If you're an actor (or wanting to become an actor), you may already know that an acting headshot is required by virtually all casting calls to land roles in feature films, TV shows and commercials. You may also know that professional acting headshots are an integral element of your portfolio and online presence. But, do you know how to ensure that a headshot will capture the attention of your intended audience and sets yourself out from the rest? It can be tricky to find a quality headshot photographer that is experienced, creative and different from other photographers. Yet you also want a photographer who can meet the needs of headshot criteria. If you want to know how to stand out from the crowd, here are some tips from an experienced, professional acting headshot photographer to help you create a unique yet professional looking portfolio.
KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE
It’s best to tailor your headshot assets to an intended audience if you want to have a stronger impact. One of the first steps before utilizing a headshot is to do some research and better understand exactly who you are creating the photos for as well as what those people want to see. Luckily, if you're already an actor, the chances are that you already know a good amount about who to target your headshots towards. Your headshot portfolio should provide enough information for people to tell what you may have to bring to their production. Often times the person you will communicate with will be a casting director or one of their assistants. The people know what roles are available and the description for each part. It is important to know how to present yourself to them via your headshot photos.
SET A BUDGET
So, you have an idea of what you want your headshots to be like, now you need to put steps in place to contact a professional headshot photographer. First things first, you need to set a realistic budget. However, your headshot photos do need to be high quality and professional to have the impact you want. Do not be afraid to pay a professional rate that will yield the intended outcome. Low quality photos may have a worse impact than having no photos in the first place. Consider hiring a professional photographer to ensure that your headshots are professionally taken. You can share your budget at the start of the process to make sure you get the absolute best photoshoot you can afford.
HAVE A CLEAR MESSAGE
You want to capture the attention of casting directors to land roles, right? This can be a bit more tricky than it seems. Get to the point quickly and make your message crystal clear. People need to find what they're looking for quickly without getting bogged down in unnecessary content. Having headshots that show who you are as person on a daily basis are great. This is the bread and butter of headshot photography. However, for particular roles you may want to think outside the box a little bit. Consider submitting headshots that are more specific per the role you're seeking. For some very specific parts you may want your headshot to convey that you can be the character a production wants and needs for that specific role. So, having a few headshots that express emotion or mood can go a long way.
KNOW WHAT LOOK YOU ARE GOING FOR
Don’t overlook the importance of a well-planned appearance. However, this doesn't mean going overboard with your wardrobe, hair and makeup. Often times a simple, natural look is best for headshots. Many headshot photographers recommend solid colors for wardrobe such as navy blue, black or earthen tones. It is generally best to stay away from busy patterns and print designs that be distracting from who you are. Hair and makeup are also important thing to consider for your headshots. Again, putting a natural and realistic version of yourself in front of a casting director gives them an idea of what they have to work with for a role. However, if you think a certain role needs to see a specific hairstyle or color pallet for makeup then go for it. It's always good to have options. The same thing goes for jewelry... It is often best to have your headshots taken without jewelry. However, in some cases you may want to wear it. It is also important to have mixture of headshots that show you smiling as well as straight-faced. Ask your photographer for advice on what to wear and how to look before your headshot photo session. They can also offer tips on how to pose.
CONSIDER WHERE TO TAKE YOUR HEADSHOTS
Some photographers like to do their headshots outdoors while others prefer doing them in a photo studio. It is important to decide what type of look you like best for your headshots. Working in a photo studio allows for greater control with lighting and backdrops. You also don't have to worry about your photoshoot getting rained out or being too cold or hot. However, doing photos outdoors has its advantages too. Headshots taken outdoors usually need to have a shallow depth-of-field. The point of this is to draw focus to your face as oppose to what's going on in the background. That is what many outdoor headshots have a blurred background, leaving only the person in focus.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT PERSONAL BRANDING
Headshot photography is the perfect opportunity to define your personal brand. Your headshots send a clear-cut message to everyone about what you have to offer. Actors become known for their "look" in many cases. Think of all the actors you know that a certain haircut or facial expression that you often see them do. It is important to be dynamic with your headshot portfolio so that you form a specific look over time. This will help you get the roles you want to have most.
IN SUMMATION
We know by now that professional photography is a critical element of any good headshot portfolio; but only quality, professional photography is genuinely worth utilizing. If you want to get headshots done it is important to make sure that they are professionally photographed. Great headshot photography is harder to find than you might think, so it’s never a bad idea to consider finding a genuine professional photographer that can produce the best quality images your money can buy.