How To Rock Your Headshot Session, Part III

In part one of this three part series, we talked about how to choose a headshot photographer. In part two, we discussed how to prepare for your headshot session. In this article, we talk about what to do when you arrive at your session to insure you have the most enjoyable experience and get the best results.

Arrive Early

Treat your headshot session the same as you would an important audition (or, if you’re getting business headshots, an important meeting). Get there early. Better to be sitting in the parking lot reading or meditating or playing Among Us than to be dashing in the door at the last minute. GPS is your friend but sometimes friends make mistakes. Whatever GPS says, add a half hour. As my Mom used to say: “You can’t be too early but you can always be too late.”

Take A Breath

Because you’ve shown up early, you have time to take a breath and remember why you’re there: to capture an authentic image of your true self that introduces you to casting directors (or potential business partners) and prompts them to think: “I’d like to meet this person.” Getting headshots is really that simple so take a minute to center yourself and remember that.

Communicate Where You’re At

If you’re nervous or stressed or otherwise distracted, say so. Then you and your photographer have a baseline from which to work. If you’re not present in the moment and you try to hide it, your pictures will tell that story. 

Trust The Process and Take Direction

If you’ve followed the advice we gave in parts one and two of this series, you should walk in the door trusting your photographer has a working process that will deliver great photos. Trust that process and be willing to take direction. You’re hiring him for his experience and expertise so get your money’s worth.

Have Fun

Remember that you’re getting headshots not having surgery. Have fun and enjoy the experience.

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in acting and business headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors for more than a decade.

How To Rock Your Headshot Session , Part II

Now that you’ve chosen your photographer and booked your shoot (based on the suggestions we made in part one of this series), it’s time to start preparing for your session.

Map Your Location

Most people save this step for last so we suggest you do it first. Even if you’re familiar with the location, remind yourself where you’re headed so you’re not scrambling around at the last minute.

Prepare Your Wardrobe

If you followed our guidance in Part One of this series and discussed clothing and location with your acting coach, agency and photographer prior to booking your session, this should be a fairly easy step. 

First get some new shirts. It won’t cost a whole lot of money. You’ll look more polished and feel more confident if you’re wearing new gear. Remember to pick colors and styles that fit your agency’s requirements and work well with your eye color and skin tone. When you look in the mirror, you should think: “Boom! I look amazing.”

Then put together a couple or three choices for each look, try them on and send some snaps to your photographer so you’re on the same page. This also helps him plan logistics so your time in front of the camera is 100% focused on capturing the best version of you. If possible, take your snaps outside, in natural light, so the photographer can get an accurate idea of colors.

If you’d like some ideas on what looks great, you can peep our headshot pages.

Dial In Your Hair and Makeup

If you’re doing your own hair and makeup, tell the photographer your plans. Better yet, do your hair and makeup for your wardrobe snaps so he can see it. Get his feedback and ask questions: are there certain colors I should avoid, certain things I should or shouldn’t do? Every photographer is different so be sure you’re communicating.

Drink Some Water, Get Some Sleep

Yes, photographers can (and often do) lighten up those dark circles under your eyes. But Photoshop and a tube of concealer only take you so far. Treat yourself like a star and get plenty of rest the night before your session.

Umm, Map Your Location …

… and plan for unforeseen things like traffic, parades, construction and long lines at the coffee shop. Showing up to your location in a rush never makes for a great session.

Take A Breath

As we said in Part One of this series, your most important marketing tool as an actor is a quality professional headshot. It’s an important element to furthering your career. That said, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Take a deep breath, have fun, be yourself and the results will be great. If you bring a fully present YOU to the proceedings, the very best YOU will shine through.

Check in with us next month for Part Three of this series where we share some inside tips on how to bring that remarkable YOU to your session.

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors for more than a decade.

How To Rock Your Headshot Session, Part I

Ask any successful actor what is his most important marketing tool and he’ll tell you it’s a quality professional headshot. 

It’s your calling card. It shows you’re serious about your career. It shows casting directors what you look like and, when done right, tells directors and producers a little bit about who you are. In this first of three articles, we talk about where to start on your journey to creating the perfect headshot.

Go Pro

As New York-based acting coach Matt Newton said in his excellent Backstage.com article on headshots, you should “go to a professional who is trained, understands lighting, and takes headshots for a living, not some friend who happens to have a decent camera who ‘sorta knows a little about photography.’” You wouldn’t ask your dentist to fix your car; don’t ask your barista to do your headshots.

Ask For Recommendations

If you’re signed with an agency, ask them for recommendations. They’ll have a list of photographers they trust. If you’re taking acting classes, ask your coach. Peep your friends headshots and, if you see something you like, ask who took them. 

While talking with your agency or acting coach, ask for guidance on what setting will work best for you. In studio with a bright colored background? On location in a more environmental style? Also ask what kinds and colors of clothing they prefer. Most agencies are happy with a bright, primary color for your commercial look and earth tones for your theatrical look but everyone has their own preferences.

Look At Pictures and Trust Your Instincts

Search the internet for “acting headshots in [your town].” Every reputable photographer in your area should have a portfolio of his or her work for you to review. Look at a lot of pictures and pay attention to how your feel. If you see pictures that energize and excite you, that photographer might be a good choice for you.

Fourth: Know What You’re Buying

Headshot sessions come in all shapes and sizes. When comparing packages and prices, here are some important questions to ask:

How many looks (outfits) will you shoot and in what styles? Most working actors have 2 or 3 looks in their portfolio: a commercial shot, a theatrical shot and, if applicable, a character shot (e.g., the zany sidekick, the grizzly professor, etc.)

How many proofs will I get from which to choose my final images? Unless you have 500 unique facial expressions, you don’t need to see 500 proofing images. Ten to 20 solid images per look is plenty; much more than that and they’ll all start looking the same. 

How many finished images do I get? One or two final images per look, with the option to purchase extras, makes for a solid headshot portfolio.

Will the final images be edited or retouched? There’s a big difference between editing and retouching. Knowing the difference is important. Check out our article on “Editing v. Retouching” here.

Have A Phone Conversation

A good old fashioned phone conversation will tell you a lot about the person with whom you’ll be shooting. Is the photographer upbeat and excited to talk with you? Is she interested in you or just interested in selling some images? Is he connected with the industry or are acting headshots just another product on his menu? Is he willing to answer your questions and give you guidance? Ten minutes on the phone will tell you a lot.

Be Willing To Spend A Little Money

The difference between a $75 headshot (taken by your barista) and a $300 headshot (taken by a professional) is huge. With a professional, you’ll have a better experience, feel more confident, get better images and show the industry you’re a fully invested professional who means business. Mind your budget but don’t cheat yourself.

Check in next month for Part Two of our series where we’ll show you how to prepare for your headshot session.

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors for more than a decade.