HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
The goal in creating Acting Headshots is to capture the truthful yourself.
Headshots in which you look different, younger, older, more beautiful, less beautiful etc. can be harmful to your acting career. When you enter the auditioning room or send in a self-tape, you want to be the same person as the one on your headshots.
We will aim at creating one KEY HEADSHOT and 5 ARCHETYPE HEADSHOTs.
KEY HEADSHOT should be neutral but striking, presenting you in the widest range of possible characters. Although some actors might get more audition calls (especially for commercials) when they choose an Archetype Headshot as their key one.
ARCHETYPE HEADSHOTS can present you as a specific type or character (Doctor, Mom, Kind, Sharp etc.).
I do not recommend to do ‘Sad’ or ‘Scared’ kind of Archetype Headshots. Every Headshot should be you or a Character on ‘the best day of yours or their life’. Confidence and charisma should be shining from each photo of your Headshots portfolio. When a casting professional looks at a mere photo of you where you present yourself ‘Ugly’, it might damage their perception of you.
I recommend to use your showreel material to present this kind of characters.
Wardrobe: Bring in wider option of upper body clothing, which you can change for various Archetypes. Stay modest, don’t bring in any medieval armor or spacesuits. Little details like color or cut (shirt, T-shirt, jumper etc.) does the trick.
The clothing should be plain in color with no writings or signs.
No jewelry for KEY HEADSHOT – jewelry takes away attention from what is important – your eyes and soul. It can be acceptable for specific ARCHETYPE HEADSHOTS, though.
Make up – be very modest. Make up shouldn’t be hiding what you really look like. Little skin imperfections can be fixed while retouching the photos. When you use make up powder, make sure it fits the tone of your skin perfectly (people will notice when your face skin tone does not much your neck).
Always look straight into the camera lens. Explore different positions towards the camera. Usually, having shoulders positioned diagonally towards the camera creates more dynamic and striking shots. However, standing flat towards the camera can sometimes add more power to your character. Having camera below your eye line will make you more powerful too, while being it above makes you more vulnerable.
If you need also a full body photo (e.g. for commercial shoot castings), specify this.
Come in in positive, relaxed and confident mood. You can ask to reschedule if you do not feel great on the day.
If you like to listen to some music during the photoshoot, you can bring in a playlist.
Book your session at info@actinghorse.com
