Professional Headshots in Calgary: How to Look and Feel Amazing Before Your Portrait Session

Professional headshots in Calgary aren’t just about a perfect smile; they’re about capturing who you are. Beauty is not just about your physical appearance, it’s about you: your personality, your quirks, and the energy you bring into a room. That’s what makes portrait photography so powerful. It captures not just what you look like, but who you are! A great photographer ensures your image leaves a lasting impression.

But let’s be honest, the camera captures everything. Every wrinkle, every blemish, every flyaway hair. And when you go to a professional photographer with a high-resolution camera and studio lighting, those tiny imperfections suddenly seem magnified. It can make even the most confident person feel a little self-conscious.

As a Calgary photographer specializing in professional headshots, my job is to celebrate your natural beauty while making sure those little distractions don’t steal the spotlight. Here’s how I approach people photography, how I edit to help you shine, and a few easy tips you can use to look your absolute best before your session.

My Approach to Professional Headshots

When I photograph you, my goal is to capture your uniqueness and personality while using editing techniques that highlight your natural beauty. The trick is not to overdo it — you should still look like you. The result is a headshot that feels authentic, polished, and ready to help you stand out in Calgary’s professional scene.

Gentle Editing for Natural Results

One of my favorite editing techniques is frequency separation, a professional retouching method that separates texture from color.

Evening out skin tone: Studio lights often reveal blotchy areas of skin that we never notice in daily life. By evening out the color first, I create a smooth, natural look.
Smoothing texture: Calgary’s dry climate can make skin appear flaky or rough in high-resolution photos. I gently smooth texture while keeping your skin realistic and healthy-looking.
Reducing shine and dark spots: Cameras can exaggerate oily patches or stress-induced shine. I tone these down so your skin looks balanced and soft.
Enhancing key features: I add subtle highlights to hair and brighten the eyes so they sparkle. For male clients, I sometimes sharpen slightly more for a strong, confident look.

When all these edits come together, you get professional headshots that highlight your personality and make a strong first impression.

How to Prepare for Your Professional Headshots in Calgary

While editing is important, there are a few simple steps you can take to look and feel amazing before your photoshoot.

5 Simple Tips to Look Your Best

Get plenty of rest: A full night’s sleep reduces puffiness and dark circles.
Stay hydrated: Drink water the day before to plump up skin and boost glow.
Exfoliate gently: Use a mild scrub 1–2 days before to remove dry patches.
Use lip balm regularly: Soft lips make your smile look its best.
Choose flattering colors: Select clothing that complements your skin tone and avoids distracting patterns.

What to Avoid (1–2 Days Before)

These habits can make you look puffy or dull in photos:

Salty foods (chips, take-out, cured meats) – cause water retention.
Refined carbs & sugar – may trigger breakouts.
Alcohol – dehydrates and causes puffiness.
Dairy (if sensitive) – can lead to breakouts.
Carbonated drinks – may cause bloating.

These steps ensure you show up to your session feeling refreshed, confident, and photo-ready.

Book Your Professional Headshots in Calgary

People are beautiful, and when I capture your professional headshots, my goal is to help you feel proud of who you are. Forget about the blemish you woke up with or the stubborn hair that wouldn’t cooperate — together we’ll create images that make you stand out.

If you’re ready for professional headshots in Calgary, whether for business branding, LinkedIn, or corporate portraits, I’d love to work with you. Get in touch today and let’s create powerful images that represent the best version of you.

Learn more about my Services Here.

And let’s connect through LinkedIn.