Six Things That Actually Help You Relax During a Headshot Session
A lot of women who need a new headshot for work put it off not because they don't see the value, but because the idea of sitting in front of a camera makes them uncomfortable. If that's you, here's what genuinely helps, from someone who does this for a living.
Say the nervous part out loud. The moment a client tells me she's nervous, I can slow down, explain what I'm doing, and work at her pace instead of guessing. You don't need to walk in projecting confidence you don't feel yet. Just tell me, and we'll get there. Honestly, everyone is nervous.. it is totally normal to feel maybe insecure or out of practice. Women by nature seem to make a career out of hiding from the camera. Tell me if you are nervous… I am so honored you would allow yourself to be vulnerable with me. My goal is when we are done…you are feeling amazing.
Take care of the basics beforehand. Sleep and water do more for how you look and feel on camera than almost any last minute prep. In the days leading up to a headshot session, prioritize rest over anything else. Take care of your wardrobe. Try everything one including undergarments. Have everything ironed or dry cleaned before hand. I promise you clothes that fit look better than clothes that used to fit. Blouses that pull or jacket arms that are too tight will 100% make you feel uncomfortable. Dress for success!
Hair and makeup can genuinely change how a session feels. This isn't about covering anything up. It's that looking in the mirror and liking what you see before the camera comes out tends to carry through the whole shoot, which shows up in the final images. If you don’t feel confident consider having your hair and make up done.
A little practice takes the strangeness out of it. A few minutes in front of a mirror at home, just noticing how you naturally hold yourself when you're relaxed and not posing for a phone, can make the actual session feel more familiar. Stand in front of a mirror and just move into pose- hands in pockets, hands folded, arms crossed, etc… See how each of these poses makes your outfit look.
Know what the photos are for before you arrive. LinkedIn, a company bio page, a speaking engagement, a new role. Telling your photographer the context helps shape everything from expression to framing, and it takes some of the guesswork and anxiety out of the session for you.
Let go of the forced smile. A camera ready "say cheese" smile reads as exactly that in photos, forced. The best professional headshots almost always come from a real moment, a genuine laugh or a settled, natural expression, not a held pose. Use the awkward… sometimes letting go of perfection opens you up to real smiles.
The nerves are normal. Almost every client feels some version of them before a headshot session. What makes the difference is working with a photographer who expects that and knows how to work with it instead of rushing past it.
