of natural retouching, while keeping your face looking like you.
Can I have professional hair and makeup for my headshot?
Yes, I can arrange a professional hair and makeup artist for individual and team sessions.
Ready to book?
Preparing for a headshot doesn't need to be stressful. Keep it simple, turn up as yourself, and leave the rest to me. If you've got any questions before your session, from outfit choices to glasses, just drop me a message.
Book your headshot session:
About the author
Matthew Burch is a headshot and portrait photographer based near Farnham, Surrey, with over 18 years' experience photographing individuals, business owners and corporate teams across Surrey, Hampshire, Berkshire, London and the UK.