What to wear? Plain colors are your best choice. Patterns or prints distract and date your photo. Choose mid- tone colors in blue, green, wine and purple because they are universally flattering. Avoid wearing tops in flesh tones (cream, beige, pastels, peach or yellow) as they will blend your face into your clothes. A modest v-neck is universally flattering because it lengthens the neck and displays the décolleté. Opt for blouses with sleeves. Fine to medium gauge knits work really well too because they introduce textural interest. If you choose to wear a jacket, pair it with a collarless top. This is modern and keeps the neckline simple and sleek. Crisply ironed shirts by themselves frame the face really well.

Manicure: Treat yourself to manicure and/or pedicure before your shoot! If colored nail aren’t your thing opt for clear polish. (Men too! Guys you deserve only the best)

Jewelry: In keeping with the KISS principle, choose simple earrings and necklaces. They keep the focus on the face. Big statement jewelry will date your photos.

Pose: When you’re in front of the camera, angles are your friend because they create shadows, that if used correctly can make you look even slimmer. Don’t sit face on to the camera. Turn one shoulder closer to the camera so your body is at an angle. Here’s my favorite trick to avoid a double chin. Jut your head forward (a bit like a tortoise) and tip your chin down. This feels ridiculous, but works because it makes the jawline tighter.

Smile: At the end of the day, the key to a wonderful business headshot is your smile. It might take you a few moments to relax in front of the camera. Once you’re comfortable, stare straight down the barrel of the lens and think of someone you love. That feeling shows up as beautiful smile in your mouth and your eyes. Ready? Say cheese.

Don’t Get a Haircut Right Before! While it might seem like a good idea to get a fresh haircut right before you get new photos taken, experts actually advise against it. Even for major events like weddings, photographers say that you should get a trim at least a week before so you can get used to the new length. And if you’re getting a totally new haircut, wait three weeks or more before getting photos taken so your hair can grow a bit and look more natural. This also gives you the opportunity to make adjustments if you end up not loving the new do.

Keep a Mirror on Hand! It’s also a good idea to keep a mirror with you so that you can quickly check your hair, makeup and clothing before you have your photo taken. That way you won’t have to wait to get your proofs back before realizing you have a stray hair standing up or a wrinkled collar.

Stay Away from Major Trends: In terms of your clothing, hair and makeup, many professional photographers will advise you to stay away from ultra trendy items. Even if you think that a particular hairstyle or patterned top will look great right now, it could make your photo look dated in just a year or two. Remember mullets used to be cool.

Have Good Posture: No matter what style of photo you end up going for, good posture is essential since it exudes confidence and professionalism. Simply sit with your back straight and your shoulders back while remaining relatively relaxed.

Loosen Up! I don’t bite I promise! Unless you ask me to bite and I will because I’m here for you! You don’t need to look completely stiff and boring in your headshot. Especially if you want your brand to seem fun and unique, it may be beneficial for you to keep the atmosphere at your photo shoot loose. Then you can take some images where you have a very natural smile and show some of your authentic personality.

Bring a Friend! If you want to bring your bestie go for it but please don’t bring your entourage. Whatever you need to relax and show off your real personality could be to bring a friend or co-worker who you’re close with so that they can make jokes, keep you loose and even let you know if you need to sit up straighter or change up your smile.

Get Enough Sleep the Night Before. In order to have a fresh and happy face in your photos, you need to take care of yourself. Get a full night of sleep the night before to avoid dark under-eye circles and other features that can lead to you looking tired and uninspired in your photos. Drink Plenty of Water and Eat a Healthy Breakfast.

Have questions? Just email me: erikaphoto451@gmail.com or call (917) 359-1410