Headshots FAQ Cape Town
Answers to the questions we hear most — before you book, and on the day.
Five reasons your headshot works harder than you think.
- 1. First impressions happen before hello. Before you shake a hand or say a word, someone has already googled you. What they see in that first second sets the tone for everything that follows.
- 2. It travels everywhere you do. Email signature, LinkedIn, company website, conference badge, press bio — a bad photo works against you in all of those places simultaneously.
- 3. It signals that you take your work seriously. A sharp, considered headshot says you care about how you show up. People make that association faster than they realise.
- 4. It makes you recognisable. When people meet you in person after seeing your headshot, they feel like they already know you. That is a real advantage.
- 5. A great photo compounds. A strong image gets used for years. A weak one gets quietly dropped from team pages and signatures — or worse, left there.
One shoot. Months of content.
Most people think: LinkedIn. But a good headshot shows up in far more places than that.
One session. All of it sorted.
11 things worth thinking about before you get dressed.
- 1. Solid colours, not patterns. Stripes and checks can vibrate on camera.
- 2. Avoid white next to your face. It competes for exposure and can flatten skin tone.
- 3. Navy, charcoal, and deep teal are reliable. They sit well against most skin tones and backgrounds.
- 4. Bring a second outfit. It doubles your options and costs nothing.
- 5. Dress for an important client meeting. That is usually the right level of polish.
- 6. Fit matters more than brand. Well-fitted clothes photograph better than expensive-but-loose ones.
- 7. Iron everything. Creases are magnified on camera.
- 8. Haircut a week before, not the day before. A day-of shave is fine.
- 9. Glasses can cause glare. Bring them if you wear them daily — we will work around it.
- 10. Keep jewellery simple. Statement pieces can date an image quickly.
- 11. Comfortable is confident. If you are physically uncomfortable, it will show.
Your office. Your boardroom. Your space.
Most corporate headshot sessions happen at your office. A boardroom with decent natural light, a clean reception area, or a neutral corridor all work well — you would be surprised what a good background looks like with the right lens and aperture.
If you prefer a neutral studio environment, I can accommodate that too. Studio sessions give you more control over the look and work particularly well when you need a consistent, brand-neutral result across a large team.
I will assess what you have when I arrive and set up accordingly. You do not need to prepare anything fancy — just a space that is reasonably tidy and away from noisy air-con if we are doing video.
When is it time for a new one?
The simple rule: if people are surprised by what you look like in person, your headshot is overdue.
Practically speaking, most people benefit from a refresh every two to three years. Sooner if there has been a significant change — new role, new company, or a noticeably different look from the photo.
For teams, the same logic applies at scale. A company page where headshots span ten years of different styles, backgrounds, and image qualities does nobody any favours. A unified team shoot is usually the cleanest fix.
The part of the job I never get tired of.
Most people arrive to a headshot session mildly nervous. A few are genuinely dreading it. "I hate photos of myself" is something I hear almost every time.
What I know — and they do not yet — is that a bad headshot experience is almost always a technical failure, not a people failure. Wrong light, wrong lens, wrong distance, or someone who just pointed a camera and fired without thinking about the person.
When the conditions are right and the conversation is easy, something shifts. You see it on the back of the camera, and I see it when they walk out — a little taller, maybe slightly surprised. That reaction never gets old.
Let's work together
Still have questions?
I'm happy to chat through anything before you book. No pressure — just send me a message and I'll get back to you quickly.
Headshot FAQs — every question, answered
The full list — pricing, prep, logistics and everything in between. Looking for the quick version? See the Headshots page.
How much do headshot sessions cost?
Individual sessions start at R1,250, and the per-person rate drops as group size increases. See the full Pricing page for exact tiers.
Is there a minimum group size for an on-location team shoot?
No minimum — even a single person is billed at the up-to-5-people rate. That's because an on-location shoot means blocking out the whole morning and doing a full on-site setup, regardless of headcount.
How far in advance should I book?
Headshot sessions run midweek, so you usually don't need to book far ahead — there's normally availability within the same week. If you're locked into specific dates or times, the sooner we confirm, the better.
What's the difference between the Standard and Extended studio sessions?
Extended gives you more time, more outfit changes, a bigger variety of shots, and more final edited images.
Do I need to wear makeup for a headshot?
Most female clients do wear makeup; it's generally not needed for men. It's entirely optional — if you'd like a recommendation for a makeup artist, I can suggest a few.
Should I smile, or is a neutral expression better?
We shoot a variety of expressions, smiling and neutral, so you can choose your favourites afterward. If you're not comfortable smiling for photos, that's no problem at all.
Can I wear glasses in my headshot?
Yes, you're welcome to.
Grey backdrop or a location background — which is best?
It depends on what you want to achieve. Grey is neutral, works with any brand colour, and is easiest for a designer to swap out later — but either option works well.
General wardrobe tips — what should I actually wear?
Wear what you'd wear to an interview — your best professional foot forward. Avoid grey, as it can get lost in the backdrop, and bring a jacket along so we can get both a more formal and a more casual look.
Where should I actually use my headshot?
Wherever you show up professionally — LinkedIn, your CV, email signature, company website, company reports, advertising, and more. On the entry-level package we typically shoot 20–30 frames, of which about 15 are usable, and you choose your final 2.
How many photos do I get to choose from?
Around 15 or more usable images, from which you choose 2 or more depending on your package.
Can I get extra edited images beyond what's included?
Yes — additional beauty-edited final images are available at R150 per image.
What makes a strong executive or CEO portrait?
The right clothing, the right background, and making the person look comfortable, friendly, and approachable — a true reflection of who they are. Getting someone relaxed in front of the camera takes time, and that's my job.
Headshot vs personal branding photography — what's the difference?
A headshot session is shorter and entry-level — one or two outfits on a grey background, and it's genuinely effective for most people. Personal branding needs a bigger variety of images for social media and branding use, so that's typically a 2-hour on-location session with multiple looks.
How many people can you photograph in one session?
That depends on the brief — we've done shoots of up to 100 people in a single day.
Do you offer natural, minimally-retouched images for acting or modelling portfolios?
Yes.
Can new team members be added to an existing headshot set later?
Yes — I keep the setup standard so it can be replicated later for anyone who joins after the original shoot.
Do I get full usage rights to my images?
Yes, standard corporate usage (website, LinkedIn, internal use, etc.) is included. If you need usage for advertising or media beyond that, just get in touch to discuss.
What happens if I need to reschedule?
No problem — reschedules are accommodated.
Ready to book, or want to see the full range of sessions?
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