A little preparation goes a long way towards a relaxed session and a great set of photos — but it’s genuinely simpler than most people expect. You don’t need to overhaul anything. Here’s the short, practical checklist I’d give anyone before a shoot.
Before the day
- Think about your outfits. Pick one or two options you feel good in and that suit the purpose of the shoot. If it’s headshots, I’ve written a fuller guide on what to wear.
- Get a decent night’s sleep. It genuinely shows — you’ll look fresher and feel more relaxed.
- Know what the photos are for. LinkedIn, an acting portfolio, a personal portrait and a dating profile all call for a slightly different feel, so it helps to be clear on the goal.
On the day
- Arrive in good time. Rushing in flustered is the enemy of a relaxed shoot. A few calm minutes beforehand makes a real difference.
- Bring anything that matters. A change of clothes, a meaningful prop, glasses if you wear them day to day — small touches that make the images truly you.
- Don’t worry about posing. This is the big one. You absolutely do not need to know what to do with your hands or how to stand. Guiding all of that is my job.
The most important thing
Try to relax. I know that’s easier said than done if you’re someone who dislikes being photographed — but the session is far more enjoyable than most people anticipate, and feeling at ease is the single biggest factor in getting photos you love. We’ll take it at a comfortable pace, you’ll see the images as we go, and there’s no pressure to be anything other than yourself.
On the day: what to bring
If you’re shooting multiple looks, bring all your outfit options even if you only plan to use one or two u2014 it’s better to have them and not need them than to wish you had an alternative once we’re in the middle of the session. Bring any accessories you want to include. If you wear glasses, bring a spare pair or plan for us to try a couple of options.
Makeup and hair: arrive how you want to look in the photos. This sounds obvious, but it’s worth saying u2014 the images will reflect how you arrive, not some idealised version of yourself. If you’re someone who doesn’t usually wear makeup, don’t feel you need to start for a headshot. If you do wear it, wear it as you normally would rather than overdoing it for the camera. Natural and authentic always photographs better than overdone.
A note on clothes and colour
The single most common thing that causes people to dislike their headshots is the wrong clothing choice. The camera is unforgiving of busy patterns and logos, and certain colours can work against you depending on your colouring and the background we’re shooting on. As a rule: solid, mid-toned colours tend to work best. If you’re unsure, I’ve written a fuller guide on what to wear, and I’m always happy to look at what you’re thinking about before the day.
The mindset piece
Try to arrive without a fixed idea of what you’ll look like in the photos. People who come in with very specific expectations are often the hardest to help u2014 not because their expectations are unreasonable, but because chasing a very specific mental image can get in the way of finding the right image for you specifically. Come in ready to collaborate, and we’ll almost certainly end up somewhere better than you imagined.
For more guidance before your session, see the studio photography page or get in touch.
