Outdoor Headshot Photo Prep | Denver Headshot Co.

How to Prepare for an Outdoor Photo Headshot Session
Photographing headshots in a studio is often the best option due to its relatively controlled and static environment. However, you can capture an undeniable sense of dynamic energy when you take them outdoors. An outdoor headshot can be spontaneous, yielding results that surpass your expectations.
Outdoors, every natural element brings a new color to your palette. This style of headshot is usually less formal than a studio shoot. An outdoor headshot conveys a more laid-back personality. While you may have little control over the colors at your disposal, skilled photographer learns to think on their feet and work with what they have.

Taking a beautiful outdoor headshot might be difficult, but here are some pointers to help you obtain the finest photos!

Preparing Ahead: The Day Before Your Outdoor Headshot Photos
It might be challenging to schedule your day a week in advance, but make sure you don’t have any commitments or other conflicts in the hours before your session. The most important thing during your shoot is to stay focused. You should also check the weather forecast and traffic situation to know what is coming. You don’t want to get stuck in a storm when you’re shooting your headshots.

Ensure you get as much rest as possible before your shoot. Although the photographer’s editing process might assist with dark circles under the eyes, getting enough sleep the night before your session is the most effective way to look refreshed! A few days before your session, refrain from drinking alcohol and eating salty foods to prevent fatigued skin. Drink plenty of water to ensure your skin is radiant during the shoot.

What to Wear for Your Outdoor Headshot Photos
Among the most significant queries, people ask when planning for a headshot photo session (or any other portrait, for that matter) is, “What should I wear?” While you are free to wear anything you want, there are some general guidelines to follow to ensure you look your best in shots.
The clothes you choose for your photo session should showcase both your personality and the brand you are promoting. You must look past donning a white shirt, a jacket, and blue jeans when choosing what to wear for an outdoor headshot.
Successful outdoor headshots begin with the pieces of clothing you select. The trick here is to keep things friendly and straightforward so that the focus is on your face rather than your outfit. Choosing the right outfit is the easiest way to elevate your outdoor headshots.

Here are some tips when deciding what to wear to your photo session.
Consider Natural Tones
Your outdoor headshot session will look great if you select the correct color palette. You need to go with clothing that offers natural tones for a cohesive look. Natural colors tend to look best on everyone, regardless of style.
Intense or busy hues can create more, an unappealing visual side effect of repeating patterns, which tends to draw attention away from your face.

Avoid Loud Patterns or Neon Colors
Although entertaining, patterns could be much for a professional headshot. These may detract from the focal point of the image: You! We recommend using patterns in small quantities. For example, wear a patterned camisole under your blazer and a patterned pocket square inside your suit jacket.
Steer clear of neon colors too. Neon colors can alter skin tones and are unpleasant in photos. Consider your photo backdrop while selecting colors for your professional headshots. Choose clothing colors that contrast with your environment, so you stand out. This is particularly true if you intend to have black and white headshots since wearing a dark top against a dark background could make you appear hovering in midair.

Keep Accessories to a Minimum
The best professional headshots emphasize your natural traits. Therefore, simple jewelry is a preferable for professional headshots, particularly if your headshot is closely cropped to your face (as most are).
Jewelry should only be used as a “final touch” for your headshot session if you have the proper hair and cosmetics. Keep your earrings basic with simple metallic or gemstone studs, and use caution while wearing dangling earrings. For necklaces, ensure the pendant is seen above the crop of the image.

Dress for the Weather
Wear light fabrics that won’t make you sweat, even if it’s chilly outdoors. Your clothing should be the appropriate color for the weather, location, and lighting. Typically, neutral hues look good in spring and summer, and rich colors look good in fall and winter. For most of the year, subtle, soft shades work best.
Choose Suit-Inspired Outfits
Clothing primarily regarded as more masculine, such as darker-colored pants, blazers, and suit jackets, can considerably influence perceptions of intelligence and competence, particularly among those in management and leadership roles.

According to a report examining the relationship between clothing style and employment recommendations, employers viewed candidates wearing blazers and trousers as stronger and more influential than those wearing other forms of attire [1]. Darker-colored suits and trousers also contributed to more popular hiring suggestions for managerial and leadership positions.
Avoid Wearing Apparel With Logos or Images
Avoid wearing apparel with large logos and images. The goal of your headshot is to convey your identity or the brand of your business, not a clothes retailer. When you wear clothing with apparent logos, you serve as an advert for that apparel brand and take attention away from your face. Instead, you want people who see your headshots to assess if they want to do business with you. This is easier when your clothes do not have any logos or graphics on them.

Avoid Dressing Too Casually
Even though you work in an industry where business casual is the standard, you should dress more formally for your headshots to appear more confident and in charge. According to research, formal attire can help you feel more powerful, affecting your pose and look in pictures [2].
Consider formal attire alternatives that leave you feeling positive about yourself since how you feel behind the camera will affect how you seem in your images. Wear suits, ties, and formal blouses to look more confident.
Photoshopping creases out of garments takes a lot of work. Because of this, your photographer could decide against doing it. You can avoid the hassle by pressing and ironing every piece of clothing before your shoot. Carry a couple of changes of clothes to the shoot too. You want something fitted well but still lets you move about comfortably! Bringing a lint roller along might also be a bright idea if you accidentally pick up some fluff or hair.

Haircare & Makeup for Outdoor Headshots
Light makeup is fine if it looks natural and evenly applied. Natural-looking makeup is ideal for headshots. Natural skin is much simpler to edit than heavy makeup, so begin there and then concentrate on concealing any flaws. It’s much simple for the photographer to remove anything that is not permanent. Feel free to apply extra makeup as the shoot progresses.
Use hairspray, gel, and other products to manage frizz and make your hair look good. Avoid products that provide a matte appearance. They work well in some contexts but not during a photo session. In headshots, matte-finished hair will appear dull and lackluster. Use shine-enhancing hair products instead. There are several types of hair shine sprays accessible to women.
When getting ready for your photo shoot, avoid rigorous cosmetic routines. Tanning and peels may cause your skin to appear inflamed. However, a light exfoliation of the face and body can be beneficial. If you have the means, a makeup artist can assist you with all the preparation.
What Should I Bring to my Outdoor Headshot Session?
Many people wonder what they should bring along for their outdoor headshot session. You can look fantastic and increase your comfort level throughout your session by bringing extra items.

When in Doubt, Trust Your Photographer
Hopefully, this information has been helpful to you and will help your next photoshoot go smoothly and without worry. Choosing the appropriate photographer is the first step toward obtaining stunning, powerful headshots that will assist in boosting your brand’s success. Skilled photographers specializing in headshots and branding know all the aspects and techniques required to get beautiful shots of you. If possible, always budget for a professional photographer. It’s worth the investment and will help your brand.

References
[1] https://www.researchgate.net/publication/229442723_Effect_of_Applicant%27s_Clothing_on_Interviewer%27s_Decision_to_Hire
[2] https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1948550615579462