Tips for dancer, pageant, acting headshots for teens
Tips for dancer, pageant, acting headshots for teens and young adults. For modeling, this guide is slightly different.
For a teen dancer, a headshot should showcase both personality and professionalism. Casting directors, dance schools, agents, and choreographers want to see a natural, confident look that reflects who the dancer is today.
CLOTHING
- Stick to solid colors rather than busy patterns.
- Choose fitted clothing that flatters the neckline without distracting from the face.
- Rich jewel tones, black, navy, burgundy, emerald, or soft earth tones often photograph beautifully.
- Avoid large logos, sequins, or overly trendy styles.
- Bring 2–3 outfit options for variety.
MAKEUP AND HAIR
- Wear hair in a style that's authentic and easy to maintain.
- If the dancer regularly auditions with hair up, consider photographing one look with a neat ponytail or bun and another with hair down.
- Makeup should enhance, not transform:
- Even skin tone
- Light mascara
- Neutral lip color
- Minimal contour or shimmer
- For boys, use a little powder if needed to reduce shine.
SKIN AND PREPARATION
The day before:
- Drink plenty of water.
- Get a good night's sleep.
- Avoid trying new skincare products.
- Moisturize lips and skin.
Bring:
- Hairbrush or comb
- Hair ties and pins
- Powder for touch-ups
- Lip balm
- Water
Should the Headshot Look Like a Glamour Portrait?
Not usually.
Dance headshots are most effective when they are:
- Clean
- Bright
- Natural
- Genuine
- Current
The goal is for the dancer to look the same when they walk into the audition.
Consider Two Different Looks
Many dancers benefit from having:
- A commercial look: friendly, approachable, smiling.
- A theatrical/contemporary look: confident, serious, and expressive.
This gives flexibility for different audition opportunities.
If You're Also Taking Dance Photos *additional booking time required in your session
Since you're already in the studio, consider adding:
- A clean first arabesque
- Leap or grand jeté
- Attitude pose
- Floor pose
- Contemporary movement shot
- Classical ballet portrait
- Jazz or lyrical pose
These complement the headshots and help create a well-rounded portfolio for auditions, competitions, and applications.
A teen model portfolio should be more versatile than a dancer's portfolio because agencies and clients want to see the model's range while still keeping the images natural and current.
Here are the key changes I'd suggest:
Prioritize Variety
Instead of focusing on dance technique or performance, build a portfolio that demonstrates versatility. Include:
- Clean beauty headshots
- Smiling commercial portraits
- Serious fashion/editorial looks
- Three-quarter length portraits
- Full-length images
- Lifestyle photos
- Simple studio portraits
A typical portfolio might include 15–25 final images with a mix of these styles.
Clothing
Bring 5–8 outfit options with different looks, such as:
- Classic jeans and a fitted white or black T-shirt
- Casual everyday outfit
- Trendy fashion look
- Simple dress or polished outfit
- Athleisure
- Denim jacket or leather jacket
- Neutral sweater
- One outfit with a pop of color
Avoid:
- Large logos
- Busy prints
- Clothing that feels overly trendy or dated
- Excessive accessories
Hair and Makeup
Keep styling natural.
- Fresh, glowing skin
- Minimal makeup
- Natural brows
- Soft lip color
- Hair that reflects how they normally look
Agencies generally prefer seeing the model's real appearance rather than heavy styling.
Include Multiple Expressions
Show emotional range, including:
- Big genuine smile
- Soft smile
- Confident neutral expression
- Thoughtful look
- Energetic, playful personality
The goal is to demonstrate the ability to connect with the camera.
Show Movement
Add images that feel natural rather than overly posed:
- Walking
- Laughing
- Looking over the shoulder
- Sitting naturally
- Playing with hair or jacket
- Natural movement between poses
Movement creates images that feel authentic and commercial.
