What to Expect From A Professional Headshot Session (Brittany’s Version)

Learn what to expect from a professional headshot session — from preparation to posing — and how to feel confident in front of the camera.

by Brittany Barlog, Studio Operations Assistant

Though I work at SchlickArt and assist with shoots every day, it had been years since I’d done my own professional portrait session. So even though I “knew” what to expect, actually being the one in front of the camera felt very different. 

I remember walking in feeling excited, but also a little in my head. I had one of those “is this outfit actually cute or did I convince myself it was five minutes ago?” moments. And of course, it happened to be one of those days where my hair just felt…not quite like me. You know the kind of day.

Even knowing everything I know about how sessions work—and what to expect from a professional headshot session—those thoughts still showed up. That’s when I realized no one is immune to that “am I doing this right?” feeling. Instantly I was flooded with empathy for what our clients are feeling before they even step into the studio.

What to Expect During a Professional Headshot Session

But what I experienced almost immediately was how quickly that nervous energy started to shift. With Lindsay guiding me through each pose, there was this sense of ease that took over. Nothing felt forced or overly posed. Every adjustment had a purpose, and instead of worrying about how I looked, I started to trust that I was being positioned in a way that actually enhanced me, not picked me apart. 

That was a huge mindset shift for me. 

I wasn’t trying to “fix” anything—I was just allowing myself to be guided. Lindsay didn’t just tell me what to do. She explained why, adjusted in real time, and somehow made it feel effortless.

And here’s the part that really surprised me…when I got my images back, the things I had been worried about didn’t matter in the way I thought they would. The curls in my hair I was worried about came out absolutely beautiful, and the dress I thought might be too much actually photographed in a way that felt natural and flattering.

One of my favorite parts of the entire experience came after the session, when I got to choose my images. I selected ten photos, and what stood out to me wasn’t just how different they looked, but how different they felt. Each image had its own personality—some more serious, some softer, some more confident and direct. 

And for the first time, I found myself thinking about my headshots not just as photos, but as tools. Tools that actually support what I’m trying to say and how I want people to experience me. 

I started connecting each expression to how I might use it professionally. If I’m talking about something more serious or challenging, I could see how a more grounded expression can support that message. And when I want to show warmth, connection and my natural personality, those lighter, smiling images feel so aligned.

A Professional Headshot Session Is More Than Just a Photo

That realization was so powerful because it completely changed how I view headshots—and what to expect from a professional headshot session. They’re not just something you take once and use everywhere. They’re part of how you communicate. 

You’re not one-dimensional, and your images shouldn’t be either.

I also started seeing so many more opportunities for how these images could show up in everyday life. Of course, there are the obvious places like LinkedIn or a website, but it goes so much further than that. Email signatures, social media content, marketing graphics, even the small profile icons we use on different platforms—those little touchpoints matter. They remind people that there’s a real person behind the message, and that creates connection in a way that words alone sometimes can’t.

What surprised me the most, though, wasn’t just the final images. It was how I felt throughout the experience and after it was over. I walked in with small doubts, like most people do, but I left feeling genuinely seen. 

The photos didn’t feel like a version of me I couldn’t live up to. They felt like me on a really good day—confident, natural and aligned with how I strive to show up.

And I think that’s what I would want anyone considering a session to really understand. It’s not about knowing how to pose or trying to figure out how to “get through” a headshot session. It’s about getting clear on what you actually want to use these images for. 

What do you want to communicate?
Where are these photos going to live?

And if you’re not totally sure yet, that’s okay too.

There’s a part of the session where Lindsay will walk you through questions that help you get clarity around exactly that. Sometimes you walk in just knowing you need new headshots, and through that conversation, you leave with ideas and direction you didn’t even realize were there. From there, the team can guide you in a way that supports it—from how you’re posed, to the expressions we help bring out, to the colors, backgrounds and overall feel of your images. 

You don’t have to have all the answers, but having a sense of purpose allows us to create something that truly works for you.

Looking back on it now, I can honestly say this experience made me better at what I do, not just because I understand the process more, but because I’ve felt it. 

I know what it’s like to walk in with uncertainty and walk out with confidence. 

And that’s what makes this more than just a headshot session. 

It’s not just about taking a photo—it’s about capturing who you are in a way that supports how you show up in your business and in your life.

If you’ve been wondering what a professional headshot session is actually like, you’re not alone. That’s exactly what we’re here for.

About SchlickArt

SchlickArt is a strategic marketing company based in Santa Clarita, founded in March 2012 on a simple belief: when people feel confident and clear about their marketing, their presence changes in the market.

What began as a visual storytelling studio has evolved into a fractional marketing team supporting businesses, personal brands and professionals across Santa Clarita, Los Angeles and Southern California. Today, we provide integrated marketing strategy and full-service implementation—aligning messaging, content, photography and video into cohesive systems designed to support long-term growth.

Our work is grounded in philosophy, not trends. We believe marketing is most effective when it is intentional, when it reflects your credibility, and when it connects directly to measurable business goals. Every decision—from high-level strategy to the smallest visual detail—is made with that alignment in mind.

At SchlickArt, we approach every partnership with structure, clarity and care, helping you consistently demonstrate the trust, authority and value you already bring to the table.

Because when marketing and leadership move in the same direction, growth becomes sustainable.

Our Content Creation Philosophy

Marketing activity does not equal marketing strategy.

It’s easy to stay busy with content—posting regularly, trying new formats, keeping up with trends. We’ve been there. But over time, we’ve learned that more content doesn’t necessarily create better results. Without direction, it often creates noise.

At SchlickArt, we don’t create content to “stay visible.” We create it according to plan.

Every article, campaign, photograph, and video is developed with intention—designed to support your positioning, reinforce your authority, and contribute to your long-term growth. Content isn’t created in isolation. It’s part of a larger system, where each piece plays a role and builds on the last.

If it doesn’t serve the strategy, it doesn’t make the calendar.

This approach requires more upfront clarity. It asks better questions. What are we trying to communicate? Who is this for? Where does this fit within the broader plan? But that clarity is what turns content from a task into a tool.

There’s no guessing. No trend-chasing. No posting just to post.

Instead, we focus on clear, consistent communication—the kind that compounds over time. The kind that helps your audience understand not just what you do, but why it matters.

Because when content is created with purpose, it doesn’t just fill space.
It builds recognition. It strengthens trust. And it supports real business growth.

Kirsten Quinn

A lover of strong coffee and yellowed pages, Kirsten Quinn-Smith is a professional content writer and owner of WordSmith Content Marketing here in Santa Clarita. She believes great content can forge a loyal, authentic and beneficial relationship between you and your audience – and grow your business. With each piece of writing, Kirsten's goal is to position you in the content spotlight through audience-centered, strategy-based writing that actually sounds like you. Why? Everyone has a story, and every story deserves to be heard.

See Full Bio