How to Get the Best Dallas Model Headshots for Your Career
Choose the Right type of Modeling Headhots You Need
To start with, get head-and-shoulders headshots along with what we call a “beauty” headshot or “commercial” style headshot. A beauty headshot is exactly what its name says— emphasis on face and skin with optional makeup for whatever shows you at your most “beautiful”. Likewise, a commercial headshot is a professional photo where you showcase how you might appear for a magazine adadvertisement (think cologne, watches, jewelry, hair products, etc.).
You may have a specific kind of modeling you are tageting, such as:
- Runway Modeling headshots
- High Rashion Modeling headshots
- Catalog/Print Modeling headshots
- Plus Size Modeling headshots
- Lifestyle/Social Media/Instagram Modeling headshots
- Fitness Modeling headshots
- Beauty/Cosemetic/Face Modeling headshots
Depending what you like and your modeling career goals, your height and face, you might target one or more of these areas when getting your model headshots taken in Dallas.
But IN GENERAL, most models (male or female) will need the following kinds of headshots, ready to use, in their modeling portfolio. :
• Full Body Photos (also called full-length)
• Half Body (roughly waist up) — and note, these are becoming more popular and in demand by agences, so these are a “must have.”
• Standard Headshot — tight in on the face with a bit of shoulders
So ask for a model headshot session that includes at at least a few full body ad a few half body photos in the mix of what you receive back (and of course, yes, my model headshot sessions will by default include all of the above unless you instruct me otherwise)
You will also need a full-length body shot. Why? Becuase agencies (and the clients that book models from them) need to show their clients your height-weight proportions. Lastly, you will also need at least one headshot in a swimsuit/underwear/lingerie/bodysuit — a more sexy/sensual/alluring photo. This modeling photo type shows the shape of our body and how lean or musculsr it is. Different clients have different “looks” they feel represent their brand and your overall physique, legs length, bust or pecs will influence their decision on who they hire to model for their brand.
To take your modeling portfolio to the next level, there are a couple of additional types of photos to include to round it out to make you most marketable to the widest selection of possible clients. First of these in an outfit that is tight-fitting, clothed but showing the shape of your body. Second is getting lifestyle or editorial shots. These photos present you as you would appear in a magazine advertisement or in an editorial piece. The principle is to show yourself as a fit for the kinds of modeling work you enjoy the most and will establish your modeling career the best.
These kinds of modeling photo sessions help an agency or casting director more easily visualize YOU in their promotions and marketing pieces.
Selecting Natural Light vs Studio Light for your Dallas Headshots
Now really the photographer should advise you on this. And of course, you make sure you like their headshot photography work, and their style. Usually in that a given headshot photographer in Dallas will lean towards either studio headshots for models of natural light.
For your core shots that include headshots and full body shots, you should opt for studio-quality lighting that helps flatter your skin. The controlled environment of a studio with lighting will capture the best headshots and full body shots to form the core of your portfolio.
You can then opt for headshots and additional full body shots in natural light. For the lifestyle or editorial shots, you might target securing a mix of both studio and natural-lit photos. In the end, the broader your portfolio, the more opportunity you create for one of the photos to match the vision of a creative director conducting research on you.
What to Wear for Your Dallas Modeling Headshot Session:
You really have a great variety of options but, there are probably some things to avoid. Usually, for model headshots, you’ll want to bring several options. For men or women, coordinate colors that work with the backgrounds the photographer plans to use. This is because it can help finished photos look like branded elements, which is ultimately the goal of a brand that wants to hire a model. You also want to bring outfits that work with classic color backgrounds — gray, black and white.
As far as the actual clothing, for women, you might bring some pullover shirts or sweaters and some button-up shirts. Some blouse and t-shirt options might also be good along with a jacket. Classic jeans and leggings, light flowy dress, and similar items are good. Of course, don’t forget a swimsuit too.
Men might bring t-shirts and a few collared shirt options. You might also bring a couple of jacket options too. Classic jeans are also good and perhaps some solid colored slacks and dressy shoes. Your swimsuit will also be important to bring.
Regardless of what items you bring, generally stay away from busy colors or fabrics. Avoid complex stripe patterns or plaid patterns. The simpler and more natural the colors, the better. You’ll want to also avoid large logos, such as the brand name of a clothing line or busy graphics in a t-shirt. The goal is to keep the attention on you, not what you’re wearing.
As for makeup, it’s totally fine, especially for your beauty and high-fashion types of headshots. But don’t do every headshot in makeup as agencies and clients also need to see a “more raw” image of you so they know what they have to work with. Agencies already understand what hair styling and makeup can do to a person, but they need to see your face shape/structure. Regarding jewelry, keep it iminimal, unless you’re aiming for a photo that shows you modeling jewelry where the emphasis is on the lifestyle that goes with said piece of jewelry/watch, and more on that than on your face itself.
How to Work With Your Dallas Headshot Photographer:
To get the shots you want, it’s best to coordinate with your photographer with a little planning. Consider creating a mood board with specific examples of the photos you want. Be sure to note any variances you’re after. For example, you might point to a headshot you like but state that you want the background to be more of a blue hue.
Your chosen photographer should be able to provide you useful feedback too, particularly during the shoot. Doing a successful shoot is a collaborative effort. Your photographer might have useful insight. In the end, it’s your call to use it or dismiss it but, it’s important to at least consider it.
Once the shoot is done, validate with your photographer the expectations you had going into the shoot. If you recall, you should have secured what they offer for their rate in writing. So, validate that again in-person after the shoot. Again, you want to be sure there are no surprises.
In Conclusion:
Getting a good start to a modeling career is important and getting good model headshots is an essential part of the process. You’ll also need to often update your portfolio as your looks or goals change. This is why finding a good photographer is important. It can save you time and money from having to do a search for one each time you need shots.
There are many things you can do to book your headshot photography session with confidence — from making sure your headshot photographer knows what they’re doing with a camera and lighting, to being sure they’ll provide files you can use. You need to accept that finding a good photographer can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. And that’s why there is a necessary process for it. Ultimately, making sure you get good photos for your portfolio can make or break the opportunities you’ll receive for your modeling career. Get Dallas headshots at www.HeadShotPros.com
