Headshots

I have recently had the opportunity to run a few casting sessions for a commercial production company in my area. This has been a rather entertaining learning experience. In fact I think there are several blog posts worth of learning to be had, so I will start with the actor's calling card - their headshot.

When an actor walks into their audition it is incredibly important that they have their headshot in hand ready to be given to the casting director as they walk in the room. Their headshot should be 8"x10", printed on quality paper and should have their name printed somewhere on the front image. On the back of the headshot should be stapled a copy of their resume (more on an actor's resume in another post). It's always nice when the resume is printed on the back rather than stapled, but as actors need to update their resume more often than they do their headshot - stapling is the standard and is more than acceptable.

It does an actor no good to have an outdated headshot. I have seen photos that make an actor look 10 years younger with considerably more hair on his head -but when he walks in looking like a great character (but nothing like his headshot) he is starting his audition off on the wrong foot. He'll either disappoint the casting director who expected him to look differently, or he won't leave a photo for them to remember him by if they prefer his more character looking features. If your headshot doesn't look like you then you won't be leaving something for them to remember you by.

I've seen headshots so badly done that you could see the printing on the other side of the page. This is your first impression and a lasting one that will be looked at again and again. Put the right kind of effort into it. There are a lot of good resources out there to help you prepare for having your headshots taken. My personal favorite is www.headshots101.com. The advice given there is invaluable to any actor or model who is looking to have their headshots done or re-done.

I am available for headshot sessions in the New York and Philadelphia areas. For more information about my work and to contact me about rates and scheduling - please check out my website. www.setstillphotography.com