Headshot Session Prep Checklist

Hey, Actor! Your headshot session is coming up soon - woo hoo! Let’s make sure you’re ready to go.

EVERYTHING on this list is important.

Review the checklist carefully so you are prepared fully for your acting headshot session. See you soon!

Know the location of the session.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
Make sure you know how long it will likely take you to get to the session and plan accordingly, including extra time to account for potential accidents.

We have a Starbucks nearby if you arrive early and need somewhere to chill until your session time. Please do not come up to the door before your appointment time - I’ll be busy setting up, or could be finishing up a previous session :)

The session address is 4802 Kensington Park Blvd. Orlando. The gate code will have been sent to you via email or text when I initially gave you the address — let me know asap if you need it sent again.

Please account for Florida traffic! If you live more than 2 hours away, I recommend coming a couple of hours early for potential accidents (a common issue!). Come enjoy a breakfast in Orlando before your session :)

I usually have sessions back-to-back and can’t make our session longer than planned.

  • PARKING:

    • Park near the front door when you arrive on the driveway pull-through.

  • PLEASE DON’T TEXT ME WHEN YOU ARRIVE (even though it’s kind of you to want to notify me!)

    • My phone is usually on silent and I most-likely won’t see your text because I’ll be setting up for our session - just come on up with all of your things at your appointment time!

Prep your outfits.

(READ ALL OF THIS)

I’m going to sound a bit finicky and bold here, but my heart is to prepare you for success!!

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.

  • Make sure each outfit is completely free of wrinkles! Hang each item on a hanger. DO NOT just toss the outfits in a duffle bag or suitcase!

  • 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.

  • DO NOT bring clothing that you just bought and haven’t had a chance to try on and iron/remove wrinkles and folds from.

MOST IMPORTANTLY - HAVE YOUR OUTFITS APPROVED!

Actors are asked to re-shoot more often than you might think - simply because they brought outfits that their manager or agency didn’t like. Even if your manager or agency sends a guide, STILL HAVE YOUR CLOTHING APPROVED. Trust me on this one - these lessons have come from experience and I want you to have a fun, stress-free, and successful session that you are proud to share with your representation!

» Run your outfits by your manager, coach, or agency for approval by taking photos of yourself IN the outfit - not just the outfit on a hanger «

Bringing the wrong clothing can make or break your session, and each coach or agency will know what is best for you and your market. Bringing the right outfits is your responsibility and vital for a successful session. Bringing the wrong outfits means you may be asked to re-shoot.

(I do not provide free or discounted sessions if you need to re-shoot)

Here are just a few of the issues that actors have run into where their agency asked for a reshoot:

  • A sweater had holes large enough to see the white shirt underneath

  • An outfit was too wrinkly / worn-looking

  • A shirt was the wrong color for the actor’s skin tone (pastel in this case)

  • A shirt pulled open at the bust where the buttons were

  • Outfits were too “the same” between looks

  • An outfit was the wrong type for the actor

Be intentional bout your hair.

A professional stylist is highly recommended for girls and women if you are able.

If you have opted for the professional stylist, come with your hair clean and dry, and it is required that you provide a reference photo if you need it styled in a particular way.

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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 and smooth down frizz (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. Please bring any supplies you feel you might need to clean up after shaving.

Love your makeup, but keep it simple.

A professional stylist is always recommended for your makeup! Get in touch if you’d like to add professional hair and makeup (though we may need to reschedule to coordinate with the artist).

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. We will not have time for you to apply makeup here (with the exception of a very brief touch-up.)

Makeup should be relatively natural (not too glam! NO smokey-eyes or bright red lips unless your look specifically calls for it). DO NOT overdraw your lips - agencies will ask for a re-do.

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).

  • Fingernails should be looking good if your agency needs a 3/4 shot or full body shot.

  • Clear out your pores the night before on your nose if you tend to have visible pores. The camera captures the tiniest detail.

  • Do your cheeks, upper lip, or jawline have “peach fuzz” hair? It is strongly recommended that you minimize or remove your sweet, light cheek hairs, as they will be highlighted in your photos!

Practice in the mirror.

You need to know what expressions you might make to represent your types, 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 do guide you a bit 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.

PRO TIP: Fill out this Character Analysis Guide and bring it with you.

photography studio policy

Don’t be a

NO SHOW

No Show Policy: If you need to reschedule your session, you must call at least 48 hours in advance if you are coming ready-to-go, or 72 hours in advance if you have booked hair/makeup. The only exception is in case of a serious emergency (which we reserve the right to verify... I’m afraid this policy has been abused in the past with fabricated stories).

We do not provide refunds or rescheduling if you don’t show up to your session, or if you don’t call 48/72 hours in advance.

We will have a great, successful session - but only if you take your preparation seriously!

It is very important to come fully prepared to your session. Things like arriving late, bringing the wrong clothing (or wrinkly clothes), not knowing your goals, etc., will make it difficult for us to capture images that will work for you. Our ultimate goal is for this investment to pay you back many times over with opportunities! So take the time you need to consult your agency or coach; plan, shop, and get excited for your headshot session! It’s going to be a blast!

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!