Prep Yourself for a Good Head Shot

Head shots are a powerful way to market yourself, whether you are an actor, model, or even a business person. Quality head shots that flatter the subject can mean the difference between getting hired and being overlooked. A great head shot will convey your talents and make you look your best to potential directors, clients and the public. It will show something about who you are at your core and leave a positive lasting impression.

Preparing for your head shots in advance will result in images that will leave you fulfilled. The most important thing you need to do is plan your ‘looks’. How are you going to present yourself? It is critical going into a shoot that you are clear about what the shots need to say.

1. Clothes

Clothing is a form of expression and the clothes that you pick to wear will reflect your personality in the images.

• Solid colors look best in headshots
• If going with a pattern keep it simple
• Add layers to a simple shirt or blouse
• Make sure clothing is ironed (not even Photoshop can help reduce the wrinkles)
• Choose attire that works for every season

2. Hair & Makeup

Your hair should be in its natural state. The makeup should help the viewer focus on the eyes and the mouth- which are the essence of the headshot. Your headshot should look like the current you. 

• Start with your hair down and towards the end of the shoot put it up in a ponytail for a more casual look
• Bring hair products to tame your hair
• Clean up facial hair
• Make-up should be clean and natural

3. Practice, Practice, Practice!

• Focus on the eyes

Capturing the eyes in a powerful way will draw the viewer into the photo, establishing a strong connection that will speak volumes. Use your eyes to communicate emotion. 

• Watch your angles

Remember that for close up shots, angles will affect the outcome look and feel of your image. Also, watch your head tilt. If you are tilting towards the camera, it’s inviting, warm and confident. If you are angling away, it’s unwelcome and defensive. 

If you want to be taken seriously, you should present yourself seriously. Amateur pictures will make you look like an amateur. It will tell anyone thinking of hiring you for your services that you’re not committed to excellence in your craft. Consider these tips and go get ready for that headshot of yours!

How to Take Proper Measurements for Modeling

As a model, you should be updating your measurements every 6 months at a minimum- although every 3 months is ideal. When it comes to measurements- keep them updated, and keep them accurate! Start with a soft, flexible measuring tape- the kind you would use for a sewing project, or have somebody else take your measurements.

Basic measurements are written as a series of 3 numbers, separated by hyphens. The accepted format requires the following info: Bust-Waist-Hips, in that order. If a model lists their stats as “34-24-35”, that indicates their Bust is a 34, their Waist is a 24, and their Hips are a 35.

How to Take Your Measurements

BUST: Place the measuring tape under your armpits; arms should rest at your sides. Next, measure around the shoulder blades and the fullest part of your breast. The number showing is your “bust measurement.”

WAIST: Locate the slimmest part of your natural waistline, and measure. The number showing is your “waist measurement.”

HIPS: Measure around the largest part of your hips and butt. Do not measure around your hip bone. This measurement will serve as your “hip measurement.”

While the measurements above can apply to both guys and gals, the men have a few more specific measurements they need to know; specifically for suit purposes.   

NECK: Measure around your neck, starting about an inch above where your neck connects to your shoulders, right around the Adam’s apple.

ARM/SLEEVE: For the sleeve measurement, start in the middle of your lower neck between your shoulders. With your hand placed on your hip, extend the tape over your shoulder and then over your elbow to your wrist.

Inseam (Applies to females too): Measure the inside of your leg from just below your crotch to your ankle.

Hope this helps!

The Blue Line: Luke James Interview

After an amazing performance at the historic Howard Theater in Washington DC, the Blue Line caught up with the Grammy-award winning songwriter and Grammy-nominated singer Luke James to answer a few questions. As soon as we greeted after the show, I sensed Luke James vibes and instantly could tell he was genuinely down to earth, which made our conversation flow comfortable. Although we only had five minutes to interview the New Orleans native, we were able to cover many topics including his decision to come out from behind the limelight, where his musical inspirations came from, working with Beyonce and more. The more James kept talking, I couldn’t help but to smile to myself at how attractive he is. Jesse J is one lucky gal (his girlfriend).

The show itself was filled with screaming ladies swooning over him, but can you blame them? His vocals were out of this world and don’t get me started on his falsettos. CHILLS. He sang songs off his debut album “Luke James” (released September 2014), a few from his original mixtape tracks as well as cover tracks including Michael Jackson’s “The Way You Make Me Feel.” It wasn’t just a concert, but more of an intimate setting where fans got the chance to feel a personal connection with James beyond his music.

See below to watch the full interview:

The Blue Line is a podcast show based out of the Washington, D.C. area covering topics from entertainment, fashion and lifestyle both locally and nationally.  

Perfect Your Pose with Confidence

Regardless of experience, when a model steps in front of the lens for the first time he or she will expect some direction. There is nothing more awkward than a clueless model and a quiet photographer. A photographer can only direct so much while behind the camera; therefore it’s up to the model to come prepared beforehand and know how to strike a pose.

It’s a lot of pressure, but following a few ground rules can capture a great image. Check out these great tips below:

1. The mirror is your best friend. Stand there, perfect your poses and learn how your body shapes. The mirror is a perfect tool to show you what the camera can see. Imagine the mirrow behind your photographer’s head when shooting and always consider what can be seen from that angle. Ever notice how most celebs are typically seen with the same smile and pose frequently on the red carpet? Well, it’s because they figured out what works for them. This calls for a perfect opportunity to take ‘selfies’ and find your signature pose and smile.

2. Pull Poses & Mood. Pull inspirational photos of models posing in ads in magazines such as Vogue, Glamour, etc., and emulate those poses. Practice makes perfect!

3. Ballet Hands. This term is lingo for keeping your hands loose and fluid. Hands are one of the more challenging aspects of posing and can make or break an image if shown incorrectly. The model should relax their hands as if they were in a ballet, spreading the fingers lightly, slightly broken at the joints. From there, depending on the shoot, hands should be placed in a position that works with the image. Under the chin, over the shoulder, to the side or through the hair are some common positions for hands.

Be confident in yourself. Keep it simple. Don’t force your poses- make it relaxed and comfortable. Practice, practice, practice! 

Steeze Entertainment Services You Can’t Refuse!

WHAT CAN WE DO?

SteezeEntertainment specializes in offering high quality services including fashion styling, high fashion photo shoots, and video production. Our amazing and energetic team consists of:

• Fashion stylists
• Photographers 
• Videographers
• Models
• Hair stylists
• Make-up artists 

 Our ambitious team of creative talent can help develop your ideas and concepts to captivate and inspire your audience. Whether it's a music video, photo shoot or documentary, our goal is to help our clients produce a unique experience that they are proud to share with the world. 

Furthermore, Steeze Entertainment provides you with advice on how to model successfully while avoiding scams and maximizing your potential. We believe our models are more than likely to achieve their dreams and ambitions if they understand the modeling industry, the markets, and know the importance of a positive self-image. Let us be your guide to the modeling world. See here for classes.  

Contact us to book our models for print, media and television work in Washington DC, Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Miami, Vegas, Atlanta and LA Areas.

Email info@steeze.com to get your personalized quote. We require two-three weeks advanced notice to complete all jobs. Please send detailed request for exceptions.

Steeze Entertainment MODEL SUBMISSION 

Interested in becoming an official Steeze Model and having the opportunity to model in high fashion shoots and more? 

Send us your name, age, height, location, one close-up head shot and full length body shots (front/side/back). Please include the following measurements in your submission:

Girls: Dress size, shirt size(s/m/l/), pant size, shoe size, bra size.

Boys: Pant size, Dress shirt size, Regular shirt size(s/m/l) and shoe size.

**All info should be sent to info@steeze.com

What the Heck is a Steeze?

Hi there!

Thank you for stopping by and viewing my blog. Before continuing on with the blog, please be advised this blog is for my Communication 603 class project assignment.  Feel free to continue to read it if you like and thank you in advance!

The following blogs to come are all inspired by a local Washington, DC Metropolitan area company I help manage with a close friend of mine. Established in 2010, Steeze Entertainment is a leading multi-faceted talent management group representing the industry’s imminent models and personalities in fashion and entertainment prominent brands and promotions across the nation.

Our management team’s keen eye for fresh faces and dedication to career development has fostered long-standing relationships with talent and clients alike. Steeze models have appeared in national publications such as Seventeen and have been featured on MTV, BET, and Miss Arab USA Pageant, as well as charity events.

Blogging about Steeze Entertainment will not only help readers and my class understand the career field I am aiming for, but this will also help myself, personally, understand the business side of things as I am still fairly new at it. From the outside looking in, working in the fashion and entertainment industry isn’t all it may look to be. Not everything we do is ‘‘glamorous’ and even if it was, we’re too busy working to even enjoy a moment of it. What I will tell people is that, hopefully by reading this blog, you will realize how passionate I am about my career and I have fun doing it.

I want people to understand, that sometimes, it’s ok to take a different approach in life that is not considerate the norm in your surroundings. My motto in life has always been to ‘follow your passions, even if it means you have to take risks and sacrifice a lot.”