You've booked your headshot session. Now what? The good news: preparation is simple. In this guide, I'll walk you through everything you need to do before your appointment so you walk in feeling confident and leave with headshots you love.
Most of my clients tell me their session was easier and more fun than they expected. That's usually because they came prepared. Let me share what I recommend.
1-2 Weeks Before Your Session: The Big Picture
Confirm Your Booking and Details
Check your confirmation email for session date, time, location, and parking instructions. If you booked at our studio (800 Brazos St, Suite 290 in downtown Austin), note that parking is free in the building garage. If you're unsure about anything, email or call to confirm, we want you to be ready.
Plan Your Outfits
This is the most important prep task. Think about what you want to wear. Remember: solid colors, well-fitting pieces, quality fabrics, nothing too trendy or attention-grabbing. Pick 2-3 outfit options if you're booking a Deluxe session. You'll have time to try different looks and see what photographs best.
Schedule Grooming Appointments if Needed
If you need a haircut, color, or styling refresh, book this for 2-3 days before your session (not the day of). You want fresh-looking hair without it looking brand new. Same with facial hair: get groomed 1-2 days before. Skin should be clear but not freshly irritated from treatments.
The Week Before: Getting Ready
Finalize Your Outfit Choices
Try on your outfit options. Make sure everything fits well, looks polished, and makes you feel confident. Press anything that needs it. Check for stray threads, wrinkles, or anything that looks off. You want to feel great in your clothes.
Gather Everything You Need
If you're bringing multiple outfit options, pack them in a garment bag or carefully folded. Bring comfortable shoes (we'll crop at the shoulders, so feet don't matter, but comfort does). Bring a small steamer or lint roller for touch-ups.
Take Care of Yourself
Schedule good sleep. Stress less about the session, you're in good hands. Stay hydrated. Eat normally. You'll look and feel your best when you're well-rested and not stressed.
3-5 Days Before: Physical Prep
Skincare: Get a Facial If You Want To
If you regularly get facials, schedule one 3-5 days before your session. This gives any redness time to fade while your skin benefits. If you don't normally get facials, don't start now, stick with your normal routine so your skin looks like itself.
Hydrate Like Your Life Depends On It
Drink lots of water. Hydrated skin looks better on camera, it photographs smoother and more radiant. Three to four days of good hydration makes a visible difference.
Avoid Major Changes
Don't try new skincare products, haircuts, or radical changes this close to your session. Stick with what your skin and hair are used to.
The Day Before: Final Prep
Sleep Well
Get 8 hours if possible. Sleep makes an enormous difference in how you look on camera, your eyes are clearer, your skin looks fresher, and your energy is better.
Avoid Excess Salt and Alcohol
Too much salt the night before can cause puffiness, especially under your eyes. Skip the heavy salt intake and alcohol. Stick with water and light, balanced meals.
Prepare Your Outfits (Again)
Lay out what you're bringing to your session. Make sure everything is pressed. Double-check that all pieces match and are in good condition.
Set Your Alarm
Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early. This gives you time to relax before your session starts instead of rushing in stressed.
The Morning Of: You've Got This
Eat a Good Breakfast
Don't skip breakfast. You want energy and stable blood sugar. Eat something balanced and satisfying, but nothing so heavy you feel sluggish.
Shower and Groom
Shower, do your normal grooming routine, and take your time. You want to feel fresh and polished.
Makeup (If You Wear It)
Apply makeup as you normally would, but slightly more defined. Stronger brows, a bit more color in cheeks and lips than you'd wear day-to-day. Think "camera-ready version of yourself." If you're not sure, go slightly lighter than you think, we can always adjust during your session.
Hair
Style your hair as you normally would. If you usually wear it down, wear it down. If you usually style it, style it. You want to look like yourself, just polished. If you're unsure about a style, test it out the day before and see how you feel.
Outfit and Accessories
Wear your first outfit choice to your session. Bring your alternatives in a bag if you want to try different looks. Choose minimal accessories, you want focus on your face. Avoid anything noisy that might distract during your session.
Hydrate One More Time
Drink water before you come in. Hydrated skin looks better. But don't overdo it right before your session, you don't want to be uncomfortable.
During Your Session: The Mindset Shift
Relax and Trust the Process
You've prepared. You look great. Now let me do my job. I'll direct you, tell you where to look, suggest expressions, and we'll get great images. Your job is to trust me and stay present.
My Approach: Expert Direction
As a certified Peter Hurley Headshot Crew Mentor, I specialize in helping people feel comfortable on camera. I'll coach natural, confident expressions. You don't need to "know what to do", that's what I'm here for. I'll tell you exactly where to look, how to angle your face, and what expression to use.
Watch on the Monitor
During your session, I'll show you images on our 42" monitor as we go. This helps you see what works, boost your confidence, and make adjustments in real-time. You'll actually see yourself looking professional and polished, it's confidence-building.
Ask Questions
If you want to try something different, ask. If you want to adjust your look, tell me. This is collaborative. My goal is getting images you love, and that means your feedback matters.
After Your Session: What to Expect
You'll leave knowing we got great images. Most professionally retouched headshots are delivered within 24 hours. Same-day delivery is available for an additional fee if you're in a rush. You'll receive a download link with all your final images, ready to use on LinkedIn, your website, email signature, and anywhere else you need them.
Your Pre-Session Checklist
- ☐ Confirm session date, time, and location
- ☐ Plan and finalize outfit choices (2-3 options)
- ☐ Schedule hair and grooming appointments (2-3 days before)
- ☐ Get a facial if you normally do (3-5 days before)
- ☐ Start hydrating well (3-4 days before)
- ☐ Avoid major skincare or hair changes
- ☐ Get good sleep the night before
- ☐ Avoid excess salt and alcohol the night before
- ☐ Press all outfits
- ☐ Eat a good breakfast the morning of
- ☐ Apply camera-ready makeup (slightly more defined than normal)
- ☐ Style hair as you normally would
- ☐ Arrive 10-15 minutes early
- ☐ Trust the process and relax!
You're Ready
That's it. Follow this guide, come prepared, and you'll have a great experience. My clients consistently tell me their headshot sessions were easier and more enjoyable than expected. That's because preparation removes stress, and we work together as a team to get images you love.
Ready to Book?
Follow this preparation guide and you'll walk into your session confident and ready. Let's create headshots you're excited to share.
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