What Happens During a Professional Headshot Session?
Your first headshot session should not feel like arriving at an exam you forgot to revise for. Here is what to expect, what to ask and what you can leave to the photographer.
By Dan Engels, photographer at Zero B.S. Photos · Updated 10 September 2026
A professional headshot session usually includes a short briefing, lighting and background setup, guided posing, several expressions, image selection and editing. You do not need to know how to pose. Confirm the session length, finished image count and delivery process before booking.
What happens during a professional headshot session?
A headshot session is a guided conversation with a camera involved. You explain what the photographs are for, the photographer chooses a suitable setup, and you work through small changes in posture, expression and framing. Afterwards, the selected images are edited and delivered. You do not need modelling experience or a signature pose.
Before the shoot: decide what the photograph needs to do
Tell your photographer where the image will appear: LinkedIn, a company website, a speaker biography, a job application or your own business page. Mention any company background or crop requirements before the appointment. A tightly framed profile picture and a wide website banner need different compositions, even when they come from the same session.
Bring clothing that fits comfortably and feels appropriate for your work. Check collars, creases and visible lint before leaving. Wear your usual glasses if they are part of how people recognise you. A second outfit only helps if the booked session allows time for it. For specific clothing advice, read what to wear for a LinkedIn headshot.
A short conversation about your brief
At the start, explain the impression you want to make and anything that worries you. “Approachable but credible” gives a useful starting point. “I always look tense when I smile” is helpful information too. Reference images can communicate a preference, but the aim is a portrait suited to your face and work.
The photographer checks the light and background
The photographer positions you in suitable light, checks what appears behind you and makes any necessary adjustments. This may involve moving a short distance or turning slightly. An outdoor session can use a sheltered background; a studio session may use lights and a backdrop. Neither setup requires you to understand the equipment.
You receive specific, manageable direction
Expect instructions such as turning your shoulders slightly, moving your chin a little forward or shifting your weight. A good photographer changes one thing at a time. You should not have to hold a complicated pose while wondering what your hands are doing. In a close headshot, they may not be in the frame at all.
You try a few expressions and compositions
The photographer may work through a relaxed expression, a small smile and a more open smile. There is no requirement to grin in every frame. Small pauses and conversation can help the expression feel less fixed. Tighter and wider compositions give different uses, where time and the package allow.
The strongest photographs are selected
Selection varies by photographer. Some review images with you during the appointment, some send a proof gallery afterwards, and others select the final photographs themselves. Check the process before booking. Taking many frames does not mean every frame is included, or that unfinished files will be supplied.
The selected photographs are edited and delivered
Editing usually covers exposure, colour, crop and agreed distractions. More detailed retouching depends on the service purchased. You receive the finished files through the agreed delivery route. Confirm the image count, deadline and download arrangements rather than assuming that all packages work the same way.
How long does a headshot session take?
There is no single standard duration. A focused session with one outfit needs less time than a brief with several looks, backgrounds or wider personal-brand photographs. At Zero B.S. Photos, current individual options span approximately 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the package. Check the live session details and availability when booking, as inclusions can change.
Choose time around the brief
If you need one clear professional look, a compact session may be enough. If you want outfit changes, several uses or time to settle in, choose more breathing room. A longer appointment is useful when it serves a purpose, not simply because the number sounds more premium.
What if you hate having your photograph taken?
Say so. It gives the photographer something useful to work with. You can explain whether you dislike a fixed smile, feel self-conscious about a particular angle or prefer a quieter approach. You do not need to apologise for being nervous. Helping you through the session is part of the service.
Avoid trying to memorise ten posing tricks beforehand. Listen to the direction, breathe between frames and say if a position feels uncomfortable. You can also mention access needs or any limits on standing or movement before the shoot so the setup can be discussed. The aim is a believable expression, not passing an audition for “person who enjoys cameras”.
Do you need to smile in a professional headshot?
No. A small smile can look warm and approachable, while a relaxed neutral expression may suit a different brief. The useful question is whether the expression feels natural and appropriate for your audience. If the session allows, having both gives you a choice for different contexts. A forced grin is not a professional requirement.
What happens if it rains during an outdoor headshot session?
Ask how your photographer handles rain before booking. At our regular London locations, we use covered outdoor spots when needed. Bring an umbrella for walking between spots. Cover helps with ordinary rain, but severe wind or unsafe conditions may require a change of plan, which should be discussed directly. Outdoor photography does not have to mean standing in a downpour.
What should you check before paying?
Check the practical details together, rather than comparing only the session length:
- How many finished images are included, and who chooses them?
- How much time is booked, and are outfit changes included?
- Where do you meet, and what is the weather plan?
- What editing is included, and what costs extra?
- When will the finished images arrive?
- Can you use them for the professional purposes you have in mind?
At Zero B.S. Photos, sessions include practical direction and hand-edited images, normally delivered within three working days. The number of images and time available depend on your chosen package. For the visual side of the decision, see what makes a good professional headshot.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know how to pose for a headshot?
No. Your photographer should give clear direction for posture, shoulders, chin and expression. You can arrive without modelling experience.
How long is a Zero B.S. Photos headshot session?
Current individual options span approximately 10 to 45 minutes, depending on the package. Check the live booking page for the current duration and inclusions.
Do I get every photograph taken during the session?
Do not assume so. Packages usually specify a number of finished images. Ask who selects them and whether additional edited images can be purchased.
Can I wear glasses in my headshot?
Yes. If you normally wear glasses, they can help the photograph feel recognisably like you. Bring clean lenses; the photographer can adjust your angle and lighting to manage reflections.
What happens if it rains?
At our regular London locations, we use covered outdoor spots when needed. Bring an umbrella for moving between spots. Severe wind or unsafe conditions may require a change of plan.
When will I receive my Zero B.S. Photos headshots?
Finished images are normally delivered within three working days. Check the chosen package and any agreed faster delivery when booking.
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