HOW TO GET A HEADSHOT THAT GETS YOU THE JOB

What’s the most important and personal pieces of material in the field? The performer’s headshot. It lets people know who you are at a glance. It can be the reason you’re called-in to an audition, or the reason you’re not. We’ll show you what you can do to get your very best headshot…

The time has come to get a headshot taken. There are literally hundreds of photographers for you to choose from in any major city. This can make the choice of one seem overwhelming. Where to begin? Whether it is your first or fifth time through the process, we have tips from the pros about what to do to get your best shot.

According to Matt Hoeberman, of Hoeberman Studios, the best place to start is to ask the people you know and trust to refer you to photographers. Word of mouth is a strong way to find a photographer. The landscape of the business of headshot photography has changed dramatically in recent years, with the invention of the Internet and digital photography. Any person with a good camera can advertise themselves as “headshot photographers”. When searching for a photographer, it is important to see as many styles of photography as you can before making a decision on what will be right for you. A great place to start your search is in our Resource Center. There you will find dozens of links to headshot photographer’s websites. The Resource Center is also full of links to places where you can reproduce and distribute your shots, once they have been taken. Click here for our Resource Center.

It is further important to take the time to research what type of headshot is right for your particular area of the industry. When attending productions of work in your preferred medium take time to examine the playbill. What do the headshots of successful people in your field look like? An opera headshot looks very different than a television actor’s headshot. Be sure to know the difference on sight. The Internet can be a further resource in this area research. Many actors have personal websites at this point. You can use a search engine to search for their site and view alternate shots of them. This will give you further information and insight.

Your job is to find two or three photographers whose work interests you. Next, you need to make an appointment for a no-cost consultation with each photographer, where you will visit their studios, and speak with them about their process. Take the time to walk the studios. Pay attention to how you feel in each one. Could you be comfortable in that studio, with them, for several hours? Take time to sit and discuss exactly what would be included in your session. How many changes of clothing would they willing to shoot? Do they have several backgrounds available for your shot? Are they using digital equipment? Digital shot will be important for performers thinking about creating a website. Take careful notes during your visit, so you may compare and contrast the benefits of each photographer. Ask if they work with a make-up artist whom they would recommend. Talk prices, so you are not at all surprised at the bottom line on the day of the shoot. Ask questions….anything that confuses you should be explained fully.

On the day of the shoot be sure to bring the following

Several outfits. It is difficult to know what will photograph well, so bring several. As a general rule of thumb, solids work better than patterns. Simple lines and unobtrusive colors are key. The shot is about your eyes, your personality and your vulnerability. You do not want the clothing to steal the focus.

A favorite CD. Music can often relax you and make you feel at home.

Women bring your personal make-up so that you have colors and tones you know work for you. The make-up artist will have some along, but might need some direction. Men, often a make-up artist will just touch you up, so that your skin tone is even. If you have experience with make-up you can often do it yourself, foregoing the expense.

Arrive with no make-up and your hair the way you like it. Hair is a very personal thing. The make-up/hair person should just touch up your natural style, so you look like yourself.

The most important aspect of the photo shoot is that you leave feeling like you got what you wanted. You need to get a photo that looks like you and expresses who are. Be communicative and strong about what you want and need from the photo shoot. Try to leave with at least two looks. You should try to get a fun, smiling open shot and a more dramatic shot.

The process of finding a great photographer can be intense. Try not to rush the process, or do it with any sort of deadline looming. No one can do the legwork for you, and skipping it can be a terrible mistake. Take your time finding just the right photographer and you will get just the right headshot.