Tips for Better Headshots, According To a Top Acting Coach:
- Go pro. Spend money-it’s worth it. Go to a professional who is trained, understands lighting, and takes headshots for a living, not some friend who happens to have a decent camera who “sorta knows a little about photography.”
- Opt for personality over glamour. Make sure it looks like you. Chill with the airbrushing. Casting directors expect you to look just like your headshot and will not be happy when you show up looking totally different or 10 years older.
- Remember: It’s all about the eyes. Just like with on-camera acting, it’s all about the eyes and what’s happening behind them. It’s your closeup, your moment. Your eyes should be perfectly in focus, alive, and energized, not dead and glazed over.
- Pay attention to framing, lighting, and background. In general, a good headshot is chest up with good lighting on your face, and no strong dramatic shadows, unless you are going in for “The Phantom of the Opera.” Three-quarter shots are good for print, and extreme close-ups are good for, well, nothing.
- Consider natural light vs. studio. Some photographers do both, as they offer a different look and feel. Natural light gives a very real, “film” look, which I prefer. Studio lighting tends to be a little more polished, with a more neutral backdrop. Both can be wonderful. If you are more of a sitcom actor, perhaps a well-lit studio headshot is more suited for you.
- Don’t go crazy with clothing and props. I once saw a headshot of a guy with a bird on his head. Why? Because he wanted to stand out. Let’s not get crazy here. Keep it simple and classy. Professionalism not desperation gets you noticed. A simple, solid shirt with a little texture that fits you.
- Go easy with the makeup. Yes, lots can be done with retouching. There is no need to put on tons of makeup. You want to look like yourself on your best day and not look like you tried too hard. Do your hair the way you would for every audition.
- Matt Newton, On-Camera Acting Coach
#actor #headshot
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Great share, Tammy Hunt! "Don’t go crazy with clothing and props." When I saw the man holding the swords, I thought, "Should he be holding swords for a headshot?"
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Love this, Tammy Hunt!
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Well said, Tammy. Those first impressions are so vital to the sorting out process. Having worked as a director, producer, and casting director your advice is well-founded and a good guide for actors.
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Thank you for sharing more great tips Tammy Hunt !
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No Maurice Vaughan he should not. I once had a photographer have me pose with a ladder and when I showed the contacts to my acting coach he said, "Have him redo these. Lose the ladder."