Headshot Session: WHAT DO I WEAR?
Like we’ve touched on before, a headshot session is a freakin’ stressful part of an actor’s career. The shots have to rock, and you’re dropping quite a bit of money in an effort to “get this one right”.
So, two days before the session — you’re rummaging through your closet, wondering: what the heck do I wear?
First: Don’t stress. Make sure you start with a clean room, and have a canvas (i.e. make your bed, move pillows) that you can arrange things on.
Second: You don’t need to drag an oversized suitcase to your session. A small carry-on will do. You only need to bring 10 – 12 different looks… and you’ll likely only shoot in 5.
Begin by going through your closet or armoire and pulling out your absolute favorite articles of clothing to wear. If you were going on a date with [insert favorite attractive celebrity here], what would you put on? Exactly. Pull the first thing that comes to your mind. Then the second, third, and fourth.
After you’ve nabbed your favorites, consider which roles you tend to go out for — or would like to go out for. Law&Order? Grab a button-down or jacket that flatters you. Country vibe? Pull something flannel (but not bright flannel, muted tones like blues and greens work better than blaring Ride Em’, Cowboy Red).
Get at least 20 articles on your bed (don’t worry about what you’ll be wearing on the bottom yet), and begin weeding. Throw out three you really don’t need or are too similar to what you have already (example: little black dress with a similar neckline to a little black tanktop). Guys obviously have this a bit easier.
Make sure to include: Your favorite laid-back tanktop, your favorite go-out-to-a-fancy-dinner/hot-date item (something you know you look great in), one quirky character item, and one bright item that makes your eye color pop.
Green eyes = green shirt
Blue eyes = blue shirt
…etc.
One last item: Bring your favorite, most comfy, somewhat sexy pair of jeans. You’ll want to get at least a half dozen three-quarter shots, for fun.
Need More Stuff? Can’t Afford to Drop $500 on Headshot Clothes?
If you don’t have what you need, don’t stress. You can obtain it for zero money, in theory. All you need is a small balance on a credit or debit card that you can part with for 3-5 business days (don’t do this if rent is coming up).
Go to Macy’s, Bloomingdales, or one of the big department stores that has a RETURN POLICY. Do NOT go to places like Forever 21 (no returns, only exchanges) just because they’re cheap! Make sure that the store will take back whatever you buy, and read the return/exchange policy before you whip out your credit card.
Again — make sure you have a small balance to play with — then, go shopping!
Pick out 3-5 items that you don’t have in your wardrobe already, and that you look simply fantastic in. Let’s face it — sometimes slightly more expensive clothing makes us actors feel awesome! It’s softer or better quality, fits in the right places, and will make you feel awesome during your shoot. Get these items!
Purchase with a credit card (or cash, which you’ll get back immediately upon return) and make sure to carefully fold and slip that receipt into a safe place in your wallet. DO NOT LOOSE THE RECEIPT!
Bring the items back home, and (I’d suggest) keep them wrapped and folded carefully in the shopping bag. On shoot day, carry your own items in a small duffle or carry-on — and bring the “borrowed items” along in the original Macy’s or Bloomdingdale’s bag.
*** NOTE *** They likely won’t have wrinkled, due to the way they were folded by the expert folding staff. And it’ll be like unwrapping presents all over again, even though you don’t technically get to keep them.
On shoot day, be VERY careful when putting on the borrowed items. Take EXTRA time putting on shirts over your head, because makeup stains can ruin a return. Do not wear borrowed items when the makeup artist is doing her magic, and bring a small sweater or wrap to cover yourself up when she’s doing touch-ups. Don’t risk getting stuck with expensive (if fabulous) borrowed items!
Finally — the last tip of the day — DO NOT TAKE OFF THE TAGS. The tags — besides the original receipt — are your golden ticket to creative borrow and return.
Moral Issue With “Borrowing” Clothing?
Hey — you’re doing these clothes a favor! Your shoot in them, giving the designers a touch of PR, and as long as you don’t do them any damage — who’s to say any of this is wrong.
EMERGENCY: What if the Tag Comes Off?!
Calm down, it’s not the end of the world. Make sure you save the little plastic thing (and the little plastic t “tip”) as well as the fallen tag. If you can’t find the plastic thing, either use one from a cheap article of clothing you still have hanging in your closet — or buy a shirt from a dollar store for a buck, and take the plastic thing from that item.
Head to CVS of Duane Read, and pick up a mini Super Glue tube. It has to be the original, liquid kind… not any weird stick or child proof brand, these aren’t as effective.
Set up the piece of clothing face up on a surface it can lay on for an hour. Carefully thread the long portion of the plastic thing through the original tag or place it was fastened (if in doubt, thread through the tag). Once threaded, release the plastic thing and see where it falls.
Use the super glue to place a small “dot” of glue on the long part of the tip. Let it sit there for about 8-10 seconds to harden slightly.
Next, take the plastic “tee”. Verrry carefully (you can use tweezers if you don’t have a steady hand), lower the middle of the tee onto it’s former plastic brethren. Hold it there for a few seconds, and then release. If it doesn’t stick and falls off, repeat, and hold it there for longer.
Allow the item to sit there for at least an hour, and test that the tag doesn’t fall off the newly fixed Plastic Thing before placing it carefully back in the shopping back, and trotting back to the department store.
If they ask why you’re returning — you can simply say, “I don’t really need what I bought, impulse buy”.
And that’s it. They’ll take everything back, no questions asked.
Happy shooting!
Want more headshot advice?
– The Bean’s Photographer Resource Page
– Headshot Session: How to Shoot for Free
– Headshot Session: How to Choose an Awesome Headshot Photographer
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Thanks for the shout-out there, Chris!
Love,
The Bean
Thanks Marla! Looking forward to having you as a delightful reader. — Bean.
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