Show up sharp.
The camera will do the rest.

This is not a checklist. This is how you walk into your session with the kind of clarity and confidence that photographs well.

Everything here exists to make you feel prepared, intentional, and completely yourself the moment you step in front of my camera.

Professional headshot of a woman in a black blazer and white open-collar shirt on a charcoal backdrop, Maicol Photography West Palm Beach Professional headshot of a woman in a navy blazer over a white top on a charcoal backdrop Professional headshot of a woman in a navy blazer on a gray backdrop Professional headshot of a woman with dark curly hair in a navy top on a gray backdrop Professional headshot of a woman in a slate blue cowl-neck top on a charcoal backdrop Professional headshot of a woman with glasses in a navy blazer on a charcoal backdrop
Full-length studio portrait of a woman in a blue leather blazer and wide-leg linen trousers Headshot of the same woman in a teal satin shirt Headshot of the same woman in a blue leather blazer

What you wear says something.
Make it count.

Your wardrobe is not decoration. It is a decision. Every piece you bring either supports the image you are building or distracts from it. We are not guessing. We are curating.

  • Bring three to four looks. Variation in fabric, neckline, and layering gives us range. One look is not a session. It is a snapshot.
  • Everything should fit. Not almost fit. Not fit if you hold your breath. Fit. If it pulls, bunches, or rides up, leave it at home.
  • Solid colors photograph strongest. If pattern or texture is part of your identity, bring it. But loud prints compete with your face. Your face should win.
  • Structured fabrics hold their shape on camera. Flimsy material loses its form under studio lighting and looks like an afterthought.

Necklines
and fit

Choose necklines that open the frame around your face. A soft V, a scoop, or an off-the-shoulder cut all do this well. High crew necks shorten your neck and close the composition.

If you are tugging at it in the mirror, it will not feel better on camera. Discomfort shows. Every time. Test every outfit standing and seated. What looks great upright can fall apart the second you sit down.

Layering adds depth. A fitted blazer over a simple top. A structured cardigan. Bring the options. We will build the look together.

Headshot of a woman in a navy wrap top with a soft V neckline Headshot of a woman in a black top with a wide scoop neckline Headshot of a woman in a black blazer layered over a white collared shirt Headshot of a woman in a soft pink V-neck sweater Headshot of a woman in a white blouse with an open neckline Headshot of a woman in a light blue fitted top with a rounded neckline

Color
and tone

  • Jewel tones are your best friend on camera. Emerald, sapphire, burgundy, deep plum. They add warmth and dimension without fighting for attention.
  • Soft neutrals never miss. Cream, camel, slate, blush. Timeless, and they keep the focus exactly where it belongs.
  • Black adds edge. White opens the frame. Both are always strong choices.
  • Not sure what works with your skin tone? Hold a few options up to your face in natural light. You will see it immediately. The right color makes your features come alive.

Jewelry finishes the look.
It does not lead it.

Your accessories should feel like they belong on you. Not like they are trying to make a point. The image is about your face, your expression, your presence. Jewelry is a supporting character. Let it play its role.

Earrings are the most visible accessory in a headshot. Studs for corporate. Hoops or drops for personality. Nothing at all for casting-style shots. Pick based on the story you are telling.

If bold accessories are part of your brand, lean all the way in. As Iris Apfel said, more is more and less is a bore. Make sure it still looks like you in the final frame.

Portrait headshot 1
Portrait headshot 1

Hair and makeup
for the camera

Hair

A headshot is not the time to debut a brand new look. Go with what you know works. Go with what makes you feel like the best version of yourself. That is all we need.

Getting a cut? Book it two or three days before your session. Fresh cuts can look too sharp. Getting color? Book it at least a week before. New color needs time to settle and soften. Working with a stylist? Tell them it is for a headshot. That context changes what they do.

Makeup

What looks great in your bathroom mirror does not always translate on camera. Studio lighting finds everything. The goal is defined and intentional. Not heavy. Not overdone. Dialed in.

I recommend working with a professional makeup artist. Erick Glam is the makeup artist and hairstylist I trust with my clients, and he’s available on request. Tell him how you plan to use your images and he will design a look for your features, your style, and your goals.

Doing your own? Even out your skin tone, define your eyes, and set with powder. Skip heavy shimmer and glitter. Blend everything. Harsh lines do not disappear on camera. They get louder. Less photographs better. Every single time.

Do not stress about breakouts, redness, or uneven texture. That is what retouching is for. Walk in feeling like yourself. I will handle the rest.

Final details. Do not skip these.

Preparation sets the tone. Walk in ready and the session runs tighter, the energy stays focused, and the results speak for themselves.

Hydrate. Drink water like it is your job. Use lip balm for a few days before your session and skip long sun exposure. Then sleep. There is no filter for exhaustion.

Steam or press your wardrobe the night before. Wrinkles show on camera. Bring everything on hangers, even the pieces you are not sure about. We will go through them together.

Trust the process. I guide every step. Your only job is to show up and be yourself.

Your experience matters. Book Your Experience