A great headshot does something quietly powerful: it makes the right people feel like they already know you. It invites connection before a single word has been read. And when it's done well — when it genuinely looks and feels like you — it becomes one of the hardest-working assets in your whole brand toolkit.

I've been photographing headshots across Melbourne for years, and the one thing I know for certain is this: the best results don't come from stiff poses or perfectly controlled studio lighting. They come from people who feel at ease, know what to expect, and show up ready to be themselves.

So here's your complete guide to preparing for your headshot session with me — covering everything from choosing your style and planning your outfits, to what actually happens on the day and why the relaxed approach always wins.

*Headshots so good, you'll actually* *want* *to update your LinkedIn profile!*

First up: What Kind of Headshots Do You Need?

Before we dive into the how, it helps to get clear on the what. Headshots aren't one-size-fits-all, and the style that works brilliantly for one person or business might feel completely wrong for another.

Here are the main options available when you shoot with me:

Outdoors near your place of work
Indoors at your place of work
Photography studio
Outdoor location to suit your desired style

Not sure which is right for you? That's exactly what our pre-shoot planning conversation is for. I'll ask the right questions, look at how you'll be using your images, and help you land on the approach that'll serve you best.

The best headshot style is the one that feels like home for your brand — and I'll help you find it!

*When people are relaxed, it radiates through their portraits.*
*The result is a headshot you actually love sharing.*

What to Wear: Polished, Comfortable, and Unmistakably You

Outfit choice is one of the most common sources of pre-shoot anxiety — and it genuinely doesn't need to be. The goal isn't to look like someone else on their best day. It's to look like you on your best day.

Here's what tends to work beautifully:

Solid colours and simple textures photograph best and won't date your images
Skip the logos and busy prints — they pull focus away from your face
Think about your brand colours — a subtle nod to your colours helps everything feel cohesive
Layers are your friend: a jacket, blazer, scarf or great earrings can completely change a look between setups
Wear what feels good — comfort translates on camera in a way that nothing else does

One more thing worth planning around: your grooming timing. If you're due for a haircut or colour, book it a few days before — not the day before — so everything has time to settle. Same goes for any beauty treatments. If your menstrual cycle affects how you feel in your body and skin, it's worth factoring that in when you choose your date too.

The Finishing Touches That Make a Difference

A little bit of thoughtful prep goes a long way when it comes to feeling camera-ready:

Hair and makeup: I work with wonderful professional hair and makeup artists who can have you feeling pampered and polished before we even pick up a camera. It's also a lovely, gentle way to ease into the day. Prefer to do your own? Absolutely fine — just aim for a natural, everyday version of yourself.
Hands and nails: they'll be in frame more than you expect. Neat nails — even bare — are perfect.
Iron your clothes before you arrive. It sounds obvious, but it makes a noticeable difference.
Polish up: If you wear glasses, give them a clean right before the shoot.
Sleep and hydration: not the most glamorous advice, but genuinely the most effective glow-up there is.

And a note on retouching: every selected headshot receives a professional finish — reducing reflections in glasses, smoothing any blemishes, tidying stray hairs. The images you receive will look like you at your absolute best, with natural, considered edits that never veer into 'over-processed' territory.

*Boardroom energy + natural setting = headshots that tell YOUR story*

Why Relaxed Headshots Always Win

Here's something I've observed across hundreds of headshot sessions: the images that people love most — the ones they actually use, share, and feel proud of — they're the ones where something real appears. A genuine smile. A moment of ease. An expression that says I'm here, and I'm comfortable.

That's what I'm always working towards, and it's the reason I built my whole approach around creating an experience that feels more like a good conversation than a formal photo session.

We'll start with a chat to break the ice. I'll walk you through where to stand and what to do with your hands — clear, gentle direction that takes the guesswork out entirely. From there, it's click, click, click, and we're done. No marathon sessions. No awkward silences. Just a warm, calm environment where the best version of you can actually show up.

"I had the most incredible experience working with Gemma for our recent photo shoot! From start to finish, everything was seamless and enjoyable. Gemma made me feel so relaxed and confident in front of the camera."

— Michael Cairns

Setting Your Team Up for Success

If you're organising headshots for a team, a little communication upfront goes a long way in getting everyone relaxed and on board before the day arrives:

Give plenty of lead time — it lets people feel prepared and removes last-minute stress
Let everyone know where to be, for how long, and what to wear — taking the guesswork out puts minds at ease
Reassure your team that they'll have a say in which images are selected — this alone tends to relax people immediately
Encourage colour — a mix of solid tones across the team creates a cohesive, vibrant set of images that feels alive

A team that arrives informed and at ease photographs beautifully. It really is that simple.

Simon from AQUEA during his studio headshot session

What Makes a Great Headshot - in Melbourne?

The Melbourne business community is warm, creative, and genuinely diverse — and the best headshots I've seen reflect exactly that. Not overly corporate. Not trying too hard. Just real, current, professional images that let your people shine without a hint of the stiff cheese that gives headshots a bad name.

As someone who grew up here in Melbourne, I do have a bit of a soft spot for my city. And here we have an abundance of photogenic locations that are perfect for headshots. If you want to weave a little bit of Melbourne into your images, we can do that. In fact, I insist!

Whether you're a solo operator wanting a suite of images for your website and LinkedIn, or a growing team ready to refresh your About Us page — the goal is always the same: headshots that your people are proud to share, that represent your brand with confidence, and that make the right people feel like they already want to work with you.

"I normally hate being in front of the camera, but she somehow made me feel completely at ease. The photos are beyond what I imagined — they actually look like me, but on a really good day!"

— Amelia Tang

Turns out the world's most liveable city is also a pretty spectacular headshot location.

Ready to Book Your Melbourne Headshot Session?

I'd love to help you — and your team — walk away with headshots that feel genuinely, unmistakably you. Relaxed, current, professional, and on-brand.

Sessions are available across Melbourne and surrounds. Get in touch to chat about what you need, and let's make your About Us page one worth clicking on.

✦ Book your Melbourne headshot session — or get in touch to talk through which style and approach is right for you.

Get in touch HERE

Your Headshot Session with Gemma Carr: How to Prepare and What to Expect