7 Tips for a good preparation for your portrait photoshoot

How can you prepare yourself as best as possible for a portrait photoshoot? As a corporate portrait photographer, I’m here to offer you tips and information to ensure you are beautifully portrayed.

These 7 tips will help you create excellent portraits of yourself:

1 Portrait photos: get ready!

Preparation is essential! Going to the hairdresser a week before the photoshoot might be a great idea. Think about the clothes you want to wear and ensure they are clean. Avoid wearing clothing with fine lines or dots, as this can lead to moire effects. Do you know how you will be photographed? Full-body shots or just your face? For instance, I often take photos where the arms and hands are visible. In that case, it’s wise to wear nice pants, a dress, or a skirt, as they will also appear in the photo.

2 Have portraits taken by an experienced portrait photographer

An experienced portrait photographer can make a significant difference in the result. I’ve personally captured thousands of people’s portraits. I work towards making people happy with their photos. This involves collaborating closely with the subjects and taking the time to create relaxed and enjoyable photos. Thanks to my experience, I spend minimal time and effort on the camera and settings, allowing me to focus on building a connection that leads to great portraits.

3 What background colour will your portraits have?

It’s useful to know the background color of your portrait photos. Often, portrait backgrounds are white or black, especially if the photos will be used for LinkedIn (see examples here: LinkedIn portrait photos). However, your company’s communication department might prefer photos with the brand color as the background. In such cases, for instance, if the color is light blue or red, take that into consideration when choosing your clothing.

4 Nobody Is Perfect

When I capture portraits, I often aim for cheerful expressions with visible teeth. However, this isn’t a necessity and should suit your personality. For example, my front teeth aren’t perfectly straight, and they have a color difference. I can choose to keep my mouth closed when posing for portraits. Still, I believe a portrait of me with a pleasant smile is better, even though my front teeth are far from perfect.

5 Spend some extra time looking in the mirror

Do you know your own face well? Do you know how to look your best in photos, or do you never look good in them? If you spend more time looking in the mirror than just the three seconds after brushing your teeth, you can get to know your face better. However, it takes some time to genuinely assess your appearance. Most people glance at themselves in the mirror occasionally, but is it to check your hair or to genuinely assess your appearance? A good portrait is one that captures your face optimally. Most people have aspects of their face they consider less attractive. As an experienced portrait photographer, I can help you present your face in the best possible way. If you’re thinking, “I never look good in photos,” it might be helpful to read (in Dutch) this article: link. You might find it beneficial.

6 Just before the photoshoot

Take a look in the mirror just before you go to the photographer. Ensure you arrive on time for the portrait photoshoot so that the entire time booked for you can be fully utilized.

7 Your favorite portrait photo

Which portrait photo(s) of yourself do you like the most, and why? If a particular photo stands out because you were eight years younger or six kilograms lighter, you might want to re-read point five. If your age or weight isn’t the reason you prefer a specific photo, it’s probably because you’re looking at the camera in a certain way that appeals to you. Can you replicate that look? You’re well on your way to having a good portrait taken. You can practice this gaze in front of the mirror. The most beautiful photos of yourself will help you look into the camera correctly.

Ask others in your circle for their opinion. Ask close friends or family in your circle which photo of you they find the most attractive. Give them ten portrait photos of yourself and request a top three selection. If this list doesn’t match your top three, you may be focusing too much on less attractive parts of your face that others don’t find disturbing. This exercise will give you an idea of how people perceive you.

Conclusion: A portrait photoshoot is not a solo endeavor.

Many people don’t enjoy having their portraits taken, but once you have a beautiful portrait of yourself, you’ll be thrilled. Therefore, it’s worth considering your preparation for a portrait photoshoot. Understand that a professional portrait photographer with ample experience will always assist you in creating beautiful photos. It’s genuinely a co-creation between the photographer and yourself. You’re never alone in this!

Need a portrait photoshoot for your staff? I’m an experienced portrait photographer. Besides this website, I have several other sites. If you need portrait photos of your staff, especially for employer branding, you can visit this website: . If you arrived on this page because you need portrait photos for your company’s website, you can also find more information on this page:

More Information about portrait photos

Would you like to have beautiful and appropriate portraits taken? I would be happy to assist you. You can learn more about me here: Information about me, portrait photographer in The Hague

You can view more samples of my portrait on this website, for example here: LinkedIn profielfoto’s

If you’d like more information about my portrait photography rates or would like to request a photography quote, please contact me.