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”.

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:

This couple had class, beauty, and just simply loved to laugh together. Hope you enjoy some of the images from the day!

So, at the end of the day, this was such a pleasure for me to photograph. We went in to photograph headshots of the staff, with a very edgy UFC look, take photos of the kids in a lifestyle setting, and get some environment shots as well. It was a very unique experience, and gave a whole new challenge in style. Take a look at a few of the shots below from the day.

Lauren and Mike told me they like to laugh, have fun, and sometimes that involves playing video games. Well, although I”m sure it might interesting to photograph 2 people playing Halo Reach, I knew i had to come up with a concept that portrayed their sense of humor, but also the fact that they are so much fun to be around.

We decided to wait till there was a carnival in Barrie, Ontario, and have a little fun with it. They were such sports about all of my ideas. And at the end we got a great combination of their fun playful selves, along with a softer more intimate side as well. Plus it aloud me to get a bit more creative.

Can’t wait to photograph their big day this October at Tangle Creek. Lauren will be such a beautiful bride!

This type of project is always exciting for my staff and I. We go in to photograph “what they do”. We call this Lifestyle Photography. No one is posed, but rather it’s a slice of life out of their everyday. How they work with their clients, the environment, the front lobby, and how they train their staff. The experience is always a ton of fun, and we get to learn about all types of businesses. Here are few shots from the most recent shoot with Lifesource.

Not quite as often, we have the opportunity to do Kids Talent or Actor’s Headshots. Which we did a couple weeks ago. “E” came into the studio with her mother, and her acting resume is quite impressive, and probably longer then most adults acting resumes!
She has had the opportunity to be in Commercials and Films with some huge names……. of course, being 12 years old, didn’t quite know who any of them were.

“E” had so much confidence, and true happiness in her smiles. She was an absolute joy to photograph. And I can’t wait to see her star in her own big box office films one day. Probably sooner then her mother hopes for.

Congratulations to both of you, and many years of happiness and joy!