How to Prepare for Your Headshot Mini Session!
Before the shoot...
Role Types:
For your headshots, you have booked with me based on a number of looks that you want. A "look" is a role/ character type or an archetype. Before coming in, think about what roles you see yourself playing, which can be pulled from plays, musicals, TV/film, so that I can achieve that with the color backdrops we choose as well as the outfit, hair, and makeup. Think about what these characters would wear in a mixture of what you would wear as well to an audition. This way, you will have a variety of shots that fit into the roles you go out for. BE SPECIFIC! The more you understand yourself as an actor, the more successful the photos will be. Try to think about this before your shoot. Once you arrive, we will talk more specifically about it with the hair and makeup artist.
To be camera ready, use at least a few days to a week to prep by getting good rest before the night of your shoot, drinking lots of water to keep your skin clear, glowed, and hydrated, and using your skincare routine. Be sure to use a moisturizer on your lips especially as it gets colder when the weather makes skin dryer than usual.
During the shoot:
Location:
The shoot will take place in my home studio, in which the address is in your confirmation email. Tell the doorman you are here for Julianna at 420 and they will call me up to let you in. I am near the 7 and Penn station/ACE train. Please arrive at your appointment on time to discuss your role types, pick your outfit, and start getting ready with the hair and makeup artist!
Feel free to bring your own music/playlist, as I have speakers in the studio to get you in the mood of the roles you are trying to convey through the photos, or just something to jam to during the shoot!
Hair and Makeup:
The makeup artist will be there when you arrive. For mini sessions, please come with your hair ready and styled the way you want it, and the HMUA will touch up the hair. For makeup, please come bare with no product on your face. They will have all the makeup and hair products you need to make you look the best you can possibly be for all skin types and textures. There is no need to bring your own products, the products we use are made specifically to be read on camera.
For female identifying clients, arrive with a clean, blank canvas for makeup. The makeup artist will style it based on the roles you discuss, as well as how you would normally wear it going into an audition. You want your headshots to look like you as much as possible, we won't overdo it!
For male identifying clients, come in with a blank canvas and no product in your hair. Come in with an idea of what you normally look like going into an audition.
For non-binary clients, come in with suggestions from either or both paragraphs above!
***Our HMUA works closely with you for makeup and hair, so please be aware of and take care of any body odors and cleanliness before coming in.***
Clothing:
Bring in options, even if it means more than the number of the looks so that we have a big selection to choose from. Best prepare while thinking about your role types when picking out your tops. Try your best to avoid black, white, grey, tube tops, baggy clothing, and logos. Tiny lines/ stripes, and neon don't read well on camera. But other than that, I LOVE color! Solid colors look great on camera, as well as jewel and earth tones. Bring in patterns, too. Nothing overly patterned or distracting, but interesting and fun. If you are unsure about the patterns, bring in what you have anyway! Be sure to keep in mind texture, it's important in giving shape. Fabrics with texture can mean unique stitching or that are woven, as well as silk. If you want black, I recommend silk or leather (black leather jackets work well).
For both female identifying clients, favor cuts that flatter you best. Tank tops with cool necklines look great on camera, as well as more form fitting clothing. Tank tops with skinny straps that are a tight fit on your torso show off neckline really well which can add structure and length. When choosing between different sizing, choosing the smaller size is your best bet.
For male identifying clients, bring in necklines that best flatter you such as crew necks, button ups, and v necks, all of these as a former fitting. When choosing between different sizing, choosing the smaller size is your best bet.
For non-binary clients, bring anything suggested above!
***If you think you don’t have any of these types of clothing in your closet, a smart thing you can do is go to a store like H&M, Forever 21, Zara, Urban, etc. and buy clothes there. If they are not used in our session, you can return them!***
Get creative and clever! Don't go too basic.
Layering up: When you bring in tighter-fitting tops, you can layer up with jackets, sweaters, blazers. These do not count as an extra look as long as the top underneath is still shown in the photo.
If you are having trouble deciding what to bring, think about the characters/ role types and what they would wear. When going into an audition, you would think about how you dress for the role you are going in for and how that matches the traits, energy, and persona of the character. For example, if the role is the type that is upbeat, friendly, spunky, quirky, or even maybe a little crazy, perhaps Rebecca from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, take a look at the episodes and see what her wardrobe is like. If you are going in for roles that are cleaned up, professional, studious, focused, and lawyerly, bring in a solid and structured blazer or office dress. Or for a CW angsty teen drama, bring in something edgier and darker for that rebellious teen girl with a broken home. The item of clothing tells a lot about a person, so allow that to express you and who you are in that role. Bring in things that you love and feel confident in!!!
Examples from past clients:
“These are the role types I usually get auditions for:
1. Military / security tough guy, or troubled boy who ends up getting drunk and fight at bars.
2. Boy next door, very nice and positive, the “safe” choice of the lead even though she chooses the other leas who’s bad guy but makes a good script…
3. Sexy, seductive, “I knew you were trouble when you walked in” T.S
4. Hardboard student, business man, young teacher who’s really good with kids”
or….
“1. Seductive, manipulative antagonist (Cheryl Blossom in “Riverdale” or Elizabeth Gillies in “Dynasty”)
2. A look for my comedic side. Quirky, fun, and sarcastic (giving Rachel green energy)
3. Emotionally high lead in physiological thriller/horror (think Victoria Pedretti in Haunting of “Bly Manner” or “You”)”
***Please make sure all clothes have no stains, are clean and odorless, and are ready to be worn on camera.***
Your Picks & Final Gallery...
After you sent in your payment for your session and within 8-10 business days after your session, you will receive the entire gallery of your shoot, non-watermarked and ready to download for you to have. You will pick the set number of favorites to choose from that you want to be retouched. Additional touch-ups beyond what is included in your package is $20 each.
Payment:
For payment, I prefer Zelle for no-fee transactions; a second option is Venmo, or cash. The form of payment for your makeup artist depends on the makeup artist that day, which will be these options. We do not take Paypal or Cashapp.
Cancellation Policy:
There is a $25 non-refundable deposit when you schedule a mini session with me. If you cancel, you will not receive your deposit back. The deposit goes towards the total of the session. If you have to reschedule and set a specific time and date, I will move that deposit to that session.
I also do not offer free re-shoots. If you want something different than what we already shot, you can re-book with me for a new shoot! With that, it is important you speak up during your session to get your desired results. Changes to colors and outfit choices cannot be made once the shoot is over and in post-production. I strongly encourage actors to understand and respectfully verbalize their needs and wants as much as they can during the shoot!
I cannot wait to shoot with you and celebrate who you are as an artist and as a beautiful individual.-- J