EP389: The Brutally Honest Reality of Becoming a Session Stylist with Anna Chapman
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Want to become a session stylist? This episode with Anna Chapman is the practical route in — not the fantasy.
I’m back in the HTCI PodShed with Anna Chapman, a leading session hair stylist with an instinctive understanding of hair and over a decade in top salons before moving into the session world. Todaywe’re to have real catch-up since we last spoke in 2020 podcast episode. Anna breaks down the actual steps to get into session work today: how to position yourself if you’re coming from salon, why session styling is a different job entirely, and what you need to do first to get on set.
We get into the assisting ladder (what assistants really do, how to reach out, how to follow up, and how to get yourself rebooked), plus the skills that matter when the pressure’s on for major brands. Anna also shares what to post on Instagram if you want work—how to show range, not just “glam”—and why persistence, visibility and standards are the long game.
If you’re serious about building a career in session hair, start here.
CHAPTERS
1:25: Breaking into Session Styling
6:47: The Reality of Assisting
12:21: Getting Paid as an Assistant
15:04: Defining Session Stylists
19:35: The Importance of Communication
23:11: Challenges for Women in the Industry
27:20: The Competitive Landscape
34:33: The Path to Success
37:49: The Importance of Apprenticeships
43:09: The Role of Social Media
50:26: How to Become an Assistant
RESOURCES FROM TODAYS EPISODE
FOLLOW ANNA CHAPMAN ON INSTAGRAM @ANNACHAPMANHAIR
FOR EVERYTHING SESSION KIT CLICK HERE
CONNECT WITH SESSION KIT ON INSTAGRAM @SESSIONKIT
GET TICKETS FOR HAIRCON VISIT HERE : (USE CODE HTCI10 FOR 10% DISCOUNT)
CONNECT WITH HAIRCON ON INSTAGRAM @HAIRCONSHOW
FOLLOW HOW TO CUT IT ACROSS SOCIALS @HOWTOCUTIT
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