What to Look For in a Good Headshot?

 

Ahhh. This is often a stimulating element to being an actor. And it's odd that the resources out there to assist us to navigate the chaos are little.

 

Knowing what an honest headshot is like knowing when to shelve those high-waisted mom-jeans. it's a trend that's as changeable as any you examine in fashion magazines. Black and white shots? Or color? Horizontal framing? Or traditional vertical/portraiture framing? Full-body shot? Or 3/4? OR tight in at the face? Glossy printing or Matte? Border or no? Name on the front? etc., etc.

 

And how much do you have to be paying for said photography? What's expected of you within the session and what do you have to expect from the photographer? does one choose a glamourous shot of yourself or a more candid, snapshot? Knowing what to try to do once you've taken that photo and have the print/disk in hand is often equally elusive and frustrating. does one get postcards? does one choose one photo or choose 3? does one put one image on the ultimate print or 4?

 

Today (early 2010) an honest NY headshot should be in color, clean, simple, head and shoulders, with bright, clear eyes. I say NY because the stress seems to differ slightly between NY and LA. So, as I'm an NYC actress, I'm getting to persist with what I do know and let the LA readers provide any alternate info through comments.

 

Now, no matter what style you enter for, during a one amongst|one in every of"> one among the foremost important factors in a headshot is that it's such as you. I do know that has got to sound pathetically simplified. But you would be surprised what percentage of people don't understand this fact. If you run out and obtain a make-up artist to completely glam you up such as you were getting to the Oscars, and sit ahead of a photographer who over/under-lights you, then you land up by having a retoucher remove EVERY blemish you've got and over air-brush your skin, then your photo isn't getting to look very similar to the one that walks into the audition room. this is often a number-1 pet peeve of all casting directors and agents. It completely defeats the aim of a headshot. All a headshot really is maybe a quick, visual reference for the casting director or other industry person. If they are available across your photo and like what they see, how does one expect to urge to the subsequent level with them if you walk into the space looking sort of a completely different person? Trust me. it's an entire waste of EVERYONE'S time. to not mention your money.

 

Here are some pointers I've learned from personal experience which will assist you subsequent time you're within the position to urge a replacement pic:

 

Do your research!

 

Don't just accompany the primary photographer you see. Or the one with a star on his/her website. that does not mean anything. check out your friend's photos. If you see one you wish, ask your friend about their experience. this is often important. Primarily because someone can have a reasonably good shot, but it took 4-hours to urge and therefore the photographer was distracted and unprofessional. Look online at as many photographers as possible and shave the one's that you simply like in your gut. once you have it narrowed right down to say 3 or 4, make a meeting to satisfy them. you'll tell tons by meeting them face-to-face. If you've got ANY reservations in the least, they're probably not the photographer for you. generally, as a fanatical bargain-hunter myself, one among the foremost helpful belongings you can do to secure the simplest overall experience once you purchase any big-ticket item, is to CROSS-REFERENCE! Ask around. If you're during a class, ask people about the photographer. Google them for reviews. Luckily today there are reviews about everything so the likelihood is that you will get an honest idea of whether it had been an honest experience to figure with a given photographer. you'll ask other industry professionals, but beware that some agents and such get a commission (percentage of sales) for everybody they send to a photographer (the same is true for acting coaches, vocal teachers, classes, etc) in order that they won't necessarily be 100% objective.

 

Lastly here, photographers range from $200 - $1600. The old adage "You get what you pay for" does apply when it involves photography. But so does the very fact that actors are a number of the foremost exploited people on the face of the earth. It costs a fortune to be an actor. But, simply because a given photographer comes with a high rate doesn't suggest they're any good. And, on an equivalent note, if you discover a photographer that's your dream artist but comes with a hefty price tag you ought to save every penny and choose it. If they're good, then you'll spend less on retouching and therefore the picture itself may last you anywhere from 2 - 5 years.