It’s important to think about what your best side is. Some people are self-conscious of certain facial features. Portrait photographers are used to hearing this, so don’t feel embarrassed to tell them that, for example, one of your eyes is bigger than the other. In this case, our photographer could angle you to one side so that the perspective makes both eyes look the same size.

Most people know whether they smile with their teeth or not. Even for professional headshots, smiling both with and without your teeth work, so smile whichever way you feel most comfortable. A forced smile isn’t good and might even make you seem disingenuous. You should be able to recognize a ‘real’ smile through a person’s eyes. Top tip: think of someone or something that makes you laugh, this will both relax you and give you a great, genuine smile!

Think classic! For the men… Pick your favorite suit in a preferably dark color, such as grey or navy blue. Bold patterns and colors, as well as shiny ties, detract from the face and can look unprofessional. If you don’t wear a tie, it’s best to wear a sweatshirt or jacket or some other kind of layer to break it up and stop it looking like a floating head! And for the women… Choose a professional suit or a classic office-wear outfit. Don’t pick any bold or distracting patterns, however little pops of color here and there can be alright. Try not to wear stark white unless it’s underneath a jacket or cardigan etc, white tends to make people look washed out. Avoid short sleeves if possible; this can look unprofessional and also detracts from the face. For jewelry, anything subtle and classic is a yes, but anything bling or flashy is a no. We don’t want to notice your jewelry before your face! There isn’t a strict rule for ‘what to wear’, so long as your outfit reflects your company. In startups, for example, a much more “relaxed” style has been adapted. Jeans, t-shirts, and trainers are allowed, the idea behind it is that you come to work dressed how you would in everyday life.

Body language is the key to looking confident. Keep your back straight and don’t hunch your shoulders, think about the posture a ballet dancer has but don’t overdo it or you’ll look too rigid. Think about your company’s main values or morals and tell the photographer so they can try to help you portray them through your body language. Don’t dye or cut your hair right before the shoot, this rule is especially imperative for men. Some shades of freshly dyed hair can look too vibrant and usually dull down about 1-2 weeks later.

The best is if you style your hair professionally right before the shoot. We promise, it makes a big difference in your photos.

Lots of people ask whether hiring a make-up artist is a good idea. We believe wearing professional makeup definitely makes a difference, but it is completely up to you. If you decide to wear makeup, please bear in mind your portrait must be easily recognizable and you don’t want the heavy make-up to overpower the portrait. Furthermore, the camera will pick up clumps of mascara or dark lipstick. So please consider:

1- Wear light casual makeup and heavy makeup is not recommended.

2- Make sure the makeup artist you are working with is familiar with the type of makeup needed for the portrait photography sessions since some makeup products can cause unpleasant reflections under the flashlights.

3- Do not use any oily cream on your skin before the photoshoot to avoid harsh reflections.