How to Prepare for a Headshot Session (Even If You Hate Being Photographed)
Most people would rather sit in a dentist chair than in front of a camera.
I hear it every day. I also feel the same way about having my own picture taken, which is exactly why my sessions are built to be relaxed.
Here is how to prepare, what actually makes a great headshot, and how to handle the three worries almost every client walks in with.
3 Things I Hear in the Studio Every Day
"I am not photogenic."
Everyone is. You already have photos of yourself you love.
A great picture has far more to do with comfort and confidence than bone structure. That is why we start with conversation, not the camera. While we talk, I am noting your natural movements, your real smile, and what you are self-conscious about. Then I position you to flatter all of it from the first frame.
"I hate having my picture taken."
Fair. The fix is a shift in what the session is for.
This is not about vanity. It is about building a tool that opens doors for you. When you walk in thinking about the value you are adding to your personal brand, your expression changes. So do the results.
"I do not look like the model you just photographed."
You do not need to. Attractiveness plays a very small role in a great headshot.
Confidence and personality are the real ingredients. Engage, have some fun with it, and the images follow.
What Makes a Great Business Headshot
Knowing what "good" looks like makes it easier to trust the process. Six things matter:
- Professionalism. The image fits where it will be used: LinkedIn, a company website, a speaker bio.
- Lighting. Light that flatters your features. This is the single biggest difference between a professional image and a phone photo.
- Composition. The eyes are the focal point. Everything else supports them.
- Expression. Confident and approachable at the same time.
- Technical quality. Sharp focus, correct exposure, high resolution.
- Authenticity. It looks like you on your best day, not an over-retouched version of someone else.
You are responsible for one of those: showing up ready. The rest is my job.
Should You Wear Glasses in Your Headshot?
I get asked this constantly. Here is how to decide.
Wear what people know you in
If glasses are part of your everyday look, keep them on. Your headshot should look like the person who walks into the meeting.
Consider your industry
In tech and creative fields, frames can be part of your signature. In more traditional fields like finance or law, some people prefer a cleaner look. Neither is wrong. It comes down to the image you want to project.
Do not worry about glare
Clean your lenses before the session. I position you and the lights to avoid reflections, and anything that remains is removed in retouching.
Shoot it both ways
Undecided? We will do both. And if you own more than one pair, bring them all. More frames means more looks to choose from.
Your Pre-Session Checklist
- Plan your outfits. Bring two or three options. Solid colors and a good fit beat anything trendy. The full breakdown is in what to wear for a professional headshot.
- Press everything. Wrinkles show on camera.
- Bring your glasses. All of them.
- Keep grooming normal. This is not the week for a dramatic new haircut.
- Sleep and hydrate. It shows in your eyes and skin.
- Know where the image is going. LinkedIn, website, press. Tell me and I will shoot for it.
- Walk in with a win in mind. Think about something that went well recently. It changes how you carry yourself.
What the Session Feels Like
We talk first. Then I coach you through every frame: where to look, how to angle, when to breathe.
I shoot tethered, so the images show up on a screen as we go. You see what is working in real time and pick your favorites before you leave.
If you are not seeing images you love while we are shooting, refunds are available during the session. That almost never happens, because you are part of the process the whole way through.
Most sessions are delivered within 48 hours.
Ready to see the options? Start with the Premium session or, for a fast profile update, the LinkedIn session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I am not photogenic?
Everyone has photos of themselves they like. Being photogenic is mostly about being comfortable and well directed. My job is to coach your posture, angle, and expression until we get there, and you see the results on screen as we go.
Should I wear my glasses in my headshot?
If people know you with glasses, wear them. Bring every pair you own and we will shoot with and without so you have options. I position the lights to avoid glare, and anything left gets handled in retouching.
How should I prepare the day before my session?
Sleep, hydrate, and lay out your outfits. Press or steam your clothes, bring two or three options, and clean your glasses. The full wardrobe breakdown is in the what to wear guide.
What happens if I do not like my photos?
You review images on screen during the session, so there are no surprises. If you are not seeing images you love while we are shooting, refunds are available during the session. Once your retouched files are delivered, the session is final.
How long does a headshot session take?
It depends on the session. A LinkedIn session is quick and focused. The Premium session is 2 hours with multiple looks, a few outdoor images, and a 30-second intro video.
You bring yourself. I handle the rest.
Coaching from the first frame, live image review on screen, and a refund during the session if you are not seeing images you love.
See the Premium Sessionmjwphoto Studio · 1251 Arrow Pine Dr. C310 · Charlotte, NC 28273
