Get Ready for Your Headshot Session
I offer a variety of headshot packages at Seattle Actor Photos, and your preparation will greatly influence the success of our session together. Whether you’re an actor with a talent agent, a professional needing a new LinkedIn photo, or a stand-up comedian looking for fresh marketing images, together, we can create something great — and this guide will help you get ready.
Wardrobe & Colors
Waist-up framing is standard, so regardless of your package, you’ll want to decide on your top layer(s) before coming in. Feel free to bring extra options if you’d like my input, but ideally you’ll arrive already knowing what you’re going to be wearing, and what you’re aiming for.
An image tells a story, and one question you might want to ask yourself about your next headshot is, “How do I want to come across in my headshot?” Or, “What do I want people think/feel when they see my headshot?” These kinds of questions will guide your wardrobe and styling choices. Try on your looks, take photos, and make sure you are inspired by your choices and that they make sense for your goals.
If you are feeling a bit stumped about your styling, there are other articles here on my blog that will assist. If you need images featuring more of your form, make sure you bring great options that are styled head-to-toe.
The Single (One Look Package)
My one look package (The Single) is most suited for the corporate or business portrait. I have many backdrop colors to choose from, and my standard is to shoot against white, but also provide the same image with a grey backdrop as an alternate version. The choice is yours, and we can always shoot against a more colorful option (pink, lavender, brown, etc.). As with any photoshoot, please come to the session with a vision of how you want things to turn out – help me help you!
The Standard (Two Look Package)
My Standard Package is a great option for adult actors — youth and teens receive three looks at the same price. When planning your looks, aim for variety – Showcase different sides of your personality for different marketing purposes. The standard industry advice of “an actor needs one commercial and one theatrical headshot” still holds, which I translate as one image with a warmer, more positive energy and another that’s more serious. You can certainly go deeper than that, and if you’re represented by a talent agent, please consult with them before booking with me (more on that below).
The Three Pack for Youth/Teens
Three looks makes sense for youth/teens, and I usually recommend one full body shot along with the traditional headshot framed photo, but the choice is always yours. The Three Pack for Youth/Teens is the most popular package for younger talent, but if you want to expand your marketing portfolio, I have a 5 look package, as well.
For Actors with Agents
Before booking, talk with your agent to get their input. Most agents will share basic preferences — some, for instance, don’t want to see jewelry in headshots — while others may have more specific guidance based on how they see your casting type(s). Either way, make sure you’ve had a conversation before your session.
The Plus Package (Three Looks)
The Plus Package tends to make the most sense for actors who have been in the business for a bit, or for those who have a very specific idea about how they want to market themselves to the industry (ex: “I need a simple, dramatic headshot for my theater auditions, a business-type headshot for the corporate video shoots, and a character shot to go after a specific archetype.”). This package also make sense if you want to walk away with a few headshots and a full body shot, or if you want a combination of closeups, mid-shots, and full body shots. The Plus Package is a great option for almost every adult actor.
The Hollywood Package (Five+ Looks)
The Hollywood Package is my most robust package, and together, as evidenced by the above, we can create incredible images together with good preparation and thorough planning.
Hair & Makeup, etc.
If you want to hire a hair and makeup artist for your shoot, please head to my FAQ page for those details. About 50% of my female identifying clients hire HMUA. About 5% of my male identifying clients hire HUMA. If you have questions, feel free to reach out.
If you have not booked your photoshoot yet, you can do so now on my PRICES page, assuming you don’t need to hire MUA. If you do want to hire a makeup artist, simply reach out to me and we will get the process moving forward together.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to working with you.
~ David