There’s a lot to think about when creating the ideal headshot. We often get, “I thought this was just a headshot.” Well, it may be, however posing, angles, lighting, and attire all play a HUGE role in a professional headshot, whether you come to our Plano-based studio or we head on down to Dallas.

Though we have written several blogs about preparing for and what to expect in a headshot session, let’s go over a few highlights again before we delve into dressing for the stage:

• Whether we come to you or you come to us, expect professional lighting
• And that’s great if you have white walls in your Frisco office - so do we! However, unless we are going for an environmental look, we will come equipped with a professional backdrop
• Get plenty of rest the night before our time together
• Be sure to also hydrate the day before
• Eat clean - always - or at least the 24 hours leading up to your session
• Choose attire that fits well. Flowing sleeves add weight, such as unbuttoned jackets, loose attire, and even clothes that fit too tight.
• Sleeves, please. Short or sleeveless shirts may look great in person. However, skin is a distraction in a headshot. We want potential clients, and future bosses to see your handsome/beautiful face. 

When presenting on stage, all of the above is still really important. However, instead of just thinking about your waist-up appearance, we need to think head to toe. In our 20-plus years of existence, those of us at Photography by Misty have seen it all. The good, bad, and the ugly (ugly by choice, that is). Here are some dos and don’ts:

• No hooded sweatshirts. You think I am kidding, don’t you? Nope. At a BIG NAME Corporate event, attendees were gifted a branded hoodie. I agree it’s a great gift. Sometimes all we need on a Fall Day in Dallas is a reliable hooded sweatshirt. However, presenters were encouraged to wear their new gifts on stage. Bad bad idea. Not one image - no matter how fit or how young the presenter - was a complimentary one. Every person looked blocky and at least 15 pounds heavier.
• Please stay away from anything that may distract from what comes out of your mouth. Unless, of course, you did not prepare for your time on stage. If that’s the case, walk around with your hands clasped in front so people will wonder what lies under the fig leaf, and show off those fabulously fit legs. Anything so they don’t notice you are wasting their time. Kidding aside, people have enough distractions with their smartphones and smartwatches. Let’s help them sit up and listen more then they hone in on the visuals.
• No severe cleavage, please. And while you’re at it, wear a great bra.
• Shine those shoes, people! Nothing ruins a great outfit faster than old worn shoes.
• Speaking of shoes, wear kicks you can run in. Not because we think you’ll need to jet in the middle of your talk (let’s hope not anyway - even if you feel like it). No matter how glorious the heels are, if your feet hurt, they will show. A Bambi-like stride isn’t exactly sexy.
• Nothing demands attention more than a perfectly curated outfit - color coordinated, just the right amount of subliminal accents, pressed, gone over with a lint roller as well as a second set of eyes.
• And who are you kidding? If you squeeze yourself into 36” wool slacks but you now wear 38s,  you are just announcing to the world you gained 15 pounds. Suck it up and invest in new pants.
• Oh - and the best thing you can wear? A smile.
• If there’s a photographer in the room, be sure to pause occasionally, especially if you do not have a great speaker’s face.
• You may even want to ask the photographer for a few staged images - before the event starts.

When it comes to great results, preparation is the key. 

Gotta go - I wrote this as a selfish reminder. Now I need to polish my nails and figure out what I am wearing on stage tomorrow.