Last week, we talked about how your headshot is not just a pretty picture of you.
In order to decide what to wear for your headshot, first consider your type. You can read more about Getting Clear on Your Type at these other blog posts.
Once you have a clear sense of who you are, as an actor in the marketplace*, then you can begin thinking about your styling for the shoot.
First up, some standard suggestions:
- No logos. (That little logo on the front pocket area of a shirt, for example, can be distracting from your face.)
- Choose a color that looks good on you, bringing out the features of your face, especially your eyes.
- No distracting patterns or colors. (If you have too much going on with your shirt or outfit, whether that is a color that distracts from your eyes or a pattern that draws attention away from your face, then your headshot is not doing its job – even if you paid a gajillion dollars for it in LA for THE hotshot photographer du jour.)
- Choose necklines, sleeve length, and fitted clothing based upon your type. (What might your ideal character wear – or not wear. When the casting director picks up your headshot, they should be able to put you in the stack of actors being considered for a particular role, and then see that same person walk in the audition room.)
This week on social media, I’ll post some pictures and videos of clothes that might be great in person, but don’t work well for photos (and on set, for that matter). Be sure you’ve liked my Facebook page, or if you’re more of an Instagram person, I’ll be posting there, too.
Think of your outfit for your headshot more like a costume than your daily clothes. Check out actors who are similar to your type on IMdB and other websites; what do they wear in their headshots? Not red carpet or premieres – their headshots.
When it comes time for your shoot, bring options! Always bring at least three options – three options you’d actually wear. You should feel confident in these clothes, they should fit well, and be clean and pressed. Don’t overlook the importance of appropriate undergarments for the clothes to drape well on you!
Lastly, remember that while it is a headshot, meaning you’ll primarily shoot from the waist up, the entire outfit, from the shoes up, needs to be considered. You’ll feel more in the groove if you feel put together and polished from head to toe. A comfortable, confident actor always takes better headshots.
*You are more than your place in the acting market. You are a whole person with so much to give this world, your acting skills are just one piece of that. Don’t mistake your type for yourself.
Do you need new headshots?
Are you in the Louisville, Kentucky, area?
I’m hosting a day of Quickshots, a series of 20-minute/1-look headshot sessions for $65, on February 28th. We will spend 20 minutes focused on your needs for a headshot, making sure we have at least one great look. You will receive all shots within 24 hours, and I will do light retouching on one photo, delivered within a week of our shoot. Reserve your spot today!