How to Prepare for Professional Headshots in Toronto & the GTA
How to Prepare for Professional Headshots: Where to Start
Knowing how to prepare for professional headshots does not need to be complicated. The goal is to arrive looking like yourself on a very good day — comfortable, confident and appropriately dressed for where the image will be used.
This guide covers what to wear, colours, modern versus classic headshots, grooming, posing, what to expect during the session, and practical preparation tips for professionals, entrepreneurs, teams and anyone updating a LinkedIn profile, website or business profile.
1. Decide what you want your headshot to communicate
Before choosing an outfit, think about where the image will appear and what you want people to feel when they see it.
- Corporate: polished, credible and approachable.
- Entrepreneur or personal brand: professional, confident and recognizably you.
- Creative professional: contemporary, expressive and less formal.
- LinkedIn or professional profile: clear, friendly and current.
You do not need to arrive with a perfect pose or a fixed expression. We will work together to create an image that fits your purpose without making you look artificial.
2. What should you wear for a headshot?
Choose clothing that fits well, feels comfortable and reflects the professional image you normally want to project.
- A clean, well-fitting option that you already feel good wearing.
- Simple shirts, blouses, sweaters, jackets and blazers usually photograph well.
- Avoid clothing that is heavily wrinkled, distracting or dominated by large logos.
- If your work is more creative, colour or a more relaxed style can be appropriate.
For a team session, coordinate without making everyone look identical. Similar levels of formality and a compatible colour palette usually create a more cohesive result.
3. What colours are best for a headshot?
There is no single universally correct headshot colour. The best choice depends on your skin tone, background, brand and the mood you want.
Solid colours are often the safest starting point because they keep attention on your face. Mid-tone and darker colours can create a clean, professional look, while carefully chosen brighter colours can work well for creative or personal-brand portraits.
If you have a company brand colour, consider using it as an accent rather than feeling you must dress entirely in that colour.
4. Modern or classic: which headshot style is right?
Classic headshots tend to use a more traditional pose, straightforward expression and conservative styling. They can be ideal for established corporate environments, professional directories and formal profiles.
Modern headshots can be more relaxed and expressive, with natural posture, subtle movement, environmental context or a less formal wardrobe. They are often a good fit for entrepreneurs, creatives, modern companies and personal brands.
There is no need to choose one style in advance. We can create a look that feels current while still being appropriate for your profession.
His easygoing style put us all at ease and he captured some great shots!
Kim Petersen, Southbridge Capital
5. Hair, grooming and makeup
- Keep your normal hairstyle rather than making a dramatic change immediately before the session.
- If you get a haircut, doing it a few days before can give the style time to settle.
- Bring a comb, brush or your usual grooming products for quick adjustments.
- If you shave, shave as you normally would and avoid experimenting with a new look on the morning of the session.
- Makeup should generally look like you. If you use professional makeup, keep the finish natural unless a specific style is required.
The objective is not to make you look like a different person. Good preparation should help you look like yourself, simply photographed at your best.
6. The day before your headshot
- Choose and iron or steam your clothing.
- Check that collars, cuffs and jackets are clean and fit properly.
- Get your normal amount of sleep.
- Drink water normally and avoid making major changes to your routine.
- Confirm the location and arrival time.
You do not need a complicated beauty routine. Consistency and comfort are usually more useful than last-minute changes.
7. What should you do on the morning of the session?
Eat and drink normally. Give yourself enough time to arrive without rushing.
Most importantly, do not worry about posing. You are not expected to know what to do in front of the camera. Direction and coaching are part of the session.
What happens during a professional headshot session?
We start by discussing what you need the photographs for and the look you want. During the session, I guide posture, positioning, expression and small adjustments while watching how the light and camera are working.
We can make small changes between frames rather than expecting you to get everything right immediately. If something feels unnatural, we change it. The process is collaborative and relaxed.
More info about professional headshots and what’s included
Curious about the rate and what’s included in the headshot photo session?
Do I need to know how to pose?
No. You do not need modelling experience or a collection of poses memorized.
I will give you simple direction and adjust details such as your shoulders, chin, posture, eye line and expression. The goal is to create a natural portrait rather than a stiff “photo pose.”
How do I look natural in a headshot?
Natural usually comes from small adjustments rather than trying to “look natural.” Relax your shoulders, breathe normally and focus on the conversation and direction instead of the camera itself. We can make several variations until one feels like you.
Why authenticity matters
A professional headshot should still look like the person who will show up to the meeting, answer the phone or work with the client. Retouching should support the photograph rather than turn it into an artificial version of you.
My approach is straightforward: polished, professional images without making you look fake or overly manicured.
What should I bring?
- A jacket, blazer or accessory if it is part of your normal professional look.
- Basic grooming items such as a comb or brush.
- Any brand or visual references that help explain the look you want.
For team sessions, we can also plan wardrobe consistency and the order of people in advance.
What about corporate and team headshots?
For teams, consistency matters. We can plan the background, lighting, crop, wardrobe guidance and overall visual treatment so the photographs work together across LinkedIn profiles, websites, staff pages and corporate communications.
Sessions can be organized on location at an office or another suitable GTA location. For larger groups, advance planning helps keep the process efficient.
Headshot preparation checklist
- Know where you will use the image.
- Choose clothing that fits well and represents you.
- Prepare your outfit the day before.
- Keep grooming familiar and natural.
- Arrive with enough time to settle in.
- Do not worry about posing — you will be guided.
- Be yourself. The strongest headshot should still look like you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headshot Preparation
How do I prepare for professional headshots?
Choose well-fitting, solid-coloured clothing, take care of hair and grooming a few days ahead, get a good night\u2019s sleep, and arrive a little early. Your photographer handles the posing, lighting and direction.
What should I wear for a professional headshot?
Choose clean, well-fitting clothing that reflects your profession and feels like you. Solid colours are often a reliable choice, and bringing more than one option is helpful.
What colours are best for headshots?
There is no universal best colour. Solid, non-distracting colours usually photograph well, but the right choice depends on your skin tone, background and brand.
Should I get a haircut before my headshot?
If you normally get haircuts, a few days before the session can give the style time to settle. Avoid a major new hairstyle immediately before the session.
Should I shave before a headshot?
Use your normal grooming routine. If you usually shave, shave as you normally would; if you normally wear facial hair, there is no need to change it just for the photograph.
Do I need makeup for a headshot?
No. If you normally wear makeup, keep it consistent with your everyday professional appearance unless you need a specific editorial look.
How long does a headshot session take?
The timing depends on the number of people, locations and looks required. Individual sessions are planned to allow time for direction, wardrobe changes and variations.
What if I am uncomfortable in front of a camera?
That is common. You do not need to know how to pose. The session is guided step by step, and we make adjustments until the expression and posture feel natural.
Can I bring multiple outfits?
Yes. Multiple options can be useful, especially when you need both a more formal and a more relaxed image.
Can you photograph corporate teams?
Yes. Team sessions can be planned around a consistent visual treatment so individual portraits work together across company websites, LinkedIn and other communications.
Where do you photograph headshots in Toronto and the GTA?
fotoreflection provides on-location photography services in the GTA. Sessions can be planned at an office, home or another suitable location, depending on the assignment.