Just got a new haircut? Getting started in acting? Looking to beef up your resume for that next job interview?

Professional headshots are a great investment for any person trying to present their brand or themselves online in a professional way. While simple chest-up headshots may seem like a simple photoshoot, I've learned some tips and tricks over the years to help you get the most of your time with your photographer. Check out my headshot portfolio if you're new to the site.

Tips for Actors & Performers

Casting directors and agencies are going to want to see you in your best, natural light and don't really want to see a lot of heavy makeup or dramatic lighting that you might use for fashion or runway marketing.

Tip #1: It's ALL about the EYES!

We need to make the casting director connect with you in a matter of seconds and your eyes are the way to do it. They need to convey quiet confidence that sets you apart from the other resumes in their stack. Practice using soft smiles without teeth in the mirror and really think about genuinely connecting to where you are in the shoot and letting your vibrant spirit come out in the images.

If you plan to do more humorous or big-personality roles, it's always a good idea to get some images of you doing very expressive things with your face as well like big smiles or high-energy looks. Those types of images will typically have a brightly-colored backdrop to add some energy and color to the scene.

Tip #2: Simple hair, makeup, and wardrobe wins every time

Keep makeup natural but "put together" like you would for a date or evening on the town with friends where you want to look good. Stay away from bold colors in lipsticks as that tends to draw attention away from the eyes which are where we want the casting people to be looking.

For wardrobe, I recommend finding t-shirt and top options with minimal patterns in colors that compliment your skin tone and the color of your hair and eyes. Simple blacks are typically used for more Chicago and New York-based casting circles but can be a very clean, versatile look as you see above. For women, I almost always recommend tank tops that will show some of the shape between your shoulders, collar bone and rib cage. Basic colors like red, purple, navy, blues, and greens can be great options depending on your physical attributes. Try your best to stay away from whites unless you have a tan complexion and plan to bring a jacket option to throw on top for a couple of looks.

Tip #3: If you color your hair, you'll likely need to update your headshots every time you do

Most women have probably already experienced this but make sure and plan your headshot session around when you're getting your hair colored so you have the most updated images of your likeness and won't be forced to pay for another session in the near future.

Tip #4: If you're going to wear glasses, invest in non-reflective lenses

Because we want to use a big, broad light source to evenly light your face, reflective lenses will almost always produce a green glare right across the eyes which is almost impossible for me to remove during retouching. All major glasses and eyewear manufacturers have options for non-reflective lenses when you go to finish your order and I highly recommend doing it to save yourself and the photographer the hassle.

Tips for Kids Actors and Parents

• Your wardrobe options should reflect the age range of the roles your child is auditioning for. If you are signing on with an agency, they will give you an idea of what that age range is. Even if you're son/daughter is 12-14, they might still have a younger or older look. Please don't try to make them look older by dressing them up in more mature clothing. They're kids...that's why a casting director would hire them!
• Bright-colored t-shirts are always the best option. Kids do have the flexibility to have more patterns in their tops but don't go crazy.
• Plan for these headshots to be used for 4-6 months if they are between 6-14. Having a young actor is amazing and a special thing but you will want to update their headshots regularly to make sure you have an accurate depiction of how they look as they mature.

For Professionals

Professional and corporate headshots tend to be a bit more structured around the studio but I love getting out and shooting environmental portraits for clients that want to let the background and some atmosphere to their branding.

Tip #1: Communicate your desired background early

As I mentioned earlier, many corporate clients will want very basic white or gray backgrounds so that they will match the other people at their company, or so that their marketing person can cut out the background easier in post. I offer white, gray, and colored paper backdrops that fit groups of about 4-6 people. I do charge a fee to bring my full studio lighting setup to a remote location so you also need to show examples of how the images should look so that I can make a determination on what lighting to bring with me. If the client would prefer to have a more specific, atmospheric background that shows off more of the business or building amenities, then we would treat it like an environmental portrait which would require the photographer to do a site visit ahead of time to establish lighting and most appropriate backgrounds.

Tip #2: Unless it's being provided, do your own hair/makeup ahead of time, and bring essentials to straighten up

Most photographers are not going to provide many basic grooming tools or makeup products to set, and, because they are personal items, I recommend you bring your preferred products with you to tame any stray hairs or grizzly beards and eyebrows.

Tip #3: Even though we're only shooting waist up, wear pants that match our outfit

You may be laughing but it happens more than you'd like. Mixing shorts, yoga pants, or Sunday morning jeans with a suit jacket and tie or nice top are not great looks and I will likely have to crop out your pants. Just a recommendation. Disregard this tip if you plan to wear a dress.

I hope those helped you think about some ways to best prepare for your next headshot session. If you decide to book with me, I provide all my clients a private, digital proof gallery where they select the images they would like for me to retouch, then I deliver those retouched images in high-resolution (for print) and smaller, web versions. For actors and performers, I will happily add a cropped 8"x10" version of the image in the final delivery folder which is a casting agent standard when submitted to larger agencies. I can also help add names and contact information to a border around the frame so that they are not relying entirely on your attached resume (...they get lost all the time, trust me).

Have a great day and let me know if you'd like to work together so we can put your best foot forward!

John G.