Headshots

Featured Photos - July 2022

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Summer is about being outdoors and making wonderful pictures while Mother Earth is in full sunshine mode.

Grace, Amazingly

Check out our kids headshot page and see if you can find the adorable headshot we did of Grace several years ago. Then come back and look at what she brings to the camera today for her teen modeling portfolio. The love continues!

Luke, Home Alone

OK, so he was actually standing on the sidewalk in downtown Portland but, with an awesome character like Luke, you have to give the Home Alone vibe a little play. Luke’s a long time client and a member of the youth acting roster at Ryan Artists.

Actors and Models and Business People, Oh My

One of our favorite people to photograph is that handsome fellow on the left, Mr. Matt Berger, who is a Portland-based actor and comedian. To the right, is the up-and-coming model, Tyler Posey, with the engaging businessman, Bryan Becker, sandwiched in between. From wherever we start — acting, modeling or business — we always finish with great headshots.

As Always, Piper

What can we say about Piper that hasn’t been said already? One of the smartest, most intuitive young actors in Portland and one of the sweetest, kindest people you’ll ever meet. Here are more wonderfully beautiful images of a wonderfully beautiful kid.

Devyn, In A Breathtaking Way

Speaking of beautiful, have you ever seen a more captivating face? We’ve known Devyn since she was just a wee babe and we lose our breath every time we get to see her in front of the camera.

Olivia, With Character

Speaking of kids we’ve known for awhile, this beautiful shot of Olivia comes to us many years since we first worked with her. Those eyes and that smile, though, have always been there.

Piper, For A Moment

This Piper reach out to us while in town this summer, vacationing from the heat of Phoenix, Arizona. With clothing styled by Carson Verity and hair and makeup by Karina Talaro, this session just rocked. And, as you can see, we had a little fun while we were doing it.

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional 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, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

Featured Photos - June 2022

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Spring is here, summer’s on the way and Portland is ready for new headshots and portfolios.

Katharine, For Fun

Katharine is actually a sales engineer in the medical field but you wouldn’t know it from looking at her pictures. She checked in with us for a portfolio shoot because it was something she always wanted to do. Bucket list item complete. Check! Pictures awesome. Check!

Terri, Parth and Tracy, Moving Forward

Terri, Parth and Tracy are unsigned actors who came to us for new headshots, knowing that a quality image is a key tool in their marketing profile. Each picture feels uniquely personal to them and that means we’re hitting all the cues.

Samantha, Playfully

Ryan Artists talent Samantha came to visit us for a new portfolio as she expands her young career as a model and actor. You can tell from her pictures that she has great range, from fun to serious, that will pay off boldly in the months to come.

Lizzie and Versula, With Sunshine and Rainbows

We photographed these kiddos on the same day and in the same place. For Lizzie (The Option Agency) we did a custom Rockstar Session to celebrate her upcoming birthday. For Versula, it was time for her yearly portfolio update. We learned from Lizzie, a budding singer and songwriter, that she’s way too talented to be so young and, from Versula, we learned all about Little Red Riding Hood … in French!

Chaudrey, Perfectly

We worked with Chaudrey (SLU Agency) on some headshots a while back so we knew when he said “portfolio” we would say “perfect.” This is a preview of what we got: bold and colorful pictures of a handsome, athletic model and actor.

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional 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, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

Featured Photos - May 2022

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A collection of our favorites from the month of May, from kids headshots to modeling portfolios to our favorite fashion editorials.

Kyra, Confidently

The most important information an actor brings to a headshot session is knowing where in their face they tell their story. For some people, it’s their smile. For others, it’s the turn of an eyebrow. For Kyra, it’s in her eyes. Once she realized this (and started to believe that she takes a good picture), this amazingly confident headshot came to life.

Matt, Artistically

Music is a huge part of what we do. (Remember The Rockstar Sessions?) So we were thrilled when Matt came in for publicity pictures for his upcoming EP. Not only do we love his music, we love the range of these images.

Emma, In Many Ways

Speaking of range, how about these headshots of Emma? She came to us for 4 different and distinct looks for her agency, DDO, in NYC: commercial, “bully,” nerdy and one that captures a little of her unique personality. And I have to say: we nailed it!

Jamie, Naturally

Yeah, so we’re huge fans of Jamie Mack (seen our IG lately?) and this, our last fashion editorial before she heads off to college, is one of our best. We already did one Shooting Stars feature on her already and you can be sure there will be another in the future.

Mya, Beautifully

On the same day we shot Jamie, we also did these images of the incredibly beautiful Mya Van Koten at one of our favorite places to work: Merrywood Farm. No matter what she wears or where we shoot, we’re stunned by how beautiful she is.

Kloe, in Black and White

OK, so we’re just overloaded with good fortune to be working with such beautiful and interesting people. And at the top of our list is the amazing Kloe Armstrong. These images, taken in downtown Vancouver, WA and in collaboration with Most Everything Vintage, were inspired by Mondino and Bowie, but without the cigarettes.

Hair and makeup for Emma, Jamie, Mya and Kloe by Karina Talaro. Wardrobe styling for Jamie and Mya by Claire Verity in collaboration with Most Everything Vintage. Wardrobe styling for Kloe by Michael in collaboration with Most Everything.

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional 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, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

Featured Photos - April 2022

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Spring is the time for new professional headshots and modeling portfolio updates. Here’s a selection of new work from the past month.

Avery, Simply

Sometimes, when the vibes at a session are particularly cool, we’ll shoot a few extra frames at the end, just to see what happens. This image was taken at the very finish of the headshot session with our new friend, Avery. There’s something about the old soul behind those knowing eyes that just captivated us. Add a little black and white magic and you have an image worth featuring.

Hudson, Energetically

Without question one of the sweetest (and most polite!) 3-year olds we’ve ever met, Hudson came to our studio this past month to get his first portfolio for his agency, Ryan Artists. He was so easy and fun to work with we captured his full portfolio — 3 outfits — in the snap of our fingers. Kids portfolios are our jam and kids like Hudson are the reason why.

Alexa, Artistically

For years, we’ve told actors: “If you want what successful actors have, do what successful actors do.” And success actors, like the Damons and the Robbies of the world, do a lot of editorial sessions. So we were totally “chuffed,” as our British friends say, when Alexa said she wanted to do a fashion editorial. We rented out a big studio, put together some great outfits, did some beautiful hair and makeup and crushed this wonderful session.

Jamie, Athletically

We’re both super excited and a little sad that our dear friend, Jamie, will be headed to the other side of the planet for college this fall. So we’re gathering up as many sessions as we can with her, including this wonderful couple of ath-leisure shots, made right in our studio.

Theron, Classically

Theron came to us looking for some senior pictures with a bit of a classic twist. So we took him and his Grandma’s chair out into the field in front of our house and kicked off this wonderful senior session with a wonderfully organic vibe.

Nicolette, Rebecca, Kaylee and Ryan, Creatively

These four people are all actors with Portland ties who posses a variety of skills and experiences, from just starting out to extensive work in film and live theater. One thing they have in common is they know how important it is to have a high quality acting headshot. All four joined us in April to create some new headshots and we’re pretty darn pleased with the results.

Michael Verity is a Portland, OR-based photographer specializing in professional 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, models and creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

4 Tips To Get A Great Headshot

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Whether you’re an actor, a model or a business professional, a high quality headshot is essential to your success.

For actors, a world-class headshot is the “calling card” that introduces you to agencies and casting directors. For models, a high quality headshot is the connection between you and those who cast talent for a wide array of opportunities. For business professionals, a warm and engaging headshot connects “the face with the name” and builds confidence between you and your prospective client.

So how do you rise to the top of an increasingly virtual world, where actors audition via Zoom, professionals do business via LinkedIn and everybody needs a profile picture to get started? How do you create a photo that makes you look trustworthy and competent? How do insure your headshot “hits the right notes” and reflects your authentic spirit and individuality? How can you be certain you’re catching your “best side?”

Can you set up a headshot at home with your smartphone? After all: “portrait mode” is pretty cool. Or do you need the experience and expertise of a professional photographer?

If these questions have been on your mind, have no fear. Here are 4 tips to get that perfect headshot. (Spoiler alert: save portrait mode for snaps of your bestie or your bulldog, put aside your DIY dreams and hire a professional photographer to get professional headshots.)

How To Take A Professional Headshot

1. List Your Expectations

Before creating an acting, modeling or business headshot, develop a mental image of what you want and try to explain it to your photographer in as much detail as possible. Even better: find examples of headshots you like and share them with your photographer. Professional photographers are, obviously, visually oriented; a mood board of images you like is an excellent way to communicate your ideas.

Do you want a formal headshot or something more candid? Do you want a traditional studio setting, with a plain color background, or something more environmental? Indoors or outdoors?

How will you use the headshot? For auditions? Casting calls? Press releases? Publications? Social media? Your website?  

Remember, headshots are all about first impressions. The final product will impact potential clients and casting directors and their decision on whether they will book you, hire you or buy from you. 

Have a specific angle you think works for you? While most professional photographers are experienced at reading faces, if you have a side you prefer, tell the photographer. If there are certain things about your face you’d prefer to downplay (scars, moles, etc.), tell the photographer upfront. He will appreciate that information. 

If you explain your ideas to an experienced photographer they will meet your expectations. You’re more likely to get a photo that you will love if you know what you are looking for and clearly communicate your ideas.

2. Dress For The Part

The way you dress will naturally affect the overall look of your headshot. Solid and neutral colors work best as they tend to put the focus on your face, just where you want it. Bright jewelry, clothing with big, bold patterns and shirts with large logos should be avoided. Headshots should be more focused on who you are rather than what you’re wearing. 

That being said, there are exceptions to every rule. Are you a big personality who likes pink paisley shirts? Go monochrome and do your images in front of pink paper. Do you sell country properties? An outfit that says “outdoorsy” (and is preferably shot, outdoors) is the right way to go. Whatever you choose, clothing should be consistent with your personality, look great with your eyes and complexion and work well with your chosen environment.

Need wardrobe help? Always consult with your photographer on what to wear. It will make you more comfortable and help them prepare. (At Michael Verity Photography, basic wardrobe consultation is included with every session.)

3. Pay Attention To Your Posture.

Your body posture says a lot about your confidence so it’s important to get this part right. Good posture insures the right angles and helps show your best features. 

Generally speaking, you should position your upper body diagonally to the camera while keeping your chin toward the photographer. Keep your back straight with your shoulders relaxed and avoid having your shoulders too high, which indicates tension. It’s a good idea to avoid body language - like slouching - that makes you seem unapproachable.

As with wardrobe, however, these are general guidelines. While an “arms crossed” pose doesn’t work well for a therapist, that type of pose from someone in the legal profession is often considered a sign of strength. It also works well for actors who are cast as police officers (and, oddly, for those who are cast as gangsters.) A “slouchy” pose wouldn’t work too well for a doctor but for young fashion models, that sort of approach is acceptable (and sometimes encouraged.)

As with points one and two, thinking about what you’re trying to achieve and communicating it with your photographer is key. An experienced photographer will have ideas, coach you through the process and help you achieve your goals.

4. Smile, No Smile

To smile or not to smile, that is the question. The short story is this: if you’re not someone who smiles “naturally,” don’t expect that to change magically once you step in front of the camera. It probably won’t happen. 

So what do you do? Think happy thoughts. Think about your favorite funny movie. If you think happy thoughts, you’ll look like a happy person. If you think about how you look, you’ll look like a person who’s worried about how he looks.

Another trick is to look at the camera as if it’s someone you love: your best friend, a beloved grandparent, a favorite nephew, your new kitten. Whatever it takes to put your brain in active thinking mode, not passive wondering mode is the way to go.

Pro Tip: change your facial expressions throughout the shoot. Make a great big goofy smile, followed by a huge frown. Make the silliest face you can followed by the meanest face you can. Have fun with it. An experienced photographer will find the “genuine you” in between all the exaggerated expressions. 

Lastly, remember these words: Shy is beautiful. Warmth doesn’t always require a big toothy grin. Start with who you are and see what happens. 

What About Using Your Smartphone For Headshots?

While we admit smartphones have come a long way in recent years, there’s really no debate on the advantages of a professional photographer over the DIY method.

Even the latest and greatest smartphone in “portrait mode” has its limitations: limited lens options, limited zooming capacity, limited images quality. 

More important, smartphones don’t know how to move a light an inch to the left to change your headshots from strong to stellar. They don’t consult with you on wardrobe, show you how to pose, offer you a cup of tea or coffee when you walk into the studio, ask how you how you’re doing today or give you real time feedback on how the session is going. 

This is because smartphones (or even expensive DSLRs) aren’t human. They don’t come with experience and expertise.

Professional photographers understand lighting, how to capture the best angles, what are the best camera settings, how to do the best retouching. In short, they know what you need to get a beautiful headshot. Follow these tips to get a great headshot photo that you’ll be proud to post on your website, your social media or your casting site. 

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional 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, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade. If you are in the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area you can book a session with us.

8 Tips For A Great Business Headshot

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You open your work email and at the top of the inbox is the message you dread: your company’s marketing department has hired a photographer to do business headshots for the sales team and your number has come up. Memories of toothless school pictures in front of musty, mottled backgrounds come rushing in, with visions of bad passport pictures racing through your head.

Have no fear. Business and corporate headshots are easier than you think if you follow these simple tips.

Preparation

1. Get some sleep. 

That’s right: our first suggestion is laying down and doing nothing. Preferably, though, you do it at home the night before and not at your desk that morning. 

You want a good night’s sleep before doing a photo session for the same reason you want to be rested before making a big presentation: you’ll look sharper, feel sharper and perform better.

(Pro tip: hand-in-hand with being well rested is staying hydrated. Your skin is 64% water so give it plenty of what it wants.)

2. Plan your time.

In most cases, your marketing manager will book a block of time with the photographer and parse out 10-15 minute sessions to each person. So, the time of day when you shoot may be out of your control. If not, ask to be scheduled when you’re at your best, whether it’s first thing in the morning, right after lunch or at the end of the day.

Regardless of when you shoot, leave yourself 20 or 30 minutes of prep time to take a breath, check your hair and straighten your tie. You won’t do yourself justice rushing from a conference call to the photo shoot with 30 seconds to spare.

3. That outfit looks great on you (or what to wear for business headshots).

Unlike an acting or modeling headshot, where there’s room for personal clothing styles, your type of business (and the vision of your marketing manager) will play a big role in determining what you wear. 

Whatever their direction, pick something within their vision that works well with your complexion and brings out your eye color (e.g., blue eyes and blue shirts go well together.) It’s always good to wear an outfit that’s fairly new (because newer looks fresher) and to bring a couple of variations, ‘cuz spills happen.

At The Session

4. Remember why you’re there.

You’re not making an acting headshot for Phantom of the Opera. You’re not creating a modeling portfolio. No one expects you to photograph like Matt Damon or Margot Robbie.

You’re there to link a “face to a name,” to show your clients that you’re warm and engaging and trustworthy so they’ll ink that $1M deal you’ve been working on. 

Being warm and engaging doesn’t mean having a fake smile. It means being open and accessible.

5. How to be open and accessible.

Look at the camera like it’s someone you care really care about, who makes you smile, who gives you a warm feeling. If you look at the camera that way, the viewer will pick up on your “affection” and feel you’re a warm and engaging person. It’s pretty simple.

6. Now, about those poses (or, what a business headshot should look like.)

Business headshots, more than any other type of portraiture, are all about the introduction. The way you would approach someone and make an introduction in-person is how you should approach the camera.

Generally that means right shoulder forward, as if you were reaching out to shake hands, but there are variations on that theme that might work better for your body type and face shape. An experienced photographer will point you in the right direction so trust their expertise.

(Pro Tip: contrary to what a lot of photographer’s suggest, don’t bother practicing in front of a mirror. What you see in the mirror is backwards so it won’t look like your picture anyway. And it’ll probably make you ore self-conscious. Better you spend your time doing breathing exercises.)

7. Remember to breathe.

Breathing is a good idea. Doing it keeps you alive. Breathing deeply while in front of a camera is an even better idea. It will relax you. 

8. When all is said and done.

Hopefully, your marketing manager will have picked a photographer with considerable experience and expertise, who makes you feel comfortable, who captures a wonderful picture of you that makes you think “yeah, maybe that modeling contract is a possibility.” But, regardless of whether there’s a Men’s Health cover in your future, if you follow these guidelines you’ll insure your business headshot will be warm and engaging and worthy of your company’s website.

Now get back to your desk and close some business.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional 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, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade. If you are in the Portland, OR or Vancouver, WA area you can book a session with us.

Featured Photos - February 2022

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We squeezed a lot of work into the shortest month of the year. Here are some of our favorites of February.

Taiyah, Colorfully

OK, who are we kidding? We’re crushing on color images, too, and we love these pictures of our new client, Taiyah (who is also with Ryan Artists). We started outside but, when the red noses of winter got the best of us, we jumped inside and had ourselves a dance party.

Nicolas, Um, Quietly?

Make no mistake: this kiddo, who models for The Option Agency, is not the quiet type. From the moment he jumps from the car, he’s all energy and curiosity. When he got done his shoot, he went mutton busting. True story.

A.T., Handsomely

Referrals make the world go ‘round. Well, they make our world go ‘round, anyway. So we’re very grateful our client Kody Harvard (great actor name, right?) referred A.T. our way. We fell right into a groove that produced these nice relaxed images for his headshot portfolio.

Akina and Zendaya, Beautifully

Sisters Akina and Zendaya came back to our studio in February for a fun session that included the requisite number of beautiful glances (and a little bit of horsing around, too.) These pictures, taken for Ryan Artists, are just a few of our fave frames of these beauties.

Alexa, Sublimely

We’re crushing on the black and white photos these days and we’re totally crushing on Alexa, who joined the MVP family this past month with her first portfolio shoot. Next up, an editorial session that will rock the house.

Mya, Colorfully

Mya was probably Taiyah’s age when we started shooting together and she just gets more beautiful with every passing day. This session, inspired by the fashion of Billie Eilish, is our most favorite yet. This marks the first time we worked with Portland, OR hair and makeup artist, Kerrin Birchenough, who simply killed it.

Melvin, Our Stand In

OK so we don’t take pictures of pets but we couldn’t help sharing this cute picture of our man Melvin, underbite and all. He stepped onto the paper as we were setting up for some toddler sessions — they’re about the same height — so we captured Melvin’s mug for posterity.

Featured Photos - January 2022

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From professionals starting anew to fun photos of some longtime favorites, we’ve enjoyed a wide variety of sessions in the month of January ‘22. Here are some of our favorite photos.

Susan, Starting Anew

After a career as a successful attorney, Susan wanted new pictures for her social and professional profiles, images that reflect a new chapter in her life. “I really like how natural these pictures are, wrinkles and all,” she told us ivia email. “These images do just what I hoped for -- they portray me as a more polished, but definitely older (yet still vibrant) version of myself.” Case closed!

Harley and Casey, Polished

Did someone say January was Handsome Guy Headshot Month? It was at our studio. Harley, on the left, is a longtime friend who came to the studio to refresh his portfolio. Casey, who’s a professional nurse, is reviving his love of musical theater, starting with a wonderful set of new headshots.

Piper, In Living Color

Taking pictures of Piper is less like doing work than going to a show. Something WILL happen and it’ll be fun. These images, taken for ZTA are some of our favorite kids portfolio pix of all time.

Jamie, Naturally

It’s no secret Jamie Mack is one of our favorite people to photograph. Her creativity, professionalism and free spirit show in each and every frame. And, in case you didn’t know it, she’s a singer along with being a model, actor and dancer. Dig it.

Lila and Ella, Rockstars

Our kids sing and dance and act and swim and make music. Even when they’re not making music, they look like rockstars, which is what our yearly Rockstar Sessions are all about.

3 Great Kids Headshot Looks

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_DSC7239-Edit - Chloe Lee - (c) 2021 Michael Verity Photography. All Rights Reserved.jpg

Pretty In Pink

For those who’ve talked with us about our clothing preferences for kids headshots, the fact we’re headlining this article with a look that’s decidedly pink might come as a surprise. Never fear: we’ve not suddenly become purveyors of all portraits pink. It’s usually too bright, too loud and too overwhelming for most complexions. “Pink as accent color;” that’s our mantra.

But sometimes pink is the perfect color, as you can see from this marvelous headshot we did last week for beautiful Miss Chloe. Why does it work? Because pink enhances her beautiful warm skin tone. Add a very subtle bit of makeup, an absolutely trending hairstyle (both by our bestie, Karina Talaro) and take away any background distractions and you have a great kids headshot. 

(For those who are wondering: we don’t typically include hands in headshots, either, but sometimes you just go with the flow.)

_DSC8163-Edit - Greta Van Eck - (c) 2021 Michael Verity Photography. All Rights Reserved.jpg

Classic Denim

We’re first to say a denim jacket in a kids headshot can go one of two ways: it can look completely cliched or it can look clean and classic.

In this image of lovely Miss Greta, denim over a T-shirt works perfectly. It’s a wonderfully subtle canvas that doesn’t distract us from Greta’s bright shining eyes and slightly mischievous smile. 

Karina’s less-is-more approach to hair and makeup frames her eyes smashingly and gives us a perfect snapshot of who the casting director will be booking for that new role (which is the whole point right?)

_DSC9114-Edit - Jimmy Roberts - (c) 2021 Michael Verity Photography. All Rights Reserved.jpg

Always Earth Tones

If pink’s not your style and denim is just a little too classic, you can’t go wrong with earth tones. 

The color palette we call earth tones is so broad you’ll always find a color that compliments your complexion, from a light azure (which works nicely with lighter skin tones) to evergreen (perfect for darker complexions) to this great combination of olive and maroon on Mr. Jimmy. It’s the perfect compliment to his blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair.

When All Else Fails

Still not sure what’s right for your kid? When they put on an outfit and stand in front of you, do you think: “Wow, that color looks great with her complexion” or “That shirt really makes his eyes pop?” If you do, then you’ve found your kid’s perfect headshot look.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional 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, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

Top Photo: Chloe Lee (Instagram)
Middle Photo: Greta Van Eck
Bottom Photo: Jimmy Roberts
Hair and Makeup for Chloe and Greta: Karina Talaro (Instagram)

10 Tips For Great Professional Headshots

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Whether you’re an actor trying to book a role, a business person elevating your profile or a student seeking college admission, a world-class headshot is essential to your success. Here are 10 tips you can follow to insure you get a great headshot for your business, professional or acting needs.

Jordyn Acting Headshot

Hire A Professional

Hire a trained professional who takes headshots for a living not a friend who happens to have a camera and ‘knows a little about photography.’ More simply stated: you wouldn’t ask your dentist to fix your car so don’t ask your barista to do your headshots.

Look At Lots of Pictures

Every good photographer has an online portfolio for you to review. Look at a lot of pictures from a lot of photographers and pay attention to how you feel. When you see pictures that move you, you’ve probably found your perfect photographer.

Talk On The Phone

Talking to your potential photographer on the phone will tell you a lot about the person you’ll be working with. Is the photographer happy to talk with you and answer your questions? Does he understand your business? Is he willing to give you guidance on how to get the best pictures? A short phone call will tell you a lot.

Be Open To Spending Some Money

Mind your budget but don’t cheat yourself. Remember you’re not only investing your money, you’re also investing your time and energy and that’s valuable, too. Get the best you can afford because you’re worth it.

Payton Youth Actor Headshots

Map Your Location and Plan Ahead

If you’re running late you’ll be stressed and it will show in your pictures. So map and plan.

Prepare Your Hair, Makeup and Wardrobe

If you’re doing your own styling, communicate your plans to your photographer. Even better: do your hair and makeup and wardrobe and send some  snaps so he can see your plan and offer feedback. Communication is the key.

Drink Water, Get Sleep

You need to look fresh and rested for the best results. Treat yourself like a star that you are and get plenty of rest the night before your session.

Breathe

Remember why you’re getting pictures done: 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.” This isn’t surgery; it’s photography. Breathe, relax and enjoy.

Communicate Where You’re At

If you’re feeling nervous, tell your photographer. You’re a team so keep the lines of communication open.

Trust The Process and Take Direction

If you’ve followed these tips, you should walk in the door trusting your photographer has a working process that will deliver great photos. Trust the process and take direction. Oh, yeah: and have fun.

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This article is based on our three-part series: How To Rock Your Headshots. You can find the full articles below:

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, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.