How to Style Your Hair for a Photoshoot: 10 Easy Tips

Getting ready for a photoshoot can feel exciting and stressful at the same time. You want your photos to look polished and confident. Hair plays a major role in that. Even the best lighting and makeup won’t help if your hairstyle falls flat, loses shape or doesn’t match the mood of the shoot.

The good news is that you don’t need to be a professional stylist to make your hair look great on camera. With the right preparation and a few pro techniques, you can create photogenic hair that holds up through the entire session.

At Touched By An Angel Beauty School, we teach students how to create photo-ready looks for every occasion. Whether you're preparing for a professional shoot or a fun personal session, these simple tips will help your hair look flawless on camera.

1. Know the Type of Photoshoot Before Styling

Before choosing a hairstyle, there’s an even more important step. First, you need to decide what type of photoshoot you’re doing. There are many different styles today. You might be drawn to fashion photography, or maybe you want to try a boudoir session.

Professional shoots often focus on clean lines, polished texture and well-defined shapes that hold up beautifully on camera. Studying professional beauty work—or exploring our TBA student portfolio—can help you understand how to create hairstyles that stay smooth and balanced. Another helpful approach is observing how hair is styled across different types of beauty photography to see what shapes, textures, and finishes photograph best.

And beyond professional examples, you can always find fresh, diverse inspiration on Pinterest. It’s a great place to explore hairstyles by mood and hair type. It helps you visualize what will work best for your session.

2. Wash Your Hair Before the Shoot

Great photoshoot hair begins long before the shoot itself. The foundation is healthy, clean hair that’s free from heavy buildup. Washing your hair the night before works best for most people. Overnight, natural oils settle just enough to help your hair hold shape without looking greasy.

A few essential prep steps:

Use a lightweight conditionerHeavy conditioners can weigh hair down and make it look flat on camera.

Apply heat protectantEssential if you’re going to use hot tools. It also helps smooth the cuticle for a more polished finish.

Blow-dry thoroughlyWet hair loses shape quickly. Make sure everything is completely dry, especially near the roots.

This simple preparation makes every hairstyle look more professional.

3. Choose Hairstyles That Photograph Well

Some hairstyles simply work better on camera than others. Simplifying your approach and focusing on clean shapes can make a big difference.

Here are styles that almost always look good in photos:

Soft wavesThey add gentle volume, movement and dimension.

Straight hair with lifted rootsSleek, but with structure. Perfect for modern and minimalistic shoots.

Low bun or chignonClean, elegant and nearly impossible to ruin.

High ponytailSharp, confident and great for sporty or editorial-style photos.

Side part with textureCreates asymmetry that flatters most face shapes.

When in doubt, choose a style that keeps hair away from the face. The camera loves clean lines.

4. Add More Volume Than You Think You Need

Cameras flatten hair, especially in bright lighting. That’s why you need more volume than you would normally wear.

Here’s how to get natural-looking lift:

Blow-dry upside down for 20–30 secondsInstant boost at the roots.

Use dry shampoo even on clean hairIt adds grip and keeps hair from collapsing.

Add light texturizing spray to mid-lengthsHelps waves hold and keeps straight hair from looking too flat.

Tease slightly near the crown (optional)A tiny bit goes a long way and never shows in photos.

Volume is one of the most important elements of a photoshoot's hair.

5. Avoid Heavy Products That Weigh Hair Down

Even expensive products can ruin photos if used incorrectly. Oils, thick creams and strong gels often cause hair to look greasy under studio lights.

Better options include:

●       lightweight mousse

●       flexible-hold hairspray

●       mattifying texture spray

●       leave-in conditioner in tiny amounts

The goal is movement, not stiffness.

6. Do a Trial Run With Your Phone Camera

Your mirror is helpful, but the camera tells the truth.

Before the day of the photoshoot:

Take a few selfies in natural light

This shows shape, shine and volume.

Try turning your head side to side

This helps you see if one side collapses.

Take one photo from behind

Most people forget how the back looks, yet it's very visible in photos.

If something looks off, adjust: add volume, smooth flyaways or refine your part.

This simple test dramatically improves the final result.

7. Adapt Your Hairstyle to the Weather

If your photoshoot is outdoors, your hair needs to match the environment.

Humidity:

Opt for waves, curls or textured styles. Smooth hairstyles become frizzy fast, so it helps to look at humidity-proof hairstyles for ideas that hold their shape outdoors.

Wind:

Choose low buns, braids, or ponytails that hold their shape.

Heat:

Avoid heavy styling creams or oil-based products. They melt on the skin and make hair sticky.

Cold:

Add extra shine spray for a healthy finish, but stay light-handed.

Being realistic about the weather ensures your style stays intact.

8. Bring Touch-Up Essentials

Even if your hairstyle starts perfectly, you’ll need touch-ups during the shoot. Professionals never arrive without a small kit.

Here’s what to pack:

●       mini hairspray

●       dry shampoo

●       bobby pins + clear elastics

●       a small brush or wide-tooth comb

●       anti-frizz wipes

●       a clip to hold hair while touching up makeup

A little touch-up kit saves any hairstyle on a long shoot.

9. Work With a Beauty Student or Junior Stylist

Since this article is for a beauty school audience, this is an excellent moment to highlight something helpful: beauty school students and junior stylists are often trained in the latest trends and styling methods. They can create salon-quality results for a lower price than a full professional stylist.

Hiring a beauty student is a smart move if:

●       You want a polished look

●       You’re doing a portrait or headshot session

●       You want a hairstyle that lasts several hours

●       Your hair type is challenging to style on your own

It’s one of the best ways to look camera-ready without overspending.

10. Stay Relaxed and Confident

Hair looks best when you feel good. The goal is not perfection. The goal is to feel comfortable and confident. Trust your preparation, trust your styling, and allow yourself to enjoy the experience.

Simple, intentional hairstyles often photograph better than complicated ones. Focus on what frames your face well, and your photos will always look polished.

Final Thoughts

Styling your hair for a photoshoot doesn’t have to be stressful. With the right preparation and simple techniques, you can create a look that holds up on camera and matches the mood of your session. Clean hair, balanced volume, thoughtful styling and small touch-ups make all the difference.

And remember: inspiration is everywhere, from professional examples to Pinterest boards and beauty school lookbooks. Use these resources, prepare ahead and enjoy the process. Your photos will show the effort you put in.

Want hair styled by our talented students?

Book a service or enroll today at Touched By An Angel Beauty School.