The Complete Guide to Preparing for Your Actor Headshot Session
Your headshot session is one of the most important investments you'll make in your acting career. These photos will represent you to casting directors, agents, and industry professionals, so preparation is key to getting shots that truly capture your essence and help you book roles.
Define Your Brand and Casting Type
Before you even think about wardrobe, identify your target audience and what message you're looking to share with them. Think about what you want people to see in you and come up with words that would convey what working with you would be like, such as "Team player, Friendly, And Trustworthy", or "Leader, Competent, and Determined". This clarity will guide every choice you make for your session.
Consider the types of roles you're pursuing and ensure your headshots support that casting direction. Are you the girl-next-door type, the corporate executive, or the edgy creative? Your preparation should align with your professional goals.
Wardrobe: Strategic Selection Over Random Options
The golden rule for headshot wardrobe is to bring twice as many clothing options as final photos that you want. Planning to get three retouched headshots? Bring six outfit options. This gives us flexibility during the shoot to see what works best with the lighting and your natural coloring.
Color Psychology Matters: Choose colors that fall in the mid-tone to jewel tone color range and avoid pastels and neons. The best colors to wear for headshots are burgundy, navy, plum, emerald green and charcoal. Dark colors are slenderizing while white or light colors usually add perceived weight.
Fabric and Fit Essentials: Solids are best for headshots. Large patterns take over the photo. Avoid small patterns, plaids, tightly woven stripes, and knits as they can create moire patterns in digital cameras that cannot be corrected. Clothing should be well-tailored and fitted. Avoid baggy or loose clothing, as it will make you look larger in photos.
Professional Presentation: Arrive with clothing pressed and lint-free. Professional digital cameras pick up everything. Bring clothing on hangers and consider using a garment bag to prevent wrinkles during transport.
Don't stress about carrying everything in one trip from your car – I have plenty of space available. In a typical 45-60 minute session, we can comfortably shoot three outfits, possibly four if you arrive wearing your first look.
Makeup and Hair: Professional Polish Without Overdoing It
Your headshot makeup should enhance your natural features, not transform them. Aim for an everyday look, but be strategic about applying it. Think "you on your best day" rather than "you’re going to a gala."
Foundation and Skin: Avoid shiny, glowy, or dewy makeup. Use a matte foundation that matches your skin tone and blends well with the skin color on your chest and neckline. Here's my number one tip: invest in a good translucent powder. This single product will help your skin look less shiny under studio lights, minimize the appearance of pores, and even out your skin tone.
Eyes and Lips: Do NOT wear eyeliner on the lower lash line as it closes down your eyes and makes them appear smaller. Even if you don't normally wear lipstick, photos tend to look better with it. Lipstick should be one shade darker than your natural color with a slight shimmer or gloss.
Hair Styling: Hair style and cut should be consistent with your personality. Get a haircut a few days prior to your photoshoot as hair often will not behave if it is too short. Only use products that enhance shine and do your hair in a style you typically wear.
Pre-Session Timeline and Self-Care
One Week Before: Wear sunscreen in the weeks leading up to your shoot and drink extra water. Don't get anything waxed or threaded the day of or day prior to avoid redness. Give yourself enough time to not be rushed and get plenty of sleep.
Day of Session: Stay well hydrated and eat light to not weigh yourself down or get sleepy before your session. Most importantly, avoid trying anything new less than a week before your shoot.
Communication and Mindset
It's normal to have insecurities. Communicating them can help me suggest more flattering angles, adjust posing, and lighting to highlight your favorite features. Trust the process and focus on being yourself – genuine, flattering headshots will happen naturally.
Remember, the goal is to capture the best version of yourself – the person casting directors need to see to envision you in their project. With proper preparation, your headshot session will result in images that open doors and help advance your acting career.
