Types of Headshots for Actors
If you’re serious about starting an acting career, you’ll undeniably need at least two of the following things:
A headshot
and a miracle.
In this blog post, we’ll be talking about the first. So, if you need some guidance in that department, stick around.
What is a Headshot?
By industry standards, a headshot is an 8 x 10 professional photograph of your face, or as the name suggests, of your head. It is the most basic and fundamental tool an actor needs when presenting themselves in all aspects of the entertainment industry, particularly at auditions and in front of Casting Directors.
Types of Headshots
As a professional and auditioning actor, it’s important for you to understand the difference between commercial and theatrical headshots.
As the name suggests, commercial headshots are meant for advertisement and commercial-specific projects (video, print or both). It’s a picture that typically showcases a smiling individual, preferably showing their teeth with a wide, open grin, representing joy at its fullest. The energy should emulate friendliness, warmth and a genuine feeling of happiness, one that can easily translate to the selling of any product. Think of it this way: when someone is excited about something, it makes you excited about it too! Commercial actors need to be able to do just that, and your headshot should be the first indicator that tells us you can.
On the other hand, theatrical headshots are utilized for acting-specific work (film, tv, theater, or voiceover). They are often times moodier in tone, showcasing a non-smiling individual with a somewhat serious expression on their face, indicating that they can take on a more serious role.
Preparing for your Session
In preparation for your headshot session, you’ll need to consider a few things. For starters, think about your industry “type” or in other words: what type of character you will realistically be able to play.
During your session, a photographer will usually take you through a few “looks,” or outfit changes, guiding you through various poses, emotional expressions and giving you plenty of options to choose from. Let’s talk about some of it.
Logistics: Interiors, Exteriors, Lighting & Backdrops
Headshots are usually taken inside or outside. Exterior and interior photoshoots have their benefits but they also have their drawbacks. Let’s dive a little deeper.
With exterior photoshoots, you will reap all the benefits of a beautifully open and natural space, including natural lighting, natural wind and depending on where you’re located, you will also find naturally textured backgrounds like brick walls, bridge underpasses and wired railings that offer a truly unique and dynamic style. Exterior shots are a particularly great option for theater and film actors, as they offer a great balance between a natural and a moody aesthetic – two elements that are greatly desired in headshot photography. On the other hand, exterior sessions do come with a few drawbacks, usually relating to weather and atmospheric components. For example, natural lighting and wind are fantastic, but it could always be JUST too sunny or windy. This can pose challenges, requiring frequent stops during your session in order to, either fix your hair or adjust camera settings, among other things. Integrating the great outdoors is a wonderful option (honestly, my personal favorite) but when you integrate something beautiful, you are also welcoming potential challenges that are simply out of your control.
Interior photoshoots provide a quiet space, allowing photographers to play music in an effort to inspire their clients. Indoor spaces offer the opportunity to play with colorful backdrops, manipulating style in a way that favors an actor in all aspects. Interior shots are a great option, particularly for musical theater or comedic actors, looking for that bright colored studio aesthetic. Indoor sessions also allow for easy touch ups and outfit changes (whereas an outdoor photoshoot limits this greatly – you might need to change in the car!) Some drawbacks for interior photoshoots include artificial lighting and limited texture when it comes to photo backgrounds.
Style: Clothing, Hair and Makeup
When it comes to style, the first rule of thumb is to always look like yourself. You’ll want to wear form-fitting clothing that accurately showcases your body type (as it currently stands) and make subtle choices regarding hair and makeup that reflect your natural, every-day look. Remember: headshots should be an authentic representation of who you are, while subtly hinting at your character type. Actors who typically audition for younger characters might consider wearing clothing pieces like jean jackets, overalls, solid colors, simple t-shirts and layered accents, while an older individual might choose to wear blazers, ties, button-downs or vests. These pieces still fall under the “everyday” outfit umbrella for most people, resembling who YOU are while subtly hinting at who you can PLAY!
Many headshot photographers will also offer styling packages for an additional fee. This usually includes an on-set hair and make-up stylist to get you camera-ready and follow-up with any touches during your session. If your wallet allows you to splurge on it, go for it but please know it is not necessary. I’ve always opted to do my own hair and makeup in an effort to save some bucks! I always suggest others to do the same.
Between a Rock and Hefty Prized Place
Headshots come in all forms, shapes, colors, finishes, styles and layouts. In similar context, headshot photographers also come in all shapes and, well…prize ranges.
If you haven’t already discerned the hard and bitter truth, let me be the one to say it: being an actor is expensive and headshots contribute significantly to those expenses. Fortunately, you have the option to decide just how much you want to spend on them.
You might want to consider the following before landing on a budget:
Are you under 18?
Are you just starting out or are you a seasoned professional?
Where are you based?
The answers to these questions might influence how much you are or aren’t willing to spend. Let’s take a closer look.
Are you under 18?
Let’s face it, children are constantly changing. Babies, toddlers, pre-teens and adolescents are in their prime developmental years and for this reason, are usually the type of actors who need to update their headshots most frequently. By industry standards, every year or two.
It might not be wise to spend a whole ton of money on headshots when you know you’ll need to update them in a year or two, especially when you consider common changes amongst young people like glasses, braces and the sometimes-bothersome surge of hormonal acne!
Are you just starting out or are you a seasoned professional?
If you’re just starting out, my advice would be to consider a low-budget photographer. For starters, you might not even like this industry a year from now (I’m hoping you do!) but there’s always the off-chance that you won’t like it as much as you hoped to. In which case, what will you do with your $800 headshots? I mean, you can always update your LinkedIn profile picture. There’s always that.
Contrary to that statement, if you’re a seasoned professional who is constantly booking and deeply established in the entertainment industry, you might want to consider a more expensive photographer. Especially if you’re at a place in your career where you want a high-quality headshot to reflect the high-quality and experienced artist that you are! While a headshot won’t determine whether or not you get hired for a job, it can definitely help you stand out from the crowd. In an industry where that’s an exceptionally difficult thing to come by, you might as well grab any opportunity to have the best picture in the room… if your wallet allows, that is!
Where are you based?
Another point of consideration when it comes to budget and headshot photographers is location – where are you based? Typically speaking, popular metropolitan areas like New York City or Los Angeles will be home to higher priced photographers as these regions are in high demand for performing artists and the entertainment industry as a whole. With that said, there are many beautiful exceptions and a little digging on Google can help you find some budgetary gems. Another option is to look outside of these regions in more suburban areas.
How to Find a Photographer
Photographers can be found in all corners of your geographical region, when thoughtfully searched for on the internet. Google is a great place to start. Remember to keep in mind your location and how far you’re willing to travel for a headshot session.
Many photographers offer seasonal promotions and lower rates for new clients. Make sure to ask!
Notable casting websites like Backstage, Casting Networks and Actors Access also tend to advertise headshot photographers on their websites. This can be a great resource for those who might be looking for a little guidance. And hey. Sometimes, a talented friend with a good DSLR camera works just as well too!
I know you’ll rock those photos, regardless what path or photographer you choose to go with! Break a leg and have FUN!
