The Ultimate Actor Headshot Guide: How to Prepare for Your Session
The Ultimate Actor Headshot Guide: How to Prepare for Your Session
Whether you're a seasoned professional landing auditions or just starting your journey, a powerful actor headshot is your most important marketing tool. It’s your first impression, your visual handshake, and the key to getting casting directors to say, "I need to see them in person!"
So, you've booked your headshot session. Now what? Leading up to your photo shoot, you may be wondering how to best prepare. I’ve put together a comprehensive guide covering everything from your pre-shoot prep to what happens after the camera stops clicking. Following these steps will ensure you're relaxed, confident, and ready to create images that land you that next big role!
Before the Shoot: Getting Ready
A successful headshot session starts long before you step in front of the camera.
Rest and Hydrate: Get a full night's sleep and drink plenty of water in the days leading up to your session. This will help your skin look its best and ensure you have the energy to bring a great performance.
Communicate with Your Photographer: Think about the types of roles you're auditioning for. Are you the quirky best friend, the intense lawyer, or the kind-hearted doctor? Share your "type" with me so we can focus on creating the right look for your brand.
Clean and Prep: Make sure all of your clothing is clean, ironed or steamed, and ready to go. Hang them up to avoid last-minute wrinkles.
1. The Most Important Thing: Expression
The most crucial part of your headshot isn't your hair or your outfit—it's the story you tell with your eyes. Your expression is what makes a casting director pause and say, "I want to know more about this person."
Practice in the Mirror: Spend some time in front of a mirror practicing a variety of expressions. Try a full, genuine smile, a subtle smirk, and a more serious, contemplative look. This isn't about rehearsing a specific look, but about getting comfortable with your own face and seeing what feels authentic.
Embrace Your Range: A great headshot portfolio shows your versatility. We'll work together to capture both "theatrical" looks (more serious, intense) and "commercial" looks (bright, friendly, approachable). This gives you a wider range of images to submit for different types of roles.
2. Clothing: It's All About You
Your wardrobe should never distract from your face. It's the supporting cast, not the star.
Simplicity is Key: I always recommend simple, well-fitting tops in solid colours. Avoid busy patterns, loud logos, and distracting brand names. A simple neckline that flatters your face is always a safe bet.
Bring Variety: Think in terms of layers and necklines. Bring a few different options, like a classic crew neck, a v-neck, a button-down, or a simple jacket.
Consider Your Character Type: Choose clothing that aligns with the types of roles you're pursuing. If you're going for a lawyer role, a crisp blazer or button-down is a great choice. If you're more of a free-spirited type, a soft-knit sweater might be perfect.
3. Hair and Makeup: Subtle is Powerful
For an actor headshot, your hair and makeup should look like you on your very best day.
Keep it Natural: Casting directors need to see the real you. Subtle, natural makeup is key. It should enhance your features, not change them. A light foundation, a touch of mascara, and a neutral lip are often all you need.
Bring Your Products: It's always a good idea to bring your basic hair and makeup products with you for touch-ups. A little powder to reduce shine, or a quick comb-through of your hair can make all the difference.
A Word on Professional Hair & Makeup: If you're serious about your craft, hiring a professional hair and makeup artist is a fantastic investment. They specialize in looks that translate beautifully on camera, ensuring you look flawless without looking "made up."
Ready to Go: Come to the shoot with your hair clean, dry, and styled the way you normally would for an audition.
After the Shoot: The Final Steps
The session may be over, but the work isn't quite done yet!
The Proofing Gallery: I’ll provide you with a proofing gallery of the best images from our session. This allows you to review all of your expressions and poses to see what you love.
Choose with a Purpose: This is where your agent or manager comes in! They can offer invaluable advice on which headshots will get you noticed for the roles you want.
Retouching and Delivery: Once you’ve made your final selections, I'll professionally retouch the images to remove any temporary blemishes, stray hairs, etc. The goal is to perfect the image without making it look unnatural.
If you’ve been thinking about updating your headshots, I would love to chat with you about creating images that truly showcase your talent and help you stand out.
Ready to create headshots that get you noticed?
Contact me today to book your personalized actor headshot session!