What should I wear to an actor headshot session?
Preparing for a headshot session can be stressful - especially if you have no idea what to wear.
How much time have you spent sorting through your closet, texting parents, friends, agents, and more to get feedback on an outfit? “Is this too me?” “Is this not me enough?” “Does this look read for Euridice?” “Does this look ‘Gaston’ enough without really saying ‘Gaston’?”
Next, you find yourself in the clearance section of GAP double checking their return policies as you’ve narrowed down to 7 completely different outfits.
Wondering “what do I wear for headshots?” doesn’t need to be such a source of stress! Building looks and outfits is one of the many ways we get to be creative as actors … and should be FUN and EXCITING. Here, I’m going to break down what constitutes a “look,” how to navigate a multi-look shoot, and how to get the most out of a single look to cultivate the most productive headshot session.
What is a look?
Different photographers have different opinions on what officially counts as a look. For me, I think of it as a base layer. A look can be as simple as a shirt, a dress, or a sweater.
The outfit alone can be one headshot - though you can also get pretty different headshots from one look. For instance, I can switch the lighting or background. Changing to a different background can completely shift the tone of a look!
My favorite way of fully utilizing a look, however, is through layering. I LOVE layers and find them useful in any shoot to keep it active and playful. A jacket or sweater can instantly change the read on a solid colored shirt. I’ve had clients throw a winter coat over a tank top for a more mature, higher status photo. In the example below, you can see how differently the white shirt reads when enhanced with two different layers.
If you’ve booked a multiple look shoot and are struggling to find different looks, I suggest thinking about your favorite shows and how the tone differs between them. Sometimes, it can be as easy as one outfit that ages you down and one that ages you up. However, we are much more complex than young or old - I encourage you to bring out different layers of your personality.
Dressed up, dressed down, vulnerable, serious: these are all words that can inspire completely different outfits. I shoot from an acting-first standpoint and as an actor, clothing inspires the way I carry myself and portray a character. Plus, in preparation for a shoot I ask a series of questions that help narrow these ideas down.
I love to use this TikTok by @korol.kos as an example of how outfit influences tone and character.
With all this said, a look is not a costume, but rather something within your own wardrobe (old or new) that places you in a different environment. Below is an example of a client expertly using different looks to create a broad range of headshots - all within range of his castability. Look in the mirror and ask yourself, “what features do these clothes bring out in me?” or “how do I feel wearing this outfit and is it different from this other outfit?”
Here is a quickfire list of things I look for when talking about wardrobe with clients:
Texture: I love cool textures! They bring life and character into an otherwise still image. They catch the light. Anything that looks and feels interesting is very exciting to shoot. I always joke - the V-neck headshot is out. Of course if you rock a V-neck, rock it! But I try to find something unique about every outfit - and texture is a big one for me (each sweater or jacket is made of different fabrics… and they all read differently on camera!).
Color: It never hurts to find something that complements your eye color - as eyes are a big focal point for my headshots. However, if everyone matched their eye color exactly then we’d see the same few colors in every photo. Earthy tones or creamy lighter tones set the scene in a humble, down-to-earth way. The industry leans on the side of realism these days, so wearing colors already in your closet is a great place to start.
Patterns: They can be distracting. But every rule I set I also LOVE to break. If you are trying to be loud then SHOUT!
Layers: I said it before and I’ll say it again. Hats, sweaters, scarves, jackets, sweatshirts, vests, rings (if the shot naturally frames your hands) all change the way a look can read. This is all within reason - we don’t want to rush through 10 variations of one look!
Happiness: I want you to feel happy and playful during our session. So definitely don’t bring an outfit that makes you cringe!
I hope this alleviates some of the pressure around selecting outfits and in turn makes the whole process seem even more exciting. And if your appointment is tomorrow and you still have no idea what to wear, call me! I’m always happy to talk it through, narrow down our goals, and help you arrive confident and excited to shoot.