Official Headshot requirements

Every state titleholder in Miss Black USA, Ms. Black USA, and Miss Black USA Talented Teen divisions must submit an official headshot for the national competition website. The photo must meet the following criteria:

Glam Headshot

Bare shoulders

No crown

No sash

No hands on the face

Hi-resolution (at least 300dpi)

White or light grey background

Deadline: Please submit before/on March 1st. Before submitting your photo, please label it i.e. with your state title and last name i.e. “Alaska - Smith.jpg”

Upload headshot here.

Sample Headshots

Contestants need different types of images throughout their reign. These range from your official headshot photos and posed fashion shots with or without crown and sash to lifestyle photos that show you in your element. Here’s a simple breakdown:

Official Headshots: Classic head-and-shoulders shots (without crown and sash), bare shoulders, for the website. See above.

Portraits: A friendly portrait that shows off the contestant’s personality for press and media interviews.

Fashion shots: A full-body fashion portrait for the magazine book and promotions.

Social media shots: A mix of portraits, lifestyle photos, and photos for the contestants’ websites and social media pages.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: How do I take a pageant headshot?

A: Since a picture is worth a thousand words, shouldn’t you make sure to control the narrative? How do you do that? Take a killer pageant headshot, of course. Now you’re asking yourself the same question… how do I do that?! Keep reading…

Q: Do I need a professional photographer?

A: Girl, yes! You are auditioning for the starring role. You need a killer headshot! Invest in a professional photographer. It’s worth it. You’re worth it!

We’re not talking about a complete make-over either. If you are working with an extremely experienced pageant photographer that should not happen because they understand the importance of a good headshot looking like the contestant in real life.

Q: How to select a pageant headshot photographer

A: So now that you know the value of working with a legitimate pageant photographer, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to go about finding a good photographer that will be perfect for you.

Have a pageant budget

First things first! Pageant contestants must always have a reasonable pageant budget to operate with.

Shortly after you entered the pageant, you should have created a thorough pageant budget that took into account every single item that you would need to participate in your pageant. The reason is that pageantry can be an expensive sport and you will constantly have to make decisions about things that you need to purchase.

Your pageant budget should allow for some adjustments. It’s true that headshots are a major investment and you need to set aside a reasonable amount of funds to cover that portion of the competition. But, a good budget should also be flexible enough that you can take some money from one category and put that money into another.

Get recommendations and referrals from other pageant contestants and titleholders. Take note of the photographer who took the official headshots for the queen in your pageant

One of the best tips of all is to find out who the photographer is who ends up taking the winner’s headshot for the system you are competing in. Every pageant queen has her official photo done after she wins, therefore it follows, that the photographer who takes that photo is one of the most qualified to understand the system’s brand and requirements.

You surely cannot go wrong hiring the official pageant photographer, although they likely charge a higher fee than many others since they are aligned with the pageant. The plus side is that you will know for certain that you will be in good hands and that your headshot will be one of the best in the bunch.

And, who knows? If your headshot looks as good as the outgoing queen, that same photographer may be taking your official photo soon after you win the pageant!

Q: What is the best headshot pose?

A: These photos were chosen because each image has managed to capture not only a gorgeous image of the titleholder, but she has fantastic hair and makeup, is wearing the ideal shades for her unique coloring and she is posing in a way that is exceptionally flattering for her.

Why don’t we explore some of these pageant headshots so that you can see them for yourself?

Q: How much should a pageant headshot cost?

A: Most photoshoot prices range from $250 to $1500 per session. The higher the prices would normally include hair and makeup. You don’t want your pictures to come back “as is” or unedited. You would have to pick your favorite images with your photographer. Once you’ve both agreed on the images, you would need to expect additional charges for editing. Expect a minimum of $50-$100 per image for retouching. You also want to consider the studio/sitting fee for their time while editing those images. If you want to photos without the watermark or their logo. some may not agree, while others may charge a hefty fee.

Q: How should I wear my hair?

A: Have you decided yet? It truly doesn’t matter if you have long, medium, or short hair as long as you are confident, you love it and you want to whip your hair, then it's perfect for you! Confidence is the main ingredient when participating in a pageant, remember?

Myja rocked her natural tresses on the stage this past year. The best way to wear natural hair for the pageant … is natural! Myja Gary won Miss Black USA in August of 2021 wearing her natural hair. She opted to wear her hair naturally for the competition because she wanted to be her authentic self. Whether you wear your tresses blown out, wavy, curly, or straight that crown will gleam brightly on those natural coils.

Q: Where do I submit my official headshot?
A: Upload our official headshot to our Dropbox folder by clicking HERE.

Pro Tip: If you are serious about becoming a titleholder or you actually are a current titleholder, then you definitely should know how to do your makeup and hair as well as a professional.

Miss Black USA Pageant NATIONAL TITLEHOLDER Photographers*

*Disclaimer: Miss Black USA does not have an official relationship with or endorse any of the photographers mentioned here. Contestants may choose any photographer of their choosing. If you choose to use any of the photographers listed, you do so at your own risk and independently of Miss Black USA..

As part of the national winner’s prize package, they are awarded a photoshoot with one or more of the photographers listed below. The shoot includes 3 to 4 looks, hairstyling, make-up and editing.

Photographer: Carlos Velez (Orlando, FL) - Carlos Velez is a fashion, beauty, and celebrity photographer. His unique perspective is manifested in upscale imagery characterized by attention to detail and sophistication with a priority of showcasing each individual's essence.
Website and Booking Page - https://www.carlosvelezstudios.com
Pricing, click here.
IG: @carlosvelezstudios

Photographer: Rodgers Polk Photography (Frederick, MD) - We are a husband and wife team with an affinity for photography and in-demand pageant headshot photographer.
Website and Booking Page - https://www.rodgerspolkphotography.com/pageant
Pricing, click here.
IG: @rodgerspolkphotography

Miss Black USA contestants receive 10% off any of the packages listed below.

Package 1 $350: 60 mins session, up to 2 looks, 4 high resolution digital images w/expert retouching, online gallery, and print release (Headshots Only)

Package 2 $475: 90 min session, up to 4 looks, 10 high resolution digital images w/expert retouching, online gallery, and print release (Headshots Only)

Package 3 $625 90+ min session, up to 6 looks, 15 high resolution digital images w/expert retouching, online gallery, and print release

**These packages do not include hair and makeup**

Photographer: Matt Boyd (Atlanta, GA) - Award winning photographer of 12 Miss America's. Matt Boyd specializes in pageant headshots and model portfolios for all systems and ages. Matt Boyd Photography's clients have won countless national and international photogenic awards. Matt Boyd's talents are matched with his wife, Meredith Boyd a professional makeup artist, commercial print model and founder of her own makeup line, Meredith Boyd Cosmetics.
Website - https://www.mattboydstudio.com
Pricing, click here.
IG: @mattboydphotography

FOR Local Titleholders ONLY

Local titleholders are encouraged to take professional headshots. If for budget reasons you are unable to, here are 8 steps on how to take your own pageant headshots

Hair and Makeup. I strongly recommend hiring a hair and makeup artist for your photoshoot. ...

Research your pageant system. ...

Say no to selfies. ...

Ask a friend to take your photo.

Use a smartphone. ...

Shoot on a plain background. ...

Plan your wardrobe. ...

Photo editing.