Preparing for Your Headshot Session
A Typical Session Timeline:
THE WEEK BEFORE:
If you booked your session more than a week in advance, I’ll reach out to you a week before your session to make sure everything is ready to go. At this point you should have already picked a location and filled out your questionnaire(s) but we’ll clarify things like a specific meeting point and make sure I’ve answered any questions you had on your questionnaire. If you book less than a week in advance, you’ll pay right when we schedule the session, and we’ll go over additional details right away.
This is also a good time for you to start planning your outfit(s). For dancers, leotards are a great choice. For actors, think about the type of characters you’d like to play or audition for, and look for clothing options that are similar to what they would wear. If you have questions or are looking for more guidance, read “What to Wear” below, look at examples from others in your industry, or email me!
ONE DAY BEFORE:
Pack your bag for the shoot with your outfit options (and extras!), extra hair ties and a brush or comb, hairspray or gel, and makeup (if you’re wearing it) for touchups. I will have a changing tent at all local outdoor sessions, but you are also welcome to bring a blanket to change under. For colder weather, also bring a warm blanket or fuzzy jacket to put on between photos, hand/foot warmers, and warm boots and gloves. For warmer weather, make sure you bring lots of water, and while you are welcome to wear sunscreen, please make sure it is not shiny or streaky. You may also want to bring a face cloth or blotting sheets for oil and sweat. For more weather-specific guidelines, check out “Weather” below.
THE DAY OF YOUR SESSION:
Please arrive to your session 15 minutes early. This will give us time to chat, finalize your outfit, and change if needed. We will meet at the decided location and walk to our first location as needed. For back-to-back sessions I may not be able to meet you the full 15 minutes before your session, but it is still important that you arrive early and warm up so that we can start on time!
If you’re adding a headshot session on to a dance session, it’s up to you which you want to do first. I find it works well to start with the dance photos first, especially if you’re nervous, so that you can loosen up and get comfortable. However, for outdoor sessions in warm weather, it’s often best to start with headshots so you’re not sweaty.
DURING YOUR SHOOT:
We’ll play with a variety of angles and poses, even in add-on or mini sessions, so that you have lots of options to choose from. For longer sessions, we’ll also use different combinations of backgrounds, locations, and/or lighting. I’ll give you lots of directions on posing - some will feel a little silly, but I ask you to trust me and give them a try! You’ll get to look at the photos on my camera as we’re taking them, and you’ll get to choose which final image(s) you want retouched (more on that later). For any session with multiple outfits or locations, be prepared to walk and change quickly, so we can spend as much time on your photos as possible!
AFTER YOUR SHOOT - IMAGE DELIVERY:
Your proofs will be added to an online gallery within a week of your session. They will be batch edited for coloring and brightness to help you envision what the final retouched photos will look like, but final edits and retouching will only be applied to your chosen photos. You’ll be able to pick your favorite(s) and purchase any additional images you want. You’ll receive your final retouched headshots 4 weeks from when I get your selections.
AFTER YOUR SHOOT - USING YOUR PHOTOS:
Final edited images delivered in your gallery are provided to you for personal use only. This means you can post, share, print, and otherwise use the photos yourself, but you may not use them in any commercial capacity (or provide them to businesses for commercial use). Commercial rights may be purchased separately. I ask that you tag me at @elisemiwaphotography when sharing images on social media. Your gallery will remain available online for 90 days, after which point it will no longer be accessible. Please download and back up your photos during this time. I do my best to retain your original images should you have any technological problems, however I cannot promise that images will be available to you after 90 days.
What to Wear:
OUTFIT:
No matter your industry, you want your outfit to help convey your personality, look professional, and flatter you. You also want to feel confident during your session, so don’t force yourself to wear anything you don’t feel great in! The focus of the headshot should be on you, not your outfit, so we’re looking for pieces that enhance your appearance and help cultivate a “vibe” but don’t distract from you. Avoid super bright colors (like neons) and busy patterns, and look for simple necklines and textures. Please also avoid cropped shirts. If you have questions about specific pieces, please reach out to me! You are also encouraged to bring several options which we can narrow down during the session.
For dancers, I strongly recommend bringing at least one simple black leotard, as this is probably the most standard look for dance headshots. Solid color leotards are also a great choice. For commercial dancers, or if you also want to use your headshots for acting or modeling, you should also bring street clothes. For adult dancers, especially in ballet or concert dance, it is also common to see headshots that cut off just above armpit height with no visible clothing - if you want this look please bring a strapless top.
For actors, think about the kinds of characters you usually play, or you’d like to play, and then build an outfit that is something that character might wear. For example, a “kid next door” might wear a colored T-shirt and jean jacket, a princess might wear a pastel blouse, or an action hero might wear dark colors and a leather jacket. If you’re only getting one headshot, it’s usually more efficient to pick something more neutral, but for a full headshot session we can build several more niche looks that you can tailor to specific auditions.
HAIR:
Your headshot should show what you look like, so the general convention is to wear your hair down, either with your natural texture or the way you usually wear it. For dancers, a bun is also a common option. For actors who are looking for a more stylized look, we can also experiment with hairstyles, but I still recommend you come with your hair styled down, and bring hair tools so we can put it up if we want to.
MAKEUP:
Natural-looking makeup is recommended to even out your skin tone and help your features show up on camera. I recommend a light coverage foundation, light powder to reduce shine, mascara, eyeliner (if you want), light blush, and a natural lip color. Make sure your foundation is a good color match, and make sure everything is cleanly and precisely applied. Be careful with lipsticks on teeth and mascara under eyes! As with hairstyles, we can also start with a natural look and then add a more dramatic eye or lip for a particular outfit.
Weather:
Depending on your location and the time of year, there is a strong possibility of uncomfortable weather, and a slight chance of temperatures that are unsafe to be shooting in. I use the chart linked here to determine safety of temperature conditions. Any sessions where weather is in a red zone will be postponed or canceled and refunded for a session credit. Headshot sessions will also be cancelled for rain or high winds. Additionally, should a weather watch or warning discourage or prohibit driving, sessions will be postponed or canceled and refunded for a session credit. I do have a portable indoor lighting setup with a gray backdrop, so it may be possible to convert a planned outdoor session to indoor in the event of inclement weather.
For weather in the yellow temperature zones, sessions will proceed as scheduled. Please read on below for recommended attire for high and low temperatures.
HIGH TEMPERATURES:
For sessions in warm and/or humid weather, first and foremost bring lots of water and any preferred snacks to keep you healthy and safe throughout the session. For attire, keep in mind that you will be sweating, and this will make changing difficult. If you plan to wear long sleeves or anything else that will stick to you, please come to your session wearing that as your first outfit. Please also keep in mind that some fabrics show sweat much more than others; if a leotard shows sweat in class, it might not be the best option for an 80º day. Make sure you have powder and blotting sheets or a face cloth to minimize oil or sweat.
LOW TEMPERATURES:
If weather is cool enough that your face might be flush, or you might look stiff and cold, I will reach out and discuss whether you want to proceed or reschedule. If you want to move forward with the session, the most important thing is making sure you are warm enough that you feel (and look) comfortable. Wear warmer clothes like long sleeved shirts and jackets, and bring a blanket or coat to warm up between photos. Keep the rest of your body as warm as possible - you can even wear gloves, as your hands mostly won’t be visible. Also, because cheeks and noses can get pink in the cold, slightly heavier foundation may look better in colder weather, but it is not necessary.
Questions? Message me on instagram or through the contact page!
