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Executive portrait

The Headshot Guide

Your photo is doing
a job before you
say a word.

Everything you need to know before your session — what to wear, how to prepare, and what to expect when you're in the room.

Why it matters

The photo speaks first.

People form an impression in under a second. Your headshot is already there before the meeting, the call, the intro email. It either opens the door or closes it.

01
LinkedIn profiles with a photo get 21x more views
Most people know this. Fewer realize that the quality of the photo determines the quality of the attention.
02
First impressions are made in 100 milliseconds
Warmth, competence, approachability — all registered before anyone reads your title.
03
Your phone camera is not doing you any favors
Lighting, lens distortion, background compression — the difference is visible and people notice, even when they don't say so.
04
A strong photo signals investment in your own brand
It tells the room that you take your work seriously. That signal travels farther than most people expect.
Client portrait — sofa
Studio portrait — seated

What to wear

Dress for the version of you that shows up to close the deal.

Clothing affects the image more than most clients expect. Here's a straightforward breakdown.

What works

  • Solid colors and muted tones
  • Jewel tones: navy, emerald, burgundy, teal
  • Neutrals: camel, cream, slate, charcoal
  • Fitted or tailored cuts
  • Blazers, structured jackets, turtlenecks
  • Minimal jewelry — one statement piece
  • 3–5 outfit options to choose from

What to skip

  • Busy patterns, stripes, large prints
  • Neon or very bright colors
  • Logos or text on clothing
  • Anything you're not fully comfortable in
  • Colors that blend into your skin tone
  • Clothes that still need ironing
"If you're unsure about an outfit, bring it anyway. It's always better to have the option than to wonder after."

How to prepare

The week before.

What you do in the days leading up to your session shows up in the images. Here's a simple timeline.

Executive portrait — outdoor
7 days
Nail appointment, if that's part of your look
Hands appear in some executive portraits and detail shots. Clean, polished nails read well. Nothing elaborate needed.
5 days
Try on your outfit options
Check for fit, wrinkles, and lint. Steam or press anything that needs it. Don't leave this for the night before.
2 days
Hair appointment, if scheduled
Fresh color or a cut looks best with a day or two of rest. Right out of the salon can read a little stiff — give it a beat.
1 day
Hydrate, sleep, and stop overthinking it
Drink water. Get to bed at a decent hour. Avoid alcohol the night before — it shows in the skin. Lay your outfits out so you're not rushing in the morning.
Morning of
Arrive as you would for an important meeting
Do your full routine — don't skip or rush your makeup if you wear it. Arrive on time. You'll have everything you need when you get here.
Studio portrait

"Most clients are nervous for about ten minutes. The camera doesn't care — and by the time it matters, neither do they."

Marian Diop — Founder, Icon By M

Day of session

What to expect when you arrive.

Most clients are a little nervous the first time. That's normal and it doesn't show up in the photos. Here's what actually happens.

We start slow, on purpose
The first few minutes are just conversation. We go over your looks, talk about how you want to use the images, and get you settled before the camera comes out.
Direction, the whole way through
You won't be left to figure out what to do with your hands or where to look. You'll be guided through posing, angles, and expression throughout the session.
Multiple looks, if your session includes them
Outfit changes are built into the session flow. We pace them so nothing feels rushed. You'll have variety by the time you leave.
You're not expected to perform
The best images come from conversation, not posing. We talk about your work, your clients, what you're building — the expression shows up naturally.
Delivery within 5–7 business days
Your gallery is delivered digitally, fully retouched. High-resolution files sized for both print and digital use — LinkedIn, press kits, websites, whatever you need them for.
Personal brand portrait — outdoors

The result

Images that look like you on your best day — not a version of you performing for a camera.

The session

How a session actually flows.

From the moment you walk in to the moment you leave — here's the sequence.

1

Arrive and settle in

There's no rush at the start. Touch up if you need to, hang your looks, and give yourself five minutes to shift out of whatever you were just doing before you got here.

2

We review your goals

Where are these images going? LinkedIn, a speaker page, a new website, a PR push? Knowing the destination shapes everything — the lighting mood, how you're positioned, how formal the expressions read.

3

First look on camera

We start with your strongest look. Lighting is dialed in to your features. You'll get direction on posture, angles, and eye line until the frame is exactly right.

4

Variety within each look

For every outfit we'll capture a range — formal, approachable, candid, direct. You're not limited to one expression or one frame. You'll have options.

5

Outfit changes, if applicable

Quick, paced, no stress. We keep momentum so you don't lose the energy from the first look. Each outfit gets its own lighting if needed.

6

Final review and wrap

We scroll through the session together before you leave. You'll know heading out that the images are there. No guessing, no waiting to find out.

"The leaders I photograph already know who they are. My job is just to make sure the camera does too."

Marian Diop — Founder, Icon By M
Personal brand portrait