Headshots in Kelowna: what to wear and how a 30-minute session works
If you need headshots in Kelowna for a new job, LinkedIn or your company website, and the thought of a camera makes you want to reschedule, this guide is for you. It covers what to wear, how our 30-minute studio session runs, what it costs and what happens if you don’t love the result.
Several of our Google reviews start the same way. One client wrote, “I HATE having my photos taken.” You don’t have to be good at this. Our job is to direct you. Your job is to show up in a top that fits.
What should I wear for a headshot?
A headshot is cropped from about the chest up, so your top, collar and neckline do most of the work. Think first about where the photo will live. A law firm bio and a fitness studio’s About page call for different outfits, but the same rules hold for both.
Pick a colour that stands out from the backdrop
Our High-Speed Headshot is shot on a white, black or grey background. A white shirt on white or a black sweater on black makes you blend into the wall. Mid-tones and deeper colours such as navy, charcoal, forest green, burgundy and soft blue work on all three. Solid colours beat patterns: fine stripes and small checks can shimmer on screen, and big logos pull the eye away from your face. If your company has a brand colour, wearing it ties your photo to your website.
Fit matters more than the label
A jacket that pulls at the button or a collar that gaps shows up more in a headshot than in the mirror. Wear something that fits through the shoulders and sits flat at the neck. Iron it the night before and run a lint roller over it before you walk in. Torn between two tops? Bring both. You’ll see on the monitor which one works.
What men should wear for a headshot
A blazer over a collared shirt is the safe choice for corporate headshots, with or without a tie. For a more relaxed look, a pressed button-up or a fitted sweater works well. Shave the morning of, or trim your beard a day or two before so the edges look tidy without looking freshly cut.
What women should wear for a headshot
A structured blazer, a simple blouse or a fitted knit top all photograph well. Necklines near the collarbone frame the face nicely, and sleeves keep the attention up top. Keep jewellery simple. Small earrings and a fine necklace sit well in a tight crop, while big statement pieces can take it over.
Should I wear my glasses?
If you wear glasses every day, wear them in your headshot, since the people who know you expect to see them. Clean the lenses before you arrive and mention them at the start, so your photographer can set the light and your head angle to keep glare off the lenses.
Makeup and grooming
Wear the makeup you would wear to an important meeting, with a little more definition than usual. Matte foundation and powder keep shine down under studio lights, and heavy shimmer can read as shine on camera. Whatever your routine, a quick blot of powder on the forehead and nose helps. Get a haircut a week before rather than the day before, and bring a comb or brush for a last check.
How does a 30-minute headshot session work?
The High-Speed Headshot is built to fit a workday. Our headshot page puts it simply: “In and Out in Under 30 mins”. Here is how that half hour goes at our downtown Kelowna photography studio.
You park, walk in and get a coffee
The studio is at 110-1690 Water Street in downtown Kelowna, with guaranteed parking. You’ll get complimentary coffee or tea when you arrive. Our photographers set up the studio before you get there, so the lights and backdrop are ready and you aren’t standing around waiting.
We direct every pose
You don’t need to know how to pose. Your photographer walks you through the whole shoot: how to set your shoulders, where to tilt your chin, when to relax and try again. Small changes that feel odd usually look natural on camera. If you’re nervous, say so at the start. It helps.
You see your photos on a 4K monitor as they’re taken
Each frame shows up on a large 4K monitor as soon as it’s taken. For camera-shy people this changes the whole session. Instead of wondering how it’s going, you can see it, point out the shots you love and the ones you don’t, and we adjust from there.
You pick your shot before you leave
You choose your favourite right there in the studio. Picking on the spot means we can get your final photo to you sooner, and the High-Speed Headshot comes back edited within 48 hours.
“Professional, comfortable, fun. Kylie did a fantastic job taking me through the process, making me feel at ease.”
Dayo, Google review
How much do headshots cost in Kelowna?
Our prices are published on our headshot page:
- High-Speed Headshot: $200 for a 30-minute studio session and 1 edited image, on a white, black or grey background, with a 48-hour turnaround.
- Professional Headshot: $300 for a 90-minute studio session and 2 edited images, on a white, black, grey or any coloured background, with a 24-hour turnaround.
- Team and group headshots: as low as $50 per person.
If you need one strong LinkedIn headshot or a company bio photo, the High-Speed Headshot covers it. If you want more variety, a coloured backdrop or your photos back faster, the Professional Headshot gives you the extra time. Compare both on our Kelowna headshot photographer page.
What if I don’t like my headshot?
It’s a fair worry before you book, so here is our Love Guarantee in the words on our site: “We’ll Photoshop them or retake your shots for free until you get a photo you truly love. No small print here!” And if you still don’t love them: “We want you to love your photos and show them off proudly, or your money back.”
“Kylie-Mae took my headshots for my new job and I was so unexpectedly thrilled with the results!”
Daniella, Google review
Can you photograph our whole team at our office?
Yes. If you’re organizing corporate headshots in Kelowna, we can come to your office or your team can come to the studio. We photograph up to 50 people a day, team headshots are as low as $50 per person, and we edit to match your brand and website so every photo sits well on your team page.
A little planning makes the day easy. Send staff the outfit tips above, agree on one backdrop colour for everyone, and book people in short back-to-back slots so nobody is away from their desk for long.
“We have our professional headshots done by Hiilite each year.” … “Definitely high quality, professional headshots at a great value!”
Google review from a corporate client
For a team quote, send us your headcount, a preferred date and whether you’d like us on site or in studio through our contact page.
Headshot questions people ask before booking
How long does a headshot session take?
The High-Speed Headshot is a 30-minute studio session. The Professional Headshot is a 90-minute studio session.
How fast will I get my edited headshot?
Within 48 hours for the High-Speed Headshot and within 24 hours for the Professional Headshot. Picking your shot during the session helps us get it to you sooner.
Do I need to know how to pose?
No. Your photographer gives you posing direction through the whole shoot, and you watch the results on a 4K monitor as you go.
Can I wear glasses in my headshot?
Yes. If you wear them every day, wear them for your photo. Clean the lenses and mention them at the start so your photographer can keep glare off.
When is the studio open?
9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Monday to Friday. Evenings and weekends are available on request.
Is there parking at the studio?
Yes. The studio is at 110-1690 Water Street in downtown Kelowna, with guaranteed parking.
Still deciding whether to smile, how often to update your photo or what makes a good headshot? Our answers to common professional headshot questions cover those.
Book your headshot in Kelowna
We can fit you in between meetings, on your break or over lunch. Wear something that fits, bring your glasses if you wear them, and we’ll handle the rest. Book your headshot online, or look over the packages on our headshot page first.
