Figuring your headshot wardrobe can be daunting and styles can vary based on your market, your reps, and where you are in your career. If you’re just starting out or you need to refresh what you’ve got, here’s a simple way to approach styling your own headshot session.
The answers to these questions will provide a blueprint for a headshot session that will result in a well-rounded portfolio. It’s not all the looks you could possibly do, but it’s a great baseline for showing different sides of yourself and can be incredibly effective for landing representation. From there, your rep will give you some guidance on what other looks you might need to fill in the gaps.
The answers are should simply reflect you in your life right now. Ideally you have the wardrobe already, but don’t be afraid to a do a shop (and return) if needed to get the thing you would wear in the scenario. Breaking it down, here's what these questions translate to:
1. What would I wear to the grocery store?
This gives you a look that is your own casual style. Which is a great look to have, particularly (but not only) for commercial auditions because it’s who you are.
2. What would I wear to brunch?
Perhaps a very LA question, but that’s fine. This look should give you a slightly upscale version of your casual style from look 1.
3. What would I wear to school or work?
Maybe school or work requires a uniform – wear it! Not in school, or don’t have a day job? Think about what you might wear if you were in school or working.
4. What would I wear to a job interview?
This is a put together professional look. The decision comes in the kind of job you would be going out for, but lean toward 9-5s in the classic office or creative office arena.
5. What would I wear on a dinner date?
This is all about your version of dressing to impress with a dash of charm and perhaps a little sexiness.
Is there something special you do that requires a certain look? Bring it!
What if it was cold? With every question you answer, think about what layer you might add to that look if it was chilly. This can be a great way to get variety in a look and many photographers don’t consider a layer change a separate look.
Image Credit: Clueless