What to Wear for a Headshot Session / Coastal summer teen actress portraits

If you’ve booked a headshot session, or are thinking of booking one, oftentimes the most stressful part of the experience can be deciding what to wear! I get you, you want to look your best! I have several tips and tricks that I pass along to my clients when they book a headshot session.

  1. Avoid tops that have busy or distracting patterns.

    As a general rule, solid color tops are best. Shirts or blouses that have a texture to them will work well, but patterns will distract from your face, and your face is the star of the show!

  2. Also, avoid shirts that have logos or graphic tees.

    For all the reasons listed in #1. Let’s move this along.

  3. For those with long hair, choose a color that contrasts with your hair color.

    Wearing dark colors if you also have dark hair can make you look one-dimensional—same if you have light hair and wear a light color. Establishing a contrast between your hair color and shirt can be more striking than you realize.

  4. Bring a couple of different tops

    There is usually time to have at least one outfit change in order to have variety in your finished gallery. But I’m also happy to offer feedback, either prior to or at your session, on the very best top for you.

  5. Bottom choices are important, but not that important

    Headshot sessions primarily focus on your….well your head, but let’s call it your stunning face. Depending on the use of your image, you’ll likely only need a tight crop of your face—meaning that it’s not super important what you wear on the bottom. If you’re curious whether you should

BONUS TIP: Make the most of your headshot session by booking yourself an appointment to have your hair and makeup done. For those local to me in Cape Ann, I have plenty of suggestions for the best stylists in the area!

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Small Business Professional Headshots | Nicole Starr

Last summer Nicole (of Nicole Starr Photography) and I collaborated on a business headshot swap where we photographed each other for our websites and social media presence. As fellow photog buddies, we both knew the importance of having a solid photograph of ourselves to put our "best foot forward" in our businesses.  

We began our shoot on location at a grassy field in Gloucester, MA where the light was dreamy and the humidity was soaring.  On the northshore of Massachusetts we have so many beautiful locations, and within minutes we moved onto our next location at Good Harbor Beach.

Nicole planned her outfits to reflect her brand, which is whimsical and bright. I think her blush pink tulle skirt accomplishes just that!  Her photographs reflect the playfulness and beauty of her brand.

How many of you want to see the photographs that Nicole took of me during our headshot swap?? Leave me a note in the comment section below!

xo

Small Business Professional & Social Media Headshots / Shane & Chris

Take a second to look at the picture you are using on your LinkedIn, Facebook, or website profile photo. Is it grainy and dark? Did you take it with a cell phone? Is it *gasp* a selfie??

Your profile picture is often the one thing on which people will base their first impression of you. And I don't think I need to lecture you about first impressions, right?

With Chris' headshots, we chose to meet up at the Boston Public Library.  The courtyard was the perfect place to get some bright, airy shots. Later, we went inside where the stacks of books made the perfect setting to reflect Chris' occupation as an engineer.  

Shane works in the seafood industry, so it was a no-brainer that we needed to head down by the docks.  The harbor was the perfect setting to show Shane's connection to the ocean.

Lyndsay is a real estate agent, so we chose an outdoor space with lots of greenery and masonry in the background.  

With each session, my clients and I brainstorm on the perfect location for you and your professional portraits. During your session, I coach you with posing so you can look your very best in every picture!  After our session, a proofing gallery is uploaded for you to pick your perfect headshot. 

You know that it's well past the time to get this task checked off your to-do list! Let's do this!