The ‘WHY’ of headshots

Excellent headshots make strong first impressions. There are no second chances at first impressions. It’s about being more approachable to potential clients or employers and elevating your brand or personal image. Don’t let good design or a good website suffer with bad or mismatched photos.

Clothing & Accessories

When it comes to clothing selection, we recommend what makes you comfortable. If you're not a suit & tie kinda person and the jobs you're after (or your company) don’t require it, it’s okay to choose something else. Keep in mind that headshots are meant to be cropped pretty tight, concentrating on expression, so avoid plunging necklines or strapless numbers. These have a tendency to look as if you aren't wearing anything at all. Layers are good, and no need to be seasonal; everything from t-shirts to sweaters and light jackets can work.

We recommend keeping jewelry to a minimum — studs or small earrings and simple necklaces work. If you wear glasses and have multiple pairs, bring them along too. We recommend wearing glasses in your headshot if you normally wear glasses day to day. If you have any doubt about whether something will work or not, just bring it.

Makeup

Makeup for the headshot session is not required but highly recommended for all women. It’s best to keep your makeup natural looking to enhance your features, instead of extreme styles that may distract. Of course, you can apply your own makeup for your headshot, but if your budget allows, we recommend hiring a local makeup artist. There are makeup artists in the Gainesville area that we can refer. Pricing is usually around $75-100.

We don't recommend makeup on men, but our retouching usually covers any issues that may arise skin wise, so there are no worries there.

Hair

We ask that everyone have their hair ready the way you’d like to present yourself. We want your hair in your pictures to be as close as possible to the way you look on a "good hair day". We’ll have a handheld mirror that you can use. Bring a hair brush for last minute fixes. 

For the men, we recommend a haircut that’s less than two weeks old.