Headshot Tips, From the Guy Who Actually Shoots Them!
by Michael W Rogers
Most "headshot tips" articles online are written by people rounding up quotes from other photographers, makeup artists, and casting directors. I'm not going to do that. I've shot headshots in Las Vegas since 2014 — no weddings, no babies, this is the only thing I do. Everything below is what I actually tell clients, in the studio, before we shoot.
Finding a Headshot Specialist — Why It Matters
Any photographer with a decent camera can take an image of your face. That's not the same as a headshot that works. A specialist knows how to direct someone who's never been photographed on purpose, how to find the angle that actually looks like you, and how to make sixty minutes feel like ten. That's the whole value — not the camera, the direction.
What to Wear for Your Headshot Session
Keep it simple. No busy patterns, no big logos, nothing that competes with your face.
Solid colors read better — especially against a studio background. Darker tones tend to draw focus to your face.
Bring a backup outfit. Even in a short session, a quick change gives you options.
Iron it, or don't wear it. Wrinkles show up more than people expect on a sharp image.
Hair and Grooming Tips
Get it done a day or two before, not same-day — fresh-cut hair can look too stiff on camera.
Control the frizz. A light smoothing product goes a long way; avoid anything that adds heavy shine.
For men: low-shine products only. Skip anything greasy-looking under studio lights.
What Actually Makes a Headshot Work
A real conversation before we shoot. The best headshots come from clients who are relaxed, not posed into a corner.
We shoot more than one look. A slight angle change or expression shift gives you options — you're not stuck with one shot.
Consistency matters more than tricks. A specialist shoots headshots often enough to know what actually reads well on LinkedIn, a company site, or Google — not just what looks good full-size on a monitor.
Why It's Worth Doing Right the First Time
I hear this a lot: someone had a headshot done a few years back, hated it, and just... never fixed it. That image kept doing the talking for them the whole time — on LinkedIn, in email signatures, on the company website. It's one of the cheaper things you can fix, and it's usually faster than people expect.
Ready When You Are
No need to overthink this. If your current headshot is a few years — or a few jobs — old, that's reason enough.
Walk-ins are welcome. Pricing begins at $250.
Private studio, across from Mandalay Bay. One-on-one session — wardrobe and posing consultation included. Most sessions take about an hour.
BOOK YOUR SESSION HERE
https://www.michaelwrogersphotography.com/bookings
Ready to bridge the trust gap? Text or call Michael directly at 702-287-5699 to discuss your strategy.
Contract and full payment are required to lock in your date.