The shoot lasts half an hour, but the photo follows you for years — on LinkedIn, your company’s team page, a conference badge, and your email signature. That’s why it’s worth showing up prepared. The good news: preparing for a business portrait is simpler than most people expect. At Gallaxi studio in Zagreb, we guide you through the whole process — but a few things you do before the session guarantee you’ll leave with a photo you’ll actually use.
Here’s everything you need to know — concise, no unnecessary rules.
What to wear for a business portrait
Clothing is the decision that trips people up most, so let’s start there. The rule is simple: wear what makes you feel like the best professional version of yourself.
- Choose solid, calm colours. Single-colour pieces photograph cleanly and keep the focus on your face. Darker shades read as more authoritative; lighter ones as more approachable.
- Avoid fine patterns and busy prints. Thin stripes and small checks create a moiré shimmer on screen and ruin an otherwise good frame.
- Bring two options. One more formal for LinkedIn, one more relaxed for social media. Two looks from one session means you cover more platforms in one go.
- Think about layering. A blazer, shirt, or knitwear adds structure and helps the portrait look polished. Iron whatever you’re planning to wear.
If you’re unsure — bring more than you think you need. It’s easier to narrow down on the day than to regret leaving something at home.
Outfit examples — from our sessions
Gallaxi
The best portrait isn’t the one where you look like someone else. It’s the one where you look like yourself — on your best day.
Small details that matter before the session
No major preparation required, but a few small things show up in the photo:
- Get a good night’s sleep. A rested look does more for a portrait than any retouching. Nothing substitutes it.
- Keep your hair and beard the way you normally wear them. The goal is a photo that’s true to you, not a special-occasion version no one recognises.
- Light, natural makeup photographs well and reduces shine. Professional styling is a plus — not a requirement.
- Glasses? Wear them if they’re part of you. We angle the light to prevent lens glare, and we can shoot a few frames without them if you’d like the choice.
- If hands will be in frame (personal branding sets), check your nails — a small detail that gets noticed.
How to relax in front of the camera
“I’m not comfortable in front of a camera” is something we hear at almost every session. It’s completely normal and not a problem — because posing is our job, not yours.
We guide you through everything: how to stand, where to put your hands, where to look, when to smile. A few things help:
- Arrive a few minutes early. Without the rush, with a moment to breathe, the portrait immediately looks more relaxed.
- Breathe and talk. The best expressions happen between frames, while we’re chatting — not while you’re rigidly “posing”.
- Think of something specific. A client you respect, a project you’re proud of — your gaze instantly gains warmth.
No experience needed. This is our job; you just need to show up.
Think about where your photo will live
It helps to know where the portrait is going before the session, because it determines the framing:
- LinkedIn and professional profiles call for a tight, near-square crop with space above the shoulders.
- Company team pages benefit from consistency — if we’re shooting multiple people, we keep the same light and background so everyone reads as part of the same story.
- Print and badges need higher resolution and a slightly wider frame.
Tell us where the photos will live and we’ll shoot with all those formats in mind — one session covers everything.
What to avoid
A few common mistakes that are easy to sidestep:
- A cropped selfie or a photo from someone’s wedding. The most common “temporary” headshot that stays for years. One short session fixes it for good.
- Heavy filters and excessive retouching. Skin without a single pore looks unconvincing. We retouch with a light hand — you stay you.
- A cluttered background. Everything happening behind you competes for attention. We keep the background clean so the focus stays on you.
- Putting it off. A good portrait is one of the easiest professional wins you can make — and it keeps falling to the bottom of the list.
FAQ
What should I wear for a LinkedIn or business headshot?
Solid colours and whatever you’d actually wear to meet a client. Avoid fine patterns and busy prints — they create a shimmer on screen. Bring two options and we’ll help you choose on the day.
Do I need a hair stylist or makeup artist before the shoot?
Not necessarily. Looking neat, rested and like yourself is enough. Light, natural makeup photographs well; professional styling is a bonus, not a requirement.
Can I wear glasses in my portrait?
Absolutely — if you wear them every day, wear them in your portrait too. We angle the light to prevent reflections on the lenses, and we can shoot a couple of frames without if you’d like the option.
What if I’m not comfortable in front of a camera?
That’s the most common concern and it’s completely normal. No experience needed — we guide you through posture, expression and where to look throughout the session. Our job is to make it easy; you just need to show up.
How long does a business portrait session take?
Around 30–45 minutes for a classic headshot. Personal branding sets with environmental frames take a little longer. We shoot in our Zagreb studio or at your location.
Ready to book?
To see what a finished result looks like and everything we offer, take a look at our guide to professional portraits in Zagreb — it also covers our current Founding Client offer for new clients who book through the site.
When you’re ready, get in touch via the contact form and we’ll set up a time. Come as you are — we’ll handle the rest.
O autoru
Filip Gal je poslovni fotograf i dizajner s više od 15 godina iskustva u vizualnoj komunikaciji. Specijaliziran za poslovne portrete, LinkedIn headshotove, brand fotografiju i korporativnu fotografiju u Zagrebu.
Studio: Gundulićeva 27, Zagreb — rezervirajte termin.