Makeup and Hair Styling Options for your Professional Headshot
Watch this video to learn about the most common styling services available for your headshot session and whether they make sense for you.
If you’re coming in for a new headshot, check out all the styling options available. We offer hair & makeup services in my Troy, MI studio or on location around Detroit. Professional styling adds that extra polish to wow your clients or recruiters!
Professional Makeup Options
We offer both a full service makeup application and a touchup option. Full makeup is a wonderful add-on to your individual or personal branding session and takes about an hour before your shoot.
Consider the makeup touch up option if you’re coming to the studio with a few colleagues or we’re coming to your office. This service typically takes just 20 minutes per person. Sales teams, financial service firms and IT providers just love this option.
Guys, don’t brush off male grooming (makeup for men) until you’ve tried it! It’s our sleeper hit!
Hair Styling
Here in Detroit, the weather is always tough on hair. Humid summers and blustery winters don’t make it easy. So our hairstylists can do blowouts or curls right in studio before or during your makeup application.
How to get started?
When booking a session, simply select your desired services and a stylist will be touch to discuss your needs. If you have questions before booking, reach out and we’ll connect you with a member of the team.
Ready to make your first professional headshot appointment?
Learn more about corporate headshot options.
Got more headshot questions? Check out the headshot FAQs.
Should I Wear Glasses in My Headshot Session?
This is probably the most common question I get from my Detroit headshot clients. Now that I’m wearing glasses again, it was time to revisit the topic!
This is probably the most common question I get from my Detroit headshot clients. Now that I’m wearing glasses again, it was time to revisit the topic!
Four Challenges Glasses Create in a Headshot
Functionally, glasses may cause glare or refraction in your portrait. The might also create unwanted shadows around your eyes or cheeks. And, if you have tinted or transition lenses, glasses may reduce the light that gets to your eyes (making your eyes look darker).
Glasses Solutions
Don’t get discouraged. We have LOTS of tricks at our disposal in the studio. Some involve Photoshop and some require a few extra steps to fix things in camera! Check out the video to see the magic!
Own your Glasses
So you can see there are lots of ways we can work around the challenges that glasses create. If you wear glasses most of the time, I strongly recommend you wear them in your headshot. Otherwise, you won’t be as recognizable in your portrait (that’s the whole point)!
Ready to make your first professional headshot appointment?
Learn more about corporate headshot options.
Got more headshot questions? Check out the headshot FAQs.
How to Pose for your Headshot
Watch this quick video for a few key posing tips before your next headshot session. Just a few tricks can make a huge difference in the final result.
It turns out there’s a lot of posing for the best headshot. As your Detroit photographer, here are some essential tips.
Why Headshot Posing Matters
While you may only see your shoulders and face, posing fundamentals are hard at work when it comes to a headshot. In fact, I would argue that posing is even more critical in a headshot. An inch or two in the right direction makes all the difference.
Proper Stance
It all starts with an athletic stance, feet shoulder width apart or so. And lead with one foot. From there, expect to lean (from the core) on the front foot a bit more. This gives you a more engaging presence in the camera. The alternative is a standoffish look, if you lean back.
Reduce a Double Chin
Think forehead out, chin down. That’s the most important part! This little trick will slim down your neck and emphasize your eyes!
Waist Up Posing
If you need a waist up or full length shot, clothing fit is critical. Fitted shirts or jackets (jackets that button) will help you appear slimmer because we can leverage negative space between your arms and torso.
Expression and Lighting
Finally, now the magic happens as we fine tune the lighting and fid your most authentic expressions!
Ready to make your first professional headshot appointment?
Learn more about corporate headshot options.
Got more headshot questions? Check out the headshot FAQs.
MacBook Pro M1 Max for Photographers
With power to spare, Apple's MacBook Pro M1 Max is incredible. But does it make sense for a photographer's workflow? Watch this video for my take from the standpoint of a full time working headshot & portrait photographer.
With power to spare, Apple's MacBook Pro M1 Max is incredible. But does it make sense for a photographer's workflow? Watch this video for my take from the standpoint of a full time working headshot & portrait photographer.
The best laptop for photographers?
As a working portrait photographer, here in Detroit, I’ve been putting my MacBook Pro M1 Max to the test. Granted, as a photographer, I don’t need a ton of processor cores, but it’s nice to have some breathing room. If only Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom would take advantage of all this head room.
I opted for the 14” model as it’s ideal for any and all travel. The built in SD card reader is a welcome addition along with the HDMI port! It’s so nice not to have to worry about dongles.
The machine is fast! Is it a little more than I need? Well, it helps me run my business faster (and lighter). Time is money…
Ready to make your first professional headshot appointment?
Learn more about corporate headshot options.
Got more headshot questions? Check out the headshot FAQs.
How to Crush Your First Headshot Session
Are you gearing up for your first professional headshot? As your Detroit Headshot Specialist, I’ve put together a list of four key pieces to a successful portrait session.
Are you gearing up for your first professional headshot? As your Detroit photographer, I’ve put together a list of four key pieces to a successful portrait or personal branding session.
Picking the Right Photographer
Choosing the right photographer for your first headshot is critical. I always recommend hiring a specialist, someone who regularly works with professional headshot clients. By hiring a specialist, you get an expert who knows the finer points of posing, lighting and expression coaching with respect to professional or personal branding images.
Take a good look at the work of any photographer you’re considering. Look for some consistency in the work. You should have a good idea what your image would look like based on the portfolio.
The Right Outfit
Remember, the image is about you. You’re not modeling the clothing you’ll be wearing. So if they take the attention off you, there’s too much going on. Keep things simple—solid colors to start. If you have a bold color of choice, bring it for a second look.
And make sure things fit properly. That said, a jacket that’s a little tight can actually help you appear thinner. When buttoned, we can leverage some great posing tricks to lose that camera weight!
Professional Makeup
While not required, I strongly recommend making the investment. A makeup artist will ensure you look amazing under the power studio lights. It also takes some of the last minute stress off your day.
Guys, this applies to you too. Male grooming (makeup for men) has been a big hit among my clients!
Have Fun
You’ve prepared, done the homework and watched all my videos. When you finally get in the studio, enjoy yourself! Have some fun. This means playing along, even goofing off a bit. Letting your guard down helps to ensure you’ll get a range of expressions in your session.
You don’t have to use them all, but it gives you so many options for all sorts of applications.
Your social followers will love the outtakes and your work colleagues might be just a bit jealous when they see your new profile photo in Zoom or Teams.
Ready to make your first professional headshot appointment?
Learn more about corporate headshot options.
Got more headshot questions? Check out the headshot FAQs.
The Blog
Headshot tips, client features, and more!
