Step On Set Looking Your Best: Corporate Headshot Prep Guide
Camera Ready: We want your shoot day to feel easy and comfortable, so coming camera-ready is the best way to start. This means arriving with your hair and makeup ready so you present the most polished version of yourself while letting your personal style shine through. You may want to enhance (slightly intensify) your usual makeup, so your features stay defined once the lights and camera soften some of the color.
Our team of artist/artists will be on set to look over your hair and makeup and make any final tweaks before you step in front of the photographer. We will help take down shine, smooth any flyaways, cover any minor imperfections as needed, and make sure everything looks clean and camera-ready.
Below are a few tips and product notes to help you prepare with confidence.
Get Inspired: Browse the images above of people we’ve worked with for ideas on clothing, poses, styling, and expressions. Find what feels like you and let it guide your own look and confidence on set.
Sleep Well: To minimize puffiness and dark circles, aim for a good night's sleep before the shoot.
Hydrate: Drink plenty of water in the days leading up to the shoot so your skin looks fresh and healthy. It can also help to consume less salty foods and alcoholic drinks the day before, since they tend to leave people looking a little puffy by morning.
Skincare Prep: Use a gentle exfoliant the night before to create a smooth canvas, but skip this step if you have sensitive skin or haven’t exfoliated before. Use only light pressure to move the product across damp skin—the exfoliant does the work for you. Well exfoliated and hydrated skin helps makeup glide on more smoothly and look naturally refreshed.
Lip Balm: Keep your lips soft and smooth with a clear lip balm so they look great on camera. If you arrive with a bit of extra shine, our artist can gently tone it down for a more subtle, healthy finish.
Avoid New Products: Stick to your regular skincare routine in the one week leading up to the shoot to avoid any potential allergic reactions or breakouts from new products.
Grooming: Keep your eyebrows tidy and naturally shaped so they frame your face well. If you have facial hair, give it a clean shave or a neat trim so it looks polished on camera.
Makeup to Avoid:
Mineral Makeup: It can reflect light in a way that creates a shiny or ashy appearance on camera.
Heavy Foundation: Opt for something more natural and breathable.
Glitter: Avoid products with glitter or shimmer, as they can cause unwanted reflections.
Heavy Contour: Keep contouring subtle so harsh lines don’t show up on camera.
Makeup to Use Instead:
Foundations: Choose natural, satin, or soft-matte finishes that even out the skin without flashback.
Medium-Coverage, Buildable Base: This keeps the skin looking polished but still real and dimensional on camera.
Matte or Soft-Sheen Bronzers/Highlighters: Subtle glow, no sparkle—beautiful definition without catching the flash.
HD or Camera-Friendly Powders: A light sweep through the T-zone controls shine while keeping skin looking smooth.
Neutral Eyeshadows: Soft matte or satin tones photograph cleanly and help the eyes stand out naturally.
Hair: Arrive with hair styled in a way that feels like you. Try to avoid heavy styling products, since they can leave hair looking greasy or weighed down on camera. Our team will be there to smooth any flyaways and make light touch ups before you step in front of the camera.
Dress: Choose clothing that fits well and follows the shoot’s dress code, if there is one. Solid colors usually work best, while busy patterns or logos can be distracting on camera. It’s always a good idea to check with your team or photographer for final suggestions and to ensure your look coordinates with the group if needed.
Final Thoughts: We hope these tips help you feel prepared and confident. The goal is to show up as your natural, self-assured self while letting your personality shine. Our team will be on hand for any last-minute adjustments so you can arrive relaxed and camera-ready. We look forward to helping you feel and look your absolute best on set!
