How should I prepare for a shoot?
Rest and stay hydrated in the lead-up; fatigue can translate to your images, especially around the eyes. Take care of your skin: Hydrate, moisturise; whatever your regular routine. If you close-shave, avoid doing so the morning of the shoot; opt for the night before instead. I also tend to advise against having your hair cut in the days before as very freshly cut hair can look unnatural, especially for shorter styles. For actors and performers, the important thing to remember is that you want your headshots to be aligned with how you’ll look walking into an audition room, or on tape; they should be representative of who you are on your best day.
What should I wear for my headshots?
There’s no right or wrong outfit choice for headshots, but there are some things worth considering when you’re deciding on what to wear.
Matching your top, shirt, dress, etc. to your eye colour can help to emphasise your eye colour and pull the viewer in.
Our attention is drawn to the brightest part of an image, so large chunks of white (eg. a plain white shirt) can pull focus. If you’re considering wearing white, think about how you can break it up with some layering, eg. a coat or jacket.
Busy patterns can result in an image that feels muddled and unfocused. Textures, however, can work quite nicely. Branding and logos should be avoided whenever and wherever possible.
Layers can be useful: Coats, jackets, even scarves and ties… anything that can be changed up to create different versions of the same look.
Having a few jewellery options can be useful to make the most of different looks on the day, but jewellery is by no means a necessity, it really comes down to your own tastes and style.
Avoid clothing that’s too boxy or formless, or that swallows you up too much. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but generally speaking we want to see some physical shape in your images.
For actors, think about casting, and how you want to position yourself; how you want to be perceived and what kind of roles you’d like to be considered for. You don’t want to be dressing “in character”, but hinting at genres or archetypes can be useful.
If you look at my headshot work, you’ll notice a lot of neutral and earthy tones, as I find that these lift the subject out whilse flattering skin tones. So blacks, tans, greens etc. are colours I often recommend. However, the most important thing by far when choosing wardrobe is that you feel good in what you’re wearing. Ultimately, go for something that you feel looks great on you and shows you at your best. I usually advise people to bring more wardrobe options than we’ll need on the day. That way I can offer my input and we can finalise your looks together.
Please don’t arrive on the day with crumpled or creased clothing. Your clothing should be clean, and steamed or ironed beforehand, then hung properly on coathangers and transported in a garment bag.
I wear glasses. Should I have them on for the shoot?
It’s up to you. For actors, if you’re likely to wear glasses for auditions then yes. If you wear both glasses and contacts then perhaps shooting both looks is useful. If you’re a creative for whom glasses are a fundamental aspect of your style or identity then sure. In any case, it’s worth flagging with me ahead of the shoot so that I can plan accordingly.
What about makeup for headshots?
Generally speaking, makeup should be flattering but natural; nothing too bold or dramatic. For actors, go with what you’d wear to a general audition. If you don’t wear makeup the two things I’d recommend you have for the shoot are a simple matte powder to knock back shine, and a lip balm or gloss to keep your lips looking healthy and hydrated.
Should I use a hair and makeup artist?
Working with a hair and makeup artist is by no means essential, but can be hugely beneficial. Having a dedicated set of eyes on hair and makeup during the shoot can help to free you up, and guarantees that you’ll be looking your best in every frame. If you’re considering working with a HMU artist but don’t know how to go about finding the right person , feel free to reach out to me and I’ll share some recommendations.
What if I have blemishes or breakouts the day of the shoot?
Don’t stress. The majority of blemishes (pimples, cold sores etc.) are easily dealt with in post / retouching. If there’s something you’re specifically concerned about just flag it with me on the day I’ll make sure I factor it into the shoot and editing processes.
Where do your headshot sessions take place?
Outdoor headshots in Fitzroy North, studio headshots in Brunswick. Editorial locations vary.
What should I bring to a headshot shoot?
Other than your wardrobe options, I recommend comfortable shoes and a bottle of water, especially if we’re shooting outdoors. A matte powder and some lip gloss or balm are also worth considering. You bring a makeup kit for touch-ups too, of course.
When is payment due?
All bookings require a deposit to secure your slot. For headshot bookings and Sunday Sessions the deposit is $100. For editorial shoots and tailored packages the deposit varies but is usually around 25% of the full fee. The balance is due upon completion of the shoot. Once the balance has been paid your proofs will be delivered.
What are ‘proofs’ and how are they delivered?
Proofs are your untouched, unedited images from the shoot. They’re delivered as an online gallery, where you’re able to favourite your images, make shortlists and even send your shortlists to others (eg. agents and managers) to weigh in on which they like best.
How long will it take to get my retouched headshots?
Usually it takes about a week to get your retouched images delivered, once you’ve made you selection. If you need them urgently, let me know and I can prioritise your edits, and try to get them to you sooner.
What if I want to order additional images?
Additional retouched images can be ordered for $75 per image. Delivery timelines on additional images may be longer than your included deliverables.
What if I don’t like the retouch on my shots?
Retouching is highly subjective, and although I go to great effort to keep my retouching natural-looking, you may feel that the image is over-edited or that there are aspects of the retouch you’d like dialled up. In these cases I’ll happily make those adjustments and will continue to work on the image until you’re happy with it.
Can I have the RAW files?
No. And the RAW files are almost certainly not what you want. When most people ask for RAWs they’re actually asking for unedited or un-retouched jpegs. I rarely send out un-edited work, but exceptions can be made. However delivery of "raw" images is at my discretion, and will incur an additional fee.
Do you ever do sales or offer discounted shoots?
I regularly offer discounted headshot sessions via social media. The easiest way to stay in the loop about these is to follow me on instagram.