Look Approachable and Professional: A Therapist's Grooming Guide

Start with a Fresh, Simple Haircut

Schedule your haircut for about a week before your session. Why not the day before? Fresh cuts can look a bit too sharp, sometimes even severe. That week lets it settle into a more natural, lived-in shape. I once photographed a psychiatrist who got a buzz cut the morning of his shoot; the lighting caught every single new hair at the same exact length, creating a strange, helmet-like effect on camera that he hated. Aim for a trim that maintains your usual style, just cleaner. If you typically have longer hair, ensure it’s neatly shaped around your ears and collar. The goal is for a client to recognize you from your photo, not wonder if you’ve had a personality transplant.

For men, pay special attention to necklines and sideburns. A clean, defined neckline frames your face without distraction. Sideburns should be even and end crisply—I’ve used a ruler to fix mismatched ones in post-production more times than I can count. For women, the rule is simplicity. Pulling your hair completely back can feel harsh under studio lights; leaving it completely down can obscure your face. Consider a soft, off-the-face style, like a loose side part or a low ponytail. The camera sees everything, so tame any flyaways with a light product, not a heavy gel that creates a shellacked look.

Manage Your Facial Hair with Intention

Beard or clean-shaven, the keyword is intentional. Stubble is a tricky middle ground. Five o’clock shadow can read as tired or unkempt in a headshot, even if it’s your everyday look. If you keep a beard, trim and shape it two days prior. This gives any tiny nicks or redness time to fade. Use a quality trimmer with a guard to maintain an even length. Check your neckline—it should follow the natural curve of your jaw, not wander down your throat. For mustaches, keep hairs trimmed neatly over the lip line. A wild hair curling into your mouth is all the viewer will see.

Going clean-shaven? Shave the night before, not the morning of. This is the single best piece of advice I can give. Shaving the morning of almost guarantees irritation, redness, and tiny cuts that makeup can’t fully conceal. I watched a client arrive with a bright red razor burn on his neck; we spent 20 minutes of his session time dabbing it with concealer and changing the light angle to minimize the shadow. Shaving at night gives your skin twelve crucial hours to calm down. If you must shave the day of, do it at least three hours beforehand and use a cold compress afterwards.

Prepare Your Skin for the Camera

Your skin is the largest reflective surface in your headshot. Start hydrating it a full week out. Drink more water. Use a basic, non-greasy moisturizer every morning and night. This isn’t about achieving perfection, but about avoiding a dry, flaky forehead or ashy cheeks under bright lights. For men, a light, oil-free moisturizer is perfect. For women, if you wear foundation normally, you might use a tinted moisturizer for the session. The key is to look like yourself, just rested and healthy.

What about blemishes or rosacea? Don’t panic. A good photographer can retouch temporary flare-ups. My job is to remove the temporary visitor, not redesign the landscape of your face. Tell your photographer about any specific concerns beforehand. They can adjust lighting to soften shadows and even out skin tone. The worst thing you can do is cake on heavy concealer that looks mask-like and cracks under studio heat. A little dab of color-correcting product on a red spot is far better than a full layer of makeup you’re not used to wearing.

Avoid These Three Common Grooming Mistakes

First, shiny skin. Studio lights love to turn a moisturized forehead into a glaring highlight. The solution is simple: use a translucent matte powder. Both men and women should apply a light dusting just before shooting, focusing on the T-zone (forehead, nose, chin). I keep a large powder brush in my studio for this exact reason. Second, distracting hands. If you’re thinking of a pose with your hand near your face, make sure your nails are clean and trimmed. Chipped polish or ragged cuticles pull focus instantly.

Third, and most common, is the wrong glasses choice. Should you wear them? Yes, if you wear them in sessions with clients. But glare will ruin your photo. The solution is to visit your optician and ask for empty frames with anti-reflective (AR) lenses, or to borrow a similar pair from a friend. Non-prescription lenses with AR coating eliminate the white glare squares that hide your eyes. I’ve had clients bring three pairs to choose from, which is a brilliant strategy. Your eyes are the connection point; we must see them clearly.

Final Check: The Day of Your Session

Eat a normal meal beforehand. Low blood sugar shows in your eyes and posture. Wear a button-down shirt to your appointment, not a pullover—this prevents messing up your hair when you change. Do a final mirror check under bright, natural light if possible. Look for stray eyebrow hairs, sleep in your eyes, and any forgotten breakfast crumbs. Bring your powder, a comb, and your chosen glasses. Arrive ten minutes early to settle your nerves. Sit in your car and take five deep breaths. This matters more than you think.

My final tip is about expression. All this grooming sets the stage, but your smile is the show. Think of a specific client you helped, a moment you felt you made a real difference. Hold that warm, quiet pride in your mind when you look at the lens. I’ll say something to make you laugh, and that’s the shot we’ll use. The best headshot isn’t just a picture of a tidy person; it’s a picture of the calm, capable professional ready to listen. That’s the person your clients need to see.

Related, and worth reading next: Look the Lock Pro: Grooming Hacks for a Trustworthy Headshot.