FYI, I DID NOT TAKE THESE PHOTOS! Please don’t judge.

One of the most common questions when a client books a business, talent, or personal headshot is “What should I wear?”. Well, here are a few suggestions of what to wear, and what not to wear during any session. I’m also going to touch on posing a smidge. And these are all things you can adopt in your every day photos with family and friends.

When being photographed is extremely important the focal point is your face, not the fabulous outfit you just bought. Yes, that bright green shirt is fantastic, but let’s face it, we don’t want it to be the focal point. When we’re talking about any business photos, you have 3 seconds (maximum) to grab the viewers attention. We want them looking at your face, then your name or logo. And the clothes should complement these areas.

Also, for most individuals, they don’t want to have their headshots done over and over again. When wearing something too trendy, that style has changed within a year or two. So stick with something modern, contemporary, but classic. I’m sure we all thought those ultra nerd glasses were going to stick, or the Ed Hardy t-shirts and jeans…….. ’nuff said.

Here are some of our rules we suggest:

1. Stick with Neutrals and Earthy tones. Black, white, grey, charcoal, blue, green, beige, brown, and yellow. Stay away from Bold bright colours like fluorescents, Reds, hot pinks, etc. As you can see below, the eye is drawn immediately to the shirt.

2. Stay away from busy patterns, like hawaiian patterns. For the same reasons as #1. Super sexy on the beach, but perhaps not the right message for business owners. Unless the message is “tequila shots on me”.

3. NO TURTLENECKS!! For that matter, anything that hides your neck. The message we want to portray is open minded and approachable. It worked for Steve Jobs…. but we’re not all Steve Jobs.

4. As business owners, we use a headshot as a selling tool. It’s an introduction, or a first impression. We are selling our personalities. And this should shine thru in the a great headshot. So stay away from any logos (unless it’s your business logo, and it fits the branding). If you’re not selling GAP apparel, leave that hoodie at home please.

5. Make sure to look well groomed. That might mean having your hair done prior to the shoot, or we can arrange hair and make up here at the studio. Or for you men, making sure if you don’t know how to tie a tie, have your dad or good friend tie it for you prior. We also tell our clients if they’d like to bring their make up and hair products along, and we can make suggestions on if they need a bit more. I’d say 95% of the time clients are pretty good with this one. But occasionally……….

6. Please where straps. Strapless dresses are beautiful, and certainly if I was photographing the dress it would be fantastic. But when photographing a tight headshot sometimes the below happens. I bet she has clothes on, but we will never know. On the same topic, it’s important the headshot does not look seasonal. You want this photo to be used all year round.

7. Lastly, and this is something I’m famous for, “CHIN DOWN PLEASE”. Whoever said to put your chin up to get rid of the “double chin” did a disservice to many women. When you put your chin up the light hits the exact spot we want to hide, and our eyes disappear. I put the camera on the self timer, and took this of myself. First photo of me……. hideous! Second photo of me…….. stunning! (maybe that’s a stretch, but you get my point).

Just to confuse the matter, these are the rules we suggest. But we’re artist, and artist love breaking the rules. So, if one of the above suggestions don’t fit you and who you are, break them. Ignore what I have to write, and follow your branding. It’s all about you, and I will fit into your needs. One of our favourite clients recently wore an orange and black paisley sleeveless dress, and it looked amazing. And truly, her personality shined thru because she wore something she felt amazing in. There ya have it. Please feel free to call or email if you have any further questions about these “rules”.

When a new or existing client calls to book a family session, one of our questions asked is, “where would you like the session to take place?”. Most often, the session takes place here at the Barrie Ontario studio. It’s over 1400 sq. feet, so lots of space for kids to run around, and lots of background options to work with.

But the occasional time our clients would prefer a home setting. It’s really important that there is enough space, ceiling height, and window light for it to work well. But if it does, we are there in a heart beat. And it certainly makes it easier on the parents and kids.

Not to mention when they choose images to put on their walls, we know it will work well, because we are keeping with the same colours and tones of the home during the shoot.

Recently we did a session for B & P, with their son. Their home was ideal, and jumped at the chance to shoot there. And believe it or not, this was photographed in mid December in Barrie Ontario. You might be surprised by this when you see that last 2 photos.

Here are a few shots from the session: