Headshot Blunders: 5 Fatal Errors YOU as an Actor Must Avoid
Actress ZADE O'BLENES - RITTER TALENT
"Together with my agent, we make a great team, but it's up to me to captain our journey and ensure we have something solid to work with."
1. NOT Embracing Your Role in Career Decisions
Your agent is your growth partner, not your boss. This partnership thrives on mutual trust, goals and respect, with both parties contributing valuable insights. Ultimately YOU ARE the captain of the ship and you should assume 100% responsibility. While agents navigate opportunities and provide professional advice, the final decisions, especially personal and career-defining ones like choosing a headshot photographer, should mirror your aspirations and vision. Actively engaging in the decision-making process and reviewing photographers' portfolios personally guarantees that your headshots authentically represent your unique qualities, setting the stage for the roles you aim to secure.
Teri Ritter - Ritter Talent Agency
Actors need to understand that they also need to think of themselves as a business not just a creative!! In order for the agent to do our work effectively, the actor needs to ensure that their materials are up-to-date, represent them as they are today, and consistent across all platforms. They cannot blame the agent if they are not also providing the best materials to their agent.
2. Not Thoroughly Examining the Photographer's Portfolio
A cursory glance at a photographer's portfolio isn't enough. Actors need to delve deep, identifying images that not only appeal to them but also showcase the range and versatility they possess. Taking the time to discuss specific shots that resonate with you ensures you and your photographer are aligned, leading to headshots that capture your essence and artistic sensibility.
Actors: Em Nicholson, Catherine Valle Taylor and Wayatt Lamoureux
3. Skipping a Timely Pre-Session Consultation
Arranging a consultation at least one week before your session is crucial. Last-minute meetings leave no room for adequate preparation, potentially leading to issues like inappropriate wardrobe choices or unprepared looks. Early consultations allow for detailed planning and discussions, ensuring a smooth and successful shoot.
Actress Shikha Chowhan in a post session consultation to choose her headshots.
4. Not Knowing Your "Hit" as an Actor
Understanding your "hit" or how you're perceived in the industry is vital. Whether you're looking to change perceptions or reinforce your established brand, your headshot session is a strategic opportunity to steer your career in the desired direction. Clear communication with your photographer about your goals ensures your headshots accurately reflect your artistic identity. Most importantly making sure to cover both commercial and Film/TV looks!
Actress Zade O’Blenes - Ritter Talent Agency
5. Prioritizing Cost Over Quality
Viewing headshots as an investment rather than an expense can make all the difference. Opting for the cheapest option might seem economical, but the potential costs of re-shoots and missed opportunities due to lower quality images far outweigh initial savings. Choosing a reputable photographer ensures you receive compelling images that effectively open doors in the industry.
Image generated using AI!
Have questions? Feel free to reach out here and let’s chat! If you’re wonderding about your headshot or think it’s time for an update let’s talk!
ACTORS - If you do these 5 things your headshot photographer will LOVE you!
As a professional photographer, I can confidently say that a successful headshot session depends on more than just the skill of the photographer. It's a collaborative effort that requires both the actor and the photographer to be in sync, working towards a common goal. To ensure a seamless and enjoyable headshot session, here are five things you can do to make your headshot photographer love working with you.
Let Your Agent Know
Communication is key to a successful headshot session. Make sure to inform your agent about the upcoming photoshoot, as they can provide valuable insights regarding the type of headshots required for your specific situation. Your agent will have a solid understanding of the current trends and can help guide you in selecting the right photographer and look for your headshots. Keeping your agent in the loop ensures that everyone is on the same page and avoids any last-minute confusion or changes.
Make a Plan
Before your photoshoot, chat with your photographer to discuss your objectives, preferences, and any specific requests you may have. Share your vision, discuss the desired mood and setting, and consider the different types of headshots you may need (e.g., commercial, theatrical, or editorial). By creating a solid plan together, you'll be better prepared to tackle the shoot and your photographer will appreciate your proactiveness and clear vision.
Example: If you're an actor, discuss the different roles you usually audition for and how your headshots can best represent those characters.
Try Out Your Outfits
Clothing plays a significant role in headshots, as it can enhance or detract from your overall look. Before the shoot, try on several outfits and take test photos to see how they look on camera. Choose clothing that complements your skin tone, fits well, and doesn't distract from your face. Additionally, avoid overly bold patterns or colors that might clash with the background or draw attention away from you. By testing out your outfits beforehand, you'll save time during the shoot and allow your photographer to focus on capturing the perfect shot.
Pack Up One Day Before the Shoot
Preparation is crucial for a stress-free headshot session. To avoid any last-minute scrambling, pack everything you'll need for the shoot the day before. This includes your outfits, makeup, hair styling tools, and any tools needed (EXAMPLE - Trimmer if you’re shaving on set or hair spray for flyaway hairs). By having everything ready in advance, you'll arrive at the shoot feeling relaxed and organized, which will help you and your photographer stay focused on the expressions and connection to camera.
Give Your Photographer Credit
After receiving your stunning new headshots, be sure to credit your photographer when sharing them on social media or your personal website. Not only does this show appreciation for their hard work, but it also helps promote their services and expand their clientele. Word-of-mouth referrals are incredibly valuable in the photography industry, so by acknowledging your photographer's contributions, you'll be fostering a positive professional relationship and potentially helping them secure future clients.
In conclusion, following these five simple steps will not only make your headshot photographer love you, but will also contribute to a successful and enjoyable photoshoot experience. By being prepared, communicative, and appreciative, you'll be well on your way to creating headshots that showcase the best version of you.
Ymaphoto Toronto | Ways to prepare for your actor headshots session
Ymaphoto Toronto | Ways to prepare for your actor headshots session
How to prepare for your headshots session/photoshoot?
As a Toronto headshots photographer I am always striving to push the bar higher and higher. Expression sells the image and sells you to casting directors. A headshot that is technically perfect but has a dead expression is no good. Casting is intersted in your emotion; not in perfect lighting or how amazing your photographer’s skills’. THAT SAID - it is very important that you are captured in perfect lighting and having a photographer with top notch skills. What I am saying is that technical are only 10% of the battle and your expression is the other 90%. Which is why step one to prepare for your headshots is to:
1-Schedule a consultation with your photographer!
Why? Very simple.
We are all emotional beings and energy is important. You can go to a hair stylist whom you don’t like but as long as you sit still you’ll get a style you like. NOT the case with getting your headshots. You must be able to connect with your photographer and be on the same energy level. A consultation helps you figure that out and decide if you’re both a good fit to work with each other.
Michael Caruana
Acting coach - Bongo Productions - Humber College - George Brown College - Second City
2-Knowing what your brand is as an actor will help you nail the headshot you need to get into rooms you want to get into.
In the meeting we will discuss things like your character type, mood of the headshot…etc. Many headshot photographers use flat lighting for their headshots, others tend to use a little bit of a shadow to give the face 3 dimension feel. Discuss that with the photographer and make sure you’re both on the same page!
Kathy Rupcic
Toronto Actor - Agent: Stephanie Porter - The Porter Group Talent Agency
3-You are the focus of the headshot
We want you to be the most eye drawing element of the image (not the background, clothes or makeup).Clothes: Bring 5-7 tops/outfits that are of mid tone colors. Stay away from crazy colors, patterns..etc. If you wear glasses, make sure we shoot some with them and some without. Bring your shirts to the consultation meeting so we can see them prior to the shoot!
Adam Daniel Mezei
Toronto Actor - Agent: Marla Mann - Marla Mann Agency
4-Makeup and Hair: Makeup and hair in actor headshots
Yana Pridina
Toronto Actor - Agent: Melissa Rock - Film Comm Talent
Makeup and Hair: Makeup and hair in actor headshots is supposed to enhance your look but not take away the attention from you. It is a very common mistake to show up for headshots with heavy makeup. In your acting headshot, you want to look like yourself on your best day. Actor headshots are supposed to get you in the casting room, They are not supposed to look extra glamorous!
5-Retouching
Images will be retouched to produce a polished and a professional look as the headshot is meant to present you on your best day. Retouching is done in a natural way that makes you look like you do in real life. We’ll retouch out things that are not permanent on your face, however we do not retouch permanent facial traits since they are part of you!
Katherine Stella Duncan
Toronto Actor - Agent: Lisa Meuser - The Meus Agency