You're sitting in the chair. Your barber asks what you want. You have a photo saved on your phone of exactly the cut you're going for, but you hesitate. Will they think you're being difficult? Are you supposed to just describe it? Is showing a picture somehow insulting their expertise?
So you try to describe it with words instead. "Kind of short on the sides, textured on top, not too much off the length." Your barber nods and starts cutting. The result is fine, but it's not what you wanted. It's not what was in that photo you didn't show.
This happens constantly. Guys have reference photos and don't show them because they think it's going to come across the wrong way.
Here's what actually happens when you show your barber a photo: they get excited because you just made their job ten times easier.
Why Barbers Actually Prefer Photos
When you describe a haircut in words, your barber is translating your description into a mental image and hoping they got it right. When you show them a photo, there's no translation needed. They can see exactly what you mean.
"Short on the sides" means something different to everyone. Short could be a 1 guard, a 3 guard, or scissors over comb depending on who's talking. A photo removes all that ambiguity.
"Textured on top" could mean choppy layers, point cutting, razor work, or just some light texturizing with thinning shears. A photo shows your barber the exact texture you're after.
"Not too short" is completely meaningless without a reference point. A photo is that reference point.
Your barber isn't insulted when you show a picture. They're relieved. You just handed them a blueprint instead of making them guess based on vague descriptors.
The Fear That Stops Guys From Showing Photos
Most guys don't show photos because they think one of these things:
"My barber will think I don't trust them." Your barber wants you to leave happy. A photo helps them deliver that. They're not thinking about trust, they're thinking about precision.
"It seems high-maintenance." Knowing what you want isn't high-maintenance. Complaining after the cut because you didn't communicate clearly before it is.
"I should be able to just describe it." You could try, but why? Photos are clearer, faster, and more accurate. There's no prize for making things harder than they need to be.
"What if they think the photo is unrealistic for my hair?" That's exactly what you want them to tell you. Better to know before the cut starts that your hair type can't do what's in the photo than to discover it after.
None of these fears match reality. Your barber has seen hundreds of reference photos. It's a normal, expected part of the job.
How to Actually Show the Photo
Pull out your phone. Say "I have a photo of what I'm going for, is it okay if I show you?" Hand them the phone or hold it up where they can see it clearly.
That's it. You're overthinking this.
If you want to add context, say something like "I like the length on top here" or "This fade is what I'm after" while pointing at the specific parts of the photo. This helps your barber understand what you're focusing on.
If you have multiple photos showing different angles or variations, show all of them. More information is better than less.
Your barber will look at the photo, assess whether it's achievable with your hair type and current length, and either start cutting or suggest adjustments. The whole interaction takes 30 seconds.
When Photos Don't Match Your Hair Type
Sometimes the photo you show won't work for your hair. This isn't a problem, it's useful information.
The person in the photo has different hair texture. If you show a photo of someone with thick, coarse hair and you have fine, thin hair, your barber will tell you the exact same cut won't hold the same shape on you. They can get close or suggest modifications.
The person in the photo has more or less hair than you. A style that works with dense hair might look flat on thinner hair. Your barber can adapt the cut to work with your actual hair density.
You don't have enough length yet. If you're showing a photo of a longer style and your hair is currently short, your barber will tell you how long you need to grow it and what to do in the meantime.
The cut requires specific maintenance you might not want to do. Some styles in photos need daily blow-drying, specific products, or constant upkeep. Your barber should ask if you're willing to do that and adjust if you're not.
This is why showing the photo is valuable even when it's not a perfect match. It starts a real conversation about what's actually achievable instead of you both guessing.
What If You Don't Have a Photo?
If you don't have a specific reference photo saved, there are still better options than vague descriptions.
Search on your phone right there. Pull up Instagram, Google Images, or Pinterest and find something close. Your barber will wait. This takes two minutes and saves 20 minutes of back-and-forth trying to describe what you mean.
Describe in specifics, not feelings. Instead of "not too short," say "a 3 guard on the sides, two inches on top." Instead of "textured," say "choppy layers, kind of messy looking."
Reference your own previous cuts. If you have a photo of yourself from a previous haircut you liked, show that. Your barber can see exactly how that cut worked on your specific hair.
Ask your barber to show you options. Most barbers have photos on their phone or can pull up examples. Say "I'm thinking something like a fade, can you show me a few options?" Let them guide you to a specific reference.
But honestly, just find a photo. It's 2026. Everyone has a phone. You can find a reference image in 60 seconds.
How Barbers Actually Use Reference Photos
When you show a photo, here's what your barber is looking at:
The overall shape and proportions. How much longer is the top compared to the sides? What's the ratio? This tells them the basic structure.
Where the fade or taper starts. Low, mid, or high? How dramatic is the transition? This affects the entire look.
The texture and finish. Is the top smooth or choppy? Styled forward or back? This determines what cutting techniques they'll use.
Specific details. Hard part line? Disconnected undercut? Tapered neckline? These small details make the difference between close and exact.
They're not trying to copy the photo millimeter by millimeter. They're using it to understand what you want, then adapting it to work with your hair, your face shape, and your lifestyle.
This is why showing the photo is the start of the conversation, not the end of it. Your barber looks at the photo, assesses your hair, and then tells you what's realistic.
What Good Barbers Do With Photos
A good barber looks at your reference photo and has a real conversation with you about it.
They point out what will work and what won't. They explain why certain elements might need adjustment. They ask about your styling routine to make sure the cut is realistic for how you actually live.
They don't just say "yeah, I can do that" and start cutting. They make sure you both understand what the final result will actually look like given your specific hair.
If your barber takes your phone, glances at the photo for two seconds, hands it back and immediately starts cutting without any discussion, that's a red flag. Either they're overconfident or they're not paying attention.
The photo should spark a consultation, not replace it.
The Toronto Context
Toronto's barbershop scene is incredibly diverse. You might have a barber whose first language isn't English, or you might be describing a style using terminology they learned differently.
Photos remove language barriers completely. A fade looks the same in every language. A reference photo works whether you and your barber share perfect fluency or not.
This is especially important in a city like Toronto where you have barbers trained in different countries with different style vocabularies. A "taper" might mean something slightly different depending on where your barber learned to cut. A photo shows exactly what you mean regardless of terminology.
What to Do If You're Still Hesitant
If you're still feeling uncertain about showing a photo, start small.
Book an appointment at Rendezvous. Before you sit down, send the photo through Instagram DM or mention it when you book online. Say "I have a reference photo, should I bring it or send it ahead?" This removes the in-person hesitation.
Or just test it once. Show the photo at your next appointment and see what happens. You'll realize immediately that it's completely normal and your barber appreciates the clarity.
The worst case scenario is your barber says "that's not going to work with your hair type, but here's what will." That's valuable information that saves you from getting a cut you'd be disappointed with.
The best case scenario is you get exactly the cut you wanted because you gave your barber exactly the information they needed.
Book your appointment today at any Rendezvous location. Bring a photo, send it ahead, or pull one up on your phone when you sit down. We'd rather see exactly what you want than guess based on descriptions. It makes our job easier and gets you better results.
