Preparing for Your Business Portrait

Congratulations on having professional headshot portraits created!

Often people will wait until the last minute to prepare and later will regret it. Some tips for you:

• Self-Care: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your photography session. This can make your skin glow and fill in lines and wrinkles. Also, get plenty of sleep the night before

​

• Makeup: 

  • Wear what you would to meet your best client or top management

  • Keep away from mascara that clumps

  • I don't recommend fake eyelashes. They tend to weigh eyelids down, partially covering eyes and making eyes smaller. If you are getting the Glynns Thomas Signature retouch, we can discuss fake eyelashes that are applied digitally during retouching (they look great!)

  • Keep away from makeup that sparkles or glows. It doesn't photograph well under studio lights

  • Avoid sunscreen. It can make your skin look shiny under studio lights

  • If you're not sure, err on the conservative side as when it comes to close-up photographs, "less is more"

• Glasses: If you normally wear them, then bring them. I’ll keep reflections to a minimum. Be sure to clean them well. Smudges and dust do show up under studio lights

​

• Hair: Bring a hairbrush or comb for touch-ups right before your shoot. Consider scheduling a blow-out hair appointment right before your shoot to arrive with it professionally styled.

​

• Jewelry: Simpler is better to keep the focus on your face

​

• Self-tanning: I don't recommend this within a few days of your shoot. The color usually doesn't photograph well and the studio lights easily pick up on any streaks if not blended perfectly. If you feel you are too pale, I have retouching tools to warm up your skin; just let me know.

​

• Clothing: 

  • The recommended route is to keep it simple. Solid colors will keep the focus on your face

  • • Choose a color that looks good on you. Blue or gray complements most skin tones.

    • Consider a pop of color or pattern to add personality such as a tie, a scarf, or a blouse.

  • The modern approach for people of leadership is to show some personality through color and patterns. I encourage you to be YOU!​

  • Things to note:

    • V-necks and button-down shirts can give your neck length. Most people will prefer to elongate their necks and take this route. If you want to shorten your neck, wear a shirt with a high collar, and let me know at your session. Some poses can help with this.

    • Avoid sleeveless shirts for a top-notch professional look

  • Men's shirts under jackets: If it's important to you that your dress shirt looks unwrinkled, please wear a solid color or white shirt. It is easier to edit out wrinkles in a solid shirt than in a patterned one. Otherwise, wear your favorite patterned shirt and know that it's okay to have some wrinkles in the shirt; it's only natural. 

  • Pick your clothing out at least a week in advance. Try on what you own and make sure it fits well: not too tight and not too bulky. Both may make you look wider than you are. If it needs to be sent to the cleaners to be cleaned and pressed, do that now. If you don’t have what you are looking for then it’s time to go shopping.

  • Please press your clothing. The studio lights will make wrinkles look more prominent. 

  • Loose-fitting dress shirts and blouses can make you look bigger than you are on camera. I recommend a slim fit and I can remove any "love handles" through editing.