Headshots carla watkins business & branding photography
Session planning guide |
carlawatkins.com
Planning your headshots You only get one chance to make a first impression, so make it count! Your session’s booked & you’re very nearly ready! To help you plan, here are a few things to think about before we meet for your session:
YOU & YOUR BUSINESS Before you plan anything else, have a think about you and your business & how you want to come across to others.
What do you want people to know, immediately,when they see a photograph of you? Things to consider here are colours, props, expressions and of course clothes. Knowing what you want to get across will help immensely. WHAT TO WEAR During a headshot session we’re aiming for 1-3 different outfits. More than one will give you variety in your final chosen shots, but we can absolutely use the same outfit throughout, especially if there’s nowhere to change!
Choose clothes & accessories which feel like you, and which you are comfortable in. Wear underwear which either makes you feel fabulous or which gives you a great silhouette to dress over. Remember you are the focus of the shoot, and we want people to notice you first, and clothes second. Block colours are generally more camera-friendly, however if big or clashing patterns are your signature look, absolutely go with that. The only hard & fast rule is that you need
to feel like yourself – the best version of yourself! PROPS & LOCATION Props can be anything from your laptop to a handy monstera plant – have a think about what you want to portray, and what your clients & potential clients need to see, and go from there.. Try to keep props relevant. Location can be anywhere you choose. Generally I shoot headshots at your home or business premises, and combine indoors & outdoors according to your
preference. You are the expert on yourself & your business, and how you’d like to show up in the world, so if you’d prefer to use a hotel / café / park / etc, the world is your oyster – let me know where to turn up! HAIR AND MAKEUP My advice on this is a bit unusual – I believe in photographing the best version of you, and also in you being able to recognise yourself in your photographs. For this reason I often recommend you do your own hair & makeup for your
session, and if you opt to have your hair and/ or makeup done professionally, it’s an absolute must to have a trial run, to make sure you’re happy with it. DON’T PANIC! I will guide you through your shoot so you don’t have to worry about poses or expressions - just arrive and enjoy yourself! QUESTIONS? If there’s anything you’re still unsure about, drop me an email - hello@ carlawatkins.com. See you soon!