WARDROBE
When defining your brand think about how clothing plays into this. Choose items that help portray the characters you’re marketing yourself for.
I recommend solid tones and colours. Patterns can sometimes work, but risk becoming distracting in headshots. The goal is not to pull the Casting Director's attention away from your eyes. Solid whites can also be problematic, as it has a tendency to become blown out.
Don't wear anything baggy. Well fitting, fresh looking outfits look better than loose clothing. We need to see your frame and physique accurately.
We don't show brand logos or slogans in headshots, this is to avoid conflicts with the commercial or film brands that you are auditioning for.
Keep jewelry minimal.
Layering clothes can look good. Non-bulky jackets, blazers, and leather can look great in headshots.
Ladies - Make sure you're wearing the correct bra for the top you've chosen, so that bra straps or parts of the bra are not showing.
Bring a good variety of clothing options to the shoot. If we find that something doesn't work on camera it's great to have other options to work with.
Press your clothes before the shoot. Wrinkles are impossible to Photoshop out completely.
HAIR
If you intend to get a haircut, it's best to have it done about a week to 3 days prior to the shoot. Freshly cut hair can sometimes look odd on camera.
You’ll want a simplistic style that reflects you. Don’t do anything too different than how you would present yourself at an audition. Casting Directors want to meet the person they see in the headshot, not someone completely different looking.
Bring any hair styling equipment/products that you may need with you to the shoot, for touch-ups. For ladies, bring any product you use to tame fly-aways.
MAKEUP
Men generally don't need makeup for headshots. If you’re a clean shaven type, shave before you leave for a shoot so that you have enough time for any redness to disappear, but not long enough that you get a 5 o’clock shadow - this can't be photoshopped out. Moisturize. Use lip balm, and bring some with you.
Ladies if you are getting makeup done by a makeup artist at the shoot, arrive with minimal or no makeup.
If you decide to do your own makeup, keep it light and natural. Bring makeup and lip balm/gloss with you to the shoot for touch-ups.
Don't do anything too different to how you would present yourself at an audition. Casting Directors expect to meet the person they see in the headshot, and if they’re shocked it won’t reflect well.
Don’t do anything that will affect the way your skin naturally looks. Extreme skin treatments and sunburn that cause dry or peeling skin, swelling and redness cannot be photoshopped out. Small blemishes are not a problem, they are easily photoshopped out.
Remove unnecessary facial hair prior to your shoot.
Do not wear coloured contact lenses in your headshots, they are obvious and Casting needs to see your real eye colour.
OTHER PREPARATIONS
Get plenty of sleep and stay hydrated in the days prior to the shoot. You’ll look healthy and alive in your headshots!
Modelling for a headshot is like acting for a still camera. Take some time in advance to consider what kind of feeling you wish to portray in your image. Think about the characters you want to audition for, and then practice their ‘looks’ in front of the mirror.
Practice good posture—this indicates confidence.
Practice factual expressions. We'll likely be capturing a variety of expressions, from the stoic to the overjoyed. For those in the commercial or comedy world particularly, you should practice genuine smiles on command.
If you suffer from anxiety before shoots, don’t worry, we always get great shots, and you’ll have fun I promise! You can always try stretching, breathing techniques, or yoga, prior to the shoot.
Headshot sessions are a blast. Use your acting skills. Get into character. Play. Express emotion with your eyes. We’ll take a bunch of photos; not all of them have to be winners, so don’t put pressure on yourself. Allow yourself to experiment, and enjoy the discovery.
THE SQUINCH
Your eyes are the window to your personality, and must be active and engaging in your headshots.
Here is a great eye technique that’ll help you to look super confident in front of a camera: