I recently had quite a few folks reach out to me about booking business headshots, and it got me thinking... Many people feel a bit anxious about the whole process—especially if they’ve never done it before. That's why I thought it would be a great idea to share what you can expect when you book a session with me. This way, you can feel more at ease and know what’s coming up!
Step 1: You Reach Out
Let’s start from the beginning. You’ve decided you need a business headshot—maybe your old one is outdated, or perhaps you’ve never had one done. You might be a real estate agent, for example, looking to refresh your image. You reach out to me, curious about pricing and what the process looks like.
I’m always happy to chat by email or phone! I’ll let you know you’re in good hands and direct you to my pricing packages. I have a variety of options depending on your needs, from a basic headshot session (just shoulders up) to a full personality portrait session (the whole body). Most likely, I'll end up emailing your information about my packages, as well as examples from my portfolio to look at. If you request we meet in person to look at examples together, I'm more than happy to do that.
Step 2: You Book Your Session
Once you’ve browsed through the packages and decided on the basic headshot, I’ll send you a link to my online booking calendar. You can pick a date that works for you—no payment is required at this stage. It’s super easy and takes just a few minutes. Once you confirm your date, that date is reserved just for you!
Next, I’ll send you a link to your online booking contract. This contract outlines the details of your package, the date, and our agreed-upon location. Signing the contract is quick and easy, and once it’s done, your session is officially locked in!
Step 3: Preparing for Your Session
Now, as we get closer to your session, you might start wondering what to wear. This is a common question! I usually recommend wearing clothes that are comfortable and that you know fit well—this is important because your confidence level directly affect your facial expressions in your headshot photos.
I suggest bringing two or three different outfits to create a few different looks. Avoid busy patterns that might distract from your face, but a pop of color is always a good idea! If your brand embraces bright colors, feel free to express that. Ultimately, you want to look like the best version of yourself.
Step 4: The Day of Your Session
The big day arrives! I often come to my business clients. This makes it easier for you to fit the session into your busy schedule, and allows us to take photos in your office, outdoors, or wherever you would like. We meet at our agreed location, and I’ll set up my equipment. I usually start with some warm-up shots to get everything dialed in. No pressure at this stage; I'm just adjusting my camera and lighting setup. After a few minutes, I’ll start giving you directions on how to pose.
During the session, I’ll take a handful of photos and show you what they look like directly in my camera. This way, you'll get real-time feedback, and it also gives you the chance to let me know what you like. I’ll keep checking in with you throughout the shoot, and we can adjust as needed.
Once we’ve captured some great shots, you can change into your second outfit (or add a scarf or accessory for a different look), and continue on.
Step 5: Receiving Your Photos
After the session, I’ll typically deliver your photos via email within three to five business days. You’ll receive a link to a private online gallery where you can view your lovely headshots. I take care to retouch them tastefully, so you look like yourself— on your best day.
If you see something you’d like adjusted, just let me know. I’m all about keeping the lines of communication open, even after the session. I’ll make the changes, update your gallery, and let you know you can refresh your browser to see the new changes.
Final Thoughts
That’s the process. If you need specific file formats for a specific web designer, marketing, or print company, I can help with that too. I want to make sure you can use your photos in the best way possible.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what to expect when booking a business headshot session with me. If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help!