Guide to preparing for your Child’s Headshot Session

My guide to preparing for your Child’s Headshot Session

My Top Tips for Success!

A professional headshot is an essential tool for any aspiring child actor. It’s their first impression in the industry, so preparing properly can make all the difference.

Just by looking at your headshot, a casting director will automatically judge you on 3 things:

• Whether you look experienced and confident.
• Whether you’ve invested in a professional headshot, showing that you take acting seriously.
• Whether you can act. Casting directors make assumptions on whether they think you’re good at acting simply based on your expression in the photo.​

After 10+ years of capturing child actors, here is some of the best advice I can give you to ensure your child is ready for their session with me.

1. Choosing the Right Clothing

The right wardrobe helps casting directors focus on your child’s face and expression rather than their outfit. Stick to solid colors and avoid busy patterns, logos, or overly bright shades. Earthy tones, pastels, and soft blues or greens often work well. Bring a few options, maybe 5 or so tops, so we can help choose what works best on camera. Layers like a denim jacket, school blazer or a simple cardigan can add variety.

2. Hair and Grooming

Keep your child’s hair natural and similar to how they usually wear it. Avoid last-minute haircuts, as freshly cut hair can look too sharp. For longer hair, bring a brush, clips, or hair ties for quick adjustments. If your child wears makeup (which is usually unnecessary), keep it minimal and natural. If your child has braces, we will still take a smiling shot because casting directors need to know.

3. Rest and Hydration

A well-rested child will look and feel better in photos. Ensure they get a good night’s sleep before the shoot and a proper breakfast. Hydration is also key—drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to the session helps keep their skin looking fresh and healthy. Please don’t worry if they have a few spots, we can photoshop those out, although we will still want your child to look as natural as possible.

4. Practice Expressions

On the day I will guide them through a variety of expressions to show their range. For example some shots might show a happier expression, some sad, thoughtful or vulnerable. It’s much more more effective to shoot a few different specific  headshots and then submit the most relevant headshot to each audition. If you like, you could encourage your child to practice natural and relaxed expressions in front of a mirror. Casting directors want to see personality, so it’s important we  remind them to be themselves and have fun.

5. Keep It Light and Fun on the Day

On the day I will guide you through the process, step by step. We will start by getting to know each other, looking at the clothes you have brought with you, having a drink and possibly a snack. We will then starting taking the pictures, usually outside. I will gently advise your child where to stand, what to do, etc. A relaxed and happy child will take the best photos. I like to keep the atmosphere positive, and don’t put too much pressure on them. They may feel nervous when they first arrive, which is completely natural, but usually within 5 minutes of arriving, we are laughing, feel relaxed and ready to shoot.

By following these tips, we can help your child feel confident and ready to shine in their headshot session!

If you have any questions at all just let me know!