If you've never had a professional headshot taken before, or if your only experience was a stiff corporate session that left you with photos you never used, it's natural to wonder what you're actually walking into. The unknown is often what keeps people hesitant the longest.
So here's exactly what happens at a DW Portrait session, from the moment you arrive to the moment you leave.
First, we just talk
When you arrive, the first thing we do is sit down and have a real conversation, not about photography, about you.
I usually ask where you're from in the Bay Area, what you do, and how long you've been doing it. If you're from somewhere I know, and usually I do, that tends to spark a genuine back and forth that has nothing to do with cameras or lighting. That's intentional. The goal in those first five to ten minutes is simply to get comfortable with each other, because a person who feels at ease in conversation will carry that ease right into the session.
Nobody picks up a camera in the first five minutes. There's no rushing and you set the pace.
Then we talk about the session itself
Once the conversation feels natural, I'll walk you through what's about to happen. What we're going for, how the shooting process works, and what a good result actually looks like. This is where I make it clear that your only job is to show up. Everything else, the direction, the posing, the adjustments, is mine to handle.
Most people visibly relax at this point. The thing they were most worried about, not knowing what to do, turns out not to be their responsibility at all.
The actual shooting
When we start shooting, it's a guided experience from beginning to end. I'll tell you exactly where to look, how to position yourself, and when to adjust. You don't need to have ever posed for a photo before. I'll show you what works and we'll find what feels natural for you specifically, because not everyone carries themselves the same way and that is what a good headshot will reflect.
The session typically runs about 45 minutes total. That includes the opening conversation, the shoot itself, and the wrap up. Most people are genuinely surprised by how quickly it goes and how manageable the whole thing felt.
Wrapping up
Once I feel confident we've gotten the shots we need, we'll wrap up the shoot and I'll walk you through the delivery process. You'll receive your photos in a private online gallery with a clear delivery timeline established before you leave the session. The gallery is easy to navigate, easy to download from, and yours to keep.
If you have questions at any point, that's the purpose of the wrap up. You should leave knowing exactly what to expect next and when to expect it.
The short version
You show up. We talk. I guide you through everything. You leave with a clear timeline for your photos and no lingering questions about what just happened.
That's it. No surprises, no awkward silences, no wondering what to do with your hands. Just a straightforward, low pressure experience designed around the fact that most people would rather be anywhere else than in front of a camera, and that's completely okay.
Dan Wehrle is a headshot and portrait photographer based in San Jose, serving professionals across Silicon Valley and the South Bay. Ready to experience it for yourself? Get in touch here.