Headshots

Mar 1, 2022

3 min read

Updated: Jul 21, 2022

So you've saved up some money and you're ready to get your headshots taken. Amazing! Headshots are a very important tool for actors and finding a great photographer may potentially lead to you landing a role. If you previously read my post SELF-TAPES FOR DUMMIES I briefly mention that in-person auditions are becoming "a thing of the past". Very rarely are you going to have the opportunity to audition for the casting director face to face nowadays. This is where headshots come in.

Quality counts

The quality of your headshots is important. There are some things in this life that you just shouldn't cheap out on. I truly believe that what you put in pays off two-fold. Invest in yourself. When you submit quality headshots that highlight your personality, you stand out. It's as simple as that. Let's look at it from the casting directors perspective shall we?

So you've just received 200 headshots for the role of "The Girl Next Door". Now there are certain qualities you're looking for in an individual. Brown hair and blue eyes. This automatically weeds out 100 girls (keep in mind there are always going to be aspects that are completely out of your control). At this point you're probably going to look at the submissions that stand out to you. The individuals with quality headshots will probably be taken a little bit more seriously. What do quality headshots say about an idividual? That they care and put effort into their craft.

Pricing

It's important to know what you should approximately be paying for professional headshots.

Again, I'm going to reiterate; do your research. I find that most photographers have an Instagram. After all, it is a photo based platform. You can easily search for headshot photographers in your area and kind of get a feel for what that photographers style is.

Professional photographers will almost always have websites and breakdowns of their pricing plans. I've found that the average is about $400-$600 for a two hour shoot. In my personal opinion, an hour for that price is cutting it kind of steep. Due to the fact that you're going to want to bring multiple outfits to receive 3-4 different looks. You have to have options. A GREAT photographer will go through your outfits with you and specifically ask the character or story you're trying to convey with each look.

Be aware that every time you drastically change the way you look, you're going to have to get new headshots. So take your headshots when you feel confident in the way you look and don't plan on making any major changes to your appearance in the near future. Such as dying or cutting your hair, getting a face tattoo, etc.

Know Your Type

Every individual generally has a "Type Cast”. A Type Cast is a role calling for similar characteristics as those possessed by the performer. Almost like a stereotype. For example, I have blonde hair and green eyes so I'm usually cast as the "The Girl Next Door". I use one specific headshot for these type of roles. Although I also have other headshots that I use to convey different characters. Such as the "The Bad Girl" styled with a leather jacket and serious demenor. As well as the "The Nerdy Girl" styled with glasses, denim jacket and a high ponytail to match my GPA.

If you're struggling to figure out your type, start by researching actors & actresses that play certain roles which you believe you could play as well. This should be based on physical appearance as well as personality. What are those characters wearing? What are some characteristics and personality traits in certain individuals that you see in yourself? Ask for others opinions. It can be hard sometimes to pin point types for yourself. Once you've determined three to four types you'd like to convey, styling that character comes easily. Bring those ideas into the studio and your photographer will love you all the more for it.