Acting : Headshot Advice by Sasha Tomas

Ooo, SASHA! Fantastic question! I'd love to delve in deeper, but for now I'll just say - think about what parts your look lends itself to and build around that. I leaned into my intimidating side for lawyer/FBI roles and my nurturing side for wife/mother roles, and threw in a '40s frock to show my ability to play in costumed pieces (ahem LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN show, I'm looking at you!) Once you know what roles you're going for, you can craft a lot of the other choices around it. But lemme think on it and get back to you with more on your specific questions.

Hey Sasha, although being in London which is a different market to yourself. I would say many photographers that specialise in headshots have guides and cheatsheets on their websites.

As an example :https://www.nicholasdawkesphotography.co.uk

It does vary from market to market but largely as a rule of thumb it's always good to check out a few photographers out before booking anyone.

If you find a photographers website and like the photos you can always contact a few of the actors and ask for their opinions on how the session went and get more information.

I also think Karen has some great advice there as well.

Hopefully more people in your market can give you more advice.

Karen "Kay" Ross Thank you for the advice. I will definitely have to think about the outfits to fit the roles.

Alexandre Ross Oh, these headshots are really fun and nicely done. I will use them as inspiration.

Sasha Tomas, I used to do headshot photography when I lived in California. The acting paper Backstage should have a photography section on their online as well as a printed edition for actors who live in California. Or you can research them online, there are thousands of them especially in California. Do not get a headshot done at JC Penneys or Sears or one of the photography folks in the malls. Two looks are usually all you need but it does depend on what roles you usually submit for to know what wardrobe to wear. with wardrobe in mind try not to wear anything busy nothing with labels and colors which do not look good on you. Don't wear any jewelry and keep make-up to a minimum. You need to look like your picture when you go in for auditions, so look like yourself. Limited make-up simply because if you are out grocery shopping and did not do your make-up like your picture and your agent calls and has a same-day audition for you with no time to go home then you are stuck as you will not look like your picture. And Yes this does happens and casting directors will remember. Smile or comedy for commercial and dramatic for theatrical. Check the photographer's references and make sure you do your homework, and get a cd of your pictures, the shooter does not get to keep them. They usually will photoshop up to two pictures for free. If unhappy with them make sure the shooter will re-take them and get everything in writing. 2 looks 2 outfit changes, you do your own make-up should run around $250. When you get your pictures do not ask your friends for advice on the best ones to get headshot printed if you need hard copies, rather ask the industry for advice or your agent. Do not have your hands in the shot and make sure the shooter takes waist up, bust-up, and close up's. Do not fold or cross your hands in the pictures nor put your hands by your face. Hope this helps. Best of luck - looking forward to seeing some great headshots - :)

Amazing Kacee Thank you for the advice. I found my photographer!!! I will definitely ask for 2 shots and 2 different looks. This is good to know so I can make sure to advocate for myself. I picked out some tops. 2 for dramatic and 2 for comedic.

Bamutiire Jerry Edmund Definitely will take into account travel time. The salon and studio are close within 15 min drive. My friend is going to do my makeup and hair. She is a professional and I've had my hair done by her before. Fingers crossed on the makeup. She does makeup for brides. So, I believe in her ability. Worst comes to worst, I will do it over myself. No need to hurt anyone's feelings. LOL

Can't wait to see your headshots Sasha! Check back in and let us know how the process went!

Great to hear, Sasha! If you get a chance, check out this book on Posing: https://www.amazon.com/Photographers-Guide-Posing-Techniques-Everyone/dp...

I know it's aimed at photographers, but I found it helpful in preparing for my photoshoot so I could better receive the direction she was giving me. Plus, practicing your best positions and angles beforehand makes it easier to "strike a pose" when asked.

Did anyone else just Madonna "VOGUE" after that? LOL!

Karen "Kay" Ross Will check it out. I would Vogue but I was advised to not have my hands on my face for headshots LOL

JK "strike a pose, just get to it. Vogue!"

Hello Sasha Tomas. I've been doing actor headshots for about 15 years. The one thing you should NEVER DO in a headshot... is pose. There is no posing in acting. Acting is about BEING. It's making choices. Inexperienced actors think they go to a headshot photographer to "be photographed". This is why it doesn't work. Acting in a headshot is the exact same as acting in a scene: you simply don't have any lines.

I tell actors we're making one-frame movies. You have to be able to connect with the lens like you would another person, and you have to have something to offer. If you're "being photographed" we're all going to see it.

Find a headshot photographer who understands character, who understands that this visual medium is about storytelling. A headshot is NOT a portrait, it is your opportunity to tell a visual story and create a desire in your audience.

Just sayin'.

The headshot hunt can be such a daunting task, but it's so essential. No matter what, a Casting Director, Director, etc. should see your personality come through in your headshot. You may have different shots for different "looks" and you will have a commercial headshot AND a theatrical headshot -but anyone looking at your shots should be able to get a sense of the natural you.

Your theatrical headshot is generally seen as your more "serious" shot and the commercial shot is generally more comedic in nature. However, it really comes down to the role that you would be submitting for. You might use your commercial headshot for a dramatic film or TV series if the role your auditioning for provides the comedic relief.

I'm sure that you're doing a ton of online searching. It is so helpful to view multiple photographer's portfolios not only for pricing info but also to see what headshots you like best and why. Especially if that photographer has photographed someone similar to your type before, see what you like about how they photographed them.

For "looks" it can be really great to get multiple shots that could help a Casting Director see you in different roles. Make their job as easy as possible by showing them, "I can play a doctor, but I can also play a free spirited hippie, or the corporate business lady with an axe to grind..." Think about what role types you get cast in or audition for most and what they look like. This will help determine your most marketable looks and narrow down clothing. If you get auditions for a nurse or doctor a lot, you don't have to show up to the photo shoot in scrubs, but you might wear a soft blue button down that would be appropriate in a hospital/doctor's office.

If hiring a makeup/hair artist to do that work for you will put your mind at ease on the day of your shoot, then it could really be worth the investment. If it's an expense that you don't wish to spring for, there are a lot of good makeup/hair tutorials on YouTube. Ultimately, natural makeup is best. No unnatural color eyeshadows or wacky hairstyles that you don't maintain every day because the Casting Directors, Directors, etc. want to know exactly what you'll look like walking through the door.

Some general rules of thumb that can help:

-Lighting should be clean and feature your brilliant face above everything.

-No awkward posing/no hands near the face. Be natural, face forward towards the camera. Sometimes a slight turn of the body is fine as long as it fits the "look" your going for in the shot.

-Avoid backgrounds that are too busy. Some photographers play with a blurred natural background. This is fine and can add some dimension to the shot as long as it doesn't distract from the main feature -you!

-No logos on clothing. Patterns are fine (generally performers will choose large print patterns so as not to distract too much from their lovely face. Smaller print patterns can photograph as busy and distracting).

-A natural smile is perfectly fine. (definitely smile for a commercial headshot because people are always happy in commercials). But the eyes are the most important.

***Pro tip: Ask the photographer to give a quick countdown before clicking the shutter. Then, right before the photographer is about to take a picture, close your eyes. When you open your eyes right before the picture is taken, your eyes will dilate and be more open before they adjust to the light.

I hope this was helpful. All the best in your pursuit for headshots that you are proud of and do you justice.

I got my headshots! I'm so excited. Went with my friend who does baby and family portrait photography. I was her 1st headshot. I think they turned out great. Thank you so much to everyone. I used the advice. Came with 3 different tops/outfits. Took multiple shots. I got my drama headshot BW and my happy-go-lucky-please-pick-me headshot (I'm using as my profile pic) LOL

Karen "Kay" Ross Alexandre Ross Ken Korba Amazing Kacee Bamutiire Jerry Edmund @emma Thank you so much for your advice and help!

You are most welcome, Sasha! So glad you had a good experience with your headshots!

Looks fantastic! Break a leg!

Sasha! Those headshots turned out amazing!!