Look Your Best: A Guy’s Guide to Grooming for Professional Headshots
So you’ve got a professional headshot coming up. Maybe it’s for your LinkedIn profile, company website, or that big speaking gig you landed. Whatever the reason, you want to look sharp. But where do you start? Don’t sweat it – I’ve got you covered with some easy grooming tips to help you nail that headshot.
Back to DRESS TO IMPRESS: THE ULTIMATE GUIDE FOR MEN’S PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS
The Hair Situation
First things first – let’s talk about that mop on your head. You want to look polished, but still like yourself. Here’s the deal:
- Schedule your haircut about a week before the shoot. This gives your hair time to settle into its new shape, so you’re not rocking that fresh-cut look.
- Stick with your usual style, just make sure it’s neat and tidy. Now’s not the time to try out that mohawk you’ve been considering.
- Use your normal styling products, but go easy on them. You don’t want to look like you’ve got a helmet on.
Oh, and if you’re balding? Own it, my friend. A clean-shaven head can look super sharp and confident. We have amazing lighting that works incredibly with smooth tops (no blinding highlights). We’ve got you!
Facial Hair: To Beard or Not to Beard?
If you’ve got facial hair, awesome. If not, that’s cool too. The key is to look well-groomed either way. If you’re torn between clean-shaven or bearded, imagine how you’d wear your face to meet a potential client that you wanted to impress.
For the clean-shaven guys:
- Shave the morning of your shoot for that fresh look.
- Use a sharp razor and take your time to avoid nicks and cuts.
- Apply a soothing aftershave to reduce redness.
Rocking a beard or mustache?
- Trim it up a day or two before the shoot.
- Make sure it’s neat and defined – no scraggly edges.
- A little beard oil can add some shine and control any flyaways. You can also bring a beard brush to the session if you need a little extra taming.
For All Guys
- Don’t forget those other hairy spots on your face – neckbeard, collar/neck area, side burns, ear hair, nose hair, etc. Headshots are close-ups, my friend. It’s all in the details!
- Clean up these details so you look good on headshot day!
Skin Care: It’s Not Just for the Ladies
Listen up, because this is important. Taking care of your skin can make a huge difference in how you look on camera.
- Moisturize daily in the week leading up to your shoot. Trust me, it helps. Also moisturize on the inside by drinking lots of water.
- A few days before, use a gentle exfoliating scrub to brighten up your complexion. Don’t do this right before, as it can cause redness and irritation.
- Speaking of redness, be wary of spending too long in the sun the week before your headshot. We don’t want you to end up looking like a lobster in your headshot.
- Breakouts or blemishes? No worries, unlike in real life, we can easily whisk them away in Photoshop. Don’t try to use concealer or hide them. That will just make it harder to make them disappear. PRO TIP: If you are prone to breakouts, here’s a little tip from my teenagers. Get Pimple Patches! (affiliate link) They’re little clear hydrocolloid discs that cover your zits and suck out the bad stuff, keeping them safe from you digging at them while they’re healing. Sorry if that was TMI, but if you didn’t have pimple patches growing up, but still get blemishes, you should get them!
- On the day of, wash your face with a mild cleanser and apply a light, oil-free moisturizer.
And here’s another pro tip: skip any products with SPF on shoot day. They can create a weird white cast in photos called flashback.
Smile Bright: The Importance of Teeth Whitening
When it comes to professional headshots, your smile is front and center. While we can (and certainly do) brighten teeth in post-production, it’s always best to start with a naturally radiant smile. Consider professional teeth whitening a few weeks before your session. This not only enhances your appearance but also boosts your confidence during the shoot. Plus, it lasts when you leave the studio and go out into the real world and meet with real people.
Many dentists offer quick, in-office whitening treatments that can significantly improve your smile in just one visit. If you prefer a more gradual approach, at-home whitening kits prescribed by your dentist can also be effective. Remember, the goal isn’t a blinding, glow-in-the-dark “Hollywood white,” but rather a natural, healthy-looking smile that complements your overall appearance.
If professional whitening isn’t in your budget, even simple habits like using whitening toothpaste and avoiding stain-causing beverages (like coffee or red wine) in the days leading up to your shoot can make a noticeable difference. A bright, confident smile is one of your best accessories in a headshot, so it’s worth the extra effort to ensure your pearly whites are camera-ready.
The Eyes Have It
Don’t forget about those peepers! Here are a few quick tips:
- Get a good night’s sleep before your shoot. It’ll help reduce puffiness and dark circles.
- If you wear glasses, make sure they’re clean and glare-free.
- For contacts wearers, put them in well before the shoot to avoid any red-eye issues.
- Also, if your eyebrows are getting out of control, be sure to carefully trim them before your headshot. Eyebrows frame your face, so we want them to look their best too!
Nail Grooming for Headshots and Branding Photos
While traditional headshots typically only show your face and upper body, it’s important to pay attention to your hands and nails if you’re doing more extensive portrait or branding photography. Your hands may be visible in certain poses or if you’re showcasing products or tools related to your profession. Here are some tips for nail grooming:
- Trim your nails: Keep your nails short and neatly trimmed. Aim for the nail to extend just slightly past your fingertip.
- File rough edges: Use a nail file to smooth any jagged edges after trimming.
- Clean under nails: Ensure there’s no dirt or debris under your nails. Use a nail brush if needed.
- Consider cuticles: Gently push back cuticles if they’re overgrown. Avoid cutting them, as this can lead to infection.
- Moisturize: Apply hand lotion to keep skin looking smooth and prevent dry, flaky skin around nails.
- Address hangnails: Carefully trim any hangnails to prevent them from being visible in close-up shots.
- Polish isn’t necessary: For men, a natural, clean look is usually best.
- Consider a professional manicure: If you’re not confident in your nail grooming skills, a basic men’s manicure can ensure your hands look their best for the camera.
Remember, while these details may seem small, they can make a significant difference in close-up shots or photos where your hands are prominently featured. Taking the time to groom your nails shows attention to detail and professionalism, enhancing your overall image in branding and portrait photography.
The Final Touches
A few last things to keep in mind:
- Pack up everything you need the night before, including shirts and ties, jackets or suits or more casual attire (depending on your industry), and accessories, plus any additional below that you want to bring, so you don’t forget anything you need when you come.
- If you need hair gel, a beard brush to tame your scruff, or other personal items like these, you’ll want to bring pack those to bring as well.
As a professional headshot photographer, here at Headshot Pros AZ, we have new combs, blotting sheets, lip balm, collar stays, mirrors, and much more in the studio for you just in case. If you’re going elsewhere, you may want to bring the following items:
- Bring a comb or brush to touch up your hair between shots.*
- Pack some oil-blotting sheets to tackle any shine that pops up.*
- Lip balm can be a lifesaver if your lips are looking dry.*
Remember, the goal is to look like the best version of yourself. You don’t need to transform into someone else – just a slightly more polished you.
So there you have it, guys. Follow these tips, and you’ll be ready to rock that headshot session. And hey, the best accessory you can wear? A genuine smile. It’ll make you look approachable, confident, and like someone people want to work with.
Now go out there and show ’em what you’ve got!
All headshot images © HeadshotProsAZ.com | Other grooming images (hair, lotion, hands) are purchased stock images
Cari Hall is a professional headshot photographer based in Phoenix, Arizona. Since 2014, she has specialized in corporate headshots, LinkedIn headshots, and personal branding photos that help professionals and companies stand out with confidence. Drawing on more than a decade of experience — and a background in advertising and marketing — Cari brings both technical expertise and brand strategy insight to every session. She is known for creating a stress-free experience, helping even the most camera-shy clients feel comfortable, confident, and authentically themselves.
