How to Prepare for a Professional Headshot Session (Atlanta Edition)

Whether you’re updating your LinkedIn profile, gearing up for a corporate website refresh, launching a personal brand, or pursuing acting and entertainment work, a professional headshot is one of the most powerful visual tools you can use in Atlanta’s competitive environment. A great headshot isn’t just a picture — it’s a reflection of your professionalism, confidence, and personal brand. That’s why preparing for your session is just as important as choosing the right photographer.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know before your session so you show up relaxed, confident, and ready to get headshots that make an impact. Along the way, you’ll see examples of how preparation helped real clients enjoy their session and get better results.

Understanding Why Preparation Matters

Professional headshots have evolved far beyond the basic “stand‑here‑and‑smile” setup. In

today’s digital world, headshots are used everywhere: LinkedIn profiles, company team pages, business cards, portfolios, press releases, website bios, and even speaking engagement materials. According to photographers who specialize in headshot sessions, clear planning and thoughtful prep are what separate average photos from headshots that work for you.

Preparation impacts your confidence and final images more than most people realize. When you arrive relaxed and ready, it shows in your posture, expression, and overall energy — and those are the qualities that help your photos truly resonate with viewers. A headshot should feel like you on a great day, not like a stiff official photo.

Start With Clear Goals for Your Session

Before anything else, take a moment to clarify your purpose for the session. Are you updating a business profile, creating executive portraits for your company, building an actor portfolio, or refreshing your personal branding? Knowing the answer helps you plan the style, wardrobe, and energy of your headshots.

Clients who come to Gobi Photography with defined goals usually get better results quicker. For instance, one Atlanta tech executive, Jordan, specifically wanted a headshot that looked professional but approachable. He told us, “I didn’t want stiff corporate vibes — I wanted something that felt like me.” Because we started with a clear goal, we structured his session to incorporate both formal and relaxed looks, and the final gallery reflected exactly the balance he was aiming for.

Many headshot preparation guides recommend thinking about how and where your photos will be used.  This helps you convey consistency across your personal brand — such as wearing solid colors for platforms like LinkedIn versus a slightly more creative outfit for a personal website or acting portfolio.

Hands‑On Wardrobe Planning

Clothing plays a huge role in how your photos turn out. The camera is unforgiving with

busy patterns, loud logos, or ill‑fitting clothes that can distract from the main focus — your face and expression. Most photographers recommend solid colors, classic wardrobe choices, and outfits that fit your industry norms.

Here’s how to plan your wardrobe effectively:

• Choose solid, neutral or rich tones that complement your skin tone.

• Avoid bold prints or graphics that draw attention away from your face.

• Bring two to three outfit options so your photographer can help decide what works best on camera.

• Pick wardrobe pieces that make you feel confident and authentic.

During one headshot session for a group of executives from an Atlanta consulting firm, several team members brought multiple shirts and blazers. Together we tried different color combinations and discovered a mid‑tone blue jacket and light gray shirt gave the best contrast for the background and lighting setup. That small wardrobe choice made a noticeable difference in the final gallery.

Wardrobe decisions affect cohesion too. If you’re doing team headshots, it’s helpful to coordinate tones so you all look related in aesthetic, even with individual style.

Grooming, Skin, and Hair Prep

Your headshot captures every detail, which is why grooming and skincare are essential parts of preparation.

Most professional headshot prep guides suggest scheduling haircuts or trims about one week before your session so your hair appears natural and settled.  This avoids the overly‑fresh or uneven look some hairstyles have immediately after a cut.

For skincare preparation, staying hydrated in the days before your session helps your skin appear vibrant and fresh. A good night’s sleep the night before will also reduce puffiness around the eyes and help you look relaxed and alert.

For those who wear makeup, choosing a natural look that matches your regular style often translates best in photos. Speaking with a makeup artist before your session can boost

confidence and give you a polished but authentic appearance. One Gobi client, a regional sales director preparing for a big industry conference, booked a professional makeup artist before her headshot session. She told us later that not only did the makeup look great in photos, it made her feel more confident during the session, resulting in some of her best images.

Mindset Matters: Relax and Be Present

Feeling anxious before a headshot session is extremely common. Statistics from headshot professionals show that a large majority of people get nervous about being photographed.  But nerves dissipate quickly when you know what to expect and trust your photographer to guide you through the process.

Before your session, try taking a few deep breaths or listening to upbeat music to set a positive mood. You might even do something that makes you laugh right before stepping in front of the camera — light humor can loosen muscles and make your smile more natural. Many experienced headshot photographers emphasize that energy and mindset show up directly in your photos.

At Gobi Photography, we help clients feel at ease by walking them through each pose and constantly sharing previews of the shots as we go. It’s much easier to relax when you can see you’re looking great.

Practice Makes Confident Expressions

Even if you’re not used to being photographed, spending a few minutes in front of a mirror can help you find expressions and angles that feel natural. Try a few different smiles, head tilts, or expressions to discover what feels most like you.

One of our favorite client stories involves a lawyer named Ana who came to her headshot session convinced she didn’t smile well on camera. After we worked together on expressions and shared some previews, she laughed and said, “I always thought I couldn’t smile naturally — turns out I just needed direction.” A little practice, combined with coaching during the session, gave her headshots she now uses everywhere with confidence.

Arrive Prepared and On Time

Simple logistics matter when you want to walk into your session relaxed and ready. Aim to arrive 10–15 minutes early so you have time to check your outfit, soothe stray hairs, and settle in without feeling rushed. Bring items like a comb, makeup for touch‑ups, and a lint roller for last‑minute fixes.

Arriving prepared transforms your headshot experience from stressful to smooth. Professional headshot photographers often say that a calm client produces more natural, successful headshots — and a little punctuality goes a long way.

Communicate Clearly With Your Photographer

One of the biggest contributors to a successful session — and a strong headshot — is clear communication with your photographer. Tell them what you like, what you don’t like, and your goals for the session. Sharing examples of headshots you admire helps your photographer understand your vision.

At Gobi Photography, we always begin our headshot sessions with a short chat about goals and expectations. Whether you’re aiming for relaxed and approachable, formal and authoritative, or somewhere in between, understanding your preferences allows us to tailor your lighting, posing, and framing.

This collaborative approach consistently helps clients get headshots that feel aligned with who they are rather than generic portraits.

Putting It All Together

Preparing for your headshot session in Atlanta doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Taking the time to plan your wardrobe, manage grooming, focus your mindset, and communicate with your photographer dramatically improves your comfort and final photos. With a little preparation, you’ll walk into your session confident and emerge with headshots that truly represent your professional presence.