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If you’re ready to create your collection for Revlon Professional’s Style Master 2015 International Contest, but aren’t so ready for the actual photo shoot, you could probably use some advice on how to execute your vision on camera from some photo shoot veterans

We asked three experts (two of which are previous Style Master competition finalists) for their on-set secrets for capturing the best images and keeping calm all day long.

(Find out more about why you should enter here, and get tips for setting up your photo shoot here.)

1. Have a plan for the day.

“Create an order for doing the three different styles. Since you’re doing all the looks on the same model, if you have to style and wash their hair over and over again, it will take a very long time,” explains Tim Kuo, two-time Canadian Style Master International Contest finalist. “Strategically plan to do straight or sleek styles first, then looks with curls, then frizzy or textured styles last. I recommend starting off with a look that can be quickly adapted and taken down to achieve the second look without having to wash the hair.”

“This one girl has to have three different looks, and they need to be unique and cohesive at the same time,” explains Jag Moussa, last year’s Canadian Style Master International Contest Finalist. He suggests focusing on one single feature for each image (like your model’s eyes or cheekbones) and finding different ways to expose the angles in each image.

Kuo agrees that it’s a challenge to make your images stand out individually while blending together as a whole. He suggests exaggerating your accessories, outfits and makeup in every image to help each stand out (although the fashion styling should still play a secondary role to the hair).

2. Focus on the hair.

“Make sure your hairstyles pop. Since it is shot in black and white, you cannot use colour to make the photos stand out,” says Kuo. “Avoid having too much shadowing in the pictures, because the details in the hair can be hard to see when it’s shot in black and white.” As for the kind of shot you want, Kuo recommends focusing on shooting from the waste up to give emphasis to the hair.

Moussa suggest creating your styles bigger than you actually want to. “When I’m on set, I feel like hair photographs 20% smaller than in real life, so create your looks bigger than you think. It’s much easier to scale something down or tuck it in than to make it bigger.”

Marlo Steenman, a Revlon Professional Educator, explains how she works on set: “Do your work a section at a time. Walk a few feet away and look at it to make sure your lines are clean and neat (you will see it differently as opposed to when you are looking over it). Take a photo.” This helps her make sure she’s on the right track to executing her vision.

To get more ideas and image advice, visit www.stylemasters.com

3. Be true to your vision

While you need to meet the requirements of the competition, you should still be in charge of the final vision for your images. Moussa says not to let the photographer take over completely. If this happens, you may feel disappointed when the end result isn’t what you envisioned. He says shooting the model before sending them on set and showing the images to the photographer, can help explain your vision and make collaborating easier, not to mention help find the model’s best angles.

“I’d like to say don’t worry about anything, but you have to keep clam, and calmly worry about everything,” says Steenman about shooting day pressure. Keep your demeanor professional with everyone on set, and focus on getting the looks you want for the competition.

Moussa also suggests keeping the team small to help you remain calm. “Take your time. And shoot one look with multiple outfits. It makes the editing easier.” Moussa says that dealing with pressure on set has taught him how to handle that same pressure in the salon. “It’s a wonderful thing to share with clients behind the chair,” he also says of his photographic work.

“The benefit of doing these shoots is tremendous, regardless of winning or not,” says Kuo. For Kuo, shooting has broadened his horizons by introducing him to new artists and building his confidence by pushing him to do new things—all of which has led him to new opportunities. It has also helped him establish himself as an artist. “When you do enough of these shoots you will start to develop your own signature style that people will know is your work just by looking at your photos.”

The Style Master 2015 International Contest deadline for entries is February 25, 2015. Visit stylemasters.com to learn more and enter the competition.

This post was sponsored by Revlon Professional. Photos courtesy of Revlon Professional and Heiko Wolfgang Ryll.