What is a Headshot?
A headshot is used by actors and other professionals that is a photo taken of you with your shoulders and head showing. This acts as a business card for these professionals. They are usually 8 x 10 photography. They are usually in portrait mode, although sometimes they are in landscape mode. These are the first things that casting directors see when they are looking for new talent.
These headshots are your professional brand as an actor. They may be what gets you into seeing a casting director and gives you your big chance. They need to look professional to give you the best chance.
You can go to many places to get your headshots done. You could try simonrochfortphoto.com to see what they can do for you. They have been around for awhile and have done this for hundreds of clients.
This article will give you more information about headshots. It will give you some ideas on how to make them work for you. You can also do more research to find more information on the subject.
Headshots That Work for You
Why Are They Important for Actors?
Actors need headshots for many reasons such as online casting calls, submitting to agents and managers so they can possibly represent you, their personal acting website, professional profiles for social media, and marketing materials. This shows how important they are for you as an actor. You need a good headshot to represent yourself, more than one is even better.
They are also used for marketing materials that will represent you. You want your headshot to make you instantly recognizable, just like the logo of many national brands. You are pitching yourself as you would pitch a product to an advertising agency. Many actors will use their headshots as profile pictures on their social media accounts.
You will need digital copies of your headshots, as well as hard copies. Many casting directors want you to send a digital copy of them before they even see you. You will still need to bring a hard copy with your resume attached to the audition, it never hurts to versacarry it with you. If you are auditioning for theater productions, it is standard practice to bring them with you.
Headshot Guidelines
Your printed headshots should always be in color, be an 8 x 10, and have your name printed on the front. See here for more information. It is best if they are printed in portrait mode rather than landscape mode. This makes it easier for the director to look on the back for your resume.
Your name must be printed on the front to make it easier for directors. You can use any font that you choose as long as it is readable. If you have a border on your photo, you can print your name on it.
You will need to format your digital headshots. For most websites, your photo should be compressed and in .jpeg, .jpg, .ping file types. They should be high resolution which should be at least 300dpi. With a digital photo, you don’t want your name attached to it. A tighter shot that focuses on the eyes will get the attention of the director waybetter.
How to Attach Your Resume
Your resume should be attached to the back of your photo. See here to learn why this is important. You want to staple it in each of the four corners about a quarter inch from the edges. You want to make sure that the staples’ pinchers are on the resume side. You don’t want them showing on your headshot.
You could print your resume directly onto your photo, but directors tend not to like this as much. They want to separate the two so that they can file them. It also makes it more difficult for you to update your resume.
What Makes a Good One?
You want a photo that looks like you in real life. The directory will use this to cast you for the parts they have available. You want your photo to show what you are capable of and who you are as an actor. You don’t want to have a photo that doesn’t look like the real you.
Here are some additional points that make a good headshot:
- Captures your unique essence and personality.
- Showcases your best features and assets.
- Conveys confidence and approachability.
- Has a clean, uncluttered background that doesn’t distract from you.
- Uses natural, flattering lighting that complements your skin tone.
- Features you wearing clothing that suits your personal style and the roles you want.
- Taken by a professional photographer who understands the industry standards.
- Printed on high-quality paper with accurate color reproduction.
- Cropped appropriately to emphasize your face and upper body.
- Reflects your current appearance (updated regularly if your look changes significantly).
- Makes a strong first impression and stands out among other headshots.
- Versatile enough to be used for various purposes (e.g., online profiles, casting submissions).
You want the photo to portray your brand, your type, possible occupations, professionalism, age range, your socioeconomic background, and it is better if you can show your inner emotional life. You want the director to see the range of characters that you could play. You don’t want to show a one-dimensional headshot of yourself.
Do’s and Don’ts
To ensure your headshots work for you, it’s essential to find a photographer who makes you feel comfortable, as this will translate into more natural and relaxed photos. Avoid using your senior photo as a headshot, as it won’t effectively portray you as an actor. When it comes to makeup, use just enough to enhance your features without obscuring your natural appearance.
When you’re getting your headshots done, make sure you pick a photographer that you’re comfortable with. This will help you look more relaxed in your photos. Don’t just use any old picture, like your high school senior photo, because that won’t show people that you’re an actor.
It’s okay to wear a little bit of makeup, like some powder, but don’t cake it on so much that you don’t look like yourself anymore. And when you’re picking out clothes, go for colors that look good on you and aren’t too crazy or distracting.
Think about the kinds of acting jobs you want and the roles you’re good at, and make sure your headshots show that. Don’t pick poses that go against the kind of characters you want to play. Make sure your headshots look professional and follow the rules that casting directors expect. And don’t erase all your unique features in Photoshop, like freckles or smile lines, because those might be the things that help you get picked for a part.
Opt for solid, flattering colors in your clothing instead of distracting patterns or loud colors. Prepare your looks to showcase your unique talents and booking goals, but don’t choose poses that contradict your desired type or the roles you want to audition for. Professionally format your head shots according to industry standards, and embrace your distinctive features, such as freckles or laugh lines, as they may help you stand out. Remember, heavily editing or airbrushing your photos can remove the very characteristics that might lead to you being chosen for a role.
Do’s
- Research and compare different photographers’ portfolios and pricing
- Practice various expressions and angles in front of a mirror before your shoot
- Bring multiple outfits to the photo shoot to create a diverse range of looks
- Consider your target audience and the types of roles you want to book when selecting your headshot style
- Keep your headshots up to date, especially if you change your appearance significantly
Don’ts
- Don’t wear clothing with visible logos, text, or distracting accessories
- Avoid overly dramatic or exaggerated expressions that don’t look natural
- Don’t use props or busy backgrounds that take the focus away from you
- Refrain from submitting low-quality, pixelated, or poorly lit headshots
- Don’t forget to review and update your headshots regularly to ensure they accurately represent your current look and skills
Prepare your looks so that you show your unique talents and booking goals. Don’t choose a pose that shows you against your type or the type that you want to audition for. Professionally format your headshots to industry standards and don’t airbrush all your freckles or laugh lines out of the picture. You may be chosen because of these attributes.
Choosing a Photographer
The best way to find a photographer that fits your needs is to ask your fellow actors for referrals. Look at their headshots and make a list of your favorites. You can then ask them about the photographer that took the shots.
You don’t want a friend to take the photos and you don’t want to use selfies. Both of these are seen to be in bad taste and won’t get you an audition. You want a professional that has done headshots so that they can show the essence of who you are.
Conclusion
Headshots are important for you as an actor. You want them to show who you are as a professional. You want to make sure that you choose the right photographer to do the job. You also want to make sure that you format the photos for industry standards.
