A typical headshot session runs about 30 minutes in a studio: a few minutes to settle and check the light, about eight minutes for each of up to 3 looks, and a couple of minutes at the end to look at favorites together. You leave with nothing to do but wait for your gallery. Lengths, number of looks and delivery times vary by photographer, so check the profile. Here is a typical half hour, step by step, so you know what to expect.
Before the day
When you book a headshot session, you choose a photographer, a date and a start time, and tell them what the photos are for. After they accept, they contact you with the address and any wardrobe advice.
In the days before:
- Plan your looks. A look is a combination of outfit and backdrop. The guide on what to wear for headshots helps you choose.
- Steam your clothes and bring them on hangers.
- Get your haircut a week ahead.
- Sleep well and drink water. It does more than retouching ever will.
- Bring glasses if you wear them daily, and anything you use to touch up.
The 30 minutes, step by step
Minutes 0 to 5: arrival and light check
You arrive, hang up your outfits and take a breath. If you are coming straight from work or the subway, this is the moment to fix your hair, check your collar and put your phone on silent.
Meanwhile the photographer sets the backdrop for your first look and adjusts the light. A couple of test frames are taken while you chat, partly to check exposure, partly so you get used to the sound of the camera. These do not count. Most people relax a little here simply because nothing is at stake.
Expect a few quick questions:
- Where the photos will be used: LinkedIn, website, press, signs.
- The feeling you want: approachable, confident, serious, warm.
- Anything you do not like about photos of yourself. A side you prefer, glasses glare, a habit of squinting. Better to say so now.
Minutes 5 to 13: look one
Your first look is usually the most important one, typically the most formal outfit on a light grey backdrop. It is often what ends up on LinkedIn.
What happens:
- Posture first. Weight on your back foot, shoulders slightly angled, chin a touch forward and down. It feels odd and looks great.
- Expression next. Coaching comes in small steps: "breathe out", "almost smile", "think of someone you like working with". Short bursts of a few frames, then a reset.
- Variations. Straight to the lens, a slight turn, a little more smile, a little less. The crop changes too, tight for profile circles, looser for websites.
If it helps, ask to see a frame or two on the camera so you can see what is working. Most people find their best expression somewhere in the middle of this look.
Minutes 13 to 21: look two
You change (a jacket off, a different top) while the light is adjusted if needed. Then the second look, often the friendlier version: open collar, softer colors, a little more smile.
Because you are warmed up, this part tends to move faster. The prompts get lighter, and the expressions more natural.
Minutes 21 to 28: look three
The third look is for variety. Common choices:
- A dark backdrop for an editorial or speaker image.
- A different color or more relaxed top for social media or your own website.
- Glasses on or off, if you are undecided.
Actors often use this look for a different character type, and business owners for a more personal "about me" image. See actor headshots in NYC and headshots for small business owners for ideas.
Minutes 28 to 30: favorites and wrap-up
Before you leave, you look through the session on the camera together for a minute or two. Say what you like, what you do not, and which look matters most. That helps the photographer when they choose and retouch your final photos.
After the session: editing and delivery
Back at their desk, the photographer typically goes through every frame:
- Cull: remove blinks, half-expressions and near-duplicates.
- Choose: pick the strongest frames, guided by what you said at the end.
- Retouch: skin cleaned up (blemishes, redness, shine), stray hairs tidied, color and light balanced. No reshaping. You should look like you on a good day.
- Export: web and print sizes, so the same headshot works on LinkedIn and on a printed program.
You then receive a private online gallery. The number of retouched headshots, whether you get the full proofs, and how soon it arrives differ by photographer, so check the profile. It is also worth confirming that commercial use is included if your employer or business will use the photos.
Tips for getting the most from 30 minutes
- Arrive five minutes early. A rushed arrival shows in the shoulders.
- Wear your first outfit, so you do not change straight away.
- Know your priority look. If only one photo matters, say so, and the photographer can spend a little longer on it.
- Do not try to hold a smile. Reset between frames. Fresh expressions look better than held ones.
- Ask questions. If something feels odd, say so. Small adjustments make a big difference.
If you are curious how three specific looks fit into one session, read the sample session with three headshot looks in 30 minutes.
Quick answers
How long does a headshot session take?
Often around 30 minutes of shooting, including a few looks. Plan a few minutes before and after for arriving and changing.
Do I need to bring anything?
Your outfits on hangers, glasses if you wear them, and anything you use for touch-ups. Check the profile to see whether the backdrop and lighting are provided, which is usual for studio photographers.
When do I get the photos?
It varies by photographer. The profile lists the delivery time and the number of retouched photos.
Find your photographer
Choose a date, pick a time that fits your workday, and tell your photographer what the headshots are for. Browse headshot photographers, or read the professional headshots guide for the questions worth asking.