Laying the Ground Work for a Great Headshot

The Plan

What are you going to wear for your Headshot?

 What kind of acting jobs are you planning on auditioning for?

What about my hair and make up?

These are a couple of questions that need to be addressed before your heashot photo session.

I like to meet with you a few days before the session for about 45 minutes to discuss what you are looking for in your head shots and to get to know you. The better I understand who you are and what you are trying to achieve in your career the more successful and relaxing the shot will be.

Bring along your old headshots if you have them. If not, don’t worry. If you have seen other headshots that you like bring them along.  (Not Glamour Shots)

There are different styles to choose from when picking a headshot. The most common headshots are ¾ shots showing your face and your upper body, and regular headshots where the focus in only on your face.  Both are perfectly acceptable.  Commercial headshots are usually smiley and upbeat, showing a lot of personality and energy.  But, portray your type.  If you will most likely be cast as the mean, bully, you don’t want a photo of you showing your pearly whites. You only need one good headshot, but some people prefer to have 2: one more dramatic and one more comedic.

What am I going to wear? What’s your look and type? Two things to consider when choosing what to wear in your headshot:
1.) What type of actor are you? Character, Leading, Support etc.
2.) What type of parts are you going after? Theatrical, Commercial, Industrial

 We want to focus on your eyes and not be distracted by your clothing. I would like to see you in a solid colored shirt (very dark or very light) with an interesting neck line and maybe a textured finish to the fabric.

There shouldn’t be any logo’s or slogans on the shirts. Skirt, Slacks and Trousers should be of a dark color and plain but stylish.

You will need to be comfortable in the clothing. We will talk about what to wear in our pre-session.

Remember your headshot is your marketing/sales tool.

 How should I wear my hair and makeup to the session?

Clients are responsible for their own make-up and hair. You can have your makeup and hair done before you arrive or you can have the makeup artist come to the shoot. It is up to you, just let me know. I can arrange for a makeup artist to be at the shoot. Come with your hair done like you would for an audition.
Normally make-up artist charge by the hour from anywhere between $35.00 – 150.00.

Be sure to get plenty of sleep the night before and have any haircuts done a few days before.
 

Stay out of the sun, if you want to have a tan look use tanning products, not the real thing because in photos the skin can appear uneven and blotchy.

Makeup Tips  – How to Apply Makeup for Photographs
To look your best in photographs, relax, smile and follow some simple makeup tips.

Steps
1. Make sure your foundation is yellow-toned (this applies for all ethnic backgrounds).
2. If you are African-American, it’s a good idea to have light, medium and dark shades of foundation to allow for different gradations of color on different parts of your face.
3. Use the right color blush so as not to look washed out. Layer natural color first, and make it “pop” with a brighter color on top.
4. Define your eyes with shadow, but avoid dark colors on the lid – they make the eyes recede. Add mascara, but don’t overdo it.
5. Choose deeper or brighter colors for strong lighting. Soft lighting, or daylight, requires less intense colors.
6. Apply makeup that works with your style. Don’t put on a lot of it for more effect, but instead use more color and a bit more definition.
7. Avoid dark liner, extremely glossy lips, shimmery or bright shadows, and foundation and powder that’s too pale.
8. Use good definition – e.g., careful lining of the lips and eyes – for black-and-white photographs.