Preparation guide
How to prepare for your corporate headshot session
A practical guide for staff attending a headshot session, and for the HR or office team coordinating it. Everything covered here is designed to help everyone arrive confident and leave with images they are happy with.
Prefer a quick message? Send a WhatsApp
What to wear
Clothing that works on screen and in print
The goal is clothing that reads cleanly at thumbnail size and looks professional at full resolution. A headshot will appear on LinkedIn, a company website, a press release, and potentially a printed annual report. Clothing that works across all of those contexts has a few things in common.
What works well: Business or business casual dress, consistent with how you present yourself professionally day to day. Plain, well-fitted tops and jackets in neutral, dark, or brand-aligned colours. Navy, charcoal, white, soft grey, and muted tones photograph well against most backgrounds. A well-fitted jacket or blazer adds structure and reads as professional across all uses.
What to avoid:
- Very fine stripes or tight checks, which create a moiré effect on screen
- Busy patterns or large prints, which compete with the face at thumbnail size
- Large visible logos, which date the image and can conflict with brand guidelines
- Very bright, saturated colours that draw attention away from your face
- Overly casual clothing that does not reflect how you present yourself professionally
If you are unsure about a specific outfit, bring it as a second option. Having two choices is always better than having none. One option can be reviewed on screen during the session and swapped out if needed.
What to bring
A short checklist for the day
Most sessions require nothing beyond what you would wear to work. A few things are worth thinking about in advance.
- A second outfit option. If you have any doubt about your first choice, bring a backup. Swapping takes two minutes and is worth the option.
- Glasses wearers. Glasses are fine to wear and are photographed every day in the studio without issue. If you wear both glasses and contact lenses, bringing both means you have the choice on the day. Anti-reflective lenses photograph best. Standard lenses may require a small angle adjustment on set, which is managed during the session.
- Jewellery. Keep it simple and consistent with how you present yourself professionally. Jewellery that moves or catches light can require adjustments on set. Simple, classic pieces work best for corporate headshots intended for a range of uses.
- Hair. Style your hair as you would for an important business meeting. Allow two or three minutes on arrival to check it before your slot starts. A small comb or brush is worth having with you.
Hair and makeup
Not required, but it makes a difference
Professional hair and makeup is not a requirement for most corporate headshot sessions. The majority of people attend in their everyday professional presentation and leave with images they are happy with.
For senior executives, personal branding sessions, or anyone who wants to feel their best in front of the camera, professional styling makes a meaningful difference. Studio lighting is different from natural light, and makeup applied for photography holds up better under it than everyday makeup.
If you would like a recommendation for a makeup artist experienced with photography, let Jürgen know when you book. He works with trusted professionals in Cape Town who understand corporate photography briefs.
What to expect
How the session works
Each person takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes in front of the camera. For team shoots, this means a group of 12 can be photographed in a morning with time to spare. For individual sessions, the full session time is used for the specific package booked.
The studio is set up and ready before you arrive. The session itself is focused entirely on you. On-set direction covers posture, expression, and positioning, explained simply and without jargon. Most people who consider themselves unphotogenic leave the session satisfied. The direction is specifically designed to produce a natural expression, not a forced pose.
Images are reviewed on a large screen as we work, so adjustments happen in real time. You see each frame as it is taken. By the time the session ends, you have already reviewed the selects and know which images are going to editing.
Every session includes a reshoot commitment. If the result does not reflect what was discussed and agreed at the start of the session, a reshoot is arranged at no charge. You will see your images on screen before leaving, so there are no surprises after delivery.
Practical details
Location and logistics
Coming to the studio
The studio is at 401 Saltcircle Building, 19 Kent Street, Woodstock, Cape Town. Woodstock is approximately five minutes from the Cape Town CBD by car and is accessible from the N1 and N2. Street parking is available on Kent Street and the surrounding streets.
Arrive two to three minutes before your scheduled slot. If you are not sure of the building entrance, WhatsApp on arrival and directions will be sent. For team shoots, a schedule is sent in advance so staff can arrive at their individual slot time rather than waiting together.
On-site sessions at your office
For on-site team shoots, the mobile studio comes to you. No need for staff to travel anywhere. The setup requires one clear corner of a boardroom, a reception area, or a section of open-plan floor. The lighting rig and background are self-contained and take 30 to 40 minutes to set up before the first person is called.
A session schedule is sent to the organiser in advance. Staff are called to the shoot space at their individual slot time. The process is designed to be minimally disruptive to the working day.
Questions before the shoot day? WhatsApp or email is the fastest way to get an answer.
Ready to book
Book your session or request a quote
Individual sessions available within one to two weeks. Team shoots on-site or at the Woodstock studio.