What Should I Expect During a Headshot Photography Session?
If you have never had professional headshots done before, it is completely normal to feel unsure of what to expect.
A lot of people come into a headshot session feeling nervous. They worry that they are not photogenic, that they will not know what to do, or that they are going to feel awkward in front of the camera. The good news is this: it is not your job to know how to pose, how to express yourself, or how to magically look comfortable on camera. That is my job.
I have been photographing headshots professionally since 2014, and I photograph headshots on a regular basis. Most of my clients are not in front of a professional camera very often. Maybe they had school photos growing up, a few family sessions, a wedding, and maybe one past headshot that they did not love. So if you are walking into your session feeling unsure, you are actually in very good company.
A Headshot Session Should Be Guided
One of the biggest things I want clients to understand before they even arrive is that I am there to guide them through the entire process.
A headshot is not the same thing as a family photo. It is not just about getting a flattering picture of you. A strong business headshot should match your profession, your goals, and the impression you want to make. The vibe of the image matters.
For example, if you are a dentist, I will usually want to see warmth and approachability in your expression. A dentist should often smile with teeth. People can already feel a little nervous about going to the dentist, and your headshot should help make you feel welcoming and trustworthy. On the other hand, a lawyer may want a more serious, polished, confident look. Neither one is right or wrong. The right choice depends on your profession, your brand, and how you want people to feel when they see your photo.
That starts long before I ever press the shutter. It begins with wardrobe selection, expression, styling, and making sure every choice supports the message you want your photo to send.
What Happens During the Session?
When you come to my headshot photography studio in Algonquin, Illinois, I usually recommend that you don’t arrive already dressed in the exact outfit you plan to be photographed in. Bring your options with you instead. I do want your hair and makeup done prior to when you arrive, because that is an important part of being camera-ready, but for clothing, I want you to bring a few different choices.
If you are unsure, bring more than you think you need. I would always rather you bring too much than not enough.
Once you arrive, we lay everything out and make a plan. We look at your wardrobe options, decide what backgrounds we want to use, and match outfits to the overall look we are trying to create. This helps the session feel intentional from the very beginning.
Then we start photographing.
In my studio, I am typically shooting tethered to my laptop, which means the images are coming up on screen as we go. This is incredibly helpful because it allows us to review what is working and make adjustments in real time. I guide you through posing, coach your expression, and help with all the little details that most people would never think about on their own.
After we finish photographing, we sit down together right then and there to review your images on the laptop. This is one of the most important parts of the process. You are not left wondering how the session went or hoping there is something you like. We go through the images together and make your final selections for retouching while you are still in the studio.
That means I can help guide you through which images are strongest, which ones fit your goals best, and which ones are worth choosing. If you want additional images beyond what is included in your package, you can purchase those as well.
After that, you head home, and I handle the final retouching of your selected images. I also put together a gallery of the images you liked but did not choose, so if you change your mind later or decide you want more options, you still have that opportunity.
What If I Feel Awkward or Unphotogenic?
This is probably the most common concern I hear.
People tell me all the time:
“I’m not photogenic.”
“I hate having my photo taken.”
“I never know what to do.”
“I’m going to feel stupid.”
My answer is always the same: you do not need to know what to do. You just need to show up.
I will coach your posing. I will coach your expression. If your hands are in the shot, I will tell you what to do with them. If something feels off, I will adjust it. If you are nervous, I will guide you through it.
I have spent the last 18 years doing this work, and that experience matters. You may have only been professionally photographed a handful of times in your life. I do this multiple times a week. It is completely normal for you to feel unsure. It is my job to make sure you do not stay stuck in that feeling.
A successful headshot session is not about expecting you, the client to already know how to “perform” in front of the camera. It is about creating an environment where you can relax, trust the process, and be coached into looking like the best version of you.
A Great Headshot Can Change How Someone Sees Themselves
One of the most powerful parts of my job is seeing the shift that happens when someone realizes they actually do like a photo of themselves.
I have had so many headshot clients leave my studio saying they have never liked a photo of themselves until they worked with me. That is always meaningful to hear, because I truly believe that most people have beauty in them. My job is to bring that out. That takes the right lighting, the right posing, the right expression coaching, and the ability to make someone feel comfortable enough that they stop looking like a deer in headlights.
One of my favorite stories happened at a conference where I was photographing headshots at a very fast pace. I photographed over 300 women in one day. Even in that high-volume environment, one woman came back to me afterward with tears in her eyes and told me she had never loved a photo of herself. She said she had always believed she was unphotogenic and just assumed she would never have a picture of herself that she truly liked.
That kind of moment is powerful to me.
A headshot is not just about vanity. It is about confidence. It is about giving someone an image they feel proud to use for their career, their online presence, and their professional brand.
Why a Professional Headshot Matters
A headshot is not just a quick photo of you looking at the camera.
A professional headshot should convey the message, tone, and expertise you have in your field. It should make you look like an expert. It should help set you apart from your competition.
This is why I feel so strongly that headshots should not be treated as generic or interchangeable. If you take a quick photo of yourself in your house against a wall with bad lighting, it is going to look like that is exactly what you did. People notice more than you think they do.
First impressions matter. They matter a lot.
If you have not taken the time to present yourself professionally, what message does that send? Especially if you work in a service-based industry, your headshot is often one of the first things people see before they ever reach out. Whether they realize it consciously or not, they are making judgments. They are asking themselves whether you seem polished, trustworthy, approachable, confident, experienced, and professional.
And if your image feels rushed, careless, or low-effort, some people are going to wonder where else you are cutting corners.
That may sound harsh, but it is true.
You have one chance to make a first impression, and your headshot can absolutely help make that impression stronger.
Final Thoughts
If you are wondering what to expect during a headshot photography session, the biggest thing to know is that you do not have to figure it out alone.
A good headshot session should feel guided, intentional, and tailored to you. It should take into account your profession, your goals, your wardrobe, your expression, and the message you want your photo to send. You should walk away not only with a flattering image, but with a headshot that actually works for your business and supports the way you want to be seen.
My job is not just to take your picture. My job is to help you look like yourself at your best, and to create a headshot that reflects the professionalism and expertise you bring to your work.
If you have been putting off updating your headshot because you feel awkward in front of the camera or assume you are not photogenic, you are exactly the kind of person I love helping most.
If you are still deciding which type of session is right for you, you can view my headshot session options here, including team headshot photography for businesses that need cohesive staff and group headshots.