No need to struggle deciding what to wear during your actor headshot session. We’ve got some great tips here to help you prepare so the last thing you need to worry about when you arrive is what you’re wearing! There are definitely some general standards that are straightforward and simple but we’ve got some advice to help you take it to the next level. Yes, a black t-shirt is always a great basic option but you should be ready with more than that. Remember that casting directors are looking for specific characters when they’re slogging through hundreds of headshots to cast a part. You want to have some clothing options that will reinforce the roles you’re submitting for.
- Figure Out Your Acting Types: To help your headshot get noticed you need to be clear on your types. (If you’re not sure what that means read our post: How to Find Your Type in Acting). Most actors have about 3-4 general character types they can naturally and comfortably play. To figure out your types ask yourself some questions:What kind of characters can I see myself playing? a student, professor, mother, grandfather, CEO, drug dealer, etc. It’s ok to be stereotypical here, in fact, it’s necessary. Consider your physical characteristics when deciding what roles you’d be best suited for. Do you have shaggy long hair and a beard? Then you’re probably not going to get cast as a slick city lawyer but maybe you could be a hunter, hippie, drug dealer, or religious fanatic. Be realistic, embrace your types, and have fun with it!
- Choose Clothing That Supports Your Types: Once you settle on at least 3-4 different types that you can play start thinking about what styles of clothing these characters would wear and model your selections after that. For example if you identified with a school principle or wall street investor you should opt for business attire instead of a t-shirt and hoodie. The opposite is also true, if you identify with a street thug – don’t put on a suit & tie. Try a leather jacket or hoodie instead.
- Wear Clothes That Fit Properly: Clothes that are ill-fitting can look awful in photos. Baggy clothing can make you look bigger than you actually are and squeezing into clothing that’s too tight will create unflattering bulges.
What To Avoid
No matter what type you are there are some general things to avoid when choosing your clothing options. Usually the reason for these rules is that they draw attention away from the face which is the last thing you want! Your headshots are selling you not your outfit. Clothing should subtly support and enhance you not steal the show.
- Don’t wear strong patterns: Avoid plaid, checks, and anything with high-contrast colors right next to each other. There’s even a phenomenon called moire where stripes create abstract patterns on-camera that you can’t see in real life. The only exception to this pattern rule are subtle ones with only a slight variation in color.
- NO Logos or Images: These are incrediblly distracting and don’t have any place in an actor headshot. The only time it’s appropriate is for a company that is promoting their brand.
- Don’t a lot of Accessories: no need to wear large earrings and heavy necklaces. Again, it just takes away from your face and creates extra details that you need to keep an eye on so the placement isn’t crooked. Casting directors find excessive jewelry very distracting. If you wear glasses that’s different and you can do some with & without your specs if you also use contact lenses.
- Avoid Sleeveless Tops & Low-Cut Necklines: Unless you love your arms and they’re helping to sell your type, in general it’s best to only show skin around your face and neck. Sleeveless tops cause your shoulders and arms to draw attention away from your face and create opportunities for bra straps to show which is also problematic. If you do take some shots with bare arms be sure to hold the arms slightly away from your body so they don’t look large from being pressed against your torso. Low-cut shirts can be distracting and showing cleavage is generally discouraged in actor headshots.
- Don’t Wear Shiny or White Clothing: Shiny fabrics create glare and very bright areas that are distracting which is why they should be avoided. The same is true for white shirts (unless worn beneath a jacket) You can get away with something like a black leather jacket but sequins, shiny latex, or other shiny clothes will just draw attention away from you.
The Best Colors To Wear For Actor Headshots
You’ve decided on a style and know what to avoid so now you can focus on the best colors to bring. In almost all cases deep, rich colors look best in-camera. In general, we recommend avoiding white and other pale colors as the main color in any outfit. Light colors can easily overexpose, distract from the face, or wash out skin tones. If you really want to go with a pale color make sure to pair it with a jacket so you can control how much of the lighter color shows beneath.
First of all wear colors that you love! Your complexion, hair color, backdrop, and even the feeling you want to exude in your headshot should all be taken into consideration when choosing your colors. Definitely don’t wear colors that you don’t like because it will affect your confidence. You can also bring a variety of different variations on the same colors and we can help you determine which shades work best with the backgrounds and lighting we’re shooting with. In addition, if you’re layering clothes, make sure that the colors are complimentary. Intense color combinations can be distracting so keep your combinations simple.
A few last tips to help you prepare for a stress-free headshot session:
Feel free to bring extra options. If there are some pieces you’re not sure about, just bring them and we’ll help you decide. It’s always better to have it on hand than to wish you had it after the fact! If you’re just planning to shoot headshots you won’t have to worry about pants or shoes. Unless having the entire outfit on together helps your feel more in character.
Finally, all advice aside, dynamic headshots are about more than your clothes. Your energy and expression are the most important so above all make sure whatever you wear makes you feel good. If you’re uncomfortable it’ll be more difficult for you to relax and let your personality shine. As always don’t hesitate to CONTACT US if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!
