Forgive me if this has already been addressed, but I did a search and it didn't turn up much. Anyway, I'm African American and choose not to chemically process or straighten my hair on a regular basis. Is it okay to wear my natural texture in my headshots (and to auditions)? Do casting directors/agents feel a particular way about this? Should I invest in 2 sets of headshots...one featuring my natural texture and one with it straightened?

You said you "choose not to chemically process or straighten" your hair.... The real question is, Are you willing to change your hair for roles? If the answer is no, then, you should have headshots taken the way you usually, naturally look. If you are willing to change your hair, two sets of headshots may be beneficial. The difficult thing would be deciding which headshot should be sent to whom, and, for which parts.

There's nothing wrong with having more than one hairstyle in different headshots, whether you're African American, Caucasian, or anything else. If might be useful for showing different "types". But you need to be ready to look like your headshot when you appear at auditions.

Hi lmh,
did you figure out what to do with your hair? I also wear my hair natural and I don't know how to style it for headshots.

I have an african american friend who wears her hair natural and not only does she get complimented on it from CD's and agents all the time, but she has actually booked roles because her hair was different than everyone else's! Her hair is one of her most unique features...

You can do two shoots, one with straight hair, and one with it your natural hair... but I think that if you arent planning on wearing it straight to auditions or straightening it for auditions, then you should be fine with your headshots featuring your natural hair.

quote:

Originally posted by CITY MOMMY:
Hi lmh,
did you figure out what to do with your hair? I also wear my hair natural and I don't know how to style it for headshots.

for now, i ended up deciding to just go with my natural texture b/c that's how i wear it on a daily basis. i'm not opposed to straightening it for a role, but i wouldn't come into an audition with straight hair (unless requested).

later on down the line, i might consider investing in a second set though.

and thx to everyone for your responses

sorry, i know im a little late on this topic. but im african-american and i have that same exact issue except my hair is in twists most of the time. i wasnt sure if i should have my headshots taken with them, even though there are times i would just have my natural hair as well and i would still want to audition without them.

im assuming i should since this is how i look the majority of the time and it would be difficult to change for a role. and it would be basically impossible to do the 2 different looks in one headshot session since it take forever to both put in and take out the particular twists i have. (unless the photographer is willing to wait 5 hours! lol)

Hi SmallTown,
I have had African American actors who bring wigs, so they do their hair in twists and then have a wig for a "natural" hair. I have shot 3 actresses recently that all did this and book wearing the hair all the time. I can email you examples if you want.
Hope that helps,
Joanna Brooks
Headshots LA
www.joannabrooks.com

Hi Joanna, thanks for the advice i had never really considered a natural wig as an option. would you be able to email me an example? that would be amazing!!

Sure, PM me with your email
J

I love natural hair on African American women. It is very rare when I see it. Natural hair, I mean curly, stylish, their own hair they were born with.

quote:

Originally posted by ActorinLA:
I love natural hair on African American women. It is very rare when I see it. Natural hair, I mean curly, stylish, their own hair they were born with.

It is rare!! I think it looks great, but when i watch tv or film the majority of African-American women have straight hair. Nothing wrong with that, I just wish I saw more women embrace their hair.

My personal opinion is to never fake yourself and to be who you are naturally. In other words, I would not relax your hair, because that is not who you are. I personally wear my hair naturally curly, in different styles but still curly, wherever i go and to whatever audition I go to.

Clearly some times you will have to do whatever they tell you, but if they do not then I would suggest to be natural : ) hope this helps!