How to prepare for your next headshot - Nashua, New Hampshire photographer

Getting headshots taken? Do these 5 things!

If you’re a business professional or small business owner in Southern New Hampshire, chances are you need a headshot! Here are some key things you can do to help prepare for your session and get the most out of your investment.

• Get rest

  The number one thing you can do to prepare for your headshot session is to get adequate rest the night before. You want to look your best, and getting enough sleep the night before is an excellent first step. Allow yourself extra time before the session to perfect your wardrobe, style yourself, and travel.

• Think about props

  If we're creating headshots that have more of a lifestyle or branding feel to them than formal headshots, think about whether there are any props/visual elements that help tell your story. Some examples include your own laptop, paper planner if you use one, a favorite mug or pen or plant, etc.

  I'll have a couple of very basic things with me in our minimalistic, white office, but if there are things you use on a daily basis or brand elements that help tell your story, bring them along! And feel free to send me ideas/ask questions about this one, too.

• Plan your outfit

  It's also important to think carefully about what you plan to wear for your headshots. My Number One rule is to wear something that fits well and flatters your face, but here are some additional questions to consider:

  If you’re a business owner, what are your brand colors? Can you work them into your outfits?

  What neutrals do you naturally rock? White? Gray? Khaki? Brown? Black? Pick at least one and work it in to help bring balance to your images.

  Do you need to hire a hair and/or makeup artist, or are you comfortable doing your own?

• Arrive early

  Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your headshots; I often have these sessions scheduled back-to-back, and any missed time unfortunately can't be rescheduled.

  Once you arrive, we'll chat for a few minutes, and then get to work. We'll start with your most important photos and then have some fun.

• Have fun

  Headshot photos turn out the best when you are yourself. It’s important to remember: just because there is a camera pointing at you, you don’t always have to look at it. Sometimes the most meaningful images are when you’re enjoying a moment instead of posing.

  If you find it easier to relax with a friend around, consider booking a double session! Or invite them along for yours and they'll just be out of the frame. Either way, I'll be prompting you throughout to talk about yourself, your work, your hobbies, anything to help you relax and get those natural expressions coming through.

Headshot sessions don’t have to be intimidating. Schedule yours today!

Client Feature: True Blue Wellness in Manchester, NH

Late last year, I had the pleasure of taking a few photos for Jazmine Jade of True Blue Wellness in Manchester, NH. Jazmine and I met over a year ago through the Women’s Business Circle of Southern NH - a small-but-mighty and supportive networking group we’re both part of. She’s been practicing CranioSacral Therapy (CST) and Reiki since 2019 and just added Massage Therapy to her list of offerings. I had the immense privilege of a few practice massages while she was going through her training and let me just say, they were the most relaxing massages I’ve ever had. I highly recommend her work!

We initially set out to do a custom headshot session, with traditional posed portraits along with some action shots. This was my first session like this, so I was game to try anything!

I spent about an hour with Jazmine, taking headshots throughout the art studio (located at the lovely Studio 550 Art Center in Manchester - what a cool, multi-purpose space!) and photos of her at work in her space. Both Jazmine and her space exude a quiet, welcoming calm, so I made to sure to capture that in the images I took.

What we ended up with was essentially a branding session - images that Jazmine can use on her website, social media, and promotional materials to communicate what it’s like to work with her. And a bonus for me: I learned that working with small business owners to create images they can use is fun, rewarding, and something I want to do more of in 2022!

So what about you? What story do you and your space (physical or virtual) tell your clients? What do you want them to understand? Don’t worry if you don’t know the answer; I can help you figure that out and then we’ll work together to create photos that help tell that story. Interested in learning more? Let’s chat!