Professional Portrait Headshot Tips

Professional headshots have been proven to increase social media account viewership by 80%. Using the same profile image across all of your social media accounts, on your website, and email signature will help toward building your personal brand.

Headshots that are updated periodically, every year or two, allow business professionals to show who they are right now, not an older image from 5 years ago or more. Current headshots present a more honest and accurate depiction of whom your clients will work with.

Call INTEGRITY IMAGES at 713-269-3973 for a photo that makes you look your very best...at our studio, your office or any beautiful environmental background setting anywhere in the world.

Multiple Backdrop Options to Choose From

General Tips

• Tell us your expectations and intentions. Let us know what kind of look you want
• Tell us how and where the photo will be used (so we can be sure it’s appropriate)
• Drink lots of water and be well rested (so your eyes will not have dark circles)
• Arrive on time. Please do not arrive more than 10 minutes early (we may have other clients scheduled before you)
• Please call if you are running late or arrive early

What to Wear - Everyone

• Wear clothes that are comfortable and that make you look great
• Make sure your jacket and shirt fit you well. A poor fitting jacket or shirt will be obvious in the photos (especially around the neck)
• If the shoot requires your branded shirt with a corporate logo - please press or clean the day before
• Turtlenecks are almost always a bad idea unless it’s a fashion shoot (since they crowd the face)
• Clothes should be neatly pressed and should look new or like new
• Avoid busy patterns and thin lines/stripes
• Blue/green/turquoise shirts/blouses or accents can help emphasize blue/green/hazel eyes

What to Wear - Women

• Avoid big prints and busy patterns
• Different necklines will change the apparent shape of your face. Bring a variety of different shirts/blouses to see what works best
• For a no-jacket casual look, bring various colored blouses - ideally darker than your skin tone
• Be stylish and fashionable, but remember the picture is about your face and not your clothes or jewelry
• Sleeveless tops/dresses can draw attention to your shoulders/arms. Consider bringing items with a variety of different sleeves

What to Wear - Men

• The standard business look is a suit jacket, dress shirt, and tie
• A casual business look is often a jacket and open dress shirt, shirt and tie (no jacket), or dress shirt on its own
• Polo shirts are a good look for some businesses. Be sure the shirt is in good condition and fits well
• For a no-jacket casual look, bring colored shirts - ideally darker than your skin tone
• A white dress shirt by itself is a bad idea - unless you plan to wear it underneath something (jacket or sweater)
• Bring a few different jackets, shirt colors and ties so we have choices for the photo

Remember: Select and wear clothes that make you feel comfortable. Select something that makes you look and feel good. If you don’t feel your best it will show

Jewelry

• Keep jewelry extremely simple - small is better
• Avoid jewelry that would distract from your face or that looks dated
• The picture is about your face, not your jewelry
• Consider if facial piercings or multiple ear piercings are appropriate for where your photo will be displayed

What to Bring

• Your previous headshots (so we can improve)
• Sample headshots to help communicate the look you want
• Favorite Music (iPod/MP3 player, phone, thumb-drive)
• Various changes of clothing (see above)
• A Good Attitude
• Lip balm
• Hairbrush/comb
• Makeup and hair products you prefer (especially if you have allergies)

Hair and Makeup Tips

• Make-up should be clean and natural
• Wear a heavy layer of translucent powder - your face will appear flawless in photos. Shine disappears, pores seem smaller, skin looks even, and blush is smoother
• Line lips before applying matte lipstick, then reline. Don’t overdo it. Dip a cotton bud in powder and run along lip line to prevent color from bleeding
• Avoid shimmers or products with lots of sparkle or shine
• Avoid frosts or overly-bright colors
• Avoid new hair cuts just before the shoot (you may want to let it grow-in a bit or get used to styling a new cut)
• Avoid trying a new product on your hair, face or body the day before or a few days before your shoot. In case you have a bad reaction to the product
• Please arrive with hair styled and makeup already applied (if not using makeup artist)

• Blue eyes: gold, copper, peach, warm browns
• Green eyes: plum, violet, wine, pink
• Golden brown eyes: eggplant, lavender, royal blue, magenta, lilac, sky
• Red-orange brown eyes: turquoise, navy, emerald, seafoam, aqua
• Almost black eyes: bronze, coral, sand, terra cotta