FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

Preparation

What clothing should I bring/wear for the headshot session?

Bring 5-6 different tops/outfits with different necklines to give you some range in terms of mood/character e.g. a casual t-shirt, a v-neck jumper and a suit jacket all set different visual tones. Solid, block colours are usually best – the focus of a headshot should always be on your face so you don’t want any busy patterns or logos distracting the viewer. Most importantly, bring clothes that you love wearing! You won’t look relaxed and comfortable if you feel awkward in what you’re wearing – it will show in the headshot.

What should I do with my hair and makeup?

You should arrive wearing the kind of make-up you would normally wear to a casting. Generally I would recommend that you keep it clean and simple – natural is usually best! Remember to bring a hairbrush and your make-up with you in case you want to touch it up during the shoot. Although I sometimes do work with professional make-up artists, their services are not something I would recommend for headshots mainly because the photographs should mirror you as you will attend an audition and most people wouldn’t pay for professional makeup each time they have a casting call!

I’m getting my hair cut/styled/dyed. How soon afterwards can I get new headshots?

I would normally suggest that any hair treatments are done at least a week before you have booked a session with me. Everyone’s hair reacts differently so it’s always best to let it settle properly before taking any headshots.

I don’t like having my photograph taken. What can you do?

Any photographer is going to struggle to take a good headshot of you if you don’t want to be in front of the camera, so try to take a little time before the shoot to relax and get yourself in the right frame of mind. Try not to worry – if you tell yourself that you might enjoy it, you probably will. If it’s any consolation, I don’t like having my photo taken either, so I’m very sympathetic and will always do my best to ensure the session is as relaxed and painless as possible!

Should I bring my existing headshots to show you?

Sure, that can be a good idea, especially if you have headshots which you think aren’t helping to get you work, or you’re not happy with them. We can review them before we start to ensure that we get more of the kind of headshots that you want.

Can I bring a friend or partner to the headshot session?

Of course! Please ask them to bring a good book, as they will need to be able to sit quietly and not distract you while we’re working.

During the headshot session

How long does the session take?

Usually around an hour and a half, sometimes a bit longer. I don’t usually book sessions back to back after each other – I think it’s important you don’t feel pressured by time.

Can I see the photos as you take them?

Sure! I shoot everything digitally so you will be able to review the headshots as we go along. I think it’s the best way to work – it means you can be sure that you’re getting exactly the kind of headshots that you want.

Do you take the headshots in colour or black and white?

Thanks to the latest digital technology I can photograph in both formats and switch between the two during the session, although I will ultimately convert colour photos into black and white by hand as this generally produces better quality headshots.

Do you shoot in daylight or in a studio?

I normally recommend we do shoot inside and outside to give you a mixture of both. Many agents prefer natural daylight shots so I try to give that choice as long as there is enough natural light.

Payment

When do I pay you?

You can either pay the full amount at the time of your booking, or pay a £50 deposit and the rest at the end of the session.

How do I pay you?

I can accept credit cards via Google Checkout and Paypal as well as cheques, bank transfers and good old fashioned cash. Please see the bookings page for more information.

I can’t afford to pay your prices. Can you do me a cheap headshot or can I pay you in shirt buttons/chocolate/alcohol?

Although charity is a lovely idea, I still need to pay the rent and my landlord won’t accept any of the above – trust me, I’ve tried! If you are serious about your career as an actor or a performer, then I’d recommend you take up a paper round, babysit your sister’s kids, or do anything that will help you raise the cash. A good actors headshot costs money, and in a competitive industry, people are more likely to invest in someone who they can see is already investing in themselves. If you still want to find a “cheap” headshot photographer, I would recommend reading the guidelines on the Spotlight website first, as they give you more information about low quality images and how this can affect your chances of getting work.

After the headshot session

When will I get my headshots?

First, I will provide you with access to an online contact sheet within 24 hours of the session. You review the headshots and tell me which 4 you would like me to work on. The retouched headshots will then be emailed to you within 7 days. You also let me know which two you would like printed and I will send them to Visualeyes on your behalf.

Do you provide headshot prints?

Yes, two 10×8 glossy black and white prints are included. I personally use Visualeyes for printing as they specialise in print runs of headshots for actors and performers. I will send your two retouched images to them and they will post them to you directly.

Can you make my skin look flawless, change the size of my ears, or give me a facelift?

Yes, in a word, but that won’t help you get an audition. On the computer I can do all kinds of whizzy and amazing things, but the single most important thing about an actors headshot is that it must look like you. The retouching work I do subtly enhances your features to create a more striking portrait, while ensuring that the characteristics which make up your visual identity aren’t compromised. This results in a great headshot which looks like you at your best and compares favourably to how you will look walking in the door at an audition or casting.