This is how a 30-minute headshot session with three looks can be planned. It is a sample walk-through, not a real client story: one person who needs a LinkedIn photo, a website portrait and something more relaxed for a speaker bio, all in one short session with a headshot photographer. Thirty minutes is enough for three looks when the outfit changes and backdrop choices are decided before you arrive. Session lengths, number of looks and retouched images vary by photographer, so check the profile.
The person in this plan
Imagine a consultant who runs her own small practice. She needs three things:
- A LinkedIn headshot that looks polished and current.
- A website portrait for her "about" page, slightly warmer and more personal.
- A speaker photo for event programs, relaxed and friendly.
Those three uses map neatly onto three looks. If you only need one use, you can still do three looks and simply get more variety to choose from. More on what makes a headshot actually get used is in our guide to professional headshots in NYC.
Before the day: decide the looks
The biggest time-saver is deciding in advance which outfit goes with which backdrop. A simple plan:
- Look 1, LinkedIn: a structured blazer in navy or charcoal over a plain top, against a light gray backdrop. Clean and businesslike.
- Look 2, website: no jacket, a solid top in a richer color (deep green, burgundy, cobalt) against a darker backdrop. This gives contrast and a little more personality.
- Look 3, speaker bio: a soft knit or a crisp shirt with the sleeves pushed up, against a warmer, lighter tone. Approachable.
The exact backdrop colors depend on what your photographer has set up, so ask which options they offer. If your brand has a specific color, tell them. Our article on which headshot backdrop to choose explains how light, dark and colored backgrounds read in different industries.
What to bring: each outfit on a hanger so nothing creases, a lint roller, any glasses you normally wear, and your usual makeup or grooming kit for touch-ups. Avoid busy patterns, very thin stripes and big logos. Our full list is in what to wear for professional headshots.
The 30-minute plan
- 0:00 to 0:03, arrive and check in. Hang outfits, check hair and makeup in the mirror. Talk through where each photo will be used.
- 0:03 to 0:11, Look 1 on light gray. Start with the most formal look because that's often the one people need most. Straight to camera, then a slight turn of the shoulders, then a few frames with a small smile and a few without.
- 0:11 to 0:14, change and backdrop swap. You change into Look 2 while the photographer switches the background and adjusts the light.
- 0:14 to 0:21, Look 2 on the darker backdrop. By now you're warmed up, so this is usually where the most natural expressions arrive. Work a little closer, head and shoulders, plus a few frames with a looser crop for web layouts.
- 0:21 to 0:24, second change. Into Look 3, background to the warmer tone.
- 0:24 to 0:30, Look 3, relaxed. Arms crossed loosely, leaning slightly forward, a real laugh. A few wider frames with space around you, which designers love for event banners.
How a good photographer coaches expression
Most people say the same thing in the first minute: "I never like photos of myself." That's normal, and it's the photographer's job, not yours. In a session like this you can expect:
- The back of the camera shown early, so you can see what's working and relax.
- Small, specific directions: chin forward a little, shoulders down, think of something that made you laugh this week.
- Talk, not pose. A short conversation between frames brings out a more natural face than holding a smile.
- Attention to the moment the eyes smile, not just the mouth. That's the frame that ends up on your profile.
If you're not sure what to expect, our walkthrough of what happens during a headshot session covers it step by step.
Shot list for the three looks
Look 1 (LinkedIn)
- Straight on, head and shoulders, soft smile
- Shoulders turned 30 degrees, face to camera
- Serious, confident version of the same
Look 2 (website)
- Head and shoulders, slight lean in
- Chest-up crop with room for text on one side
- A natural laugh after a short conversation
Look 3 (speaker bio)
- Arms loosely crossed
- Wider frame with background space for banners
- Candid look away, then back to the camera
What you might receive
Many headshot photographers deliver a set of retouched images and sometimes a proofs gallery of the full session. How many, and how soon, depends on the photographer, so check the profile. In this plan, two retouched images per look would give each use (LinkedIn, website, speaker bio) a first choice and a backup.
Retouching on a headshot is about looking like yourself on a good day: cleaning up stray hairs and temporary blemishes, softening shine, evening out the light. Good retouching doesn't reshape faces. Ask what is included and how files are delivered, so they're ready to upload.
Quick answers
Can you really do three looks in 30 minutes?
Yes, when outfits are ready on hangers and you know which backdrop goes with which look. Each change takes about three minutes, which leaves around 22 minutes of actual shooting.
How many photos do I get from a headshot session?
It varies by photographer. Many include a handful of retouched headshots, and some add a proofs gallery. The profile lists what is included.
Should I wear glasses?
If you wear them every day and people know you with them, yes. A good photographer angles the light to keep reflections down. Bring them either way.
Find a photographer
Browse headshot photographers in NYC and Long Island, compare packages, and tell your photographer where the photos will be used.