Booking a session hairstylist for a shoot: what to agree

A shoot booking works when four things are settled before the day: the number of looks and models, the references, the call time, and whether it's a half or a full day. Ask the photographer or producer for a mood board and a running order, estimate the time each look needs on each model, and price by half day or full day rather than by the hour. Confirm the location, the space you'll have, and who handles make-up. A hairstylist who arrives knowing the plan spends the day styling, not negotiating.

Photographers, brands and agencies describe shoots in different ways, and a one-line message — "beauty shoot Friday, two models" — hides the real workload. Before accepting, ask for the elements that decide your day.

Count the first look on each model generously: sectioning, prep, heat tools and pinning take longer than the changes that follow. Later changes can be quicker if the looks build on each other — from sleek to undone, for example — and slower if they don't. Add time for touch-ups between shots, especially outdoors or under hot lights. If the running order doesn't fit, say so before the day and suggest dropping or merging a look.

Agree on your call time, not only the shoot start: you need to set up your station and prep the first model before the camera is ready. Ask for a table near a mirror and power, and whether there's a separate room for hair and make-up. Stay on set during shooting for touch-ups, and keep an eye on continuity between shots.

Find out whether a make-up artist is booked, or whether you're expected to do both. If there's a separate artist, agree on the order for each model so neither of you waits.

Pack for the brief and for surprises: heat tools with spare plugs and an extension lead, clips and pins in quantity, products for hold and shine, and pieces or extensions if the references call for volume the models don't have. A small set bag for touch-ups lets you follow the photographer around the location without going back to your station.

Shoots rarely fit a neat hourly count, so half-day and full-day rates keep things simple. Define what each covers — for example four and eight hours from call time — and what happens beyond: overtime by the hour, agreed in advance. Mention travel and parking for locations outside your usual area, and whether kit such as extensions or hairpieces is included or charged.

On Book, each service has a name, a price and an optional description shown on your public page. Create a half-day and a full-day service and open slots for each at their length, one place per slot; a slot sits within one day, which fits a shoot day. Photographers and producers pick a free date and get a confirmation email. In the service description, list what you need from them: mood board, number of looks and models, location and call time.

Durations and prices are examples: set your own. The public form includes an optional note: ask the booker to write the production name, location and number of looks, which you'll see in your new-booking email. The note can't be edited once the booking exists, so later details come by message. For regular clients who confirm by phone, book the day yourself from your calendar; first and last name are required, email and phone optional. If a shoot moves, reschedule from your bookings list and tell the client yourself, since Book doesn't email clients about changes. Calendar sync (Google, iPhone, Mac) keeps shoot days next to your salon or private clients. Book costs €5/month, everything included: unlimited services and bookings, no commission, no contract.