BEREITEN SIE SICH AUF IHR SHOOTING VOR
Updated as of the 30th of December 2025
You will have a photoshoot soon, so now what?
Preparation is always the key to a successful photoshoot. It is important that everyone is well-prepared and understands the expectations. This guide will provide you with detailed information on how to prepare and what to expect.
- First, know your photographer
- What to Wear?
- Hair & Make-Up
- Things to Consider
Ein Fotoshooting steht bald bevor. Was ist zu tun?
Eine gute Vorbereitung ist der Schlüssel zu einem erfolgreichen Fotoshooting. Es ist wichtig, dass alle Beteiligten gut vorbereitet sind und die Erwartungen verstehen. In diesem Leitfaden finden Sie detaillierte Informationen zur Vorbereitung und zu den zu erwartenden Abläufen.
- Lernen Sie zunächst Ihren Fotografen kennen.
- Was soll ich anziehen?
- Haare & Make-up
- Zu beachtende Punkte
First, you can call me Geo...
Erstens kannst du mich Geo nennen.
I will be your photographer. I am a freelance photographer and creative consultant based in Cologne, Germany, from San Francisco, CA. I specialize in commercial photography. I am a problem-solver, client-oriented, and I render my clients’ unique creative needs. I will do my best to bring out the best in your portrait session.
Ich werde Ihr Fotograf sein. Ich bin freiberuflicher Fotograf und Kreativberater mit Sitz in Köln, Deutschland, komme aber ursprünglich aus San Francisco, Kalifornien. Ich bin auf Werbefotografie spezialisiert. Ich bin Problemlöser, kundenorientiert und gehe auf die individuellen kreativen Bedürfnisse meiner Kunden ein. Ich werde mein Bestes geben, um das Beste aus Ihrer Porträtsession herauszuholen.
2. What to Wear?
It's important to prepare for your headshot in advance. Make sure that all the outfits you consider fit you well. If any clothing needs alterations or dry cleaning, ensure you allow enough time to complete these tasks.
Bring multiple outfits for your headshot; having options is always a good idea. We're happy to guide you in choosing which outfits will photograph best. During the headshot session, our camera is connected to a laptop, allowing you to see what looks flattering on a screen.
When planning what to wear for your headshot, select outfits that come in solid colors, and be sure to include some layering options. Adding layers can make your headshot more visually appealing. Layering options can include blazers, jackets, and sweaters.
Please make sure to iron or steam your clothing so nothing is wrinkled.
Tailored & Fits
– Whichever outfits you have in mind to wear, make sure to try them on before your headshot appointment. You want to make sure it still fits you properly. If it needs to have alterations made or needs to be steamed, make sure there’s enough time to get those tasks done. If the clothing isn’t sitting well on you, it can give you a sloppy appearance. Same for wrinkly shirts or dresses. Bring all your outfit choices on hangers to the studio.
Solid Colors
– Solid colors are the safe option for your headshot photos. You can layer colors that are complementary or stand out even more with contrasting colors. The decision on colors really must match with the line of work you are in or the color of your company that you need to follow. The bottom line is it depends on how much impact you want your photo to have. Bold colors have a stronger impact and stand out. Neutral colors - white, gray, and black are always a great choice and they always fit with other colors.
Patterns
– Most times, patterns on clothing are very distracting. Small prints or stripes can still work fine but it’s not recommended. The same goes for logos. Having large logos all over your clothing takes the attention away from your face – which is the main reason you are there to get your headshot taken. Try to avoid patterns.
Layers
– Bring layering options for your headshot appointment. You can consult with the photographer about which blazer, jacket, or sweater looks the most flattering. Also, adding and removing layers in your headshots gives you more variety of which photos to go with depending on how you plan to use them.
Accessories
– Simplicity is always better. Necklaces, earrings, and eyeglasses are the common accessories that you can wear. Make sure they fit well with your attire and they are clean well.
Tie or No tie?
– This is a question we get asked often. With modern headshots, men tend to not wear a tie. Men in higher-up positions can get away without wearing a tie to look more approachable and relatable. If you decide to go the route of wearing a tie, we highly recommend that it has minimal patterns. If executed properly, a tie can add sophistication to your headshot. Avoid bulky ties from the 90’s because that simply looks old school. Select a color that works best for your attire or following your company's color.
3. Grooming: Hair & Make-up
GENERAL Hair Tips:
- Make sure to come in with washed hair. If you have greasy hair, it will show in your headshots.
- If you color your hair, it’s important to make the appointment at least one week out from your headshot. One-week-old hair looks fresh and good for headshots. If you color your hair in darker tones, coloring the day before or the day of your headshot isn’t a good idea because it can leave some fresh pigment lines on the areas around your scalp, neck, and face.
Hair Tips for Women:
- If you plan to do more than 1 look, we recommend starting with your hair down. Once you are satisfied with photos of your hair down, you can tie your hair up for a second look. Hair up and out of the face brings a stronger presence into a photo.
- We recommend working with a hairstylist on the day of your appointment. Get a good hair blowout or professionally get your hair styled with how you envision it.
- Don’t do any hair experiments on the day of your headshot. You want to look natural and be yourself. If you begin to experiment, you might not be happy with the way your hair is behaving, resulting in not liking your headshots.
Hair Tips for Men:
- If you spend a lot of time in the sun, be sure to get a haircut at least one week before your headshot. This will help prevent any noticeable suntan lines on your face or head.
- Similarly, if you color your hair, avoid doing it the day before your headshot. With shorter hair, it’s easier to see any dye stains.
GROOMING
- Make sure your nails are clean or made before the photoshoot. If you are coloring your nails, select the natural or the same color as your attire.
- If you have facial hair and plan to shave it off, it depends on the look that you are looking for. Plan it accordingly.
Make-Up
- Go to a natural look, women - and even men. A simple powder is helpful to remove unnecessary shine.
- Do not overdo the makeup for your headshots. You want to look like yourself, as being unrecognizable is not beneficial.
- Avoid excessive highlighter or shine; matte makeup tends to be more flattering in headshots.
- Complement your lip color with your attire or use a simple gloss. Or just drink ample water before the shoot to hydrate your lips.
4. Things to Consider
- Shot List: It is better to know what to expect before the photoshoot. Is it a half body or full body? Is it a traditional headshot (from waist up or more closed up?). So you can prepare, like practice your smile, know which side looks better for you, or how you will interact with the camera. Also, so you can focus on what to wear. Do you need to wear a pair of high heels, if it is not a full body, right?
- Posing: We want natural expressions and body language. Practice your natural and confident expressions in the mirror so you will feel comfortable. Our photographer will assist you and he will provide different posing guides and options that you can do on the photoshoot.
- Hydrate: Drink a lot of water before and during the photoshoot.
- Enough Sleep and Wake Up Early: Do not stress it out, get enough sleep before your photoshoot. It helps remove deep dark eye bags and wake up earlier to avoid the stress of preparation.
- Arrival Time: Arrive at least 5 minutes before your scheduled time to allow for any last-minute adjustments. Please sign up to get your schedule to your company’s contact person.
I work with everyday people...
It is fantastic working with models but 70% of my projects are where I work with average people—no experience with modeling. I try to pull out and capture natural smiles and those glimmering eyes. I always try to create an open, easy, and fun atmosphere to bring out the best of everyone in the photos. Actually, a photo shoot is not about the pictures, but the experience of having them.
