Acting : Professional pictures.... by leland flory

Depends to some degree on what you mean by 'just starting out'. If you are not yet represented by an agent, then I'd be extra careful about not over spending for pictures. When you sign with an agent they need to be consulted on how they feel they can best market you and that will inform the photos you have taken for professional use. BUT you can always use a great headshot that looks like you. IF you have a good DSLR or have a friend with one, you MIGHT get a headshot that you can use to submit to an agent. BUT consider that many professional photographers have a basic headshot fee that can be very affordable...just for one basic shot...not a whole bunch of different looks with different wardrobe. It will generally be worth it to go with the professional. Shop around in your area. Check out photogs web sites, talk to other actors you know about who did their shots. Start with ONE basic headshot, in color, that looks like you. That's all you need to start and that shouldn't be prohibitively expensive. Just watch your back as photo ripoffs by scam 'agents' are one of the oldest actor ripoffs in the game. That's a whole different topic - Agents. You might benefit from a free podcast I do called Actors Talk. Episodes 2 and 3 are have info about Agents, Headshots, Scams to avoid, etc. Good luck to you. http://www.actorstalkpodcast.com/002 , http://www.actorstalkpodcast.com/003

Thank you for the advice. I will check out the podcast. I am very new as no experience at all. I am trying to do it right and not cut corners. Thank you..