Melissa Soto Photography

Welcome to the Mindset Consulting Headshot Preparation Page!

Your photo will take place on Monday, July 11th from 10:30AM-4:30PM .

Please click the button below to sign-up for your preferred time slot.

Then jump back here to get all the details on how to prepare for to get your most amazing headshot photo!

Having professional photos taken can feel daunting. You might be thinking I hate being in front of a camera, how will I look natural? What the heck do I wear? Do I need hair and makeup? Take a deep breath…it’s okay to have all these feelings. I’m here to help you prepare for your headshot so you can have an amazing photo you feel proud of and happy to share on your company’s website.

Let’s dig in…

LOCATION

The headshot event will be located on the second floor near the parking garage skyway entrance inside the Tractorworks Building, 800 Washington Ave. N. Minneapolis, MN 55401.

WHEN SHOULD I ARRIVE?

You should arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before your designated time slot. That means no more than 2 people should be waiting their turn to have their picture taken. We will have a short 5 minutes to get you comfortable and get a few poses. It’s no fun when you have spectators. Please be courteous to your fellow team members. Give each other the time needed to take a photo without worrying what someone else is thinking or saying from the sidelines. The location of the headshots will be near an entrance so there will be normal traffic.

Do not be late. I cannot stress this enough. We are on a strict schedule. If you are late, I cannot guarantee you will get your headshot. Please plan to arrive at least 5 minutes early. Set the alarm on your phone multiple times if needed or use the buddy system and snag a time slot right next to each other.

What do I wear?

We want you, to be YOU! Your personality is what sets you apart. Let your uniqueness shine through your headshot! No need for ties or being formal. Put on some color, show off your tattoos, or wear your favorite jewelry!

Choosing the right outfit can be challenging. There are no rules, yet here are a couple tips to think about when selecting your attire: 

• Long sleeves are better for headshots than short sleeves.

• Pastel colors and other neutral colors should be carefully chosen. If it’s close to your own skin color, try wearing something vibrant or full of color instead.

• Jewel toned colors (greens, blues, purples) are great colors to wear.

• Be sure undergarments are not seen through the top.

• Make sure straps and bras are not hanging out.

• Your wardrobe should reflect who you are as an individual and what makes you UNIQUE.

The best place to start is in your own closet. Chances are you have a number of great options. Take out all the pieces you love and lay them out on your bed. Keep an open mind — maybe even pull out that dress or shirt that fits you perfectly and makes you feel so confident!

Then try them all on, outfit by outfit and see what you think. Does it feel like you? Does it fit well? Is the color flattering? You might have the perfect outfit in your closet, or it might be an excuse to do a little shopping.

Best reminder is to iron your clothes. You don’t want to be frustrated with a photo ruined by wrinkled clothes! If you’re worried that it will wrinkle or stain, feel free to keep your outfit on a hanger to bring to work until you’re ready to change for your photo.

HAIR AND MAKEUP TIPS

The goal is to be a slightly more polished version of yourself. Here are some tips for hair and makeup for both the guys and ladies.

WOMEN

Hair looks best when it frames your face. Ponytails, buns, or trendy warrior knots are not recommended unless that is part of what makes you, YOU. Blow out your hair for some volume, smooth out the frizz and pay attention to the front especially.

Do emphasize your eyes – they should be the main focus of your headshot. You want your eyes to stand out but not in the “smokey eye” or “winged liner” way (unless that’s exactly who you are). Line the top of your eye with black or dark brown eyeliner. Mascara is your friend!

Do use concealer. No one is perfect, so conceal areas that need correcting. Just be gentle with this area as it is a thin layer of skin. Be sure to also cover blemishes and set these areas with powder. Powder your nose, forehead and chin as well to cut the shine down.

Do add a neutral lip color like a mauve or berry shade. You want some color to your lips to liven up your face a little. However, this is not the time for lots of gloss or a nude lip.

MEN

Do comb and style your hair. Product is your friend – especially for those stubborn cowlicks or hairs that don’t want to lie down.

Do groom your brows. Tweeze the ones in the middle – no unibrows. Brush your brows up and outwards to avoid the mad scientist look. You should also groom your facial hair. Keep it neat and low or not at all. If you have a full beard make sure it is groomed and combed.

Do use lip balm. Any chapstick will do (no vaseline or glossy stuff). Your lips should not be chapped or flaky. If you have chapped lips, start a few days in advance to get your lips in shape. Don’t wait until the day you are getting your headshot.

Should you wear jewelry in a headshot?

The short answer. YES! Have a nose ring? Wear it! In love with your favorite hoops? Me, too. Grab your ‘em! Let you, do you!

The Right Mindset

Preparing mentally for your session is a good idea. Feel confident on the day of the shoot. Rest, relax, and enjoy your session. Have a plan, don’t rush, and organize your outfit the night before.

• Relax

• Avoid alcohol the night before your session

• Get plenty of rest

So excited to meet you! We have 5 minutes to hang out so I’ll bore you with the small details now. I’m a MN girl, born and raised, living my best life with my Texan husband, 3 kids, and family dog in the suburbs of the Twin Cities. In my past life, I worked as probation and corrections officer until I decided to ditch the badge and pick up the camera. Since then I’ve been photographing, mentoring, and educating other professionals while stacking up awards for lifestyle photography. While I find it weird to share my street “cred” in the photography world, I’m not shy to let everyone know that I still fit into the same earrings from high school. ;) My art is my passion and I love helping others find confidence in front of the camera. Headshot and branding photography allows me to help others present themselves in the best way possible. I make professionals look like professionals and that’s what I like to brag about (although my hoop earrings are pretty snazzy).

When I’m not photographing clients, you can find me searching for the best tacos and margaritas in the Twin Cities with my hubs. If you got a favorite spot, be sure to let me know when we meet for your headshot. I want all the details!

See you soon!

Melissa