educate with an open dialogue
The Key is to be on the same playing field as your peers. You can't go into a session and demand a presence that has everyone on their toes. The ideal "classroom" setting to teach is to relate to the student and make them feel comfortable; we want all their creativity to flow.
Color is art
Hair color is an extension of paint. What we do is art and the hair is your blank canvas. Watch this brief tutorial and get an idea of what you could really be doing. Ask yourself, is this how I'm really viewing color theory?
Embrace "the before"
A before photo can be EVERYTHING when it comes to your work. This is your clean slate. If you aren't documenting "the before" then who knows how amazing the after is. You want to be able to express your transformation and be able to show off your skill!