A headshot is a small photo that does a lot of work. It sits on your LinkedIn profile, your company website, your real estate sign, or your acting resume. People often see it before they meet you.
Good preparation makes the session shorter and the photos better. This guide covers what to decide before you book, what to wear, how to get ready the day before, and what to ask the photographer. If you have not picked a photographer yet, read how to choose a photographer in British Columbia first.
Decide where the photo will appear
Start with the job the photo needs to do. A headshot for a law firm website looks different from one for a yoga studio or a theater casting profile.
Write down every place you plan to use the photo. A list might include a LinkedIn profile, an email signature, a speaker bio, a business card, and a website team page. Tell the photographer this list when you inquire. It affects the crop, the background, and the license you need.
Also decide on the mood. Some people want a formal look with a plain backdrop. Others want a relaxed look with a soft outdoor background. Collect three or four headshots you like and send them to the photographer. Pick photos of other people’s work, not only your own taste in style, so the photographer can see the lighting and framing you want.
Choose a studio, an office, or an outdoor setting
Headshots happen in three common settings.
Studio. The photographer controls the light, so the results stay consistent. This works well for teams that need matching photos.
Your office. The photographer brings lights and a backdrop to you. This saves travel time for a group of employees. Check that the room has space to set up.
Outdoors. Natural light and greenery give a warmer look. Weather matters here. Rain, snow, and wildfire smoke can force a reschedule in BC. Ask for a backup date before you pay a deposit. Our guide on the best time of year for outdoor photo sessions in BC covers the seasonal risks.
Ask what the price includes
Photographers in BC set their own rates, and packages differ. Compare what each one includes, not only the total. Ask these questions before you book:
- How long is the session?
- How many outfit changes or backgrounds can you use?
- How many photos will you receive, and how many are retouched?
- What does retouching cover? Basic work usually means skin cleanup and color correction. Heavier edits may cost extra.
- How long until you get the final files?
- Do you get the files in web size, print size, or both?
Ask to see a full session from a past client, not only a portfolio of the best frames. That shows you how consistent the photographer is.
Confirm your usage rights
In Canada, the photographer generally owns the copyright unless the contract says otherwise. You receive a license to use the photos. For a headshot that appears on a business website, a LinkedIn page, and printed materials, check that the license covers all of those uses and has no end date.
Ask whether you can crop the photo, change it to black and white, or have someone else edit it. Our photography contract checklist explains how to read the license, delivery, and cancellation sections of an agreement.
Choose what to wear
Clothing is the part of a headshot you control most. Follow these rules.
Pick solid colors. Busy patterns, small stripes, and tight checks can look distracting on camera. Choose colors close to what you wear in daily work and that suit your skin tone. Navy, charcoal, deep green, and soft neutrals are common choices. Avoid neon colors because they can reflect onto your skin.
Check the fit. Clothes that pull across the chest or bunch at the shoulders show up in a close frame. Wear what fits well when you sit and when you stand.
Think about the neckline. A headshot shows the area from the chest up. Collars, lapels, and necklines frame your face. Try each top in a mirror from the chest up.
Bring more than one option. Pack two or three outfits, even if the session only covers one or two. The photographer can help you choose on site.
Keep jewelry and accessories simple. Large earrings and loud necklaces draw the eye away from your face.
If you wear glasses, tell the photographer ahead of time. Glare on the lenses is common. Some photographers ask you to tilt the frames slightly or to bring a second pair with no lenses or with anti-glare coating. Ask what they prefer.
For more on color and clothing choices, see our guide on what to wear for family photos in British Columbia. Most of the color advice applies to headshots as well.
Get ready the day before
Sleep well the night before. Drink water through the day. Both help your face look rested.
Get a haircut or trim a few days ahead, not the day before. A fresh cut often needs time to settle. If you shave, do it the morning of the session. If you keep a beard, tidy the edges.
Iron or steam every outfit. Wrinkles show clearly in close photos. Hang the clothes so they do not crease in the car. Bring a lint roller for dark fabrics.
Plan your makeup if you wear it. Many people choose a natural look with matte powder to cut shine. Some photographers work with a makeup artist and offer this as an add-on. Ask when you book.
On the day
Arrive ten minutes early. Rushing leaves you tense, and tension shows in a headshot.
Tell the photographer what you dislike about your face in photos. They have heard it before and can adjust the angle and light. Ask to see a few frames on the camera screen during the session. Small changes in chin position or posture can improve the result quickly.
Practice a relaxed expression before you arrive. A real smile reaches your eyes. Think of a person or a moment that makes you smile, then let the photographer take the frame.
After the session
Review the gallery when it arrives and pick your favorites. Download the files right away and back them up in two places. Some online galleries expire after a set number of days, and the contract should state the date.
Save a few sizes for different uses. A small square version suits social profiles. A larger version suits print and speaker bios. If the photographer provides only one size, ask for the others before the gallery closes.
Update every place you listed at the start. A new headshot does little good if an old one still shows on your email signature and your company page.
Keep looking around
Browse the business directory or read more local articles.