Before your session...

◉ Get some good rest in the days on the run up to the shoot, you’ll feel better, look better, and be more present and responsive during the shoot making everything more enjoyable.

◉ Have a good think about what tops you’re going to bring, keep them simple, have a look at other headshots you like and see what the actors are wearing and what works best: usually plain, dark, colours, no distracting patterns, and necklines with a defined structure, so that the face is given prominence.

◉ A garment can be used to define character as well, so consider something evocative of roles you feel suited to also as a change from your more neutral options. Prepare your tops in advance of the day, washed and ironed and packed so you transport them easily.

◉ Think about how you want your hair to look, simple styles work best and are easiest to reset if needs be. If you do want to go for something more complex, practice how it’s done a few times. Don’t get your hair cut the day before, as it may not behave like you’re used to, a few days before should be fine as it will have had time to settle. Same goes for washing your hair if it gets frizzy or lifeless after it’s washed.

◉ If you wear make-up keep things relatively natural. There’s no need to cover up spots or blemishes, that can be done easily with retouching. Heavy make-up / foundation can make things more difficult to process in post-production to make skin look good.

◉ If you have an agent ask them what sort of shots they think would work for you, if they can send examples all the better. They might also have suggestions for extra looks or character types that could fill out your current portfolio.

◉ Remember, it’s your session, time dedicated to creating images that tell the story you want to tell in a single image. The more thought you give to it, and of what you want to say with those photos, the more likely it is you will bring the right energy to work with in the studio.