Prepare with Confidence.
strong representation.

A simple guide to help your team look polished, professional, and camera-ready for commercial headshots.

Professional preparation for polished, confident headshots

A strong headshot does more than show what you look like. It communicates professionalism, approachability, confidence, and brand alignment. Whether your images are being created for company websites, LinkedIn, marketing materials, speaking engagements, or press features, a little preparation goes a long way.

This guide will help you arrive ready, relaxed, and camera-ready for a smooth and efficient headshot experience.

Book Your Next Individual Headshot

Headshot Photography Timeline

1 Week Before

  • Refresh hair color if needed

  • Schedule or complete haircut and beard trim

  • Try on outfit options and make sure everything fits well

  • Steam or dry clean clothing if needed

  • Confirm session date, time, and location

3-5 Days before

  • Groom eyebrows or facial hair

  • Choose accessories and undergarments for each outfit

  • Avoid trying any new skincare, makeup, or hair products

  • Get plenty of water and rest

1-2 Days Before

  • Pack your clothing and accessories

  • Check for wrinkles, lint, or missing buttons, and hang up clothes

  • Clean glasses if you plan to wear them

  • Trim nails and tidy hands if they may be visible

  • Get a good night’s sleep

Schedule Your Listing's Photo Shoot

DaY of

  • Allow extra time so you arrive relaxed and unhurried

  • Arrive with hair and makeup camera-ready

  • Wear or bring your selected outfit options

    • To reduce wrinkles, change into outfit once you arrive

  • Bring a brush, comb, powder, and lip balm/color

  • Come ready to trust the process and have a great session

These classic colors are timeless for all

Vertical palette of eight color squares, from top to bottom: dark blue, gray, off-white, olive green, burgundy, light blue, teal, and forest green.

Navy

Charcoal

Cream

Olive

Burgundy

Soft Blue

Deep Teal

What do I wear?

  • Dress for your brand and your audience

    • Check with your HR/Marketing Department to see if they have certain guidelines for all of their employees

  • Solid colors

  • Structured blazers or jackets

  • Tailored dresses or tops

  • Simple necklines

  • Layers that add shape and variety

  • Avoid busy patterns and large logos

Dark Autumn = Warm undertones
Hair: medium to dark
Skin: ivory, olive, medium to dark and bronzy
Eyes: warm hazel, dark brown, warm black

  • Reds | Rich burgundy, dark and earthy

  • Mauves | Deep and muted shades of brownish purple or wine berry

  • Yellows | Dark olive, greenish yellows like khaki

  • Greens | Sage green or deep olive

  • Teals | Deep and muted shades of charcoal blue or steel blue

  • Jewelry | Gems like garnet and emerald, gold to copper, bronze and pewter.

  • Colors to avoid | Cool and pastel shades of silver, lavender and pale pink

More Tips on Wardrobe

1) Identify Your undertone

Check your undertone by looking at the color of your veins on the inside of your wrist. What colors are they?

  • Blue-Purple = Cool undertones and pink skin

  • Green = Warm undertones and yellow/warm skin

  • Mix of Blue and Green =Neutral undertones and peach/neutral skin

  • Mix of Blue and Teal/Green = Olive undertones and bronze/green skin

Pick Your Season

Dark Winter = Olive & Cool undertones
Hair: medium to dark brown to black
Skin: medium to dark
Eyes: dark brown or black

  • Lime | light olive or warm khaki green shades

  • Greens | rich dark shades of green like dark emerald or pine green

  • Blues | Steel blue or cornflower blue

  • Purples | muted purples like dark iris or dark purple

  • Red | Deep brownish red like red wine or brick

  • Pinks | rich and cool magenta rose or darkish pink

  • Jewelry | Cooler metals like silver or pewter and antique gold. Opt for gems like rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

  • Colors to avoid | Cool and pastel shades of silver, lavender and pale pink

2) Identify your Season

Match up your undertone with the season that best describes you. From there you can see what colors compliment your gorgeous features.

Bright Winter = Olive & Cool undertones
Hair: medium to dark brown to black
Skin: beige, olive to dark with blue hues. Freckles are common.
Eyes: bright blue, cyan or cool brown

  • Yellows | bright electric lemon or lemon yellow

  • Aquas | Cool mint, Neon aqua

  • Blues | Cobalt blue, bright electric blue

  • Purples | Vivd purple, amethyst, light vibrant purple

  • Pinks | Cool raspberry, electric pink

  • Pinks | rich and cool magenta rose or darkish pink

  • Jewelry | Cooler metals like silver or pewter and antique gold. Opt for gems like rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

  • Colors to avoid | Pale and earthy colors like sage, burnt orange, terracotta

Bright Spring = Neutral to warm undertones
Hair: warm and golden to copper and medium brown
Skin: luminous with pink or peachy undertones
Eyes: blue, green or topaz

  • Reds | vivid and warm like, tomato red and watermelon

  • Oranges | bright and warm like pumpkin and tangerine

  • Blues | Cobalt blue, bright electric blue

  • Purples | Vivd purple, amethyst, light vibrant purple

  • Pinks | Cool raspberry, electric pink

  • Pinks | rich and cool magenta rose or darkish pink

  • Jewelry | Cooler metals like silver or pewter and antique gold. Opt for gems like rubies, emeralds and sapphires.

  • Colors to avoid | Pale and earthy colors like sage, burnt orange, terracotta