Acting headshots are one of the key marketing tools of an aspiring performer.
Your headshot is your first impression
That’s why it is so important to have it done properly. Whether you are going in for a first headshot session, or to update changing looks (haircut, hair color, beard, a clean shave etc.), getting the most out of it is a top priority.
Go Pro
Spend money, it’s worth it. Go to a professional photographer who is trained, understands lighting, and takes headshots for a living. If the headshots look cheap, they probably are. And you look like you don’t care about your career.
Generally, the acting headshot costs will depend on several factors:
- How well known and experienced a photographer is
- The length of the photoshoot
- How many shots/images you’re getting out of it
- Whether or not you’re using a make-up person
- Do your headshots need retouching (most often, they do)
- Number of looks you’re going for
Keeping it Real
Making sure your appearance is as close to reality as possible is the best route. Excessive makeup or costuming is not advisable. A good headshot should look just like the person walking through the door. Your headshot should look like you.
Keeping Headshots Up to Date
Every actor has to make sure that their headshots are up to date, which means that the actor himself must look exactly like the person in the photograph. Whenever you change your style, looks, type or haircut, your headshot must be updated to reflect your current look.
Personality over Glamour
Make sure it looks like you. Casting directors expect you to look just like your headshot and will not be happy when you show up looking totally different or 10 years older. It’s not about looking pretty, it’s about representing your type, wrinkles included. It should look like you on your best day, showing your age, and who you are now. It’s not about the type you want to be, it’s about the type you are.
Don’t Sell Yourself Short
So many actors go to sub-par photographers who don’t capture their features, or their selling features like eyes and mouth. You want a photographer who can coax something out of you, like a smirk or a glint in the eye, to help show your personality. It will put you above the countless number of smiling faces.
Find a photographer who gets you. You have to vibe with the photographer and he or she has to make you feel very comfortable, as you will hopefully be using this headshot for a couple of years. Research photographers. Look through their portfolios. Ask for a consultation. Get a feel for how they photograph your type, your ethnicity, your gender, etc.
Above all, a headshot that accurately represents your appearance, and a resume detailing what you are capable of doing, whether on the stage or on the screen, are two key weapons the actor needs to utilize. They are the key factors in receiving a response, and that is a fact that is difficult to dispute. Spend within your means, but if you are serious about attaining success in the field, the headshot cannot be neglected.