The following informative text is based on an article from the University of Southern Indiana

 

Preparing For An Acting Headshot Photography Session

 

As your actors headshot date gets closer, give yourself time to seriously think about hair and clothing. That way you will be more confident with your choices and still have time for a last-minute brainstorm. If you get stuck looking for suitable tops to wear, stores such as Next and H&M have a great selection of T-shirts in various colours at a low price. Give haircuts a few days to fall into place, and if shaving do so at a time that allows your skin to settle. Please ensure you have eaten properly that day as shoots require lots of energy and focus, you will be surprised how tiring it can feel. Get a good nights rest the night before, even if you are not scheduled until late in the afternoon. Ensure you are properly hydrated. Water will help your skin to appear smooth and clear in the week leading up to your headshot session. Also, if you arrive overheated and sweaty you’ll have to cool down before the photographer can begin to shoot. This is simply because your photographer cannot shoot an actors headshot when you are shiny. If possible bring some face powder or even better some translucent setting powder which helps reduce the studio lights reflecting. Also invest in a lip balm and bring it to the shoot.

Another thing to think about is the photographer’s time. Arriving late or not being ready to shoot when you do arrive, can lead to rush or shortened sessions as the next client may be arriving shortly.  So who Should Take Your Acting Headshots? A photographer, who is familiar with the conventions of the talent headshot business. Your local family portrait studio is probably not right for the job. What Is An Acting Headshot? It’s an 8×10 photograph of you, as you look right now, showing how you connect with the camera. The more professional your headshot, the better represented you will be in the industry. A director wants to see two things from a headshot: What you really look like, and if you can connect with the camera. The photo should be about you, not the background or the environment or a photographer’s fancy props. Casting wants to see if you’re professional.

 

Inspiration and practice

 

I suggest to clients to have a look at headshots online. Look at my galleries or go on Pinterest for example and search for ‘Actors Headshots’ and have a look at what expressions the actors are making. Headshot posing is subtle but practicing in the mirror and researching some looks is a good idea in advance.

 

Headshot Photos – What To Wear

 

• Plain & simple, not dated, not too trendy. Think about your potential casting types. The focus needs to be on your face and eyes.

• No Logos

• I want to focus on your eyes and not be distracted too much by your clothing or jewellery.

• I would like to see you in a solid coloured shirts/tops of varying colours that compliment your skin tone. Please no dayglo colours, stripes, logos, or bold patterns. Don’t bring too much white, grey or black please.

• Limited Jewelry: Avoid distracting accessories, such as large, shiny jewelry. If you have a pierced ear, wear studs or small hoops. No matter how much you love your gold necklace, remember it will take the focus away from your face.

• No polka dots, no wild prints, and no distracting stripes. Clothing of this type can have a tendency to distract the viewer from the most important subject in your photos, you. Avoid skin matching colours e.g. salmon, dusky pinks. Colours that compliment your skin tone are appropriate. If in any doubt just send me a message to discuss.

• Neckline: Is your neck short or long? A V-neck lengthens the neck; a round neckline shortens it. A collar frames the face well, without taking away length from your neck. A collared shirt with a V-neck or a few buttons undone is most popular. Turtlenecks completely hide the neck, which is very unflattering, and should be avoided.

• You will need to be comfortable and confident in the clothing you wear.

• Remember your headshot is your marketing/sales tool.

• Denim / Leather jackets / Hooded Tops: Sometimes they work. Bring them along and we’ll see.

• Glasses: If you always wear glasses, keep them on for the photo shoot. Lighting can be adjusted to eliminate any glare. In difficult cases, the lenses can sometimes be removed from the frames, but it is very important to maintain a natural, comfortable look

• Subdued/No Patterns: Avoid bold colours especially dayglo and crazy patterns. They will present a distraction. I cant keep mentioning this enough.

• Light to dark colors are fine, as long as it doesn’t match or come close to your skin tone. Wear items that provide some contrast to your skin tones.

• Don’t wear a turtleneck.

• Avoid blouses with padded shoulders.

• Don’t try to fit in to something too small.

• Women should bring the correct bra colors for the wardrobe. (please remember to wear a flesh-toned bra under white garments!) Bring a strapless bra for vest tops with small straps.

• Men should bring newish t-shirts in different shades if possible, and a shirt or two. Jackets, hoodies, can also alter looks to gain more variety.

• I’d suggest bringing warm and cool colours plus a black and a white top. Different necklines and off the shoulder tops really help add variety. If possible any jackets such as a leather jacker and or denim jacket. These all help create different looks and moods.

• Please Iron and Launder your clothes.

•Check your hair and face in a mirror before we begin! Pop on some lip balm!

 

 

Makeup Tips – How to Apply Makeup for Photographs

 

Skin Features: Do not hide your skin’s personality! Flaunt your freckles. They are a part of what makes you unique. Unique features are what make others sit up and take notice. Of course, if the day of the shoot you are sporting a monstrous zit, use some light makeup, but I’ll magically heal it! Generally speaking, unusual attractive features are an asset. Avoid heavy makeup! Headshots have a natural look to them. During finishing of your selected images, we will take care of any blemishes or stray hairs during the basic retouch process. Heavy makeup tends to look caked up. Remember that my cameras and lenses produce images at a high definition and my job is to flatter you, but your headshot has to look like the person that walks into the audition space! Ladies with straight hair: You want to frame your face, so if your hair is very straight and long, give it some body and volume to accentuate your face. Haircut: Don’t cut your hair the day before your shoot! It will look like you just got a haircut. Give your hair a week after a cut to relax. Remember, it’s all about the eyes! They are critical to making your headshot stand out. The wow factor! The eyes define a person. The eyes are one of, if not the single most, important parts of a portrait photograph. It is the first feature noticed. It is also one place where a little post-processing can really make a portrait shine.

Here are some great videos from YouTube that I highly recommend watching.