Blazers and jackets are very flattering in photos - anything with a moderately open neckline (v-necks, crews, boat necks, etc.). Try to avoid turtlenecks and low-plunging necklines.

If you’d like different ‘looks,’ you can change or remove top layers in between shots. Consider bringing a few layers, to provide variety.

If in doubt, tighter-fitting clothing looks better than loose and baggy. If you’re self-conscious about your waistline, no worries; a little Photoshop goes a long way. :) And most head shots do not include the waist, anyway. 

Notes for Women’s Wardrobe-
- Consider keeping the neckline simple, so as not to detract attention away from your face.  Shiny buttons, strings, bows, etc. will add clutter to the image. 
- Try to avoid sleeveless shirts; most women end up not choosing the photos that highlight their upper arms.
- For jewelry, you want it large enough to be visible, but small enough not to become the main focus of the image. If you have dark hair, consider wearing shiny or light pieces, so they are more visible.
- Please note that sweaters and cardigans can sometimes come off as matronly, so make sure you are truly going for casual if you wear a sweater.

Notes for Men’s Wardrobe-
- Collared shirts, suit jackets, and blazers are traditional outfits that look very professional in photos. If you need something more casual, aim for a stylish jacket (not a suit jacket).
- For collared shirts, it looks better when there is not a large gap between the collar and the neck. 
- Tie or no tie? Your choice! Please make sure it is straight ahead of time; I have still not acquired tie-straightening skills. :)

Glasses

Please clean your glasses before your session. The camera picks up all kinds of smears and dust specks.
If you have a choice of glasses, go for some that are not transitional, otherwise they will darken during our session and our session will take much longer. If you only have one pair of glasses, and they are transitional, please keep them away from any bright light in the moments before we begin.
If you can, avoid glasses with the screen-glare coating. We’ll never get your eyes to look clear behind that type of glass, no matter what my editing skills are!

Hair
If you would like to have your hair professionally styled beforehand, make sure not to change your look too dramatically, and make sure to choose a look that you can maintain. You want to be true to yourself, and recognizable to others from your online photo. 

Please note that photoshopping grey hair is not included in my retouching workflow. If you need to touch up your greys, please do so beforehand.

Hair up or down? For traditional head shots, where you are usually looking at the camera, hair down tends to photograph better. Hair in a bun or ponytail is fine, but sometimes it will look like you have short hair or no hair. That being said, if you NEVER wear your hair down, don’t do it! You do you!

Bring along combs or any hair products your are accustomed to, just in case we’re outside and it’s breezy. 

Facial Hair (Ladies too!)
Depending on the light, chin hairs and other facial hair (even peach fuzz) can show more than you think. This product is incredible for gently removing peach fuzz.

Any facials, waxing, or other major grooming should be done a few days in advance, so that your skin has a chance to recover.

Make-Up
Foundation should not be applied too strongly. If you have any blemishes, it’s easier for me to re-touch them in Photoshop when there isn’t a lot of make-up over them. Choose thinner foundation, as thick foundation settles into your creases and makes you look older.
Wear make-up in neutral tones and a touch darker than you normally wear, but don’t experiment too heavily, or you’ll end up rubbing your face raw right before the shoot!

If you can’t decide about make-up, or you usually don’t wear make-up, lipstick adds a lot, as well as black mascara, to add definition. 

Don’t stress!
These are just guidelines. The only bad head shot I have ever taken in my life (that I know of) was the time a client wore a sweater with an opossum on it.

So you will be fine! Basically, avoid rodents, and everything will be amazing. :)

If you have any questions at all, send me an email. I’m happy to help!
Looking forward to our session,

Erielle

Owner and Photographer
Erielle Bakkum Photography
Head Shots • Events • Families • Newborns