Actors Headshots

Your headshot should say everything about you that a casting panel would want to know. It should catch their attention and capture their interest within a glance.

If it doesn't, your headshot and your CV will be in the same pile as the hundreds of others on their desk... the reject pile! Obviously you don't want to be there, so what should you do?

I've compiled a few tips and tricks to help you get the headshots you need.

The advice given here should help you, so please do read on and make sure you get the best from your photoshoot... whoever you decide to use.

The Photograph

Usually in portrait format (where the height is greater than the width), your headshot can stand out from the crowd by being landscape format... but it must be good and there must be a point to the choice of format.

You need to think about the type of roles you are likely to be cast for, and how the photograph can be used to present yourself as suitable for those roles. The harder, edgier characters can look more moody when photographed in landscape format as opposed to portrait. It's not a hard and fast rule though, and you must get a good selection of both portrait and landscape to give yourself the best choice.

The headshot is most often required to be 8 inches by 10 inches, but sometimes a smaller print is needed. Check what sizes you need before you get to your photoshoot. If you don't know, ask your photographer to give you a selection of sizes, such as 8" x 10", 6" x 4", or 5" x 7".

Colour headshots are fast becoming the norm and replacing the traditional black and white print. The advantage is that the casting panel can see your eye colour, your true skin tone and your hair colour. These can all be changed for the role if necessary, but the panel like to know who you really are and what you really look like.

Be honest with yourself. Your headshot must show you as you are, not necessarily how you would like to be!

Photo Style

Many headshots are presented as if they were fashion shots, or glamour shots. While you may be delighted with the shots, they won't necessarily be working for you in the way you'd hoped.

Tightly cropped shots that cut parts of your face right out of the frame might look exciting or glamorous to you, but the casting panel will wonder what it is that you don't want them to see; do you have cauliflower ears, or a bumpy forehead? Perhaps you are trying to hide a bald patch, or a scar...

If you show the panel the whole of your face, they won't be shocked or disappointed when you walk into the audition. Where you see a beautiful photograph of yourself, the casting panel will see someone wasting their time by pretending to be someone that they are not! The panel should never be shocked when you walk through the door.

Remember, they are looking for a specific type... it may well be that you fit that type perfectly; if you've been styled and air-brushed beyond all recognition, the role will go to someone else!

Poses

You may be a natural when it comes to acting, but most people can feel awkward and self-conscious when posing for a photographer. Your photographer will hopefully try their best to put you at your ease, but it helps to know what looks good before you start - practise in front of the mirror in your bedroom if it helps. Do you have a best side? Many people do, there's not many of us with perfectly symmetrical faces. Which is your best side?

Most people look better in photographs when they are looking at the camera from a slight angle. Face-on to the camera can look a bit too much like a police mugshot and isn't usually the most flattering to you. Sometimes though, it can work well... rules can be broken!

What do you do with your hands? By definition, headshots are photographs of head and shoulders but sometimes people like to bring their hands into shot, perhaps resting their head on one hand. Try not to block your face with a hand or your arm, and try not to squash your chin too much, or pull at your cheeks. Be as natural as possible; avoid straight fingers, and keep your wrist loose and flexed where possible. The same is true with your arms and legs (if you are having a full body shot). Try to avoid straight limbs, but use nice, natural curves by slightly bending your elbows, or bending one knee. Don't overdo it though... have a look at some 'celebrity' shots in magazines and see where poses look natural, and those that just look forced and ridiculous. Your photographer should be giving you some directions. If they don't, ask!

I hope this helps you, but remember, have fun too!

Visit me at www.rtphotographics.co.uk for help and advice if you would like to know more.

Thanks for reading this hub and I hope it has been useful for you.

Aunty.