Headshot Photoshoot Preparation List

This headshot photoshoot checklist from Headshots LA walks you through everything you need to prepare for a confident, professional session — from grooming and wardrobe to your mindset on shoot day.

Professional commercial headshot photographed by Headshots LA in Los Angeles.

Headshots LA Photoshoot Check List

Preparing for a photoshoot can be stressful and overwhelming, which is exactly why I created this headshot photoshoot checklist. Not sure of what to bring or what will be needed to improve your photography session. Many fall into a state of panic and some make a checklist.

I want to help everyone feel prepared and so they can relax and enjoy the process of taking photos. I’m going to give you my preparation techniques and you can decide which would work best for you.

How to Prepare for Your Headshot Photoshoot

A great headshot starts long before you step in front of the camera. How you prepare in the days leading up to your session — the way you groom, what you eat, how you rest, and especially what you wear — has a direct impact on how confident and natural you look in the final images. This guide walks you through exactly how to prepare for a headshot photoshoot so you arrive relaxed, camera-ready, and looking like the best version of yourself.

What to Wear for Your Headshot

Wardrobe is one of the biggest factors in a successful headshot, so plan it in advance instead of deciding the morning of your shoot. A few simple guidelines go a long way:

Choose solid colors in flattering jewel tones such as deep blue, emerald, or burgundy, and avoid busy patterns, tight stripes, or large logos that pull attention away from your face.
Wear well-fitted clothing. Pieces that are too baggy or too tight photograph poorly — tailored, structured layers like a blazer read as polished and professional.
Mind your necklines. Simple crew necks, V-necks, and collared shirts frame the face cleanly and keep the focus on your eyes.
Bring several options. A few different looks give you variety in your gallery and let us choose what photographs best on the day of your shoot.

If you are unsure what works, lay your outfits out ahead of time and bring alternates — it is always better to have too many choices than too few.

One Week Before

Grooming

Hair Cut – Great time to get a haircut so it has time to grow out and not look so freshly cut.
Body Hair – Eyebrows, Nose Hairs.
Tanning – Please don’t start tanning if you don’t already have a tan. Do not spray tan if you have never done it before. Go with what you got.

Cardio

Try to get extra cardio the week before a shoot. This will give you more energy for the week of your shoot.
Stretch. Stretching removes toxins and makes you feel loose. Hopefully that will help you loosen up in front of the camera too.

Water

Drink plenty of water the week before your shoot. Hydration makes the body work efficiently. I want to capture the best of you and that means you need to be hydrated.
Avoid large amounts of alcohol or other substances before your shoot.

Clothing

Plan each outfit by thinking about how it will read on camera. Go over my tips for wardrobe on my website. Here is the link. Click Here
Go through your closet and see what you can use. Make of list of things you need to buy to fill in the gaps.
Purchase borrow or create the things you need to finish your outfits.
Bring more alternate options or email me your wardrobe photos for my opinion.

Day Before the Photoshoot

It’s pretty straight forward. But it never hurts to say the obvious.

Eat really healthy the day before
Have everything organized days before. This way you have a clear mind the day before.
Meditate, clear your mind and then focus on confidence and posture
Get 8 hours of sleep. No more no less. I hear that is the magical number

Day of the Photoshoot

eat a health breakfast
stretch and do light cardio
meditate again to clear your mind. 5 minutes is fine
relax, it’s going to be a great day

Headshot Photoshoot Checklist: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prepare for a headshot photoshoot?

Follow this headshot photoshoot checklist in the week leading up to your session: schedule any haircut about a week early, plan and try on your wardrobe in advance, eat well, get a full night of sleep, and arrive relaxed. Preparing your grooming, clothing, and mindset ahead of time is the key to natural, confident photos.

What should I wear for my headshot?

Choose well-fitted clothing in solid, flattering colors and avoid busy patterns or large logos. Bring a few different options — a blazer or structured layer reads as professional, while simple necklines keep the focus on your face.

How many outfits should I bring to a headshot session?

Bring three to four complete looks so you have variety in your gallery. Having alternates also makes it easy to adjust if a color or style does not photograph the way you expected.

Do these tips work for actor and model headshots?

Absolutely. Whether you are preparing an acting portfolio to submit to SAG-AFTRA franchised agents or putting together polished business headshots, the same preparation steps apply. For more on union representation standards, see SAG-AFTRA.

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