Headshot Session Prep Checklist

Hey, Actor! Your headshot session is coming up soon - woo hoo!

Let’s make sure you’re ready to go. Review this checklist so you are prepared fully for your acting headshot session. See you soon!

Know the location of the session.

Make sure you know how long it will likely take you to get to the session and plan accordingly. The session address is 4802 Kensington Park Blvd. Orlando. The gate code should have been sent to you via email — let me know asap if you need it sent again, or never received it!

Stay hydrated in the car, and enjoy the cool of the air conditioning, but try not to create frizz or flyaways with the fans-a-blowing :)

Prep your outfits.

There are a few things you need to do regarding your clothing to make sure each look is ready to go.

  • Make sure you have tried on each outfit. Clothing should normally be fitted, but not so tight that you can’t move freely without pulling or awkward tugging. Additionally, make sure outfits go well together. Sometimes you might think that an undershirt and blazer will pair well, but upon wearing, you could find that the collars don’t line up well, as an example.

  • Run each outfit by your agency or coach if you feel unsure about what types you need represented. On your own for deciding? Watch shows or films that have characters you can see yourself playing. What are they wearing?

  • Make sure each outfit is completely free of wrinkles! Hang each item on a hanger.

  • Bring appropriate undergarments for every outfit. If you have a white blouse, for instance, a black bra would prevent us from being able to shoot that look.

  • All clothing needs to be free of pet hair or lint. If you’ve got pets, be diligent in lint-rolling your outfits.

  • Normally you don’t need to worry about pants or shoes for acting headshots unless you’ve requested a full body or 3/4 shot. Acting headshots are waist-up only for the final result.

Need inspiration on what to wear? Check out the Wardrobe Guide here!

Be intentional bout your hair.

If you have opted into the professional stylist, come with your hair clean and dry, and bring reference photos if you like.

Ladies - if you are coming ready-to-go, here’s what you need to do:

  • Make sure your hair is colored and cut exactly how you want it (don’t come with roots that need to be dyed, for instance - roots cannot be photoshopped).

  • Style your hair in a way that isn’t too glam, and is how you might have your hair looking if you come to an in-person audition.

  • Tame flyaways (be diligent!!).

  • Bring hair supplies to make adjustments for each look. Changing your hair style can dramatically increase the effectiveness of a look.

  • Feel free to bring small hair accessories if appropriate for the look (a small hair scarf for a comedic or hippy look, as an example).

  • Bring hair spray and any other products to help us during the session.

Guys —> Your hair matters, too!

  • If you have more than one look, I recommend changing hair a bit between looks. Bring spray, gel, etc. Come with your most “conservative” hair ready to go, and we can shake things up a bit from there for each look.

  • Have a beard? Bring shaving supplies and shave here if you’d like to capture different looks for your facial hair.

Love your makeup, but keep it simple.

Ladies - if you have chosen to include professional hair and makeup in your session, come with your face clean and moisturized.

If you are coming ready-to-go, your makeup should be freshly applied as closely to your session as possible, but before you arrive. Makeup should be relatively natural (not too glam! NO smokey-eyes or bright red lips unless your look specifically calls for it).

Bring makeup supplies to re-fresh and make small adjustments between looks.

And… the really important things you might not have thought about.

Don’t forget these important things to do for a great session!

  • Trim unwanted nose hairs (unless your type is… Weird Nose-Hair Creeper Guy. Then I guess .. just go for it!)

  • Manage eyebrows the night before the session (monobrow hair, eye-lid hairs.. all that fun stuff).

  • Eye crusties. Nope. No to that. Clean those beautiful, sparkling eyes before you come :)

  • Fingernails should be looking good. Sometimes I will shoot a 3/4 shot or two just for fun!

  • Clear out your pores the night before on your nose. The camera captures the tiniest detail.

Practice in the mirror.

Come with an idea of what expressions you might make, and practice them in the mirror to see how they read.

Each type can be really brought home with the right expression. What would your character be expressing if they were listening to someone over dinner?

I WILL guide you through expressions and technical things we will do (like a slight narrowing of the eyes, chin down a bit, etc.), but if you can prepare yourself with a bit of practice, we will get a lot more useful shots during our session,

Still have questions about something? Get in touch asap via text so you can feel confident coming in before your shoot.

I look forward to working with you! Let’s get you a full set of headshots that will get your foot in the door and in front of directors!