5-23-08
20 Photographers Talk About What Makes a Good Headshot
Aaron Gang Photography
Aaron Gang
773/782-4363
www.aarongang.com
aaron@gmail.com
One Simple and One Complex Common Mistake: 1) Lack of wardrobe: bring a bunch of clothing, mostly shirts. Don’t be afraid to be very casual. Agents and casting directors want to see the real you in the headshot, so dress accordingly. 2) Stress is bad: your headshots are a big deal, it’s true. Just don’t act like it! Relax and have fun, and trust your photographer. In order to get great, truthful headshots you have to be yourself, and for that you have to be care-free!
Archetype Images
Scott Cooper
312/502-5100
www.archetypeimages.com
ArchetypeImages@aol.com
It’s a mistake to take a one-shot-fits-all approach. A great headshot is a marketing tool that only appears to be effortless and universal. Like a great performance, it is painstakingly prepared. A Hamlet headshot won’t be seriously considered for a McDonald’s commercial. And vice versa. And a middle-of-the-road shot won’t stand out at either audition. The best shots come from partnering with a photographer to create headshots that are also dynamic, targeted, visual- marketing messages.
Audrey Keller Photography
Audrey Keller
773/878-8346
www.akphotodesign.com
Audrey@akphotodesign.com
The first rule about headshots is this: Make sure you’re using a photographer that YOU feel comfortable with. Don’t book with a photographer simply because your friends did. It’s important you feel relaxed and yourself, so TAKE YOUR TIME in choosing your photographer! Second, MAKE SURE YOUR HEADSHOT LOOKS LIKE YOU! It’s not supposed to make you look “hot.” “edgy” or “funny.” A headshot should be the best possible representation of who you really ARE!
Bauwerks Photography Studio
Jovanka Novakovic and Bruno Passigatti
773/529-4199
www.bauwerks.com
contact@bauwerks.com
Your actor headshot should reflect the role you are seeking. The more a casting director can envision you in the role from your headshot, the better chance you have of getting a call back. So, if you are versatile, and can play the mom or dad role, the corporate VP, as well as the hipster, then you should have different headshots to reflect your versatility. This is why having a photo session with one look is just not going to cut it. To get the most out of your photo session and the most bang for your buck, have at least three different looks done at your photo session. If your goal is TV and commercial acting, watching the latest sitcoms and commercials is a great way to get ideas on what to wear for your role genre. The most important thing after doing your research is to just have fun and try to be as relaxed as possible the day of your shoot…and remember to smile!
Beth Cummings Photography
Beth Cummings
773/209-3342
www.bethcummingsphoto.com
info@bethcummingsphoto.com
Don’t force a smile! People have the impulse to slap on a fake smile as soon as they see a camera. I usually don’t get into “smiley” headshots until halfway through once smiles come naturally. And even if you think you can fake it, your eyes will always give you away. That’s why I look at the eyes first when evaluating a headshot to see if they are engaged and full of life.
Brian McConkey Photography
Brian McConkey
312/563-1357
www.brianmcconkeyphotography.com
brian@brianmcconkeyphotography.com
A common misconception actors have is that a snapshot used as a headshot can work for auditions. In this business having a fantastic headshot is essential. It will open more doors for you to showcase your real talent. I recommend making a consultation appointment, especially if you have never had headshots taken before. It’s a great time to get any questions you have answered and it also lets you get a feel for working with the photographer and making sure you’re comfortable with them. Seeing the studio and the photographer’s portfolio will also help you decide what is best for you. Above all, have fun!
Bryan Swisher Photography
Brian Swisher
312/643-1138
www.bryanswisher.com
bryanswisher7@yahoo.com
Trying to be someone who you are not, is the biggest mistake I see most actors make. Working towards a concept that represents who you are with clothes, expressions, and overall character, will take you farther then pretending to be someone else.
Dale Fahey Photography
Dale Fahey
773/973-5757
www.nationaltalent.com/dalefahey.html
ddale2@rcn.com
What you should you look like? It is supposed to be the real you…the everyday you, the one people see most of the time. Not all done up or disheveled…just you on a good day! Common mistakes might be wanting to do your own make-up, not knowing how the camera reads it and what is appropiate for your look. Will you be submitting photos for commercials, theatre, film, etc.? A photo captures a moment in time. You are growing as a person and it reflects in your eyes. Updating your photo every year is important, more often if you are not working. You must feel comfortable with your photographer. Consult a few photographers in person. Good luck!
Denver Smith
Denver Smith
312/731-5431
www.densmiphotos.com
dnvrsmth@gmail.com
The one thing I always emphasize with every person who steps in front of my camera is that I want their true self to come through during the shoot. I work hard to make every person feel comfortable, relaxed, and to have fun with the session. I will work with you to get the best shots from your session.
G. Thomas Ward Photography
G. Thomas Ward
773/271-6813
www.ThePeoplePhotographer.com
GThomasWardPhoto@aol.com
The biggest roadblock to a great headshot is FEAR. Fear of failure. Fear that you’re not going to photograph well. Fear of taking a bad shot. Fear of losing control. It’s important to remember that the photographer wants you to succeed as much as you want to succeed. We want you to love your shots. Headshots are a process of letting go. Trust your photographer. We’re on your side.
James Banasiak Photography
James Banasiak
312/612-1075
www.jbheadshots.com
jamesbana1@earthlink.net
Headshots are not rocket science. Nor are they torture. They are meant to get you the audition; once you’re through the door, it’s up to you. So meet as many photographers as you can and pick the one you like. One who can help you get out of your own way long enough to snap one good shot. It’s that easy.
Jennifer Girard Photography
Jennifer Girard
773/929-3730
www.jennifergirard.com
jengirard3@comcast.net
Same ole story, when I start a photo shoot more than often I get, ‘I hate getting my picture taken,’ or ‘only this side is good’ or ‘do you think I have a chance in this business’ or ‘I’m having a bad hair day’ etc. These are just a few regular comments. I think if you come in with the feeling of being yourself, it always works. The agent/director is looking for your energy, your personality—and then the rest follows. Remember if you watch television you will see short, tall, skinny, fat, normal, good-looking, not good-looking, old, young, bad-hair-day people, talented and not talented people.....and they are ALL working.
Johnny Knight Photo
Johnny Knight
773/368-8707
www.johnnyknightphoto.com
johnny@johnnyknightphoto.com
Expect to end up with a batch of headshots that’s true to you. Actors often ask me for one “dramatic” or one “commercial” look. Truth is, there’s no single pose or angle that defines those. Everyone is different. The dramatic gaze, the commercial smile—they reflect honest thoughts. If you smile, the smile should be genuine. Think the right thoughts, and the camera reads your mind. It’s my job to keep shooting and catch it all.
Joshua Albanese Photography
Joshua Albanese
312/850-9326
www.joshuaalbanese.com
joshuaalbanese@gmail.com
I always felt headshots should reflect you in real life and what you look like on your best day. Some actors will choose a photographer by price and I find that to be a big mistake. I recommend choosing your photographer by how well you get along with them. Some advice is to know your “type” and study it in print, commercials, and film and bring that into the shoot and watch your pictures explode with personality.
Peter Anderson
Peter Anderson
773/726-7550
www.fiercelyalive.com
peter@fiercelyalive.com
People can tell the difference between a fake smile and real personality. If you are uncomfortable getting headshots, think of it more like acting, not posing. The photographer will give direction, but you need to take that and make it genuine. Focus on building a relationship with the photographer, and by extension the camera and the people who will eventually see your headshot. Be patient, and take the time to be real in front of the camera.
Peter Bosy Photography, Inc.
Peter Bosy
708/246-3778
www.peterbosy.com/faces.html
peterbosy@aol.com
“Hi, I need a new headshot. What’s your price?” Instead of starting with price, take time to view the photographer’s website, then call and ask about the technique used to capture the images you like. Listen to how the photographer communicates with you. The best way to approach a photo shoot is to be specific– what is the look(s) desired? Are the photos to be color or black and white? This information tells the photographer what type of lighting to use, whether you will need a make-up artist or stylist, and what type of wardrobe will make your “image” work the best. Provide samples of photos that give clear ideas so that the photographer can customize your headshot for best results.
Rance Rizzutto Photography
Rance Rizzutto
773/387-0475
www.rancerizzutto.com
photo@rancerizzutto.com
I think the biggest misconception about how a headshot should look is when a client wants the glamour shot effect. You can end up with a headshot where you have the perfect hair, pristine makeup, and you look AMAZING...but if your headshot doesn’t look like “you” walking into the audition, it is doing you a disservice.
REP3 = Robert Erving Potter III
Robert Erving Potter III
312/226-2060
www.REP3.com
potter@REP3.com
There is so much I wish to share with you about what I have learned, that I am writing a book. Don't Panic Robert's Guide to Headshots, and I will give you a free copy of the working manuscript if you give me some feed back. One piece of advice I will offer here is: Let your headshot be true to your self. Your characteristics are your assets, not your liabilities.
Rick Mitchell
Rick Mitchell
312/829-1700
www.rick mitchell photo.com
rmitchellphoto@aol.com
Perhaps one of the most common misconceptions is that you as an actor must either look pretty or handsome in your headshot, whereas in reality the picture must connect to its audience. Photographic style isn’t as important as being able to bring out the substance in you, your personality and how in touch you can appear for your viewer. Therefore it’s not how much you can spend on a headshot, but how your photographer can project your vision of yourself.
Suzanne Plunkett
Suzanne Plunkett
773/271-7190
www.suzanneplunkettphotographs.com
suzplunk@comcast.net
Here are my top 5 hints for successful pictures: 1) Meet with your photographer first. The best pictures come from an easy RELATIONSHIP between you. 2) Don’t try to pigeonhole your “type.” Just looking comfortable in your own skin is always the most appealing. 3) You don’t have to know what you want your picture to look like. 4) Your hair looks different every day! And nobody will notice your clothes. Try not to over-scrutinize. 5) Trust your photographer. And trust that you’re captivating!