10 Essential Tips for Flawless Headshots

Why I Want You To Have Your Best Headshots Ever

I’ve gone through countless headshots either for my clients, for other photographers, and on companies’ websites. While many of these have made me smile and even laugh out loud with joy, others have made me cringe and shake my head. 

You know the headshots I’m talking about – stale background, ridgid corporate clothes, no sense of individuality or style, and no palpable happiness. Yuck.

Friend, I don’t want you to have that experience. If you had a bad headshot session, let’s set that aside, because that’s not what it’s like at Mateus Studios!

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my best 10 tips to ensure you have a Vancouver headshot experience that you will remember fondly, even on those days when you don’t feel your best. 

1. Allow Yourself to Be YOU: This could be my most important tip as it leads into all the others. When my clients step in front of the camera, I want the sparkle in their eyes to be visible, their bold jewelry (if they choose to wear it), impressive tattoos (if they have) to be all out in the open. I don’t stifle individuality or follow any rigid rule book on what’s acceptable and not. I want everything that is uniquely you to shine through. 

2. Prepare Your Outfits and Accessories Ahead of Time: Just like you do when you go on vacation, it makes a world of difference to organize your outfits and accessories before you step out for your headshots. Nothing kills a session more than stress and frantic energy that has been allowed to simmer for too long. I’m a fan of laying 3-5 outfits on your bed and matching accessories to it, and then taking a quick photo of each one and sending it to me. That way I can offer feedback and I know you are ready!

3. The Details Matter: The camera picks up EVERYTHING. How you pose, what you wear, how you feel; it gets it all. While I can walk you through your posing and give outfit suggestions (don’t worry a second about those), you also have to take care of yourself beforehand, which leads me to…

4. Take Care of Your Damn Self!: Do yourself a massive favour and sleep in the day before, be rested, and even take the day off beforehand. Eat a light and nutritious breakfast, have your coffee, do your morning walk or yoga. This is all about centering yourself in the energy you want to appear in the photos.

5. Do Grounding Exercises: Try to get rid of any negative thoughts about yourself, your body. your business, life, and etc.. as much as you can. Trust me, the camera can pick up on that! 

Here is an example of a simple and effective grounding exercise: Start standing, stretch up and then bend forward with feet hip width apart. Put your hands on the ground. Visualize all those negative thoughts falling out onto the ground to be washed away. Only positive and high vibrations allowed in the session!

6. Don’t think you need to rely on photoshop to be seen: As I often like to say “Photoshop won’t make you more beautiful; it will make you more photoshopped”. I fully stand by this! We want your natural beauty and vibe to pop out and shine for all to see. Nothing artificial, touched up, or following traditional patriarchal beauty standards in my studio! 

7. Hair and Makeup: Express yourself with your hair and makeup! Let your hair be fun and wild. I can hook you up with an amazing stylist. This is 100% optional. 

8. Feel Free to Consider  Your Branding:  Try your best to consider your branding, as some people love to shoot in their brand colours. 

9. A note about  props…: I’m an anti-prop photographer as I’m all about keeping things simple and letting your personality shine through. So, there’s really no need for props!

10. Enjoy the experience!: Kick back, relax and enjoy the experience. Hey, you got some time away from your desk and your to do list. Savour it! Everything will be there for you when you get back.

Let’s Make Headshot Magic Together!

Ahh! Are you excited for your next Vancouver headshot session? Because I am! Let’s tell stories together with your headshots. I can’t wait to see you in my Vancouver portrait studio.