I'm getting my first professional headshots done this week, before I've used ones taken by my Dad and a few random ones which happened to be awesome. But the time has come to fork out for a professional to do it, I'm a little nervous though aside from school pictures I've not had photos taken by a professional.

What should I expect? Do you have any tips for being natural and comfortable?

I know to wear simple plain clothes and not have elaborate hair and make-up is there anything else I should know?

Thank you very much for your help.

BB

I would bring a couple of different things to wear. When I did my headshots, since they were for dance, I wore a leotard and my hair up off my neck which made me look a lot more dancer-ish than I would have with my hair down in a collared shirt. It's good to have the choice once you're there instead of wishing you would have switched it up for some photos.

I agree: Diversity is your friend. Especially because you don't say what your headshots are for, your goal should be to get several different kinds of headshots that are good for a wide range of jobs. You want to cover opposites: happy/serious, natural/made-up, formal/casual...that way you can pick from your array of options for each time you need a headshot.

I think you should e-mail or call your photographer and tell them that you're worried about being prepared: ask them about what they recommend you bring and how they recommend you prepare. They've probably done tons of these kinds of shoots and can give you a list off the top of their heads.

Look through the lens of the camera at the person behind it. It results in an entirely different photo to one where the subject is merely looking AT the lens.

Helen

Thank you very much for your help guys, it went really smoothly. The photographer was really nice and kept talking to relax me when my smile got a bit stale. I'll post the pictures when they arrive which will either be Saturday or Monday.

Thanks again. xx
BB

My girls are going for a professional head shot,the guy spoke to me and was very calm and relaxing, he said he would do a few shots in his studio and a couple in his back garden,with natural sunlight,cant wait,glad yours went ok, my girls dont know yet,its a surprise thanks x