First impressions are everything, and in the world of acting a great headshot can be the key to making a lasting one. As an actor starting out in the industry, it’s essential to stand out from other candidates and a set of professional photographs that enable you to do this can be your passport to success.
Casting directors typically have to wade through countless actor resumes when considering the perfect person to appear in a role. A headshot that captures their attention and causes them to look twice is more likely to help you get your foot in the door and allow your acting skills to do the rest.
In this article, we provide guidance on how to prepare for your acting headshots to ensure they are of the highest quality and will present you in the best light possible to secure your next role.
The Importance of a Good Headshot
Just as we are all familiar with the logos of many large businesses, you can think of your headshot as a visual representation of your personal brand. As an essential marketing tool that casting directors, agents, and other industry professionals will see and associate with you, it is worth investing in this essential aspect of your career.
Your headshot should convey a sense of authenticity and professionalism, capturing the essence of who you are as an actor. By reflecting your personality and the range of characters you could potentially portray, it provides the viewer with a glimpse into your versatility and suitability for various roles.
Preparation is Key
To create the perfect set of headshots, consider the following steps:
- What to wear: When it comes to your wardrobe selection, striking the balance between being noticed and being yourself is key. Your clothes should be well-fitting and comfortable, allowing you to present yourself in a confident and natural way. To keep the focus on your headshot rather than on your clothing, select timeless pieces in simple colors that complement and enhance your skin tone, avoiding busy or distracting patterns such as logos or bold designs. This also applies to accessories, which should be kept to a minimum, to avoid stealing the shine from your headshot.
While you may be aiming for a particular role, keep your clothing neutral rather than dressing for a certain character, as this will broaden your appeal and versatility and ensure you do not pigeonhole yourself as an actor.
- Posing positions: When first posing for their headshots, many actors may feel awkward or unnatural in front of the camera. Unfortunately, this can produce a set of stifled-looking photographs that do not capture them in a true light. Unlike a modeling photoshoot, a good headshot should portray you naturally and authentically, rather than in exaggerated or dramatic postures. It should communicate your personality, and uniqueness and enable a casting director to visualize you as a certain character at first glance. Your body position and facial expressions are fundamental for achieving this goal.
Looking head-on at the camera can help to achieve a classic headshot look. To bring your image to life, experiment with a slight tilt of the head and lightly lean in towards the lens to appear more engaged and approachable. Keep your body straight and your shoulders relaxed, and if appropriate, angle your body to look back over your shoulder, creating a more mysterious and intriguing feel to a shot.
- Expression: As the tagline for this NYC headshots for actors aptly states, “it’s all about expression.” A flattering outfit and perfect pose will still fall short on a headshot with a blank facial expression and the way you look at the camera and emote through your eyes and subtle facial expressions will determine whether your headshot connects with your viewer or not. As an actor, this is your initial opportunity to audition for a role and hint at your ability to capture and convey a range of emotions convincingly on screen.
When it comes to crafting a great headshot, your eyes truly are the windows into your soul and serve as a subtle, yet powerful form of non-verbal communication. To prepare yourself for your photoshoot it pays to perfect the art of ‘smizing’ beforehand. This is an effective technique that helps you to smile with your eyes while keeping your mouth relaxed or slightly parted. The resulting image will produce a more natural and engaging connection with the viewer in contrast to a headshot with a forced or strained smile or expression.
Choose the Right Photographer
To help you bring your images to life, it’s essential to find the right photographer. A great place to start is online by searching for headshot photographers in your area. This will allow you to review their work and reputation and gauge whether they are a good fit for you. By browsing their galleries you can see whether their style aligns with your needs and preferences and assess the quality of their photos in terms of composition, lighting, and overall professionalism.
Many offer free consultations where you can get a sense of your compatibility and your comfort with them in front of the camera. This is key to producing a set of headshots that bring out your best qualities and capture your unique essence as an actor. Another option is to ask any actor contacts you have for referrals to photographers they have worked with in the past and recommend.
By following these recommendations you can feel confident approaching your photo shoot knowing that your artistic vision and individuality will be captured, creating a set of compelling images that reflect your unique qualities and talent as an actor.
