A Day in the Life: Behind the Scenes of a Headshot Session

Sometimes lack of clarity around expectations and workflow gives way to the question: What really goes into a professional headshot session?

If you’ve never experienced a headshot session before, you might think it’s as simple as showing up, smiling for the camera, and calling it a day. But in reality, there’s a lot more happening behind the scenes to ensure that the experience and results are enjoyable, help to further your goals, and are consistent with your brand and messaging.

Let’s take you through a typical day in my studio, where I turn headshot photography into a personalized, enjoyable experience.

• Pre-Session Consultation: Prior to your session, I always start with a consultation. This is where we get to know each other. Learning about your career goals, your personal style, and the message you want your headshot to convey is helpful in providing some direction, and aligning your preferences with my process.

  Are you looking for something formal and authoritative? Or perhaps something more relaxed and approachable? We discuss your wardrobe options, the type of background that will best suit your needs, and any specific concerns or preferences you might have.

  I take this opportunity to build rapport and develop a great connection with you. While I do invite my clients to jump on a Zoom conference or telephone call to discuss things ahead of time, largely this is done in my studio, right before we make some incredible headshot images.

  This step is crucial because it ensures that we’re all on the same page beforehand.

• Setting the Scene: On the day of the session, I take great care in setting up the studio. Lighting is paramount in photography, and I use advanced lighting techniques to flatter your individual facial features. While I typically gravitate to backgrounds that aren’t distracting and are equally contemporary as they are classic, the backgrounds chosen are meant to complement your look and aesthetic without distracting from your face—after all, headshot photography is the only form of photography where you are the product!
• Positioning and Expression Coaching: Most people aren’t professional models. I coach and direct you through a variety of body positions (poses) and expressions, helping you to find the ones that feel most natural while exhibiting confidence and approachability. Whether it’s adjusting your posture, tilting your head slightly, or relaxing your shoulders, I ensure that every detail is cared for. I also aim to keep the atmosphere dynamic, light, and relaxed. When human beings, aka your audience, have an incredibly sensitive BS meter, authenticity is always more flattering than something contrived.
• Multiple Takes, Multiple Angles: I typically aim to provide my clients with “range.” Essentially this means that I move you around a bit, rotating your head position, your body position, your expressions, clothing options, backgrounds, and more. This gives us plenty of options to choose from during the image review process. Once you and I have settled on the general direction of what we are trying to achieve, we narrow down the variety to ensure that we are hitting the target consistently.
• Reviewing and Selecting the Best Shots: I tend to bring my clients out from the lights to coach and direct them using two large monitors. If I were to simply explain things, so much could be lost in translation. If I showed you what I was talking about, the concepts would be easier to digest. After we shoot, you and I will sit down together to review the images together. This is where you get to see the results and choose your favorites. I help you narrow down the options based on the vibe you’re going for and how you plan to use the headshots. We’ll also discuss any minor adjustments or retouching that might be needed to perfect the final image.
• Post-Production Magic: Once you’ve selected your favorite headshots, the final step is post-production. This is where we fine-tune the image, caring for any minor imperfections, making sure the colors are balanced, blemishes and flyaway hairs are dealt with, and any other necessary adjustments. My goal is to present you with refined photos without sacrificing authenticity or overcooking your image. The result is a polished, professional image that looks like you—just the best version of you.
• Delivering the Final Product: Finally, I deliver your headshot images in multiple crops and variations. Custom sizing and requests are usually no problem at all. I am happy to help you achieve consistency across your brand, and present your team as a unified team of professionals.

Making professional headshots is a process that involves careful planning, attention to detail, and a lot of collaboration. Most importantly, it’s a process that’s designed to make you feel comfortable and confident, resulting in portraits that truly represent who you are.