MELISSA G. MITCHELL

Headshot PHOTOGRAPHY

For Young Performers

Published ~ Award-Winning

Licensed ~ Insured

Permitted to Work with Young Performers in California CPS-LR-1001049129

SERVING INLAND EMPIRE (TEMECULA, MURRIETA, WINCHESTER, MENIFEE), REDLANDS, AND SAN DIEGO

Fun. Patient. Safe.

I've always worked with kids and young adults. Teens and tweens are actually really fun to work with, especially young actors and professionals. They are unique and also driven and know exactly who they are. It's so fun to learn all about someone and then translate that to pictures that tell stories. I work in Southern California, from Los Angles to San Diego, but my home is in Murrieta (Inland Empire). I have a home studio where I schedule regular photo sessions, but I also do a lot of natural light (outdoor) headshot sessions. I always suggest having a good mix of studio and outdoor headshots to really tell your story. I work with adults, but specialize in children and young adult actors and performers. I have a CPS permit, which means the State of California has done a background check on me (including fingerprints, DOJ and FBI checks) and I take pride in being recognized as someone safe to work with your children. My permit number is: CPS-LR-1001049129. Thank you for trusting me. Now let's get to work and have some fun!

Preparing for your headshots:

1. Take some time to figure out your type. First, embrace what makes you YOU! Do you have brilliant eyes? A long nose? Freckles? Scars? Red hair? Find your type and own it. This will help you discover your personal brand. Think about the roles you audition for and the roles you want to have. Are you the best friend? The villain? The good cop or the bad cop? Are you the class president? Or the introverted computer geek? The jock or the skater? The very first stage of the casting process is when the CD looks at your headshot. You have a few seconds to get their attention. Your headshot needs to scream, “I’m what you’re looking for!” 
2. Take some time to practice your looks, your angles, your expressions and your smiles. Yes, plural. There is the good girl smile, the bad girl smile, the sarcastic smirk, and the ‘we can still be friends’ smile. Those are just some examples. Use a mirror and spend some time with yourself. Use your imagination - think of some of your favorite characters and recreate their expressions. Even if they aren’t the type of character you’ll ever play, it helps to figure out YOUR look. Then consider your personal brand and work in that direction. Faking it last minute is not going to work. CDs can sniff out fakes in seconds. They want to see believable characters in a photograph.
3. Think about your style choices. Do they fit your brand? Your character you are portraying? Have options. A great photographer will help you decide through your choices. Make sure you have different colors and necklines and materials. Avoid patterns and logos and even colors that could be distracting (unless your brand is that 90’s high school kid). 
4. Think about your hair and makeup and plan accordingly. The day before your headshots is not the time to try a new cut or hair color. Skin care, hair care, shaving routine, and even lip care all comes into play days before your session. Dry cracked lips show up in photos. HYDRATE for days before your photos to make your skin and lips and eyes beautiful. Let new hair styles settle for a couple days before your headshots. And try different hairstyles - see what helps build your brand. Slicked back hair, ponytails, braids, or long soft curls. It all depends on your brand and character.
5. Try to arrive to your appointment early … 10-20 mins before your session starts. This helps you relax and settle your face/body. It also helps you mentally prepare to be in character when the photographer starts to shoot. 
6. Get your game face and your great attitude and let’s do this! Be positive! Don’t be shy, but if you are, just ask for help or direction. Great photographers will guide you and pump you up! Great headshots are a collaboration of talent. Stay true to yourself and the results will shine through. You’ll get noticed by CDs in no time!