Headshots

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A Headshot is a close up photograph of yourself that you attach to your resume which is sent out to casting directors so that you can evaluated for a possible acting job. Remember you want your headshot to show your best features and look its best.

As an actor or model, you are basically your own business. You need to sell yourself, I don't mean sell your body or anything like that(never do that) you are marketing yourself as an actor/model.

What you are selling is your talent, acting or modeling, but what you are advertising is your "LOOK." The first thing  any casting director or modeling scout sees is your Headshot or Modeling Comp. You want that person who is looking at your headshot to remember your face.

Headshots, also called "eight by tens," should be the dimension of 8 inches wide by 10 inches long. This way you are able to have your resume printed on the back of your headshot for easy access. Black and white are the most common, but over the past couple years, color headshots have been becoming more popular.

As you can see in the headshot above of the beautiful Ms. Aerial, she has a border. There are 3 ways to have your headshot, borders all the way around, no border at all, or border at the bottom. You can then add your name on the bottom of the page as she did or in the middle. 

The main purposes of having your headshots to get an agent in representing you. They are not going to want to sign you if your headshot isn't grabbing their attention. The second reason for them is to get a casting director to notice you and become interested in calling you for an audition. If you are signed by an agency, they will be sending your headshots to the casting directors. Your headshot is like a business card with your picture on it, the casting director will have this to remember you for future work.

Get a professional photographer to take your headshots. Being cheap about this one can cost you losing many roles or acting jobs in the future. Find a photographer who specializes in headshots and charges a reasonable price.

Yes, there are people out there that have outrageous prices but they are also probably well known. Use your best judgement when choosing, look at other headshots he/she has taken with other clients and if you feel that their style will fit you then go for it! Make sure that you feel comfortable speaking and interacting with the photographer and ask a lot of questions.

Questions To Ask the Photographer

- How much will the session cost.
- How many hours do you have for taking pictures.
- If you are allowed to change into different outfits.
- How many outfits to bring
- What colors to wear and NOT to wear.
- Is the photographer shooting with film or digital camera.
- If using film how many rolls do you get in your package.
- If using digital can you get a cd with the pictures on it.
- If there are any 8X10's included with the price.
- If you have to provide your own make-up artist.
- If you are allowed to keep the negative for reprints.
- If he/she will re-shoot if you are not satisfied.

Taking a Good Headshot

- Wear darker solid colors, no whites, brights, or stripes!
- Take natural pictures, do not pose or do anything that doesn't feel natural.
- Look directly into the camera. It's all about your eyes. You should be drawing the person in with them.
- Smile naturally, don't over do it, just go with the flow and feel it. Be friendly and relaxed with the camera.
- You want to leave an impression on the person looking at the headshot so make it look good.
- Make sure the headshot looks like YOU.
- Headshot should show your face and part of your upper body.

Preparing for Headshots

Yes you need to be ready for this big day. Get a good nights sleep and don't eat anything heavy the night before. When you wake up, be happy, today is going to be a fun day and you want to show that your happy in your pictures. Eat something healthy for breakfast so you won't be bloated in your pictures. Bring your makeup, clothes, and whatever else. Also, bring a favorite cd to the photo shoot and ask if you can play it while you take your pictures. This way you can have fun and take great pictures. 

Stay focused during the photography session. The photographer will instruct you for different poses as well interacting with you at the same time. He/she might be telling jokes or asking you questions to help you relax. Just cooperate and have fun with it, pretend like your not even taking pictures and be natural.