How to Prepare for a Headshot Session in Winnipeg
How to prepare for a headshot session is something most people only think about the night before — and usually wish they'd thought about sooner. The photography itself is handled. The lighting, the posing, the direction — that's the photographer's job. What you bring to the session, and how you show up, is yours. This guide covers exactly what to do so you walk in ready and walk out with images you'll actually use.
How to Prepare for a Headshot — Starting the Week Before
The best headshot preparation doesn't happen the morning of — it starts a few days out.
Book a haircut. If you need one, get it done three to five days before your session. A cut the day before looks too fresh and styled at professional camera resolution. A few days of natural settling looks considerably more polished in the final images.
Sort your clothing. Pull out the outfits you're planning to wear and try them on. Check the fit standing up straight — not slouched in front of a mirror. Look for anything that pulls, gaps, or doesn't sit right. Iron or steam everything and hang it so it's ready to pack. If you haven't already, read through what to wear to a headshot session before finalising your choices.
Drink more water. Skin texture shows at professional resolution. Staying well hydrated in the days leading up to your session makes a visible difference in how your skin looks — even before retouching.
The Night Before
Sleep. This is not optional. Under-eye circles, puffiness, and dull skin are all visible at the resolution of a professional camera. Retouching can soften some of this, but it's far easier to start with well-rested skin. Aim for a full night — this is one of the highest-leverage things you can do for your images.
Pack your bag. Lay out everything you're bringing — outfits, shoes if relevant, jewelry options, any makeup you're touching up with. Don't leave this for the morning. A rushed morning leads to forgotten items and arriving flustered, which shows in early shots.
Avoid alcohol. Even one or two drinks the night before can affect skin tone and under-eye appearance the next morning. If your session matters — and it does — skip it the night before.
Confirm your appointment. Check the time, the address, and parking. The studio is located at 200-70 Albert St in the Exchange District in downtown Winnipeg. Know where you're going before the morning of so you're not sorting it out while trying to get there.
The Morning Of — How to Prepare for a Headshot on the Day
Eat and hydrate. Don't arrive hungry. A light meal and plenty of water before your session will help you feel relaxed and look it. Low blood sugar makes people tense, and tension shows immediately in expression and posture.
Makeup. Apply it as you normally would for an important professional meeting. Slightly more than your everyday routine is fine — studio lights can wash out features a little. Avoid anything dramatically different from how you normally present. The goal is to look like the best version of yourself, not a different person.
Moisturise. Apply your normal skincare routine. Well-moisturised skin photographs better and retouches more cleanly than dry skin.
Skip heavy fragrance. You'll be in a private studio with your photographer for up to two hours. Keep fragrance light as a courtesy.
Arrive five to ten minutes early. Not because the session will start before your scheduled time, but because arriving with a few minutes to spare gives you time to settle. Rushing in at exactly your booking time, slightly stressed and out of breath, means the first few minutes of your session are spent recovering rather than shooting. Early arrival costs you nothing and pays off in the images.
What to Expect When You Arrive
You don't need to know how to pose. That's handled. Every session at 204 Photography includes guided posing and expression coaching throughout — specific direction on where to put your hands, how to hold your shoulders, where to look, and how to find a natural expression rather than a forced one.
Most people feel awkward in front of a camera. That's completely normal and expected. The session is structured to work through that — it typically takes ten to fifteen minutes to warm up, and the best shots of most sessions come after that initial period, not at the start.
You'll review your images on a large monitor during or immediately after the session. You select the ones you want retouched and purchase only those. There's no pressure to buy a package — you choose what you love.
A Few Things That Catch People Off Guard
Glasses. If you wear glasses, let the photographer know when you arrive. Lenses can create glare under studio lighting. Solutions include shooting without lenses, using frames without lenses, or adjusting angles — all manageable, but worth flagging at the start rather than discovering it in your proofs.
Visible undershirts. A white t-shirt visible under a collared shirt, or a tank top strap showing under a top, is distracting in a headshot. Check this before you leave the change area.
Jewellery decisions. If you're unsure about a piece, bring it and ask the photographer when you're in the studio. It takes thirty seconds to try it both ways and see what reads better on camera.
Expression coaching takes a moment to kick in. The first few minutes of direction can feel unnatural. Go with it. The photographer is looking at the frame — trust their feedback over how something feels from your side of the camera.
Quick Checklist — How to Prepare for a Headshot Session
Haircut booked three to five days out
Outfits selected, ironed, and packed the night before
Full night of sleep
Light meal and water before arriving
Makeup applied as normal for a professional setting
Address and parking confirmed in advance
Arrive five to ten minutes early
For the complete picture on what a session involves from booking through to image delivery, The Complete Guide to Professional Headshots in Winnipeg covers every stage in detail.
Ready to book your session? View availability at 204 Photography here.