A practical way to narrow down hair colors

[Ethanper]

I am due for a hair appointment soon, so I am collecting a few realistic color ideas in advance. I recently started reading about color analysis because the tones I like in photos do not always look the same next to my face. It has been a long time since I last changed the color, and I want to go slowly. I may fit a cooler palette, but I would rather check that impression against real hair samples. My natural hair is medium brown, and I want a change that is noticeable without committing to constant upkeep. Photos of muted brown and darker blonde appeal to me, but salon lighting may be doing much of the work. I also know that a dye swatch can look different against skin, eyebrows, and the color already in the hair. Would you start with in person swatches rather than picking a shade from a screen? I can bring daylight photos and explain my maintenance budget. That seems more useful than asking for an exact shade number from a quiz. I can also ask about a strand test before committing to the whole head. If you have made a similar change, which small details helped you avoid a color that looked too flat or too harsh? Examples from people who started with medium brown hair would help me compare options.