Your professional headshot often introduces you before you have a chance to do it yourself. It appears on LinkedIn, company websites, professional directories, speaking engagements, and many other places where people are getting to know you.
Your headshot should look like you on a particularly good day: confident, approachable, and comfortable in your own skin.
But getting a photograph you genuinely like can feel challenging, especially if you’re not accustomed to being in front of a camera. Fortunately, a little preparation and the right photography experience make a considerable difference.
Here are five things I recommend to Washington, DC professionals who want a headshot they’ll be happy to use.
1. Talk with Your Photographer Before the Session
Every professional has different needs. An attorney updating a law firm biography may want a different look from a consultant building a personal brand or an executive preparing for a speaking engagement.
That’s why I begin with a conversation.
We’ll discuss where you plan to use your headshot, how you’d like to present yourself, and whether there are any specific requirements from your company or organization. I’ll also explain how the session works and answer your questions.
This conversation helps me plan a session that’s appropriate for you. It also gives you a chance to get to know the person who will be photographing you, which can make arriving at the studio feel much more comfortable.
2. Keep the Focus on You
I always recommend a studio setting for professional headshots. After all, you’re the main event—not your clothing or your surroundings.
In the studio, I can control the lighting and choose a simple, uncluttered background that complements your appearance without competing for attention. There are no distracting elements, changing weather conditions, or unpredictable lighting to work around.
The result is a clean, polished portrait that puts the emphasis where it belongs: on your face, your expression, and the professional impression you want to make.
A studio headshot is also versatile. It can work equally well on LinkedIn, your company’s website, a professional directory, or a conference program, without the background distracting from your message.
3. Wear Something That Feels Like You
One of the questions I hear most often is, “What should I wear?”
My first recommendation is to choose clothing that reflects how you want to present yourself professionally. Think about what you’d wear to an important meeting or professional event. You want to look polished and confident while still feeling like yourself.
For some people, that’s a suit and tie. For others, it’s a blazer, a blouse, a sweater, or something more relaxed. Your clothing should be appropriate for your profession while still feeling natural to you.
A few guidelines can help:
- Choose clothing that fits well and feels comfortable.
- Solid colors and simple patterns generally photograph well.
- Bring additional options if you’re undecided.
- Keep jewelry and accessories consistent with your personal style.
- Avoid making major changes to your hairstyle immediately before your session.
During our consultation, I’ll offer guidance based on your needs. You’ll also receive my Headshot Session Guide, so you’ll know how to prepare.
4. Expect Direction Throughout Your Session
You don’t need to know how to pose for a professional headshot. That’s my job.
I’ll guide you through positioning, posture, and expression, making small adjustments as we work. Sometimes a slight change in the angle of your shoulders or the position of your chin makes a surprising difference.
We’ll also talk as we photograph. I want your expressions to feel genuine rather than forced, and I pay attention to the differences that make each person recognizable.
Some clients arrive feeling entirely comfortable in front of the camera. Others would rather be almost anywhere else. Both are perfectly fine.
My approach is calm, encouraging, and efficient. We’ll work together to create photographs that communicate confidence, credibility, and authenticity.
5. Review Your Photographs as We Go
Throughout your session, we’ll pause to review the photographs together. This gives me a chance to learn how you see yourself, which expressions you like, and what feels most natural to you.
It’s also an opportunity for me to show you how small adjustments in posture, head position, or expression can make a difference. When you can see the results, my directions begin to make more sense, and we can work together to create images you feel good about.
Before you leave, you’ll select your favorite photographs. I’ll professionally retouch your selections, taking care of temporary blemishes and other distractions while preserving a natural appearance.
Your finished, high-resolution digital files will be delivered through a private download link within 48 hours, often sooner, ready to use on LinkedIn, your company website, and wherever else you need them.
Ready for a New Professional Headshot?
A successful headshot session begins with good preparation, thoughtful guidance, and the opportunity to choose photographs you genuinely like.
My goal is to make the experience straightforward and efficient, with results that represent you professionally and feel true to who you are.
If it’s time to update your headshot, book a call. We’ll discuss what you’re looking for and plan a session that fits your needs.
