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Prepping for your headshot session isn't unlike prepping for an opening night performance (or even a scene in a workshop class). Committing to your acting work always extends beyond the bounds of the stage or film frame. The same is true for the day of your shoot. You've already taken a bold step by making the investment in great shots to help you get your career where you want it to be. Commit to following these pre-shoot tips and the pictures will only be stronger for it: you'll look rested and healthy and at ease. One casting director friend told me that even an elusive quality like "committed" can come through a headshot so you really want to give it your all here.
Sleep. Jobs and relationships and just plain life can get in the of the recommended 8 hours of sleep. That said, try to treat yourself to at least three nights of quality sleep before the shoot. Your skin and body will thank you by looking beautiful on the day as a result.
Water. Same idea. The week before you shoot, drink more water than you've ever drunk before. Drink more than the Dr.'s recommend. What do they know anyway? Your skin will glow, your eyes will gleam and you'll have more energy for it.
Eat. Not just anything, healthy things. Veggies, proteins, whole grains...Rehearsals always lead to the inevitable potato chip or can of soda. If you're mid-rehearsal, swap the chips for nuts. The candy bar for a yogurt bar. If you're lucky enough to have a significant other with cooking skills, have him or her treat you to a few nights of super healthy meals.
Exercise. No need to explain much about this here. A generally healthy lifestyle leads to a healthy and energetic looking you and that's the you we want capture that during your shoot.
Call Me. If you have any questions about anything above, below or anything at all before your shoot, please don't hesitate to pick up the phone and call. I want to help you to get the very most from this experience.
Bring a bag, a big bag full of lots of different options for you to wear on top. You should feel comfortable in your clothes; it's fine to buy a special top for the occasion of our shoot but make sure it feels like "you" and that you feel beautiful and confident wearing it. Also, try to keep it nice and simple. Solid rich colors usually work best: if you have green eyes, deep green or blue works well. Oranges and deep reds make brown eyes pop. Since the purpose of a headshot is to focus on your head, mostly, it's best not to bring anything that's boldly patterned. No logos or fancy buttons, etc. We don't want anything to pull focus from you. V-necks help to direct the eye right from the neck to your face. If you are a dancer or want to show off your body, go for form fitting as opposed to ultra-low cut. If you have one bring some kind of jacket along too; it gives us an easy option for a second "textured" look- denim or corduroy or a bit of simple layering really give dimension to the shot. Keep the jewelry to a minimum: a simple necklace is fine, small ball earrings are too, but make sure they frame your face as opposed to take away from it. Everything in the picture, your clothes, makeup, hair, composition (that's my job) should work together so that you and only you are the center of attention. We can go through what you've brought along and decide what works best when you arrive at my studio. It's always better to have more to choose from than less: this is your chance to "over-pack" without feeling guilty.
As for hair, come with it freshly washed, with very little product in it and styled how you would plan to wear it on the day of an audition. Don't worry about frizzies- the makeup stylist will fix stray hair issues and make sure everything looks polished. Also if you're planning on getting a haircut in preparation for the shoot (and this goes for both men and women) try do it at least a week or so before the shoot. 2 weeks is probably ideal. That way, your hair will have time to adjust to you and you to it so you feel supremely comfortable and supremely "you" when we make your pictures.