Guys, you’ve got it fairly easy. You’ve got 4 options. T shirt, sweater, oxford shirt or suit. Let’s take a look at the ‘dos and don’ts’ in that perimeter.

Before we start, remember that you can never bring too many options to the shoot. Despite following the guidelines below, an outfit might not work once photographed.  You don’t want to be left with a ‘blah’ outfit. Bring lots!!!

First step, talk to your agent/acting coach/best buddy and come to some decision regarding the looks that you would like to achieve. Walking into a mall with a clear idea of what looks you want will narrow your search down.

Second step, go through your closet. Do you have what you need? Try it on. Does it fit? Is it stained? Is it torn or missing buttons?

Step three, visit the dollar store and buy a plastic garmet bag. No matter how neatly you fold your outfits and stuff them in your bag, they will be creased upon arriving at the studio. A garmet bag will keep them crisp. (And take the time to introduce your clothes to your iron!)

Step four, hit the mall and try on clothes! Since it is rare that I will shoot your entire body in a headshot, focus on finding shirts.

Okay, you’re at the mall. Now what? Keep the following in mind…

T shirts

• faded T shirts with retro design on the front are okay if they are fairly monochromatic and subtle.
• no obvious Logos or print. Casting will end up reading your shirt instead of looking at your face.
• Any color except red works great (red will again pull focus off your face)
• no ‘humor’ shirts. They maybe funny in person but they are too distracting in a headshot.
• no bejeweled shirts, no skulls.

Here are some examples of great T shirts…

Examples of unflattering T shirts…

Sweaters

• V neck is ideal (can be worn with or without a T shirt underneath)
• Solid color (no pattern & no red) is best

Oxford Shirts

• Solids, plaid and Pin stripes are great
• No wide stripes
• Any color except red works great

Ties

• Keep them “Mad Men-esque” (slim 1960s style) or modern (no floral/graphic prints from the 1990s)
• No bright colors

Suits

• How can you go wrong?  Wait….leave the green or purple 1990s suits at home. Neutral, Blue or Black colors only.

Some more examples of GREAT clothes (all available at Zara.com)…

If you question whether an outfit will work or not…BRING IT! We can always do a test shot to see if it works on camera.

Being prepared and a great shoot will ensue!

Copyright © 2012 Melanie Kelly | Melanie Kelly Photography Email: info@melaniekelly.ca Phone: 604-518-9222

So, you’ve booked your headshot session with me…now what?

Start practising these good habits!

A week before the shoot…

1. Drink lots of water daily.
2. Take good care of your skin. Wash that makeup off every night. Use a good moisturizer. (Personally, I love Complex 15. It was recommended to me by Robyn, one of the makeup artists I work with. It is hydrating but not greasy. And it costs $9.99 at London Drugs when it’s on sale.) Get a facial.
3. Get a manicure. I don’t like shooting hands in headshots but you never know when they might creep into the shot.
4. Go to your hairdresser. Get a trim and touch up your roots.
5. Get your eyebrows shaped. ( Robyn is amazing! email her for an appointment at paintedpinkproductions@gmail.com )
6. Talk with your agent/acting coach/best friend and decide on the looks you want to achieve.
7. For clothing guidelines, read this… http://www.melaniekelly.ca/blog/?p=506
8. Go shopping or raid your friend’s closet.
9. If you have the clothes you need in your closet, try them on. Check to see if they still fit and are in good condition (clean, no rips, missing buttons).
10. If you don’t want to iron your clothes, take them to the dry cleaner and keep them wrinkle-free until the shoot.

1. Style your hair how you would normally style it. DON’T flat iron it. Once hair is flat ironed, it can not be curled!
2. Moisturize your face but don’t put on any makeup.
3. Bring your iPod full of your favorite music.

Now you’re ready! Let’s have fun and create some amazing shots!

Copyright © 2012 Melanie Kelly | Melanie Kelly Photography Email: info@melaniekelly.ca Phone: 604-518-9222

The big question! What do I wear in my headshots??? I remember scouring the malls for the perfect outfit when I was an actor preparing for my own headshots. It was a confusing mess. Not everything that I bought ended  up looking good in the images. So to make this less confusing for you, I’m going to attempt to give you some guidelines to use when searching for your outfits.

Before we start, remember that you can never bring too many options to the shoot. Despite following the guidelines below, an outfit might not work once photographed.  You don’t want to be left with a mediocre outfit. Bring lots!!!

First step, talk to your agent/acting coach/best buddy and come to some decision regarding the looks that you would like to achieve. Walking into a mall with a clear idea of what looks you want will narrow your search down.

Second step, go to La Senza (or equivalent). You’ll need a nude and a black T shirt bra (NO LACE!). Light pink does not substitute for nude…unless your skin is pink! Nothing wrecks an image like the color or texture of a bra showing through a shirt.

Step three, hit up the dollar store and buy a plastic garmet bag. No matter how neatly you fold your outfits and stuff them in your bag, they will be creased upon arriving at the studio. A garmet bag will keep them hanging pretty. (And take the time to introduce your clothes to your iron!)

Next up, try on clothes! It’s impossible to tell what a top will look like on you unless you try it on. What may look great on the hanger, may sit weird on your shoulders. And what you’d pass up on the hanger may be perfect on you! Since it is rare that I will shoot your entire body in a headshot, focus on finding tops.

For the Sexy/Glamour shot, give Casting an idea of your size and sex appeal with feminine, skin showing basics. Choose plunging necklines, lacy tank tops, capped sleeves, tight cardigans and/or bustiers. Bring heels. They may not be in the shot but they will make you feel sexy.

For the Professional look, choose crisp oxford shirts and/or blazers. Add a bit of femininity to that power suit by pairing it with a lacy camisole or clavicle baring blouse. If you wear glasses, bring them!

Now, what NOT to wear…

• satin (it’s too shiny and distracting with the studio lights and it shows every bump)
• baggy, scoop neck tops (they make you look larger than you are)
• Red (it will all pull focus from your face)
• Loudly patterned tops or shirts with logos on them (same result as wearing red)
• tops with ‘bling’ on them (very distracting)
• ruffles (simple is best)

Copyright © 2012 Melanie Kelly | Melanie Kelly Photography Email: info@melaniekelly.ca Phone: 604-518-9222

So, you’ve booked your headshot session with me…now what?

Start practising these good habits!

A week before the shoot…

1. Drink lots of water daily.
2. Moisturize your skin nightly. Borrow your girlfriend’s cream, go to a department store and ask for a sample or buy your own at a drug store. Personally, I love Complex 15. It was recommended to me by Robyn, one of the makeup artists I work with. It is hydrating but not greasy. And it costs $9.99 at London Drugs when it’s on sale.
3. Talk with your agent/acting coach/best friend and decide on the looks you want to achieve.
4. Go shopping.
5. If you have the clothes you need in your closet, try them on. Check to see if they still fit and are in good condition (no rips, missing buttons).
6. If you don’t want to iron your clothes, take them to the dry cleaner and keep them wrinkle-free until the shoot.
7. Get a haircut.

1. Bring ChapStick. Dry lips are tricky to fix in post.
2. If you are shaving between shots, bring your kit, styptic pencil and a towel.

Now you’re ready! Let’s shoot this!

Copyright © 2012 Melanie Kelly | Melanie Kelly Photography Email: info@melaniekelly.ca Phone: 604-518-9222

When I was an actor, I often got new headshots in January. It’s a good time to start anew! And on long grey days, being under bright studio lights was a welcome change! Looks like I’m not the only one that thinks that way…

This fourteen year old is headed for a successful acting career. She is gorgeous, confident and has emotional depth. Go get ‘em, Sequoia!!!

I couldn’t help but share this. I just discovered David Seidner’s work. I love the modern take on an old world visuals. Reminds me of some of the great painters in Europe. He’s shot for French and Italian editions of Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Vanity Fair and The New York Times Magazine, and advertising campaigns for Emmanuel Ungaro, Lanvin, Christian Dior, John Galliano and Bill Blass. During the 1980s he was contracted by Yves Saint Laurent (whose dresses are featured in a few of these photos). Info from Wikipedia, click here for more… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Seidner

What a great CakeSmasher! The bright blue cake by Love Sugar Cakes didn’t last long! Dario just loved squishing the icing through his cute little fingers. Didn’t his Mom dress him just adorable?! Suspenders?! Come on!!!

For party cakes visit Rosanna at http://www.lovesugarcakes.com/

I have hot clients. Go get ‘em girl!

I love when my Moms-to-be come back for newborn photos! Meeting the babies and photographing their cuteness is grand. This little gal is just 3 weeks old and just surpassed her birth weight.