Chi-Chi Onuah

***ACTOR • MOVER • SINGER***
www.chichionuah.com

I've had the pleasure of working with Dahlia Katz and Megan Fraser to create some of my favourite headshots to date! To me, the environment and prep work is just as crucial to the process as the final product. Dahlia and Megan create such a warm place to play and explore the different moods I want to bring out.

The prep work? That's done before I step into the studio.

Casting

First things first, I like to take inventory of my current headshots and make note of what headshots have helped me to get auditions/callbacks/roles, also ones that I am okay letting go of. It also helps to connect with Dahlia and together we compare notes on what sort of hits I already have in my toolkit as well as what can be added.

Character

I love discovering new dream roles I want to play and emulating that in my headshots! So, the next step in my prep work includes researching key photos of some of my favourite actors in character and creating a mood board or collage. This also reflects my current hairstyle, whether I'm rocking a rebellious red hue, or a badass buzz cut, my goal during research is to try and find photos that represent who I am now and the roles I could play right now.

Mood Style

I create a new mood board for each photoshoot, sometimes for each "character" I want to emulate. The most important factors to me are: essence (can I convey the essence of a character while working with the resources I currently have?), colour (what colour is this character?), and physicality (what are some of the key "poses" that evoke this character?) A personal playlist of mood-evoking music also helps (Beyonce is a playlist staple for me…)

There you have it! A guide on how to prep for your next headshot photoshoot, from my experience. It’s so much fun showing up at Dahlia’s studio with an idea in mind and at the same time a dash of the unknown as I watch Dahlia work their magic on camera! Of course, there's no one right way, as long as you are able to communicate and work together with your team on what you're aiming for, you'll be good to go.

Hey Folx,

It's me, Comeau. I've had Dahlia Katz Photography shoot my photos 4, nay 5 times now. Every single time I have loved it. I've never felt more like myself in a photoshoot than I do with Dahlia behind the lens. I thought I would compile some thoughts about how I have learned to make the most out of our photoshoot experience.

The work you have to do starts before the photoshoot itself.

PRE-CONSULTATION

You will have a consultation with Dahlia on the day of the shoot. She will ask you questions and get a feel for what you are looking for. I know you are an amazing model/actor/musician/creator person and you can be many things, but what looks do you think represent you best? I struggled when I first thought about these questions almost two decades ago. I turned to my agent and friends.

Ask your friends: What would you cast me as?

Ask your agent: What types of looks will help you sell me best?

The answers you get might surprise you. Me, I always thought I was the musical theatre ingenue, turns out I am entering my makeupless-Ann-Dowd-cult-leader phase. AND I LOVE IT! You may not like the answers you hear but if you trust the people you are asking; trust that they would give you honest opinions on how/what casting directors would see you as.

Second pre-consultation question for you to answer: What type of photoshoot do you want?

General headshots?

Editorials highlighting you and your skills or specific looks?

Promotional shots of you doing your craft, or for your show?

Fuckabouts where you just look amazing for the landing page of your website?

The top two questions to ask yourself BEFORE the consultation with Dahlia:

1) What type of photoshoot do you want?

2) What looks are you going for?

You will then have the email with Dahlia and set your date and time.

Strong recommendation here for Megan Fraser for your makeup. She's a GD pro, her prices for what you are getting are amazing, and she can talk to you about absolutely anything. She and Dahlia make a comfortable, casual environment to help you relax and bring out your best self.

PRE-PHOTOSHOOT

Here are some things that helped me get over the pre-photoshoot nerves.

1) Tend to your inner child BEFORE the photoshoot. He/She/They/Xe may have wires tripped when they see parts of your body that they may not like. Amp yourself up before your session so that you are in the best mindset to deal with the beautiful vulnerability that is a photoshoot. You're showing yourself in print, you gotta be at least a little bit okay with what you see.

2) Pack your makeup/costume changes/hair supplies/pants/shoes/deodorant/phone charger in advance. You don't want to be rushing against the clock to get your bag packed.

3) Pack variations of clothes. As much as three different colours of the same shirt/dress are great, it doesn't leave much room for range. You're an amazing actor, show different sides y'all.

*3.5) Make sure you feel comfortable in these clothes. Your eyes will betray you if you try and fake feeling comfy.

4) If you are an A-type personality like me (Leo sun, Virgo Moon), you can always create a lookbook. An email with pictures of yourself that you'd like to capture in your photoshoot. I took stills from self tapes where I liked what I looked like and put them in ascending order from least makeup & hair complexities to most intricate makeup & hair complexities. This way me, Megan, and Dahlia knew what was coming and roughly how long the session would be.

5) Double check your bags before you leave your house. It is the WORST feeling to know that your favourite shirt is in your hallway...

PHOTOSHOOT TIPS

1) Advocate for yourself. If you don't like something, say something. Like, don't be a jag about it, be nice. As intuitive and talented as Dahlia and Megan are, they can't read minds. AND they want you to be captured as your best self. Let them know if something is bumping up against you so they can align with your priorities.

2) Be mindful of time. You are the customer, and this day/night is about you, but like...if you're hitting 3 hours, love, it's time to go.

3) Make a choice. Dahlia is an INCREDIBLE director (like, legit if you don't know, Google her right now). She will give you ace direction, inspiring you to look your best. Even if you're unsure as to how to do the direction, make a choice. Any choice. If it is not the best look for you, Dahlia will redirect and get you to where you need to go to be your best self.

4) My mother's therapist used to say something that has stuck with me in the creative world. Fear is excitement without breath. Fear is valuable and keeps you safe, and if you feel fear, pause what you are doing. However, if you are feeling anxious in a safe creative setting, take a second and breathe. It puts breath to fear and allows room for creativity and joy to arrive through risk. Fear + Breath = Excitement.

5) Have fun. Play. This industry is ridiculously difficult. With Dahlia, you are invited and encouraged to be yourself and play within that. It shows in your eyes, in the photos she takes, and it's brilliant. You play, she'll capture it. WIN-WIN.

Alright everyone, take whatever serves you and leave whatever doesn't. I hope you have the best photoshoot. I know you will. Look at you, you're gorgeous.