5 Tips to Create Great Actor Headshots: by Joseph CristinaWhen becoming an actor, Actor Headshots are one of the most important requirements and can make the difference between getting casting calls or not. Headshots for actors help agencies place their talent with Film Makers, TV Producers and alike. No matter if you’re looking to become a Hollywood Super Star California Actor or star in a Disney Production in Orlando, FL a high quality acting headshot by a professional headshot photographer is critical!

5 Tips to Create Great Actor Headshots:

by Joseph Cristina

When becoming an actor, Actor Headshots are one of the most important requirements and can make the difference between getting casting calls or not. Headshots for actors help agencies place their talent with Film Makers, TV Producers and alike. No matter if you’re looking to become a Hollywood Super Star California Actor or star in a Disney Production in Orlando, FL a high quality acting headshot by a professional headshot photographer is critical!

Last week I received a bunch of requests via my Twitter and Facebook account requesting that I would place a few examples of what actor headshots look like and explain what makes one better than the next.

Well, all of you with this question are in luck. Just yesterday a great guy named Benjamin James came into my photography studio to have his Acting Headshot photographed before leaving for LA California to pursue an acting career.

Normally I do not place unretouched work online but in this case and for discussion sake I’m putting a hand full up without knowing which he will decide on. Some images would work as a headshots and others simply as portfolio pieces.

So, what makes an actor’s headshot great?

Well, without getting into a very long discussion about the industry in general, here’s a short break down of what makes an actor’s headshot great:

• Must depict the actor in his or her best light - You just gotta look good, plain and simple; nothing highbrow here!
• Must be Timely - Should appeal to “today’s” Agencies / Movie & TV Producers. Always be hip and in fashion NEVER look dated!
• Must NOT look heavily retouched or altered - How many of you have seen “modeling photos” that look like plastic dolls?
• Must have an eclectic essence or mass appeal - You don’t want to ever be pigeonholed as an actor!
• Must brand YOU as to who you are or who you aspire to be - Read my Branding Article to learn more about this concept

Becoming an actor is not an easy process but with a good base of collateral materials you will have a leg up over the next aspiring actor or actress.

In an up an coming article I will be explaining what is an Actor Comp Card and why an Actor Portfolio is also very important when courting acting agencies for casting calls.

So if you’re interested in acting, go out and find the best headshot photographer in your area that understands the industry and commission a session today. You do not have to go with the most expensive but please don’t look for a “budget photographer” as this is your brand, your image, your calling card, so to speak, which you will be entrusting with this person! A bad actor headshot can be worse than none at all!

Joseph Cristina is a professional photographer based in West Palm Beach, Florida and has over 18 years of experience in both Photography and Graphic / Media production. Click the links below to find out more about him.

Allure Multimedia, LLC
Professional Photography & Media Creation Studio

Phone: 561-762-8968
Email: jc@alluremm.com
Webiste: http://alluremm.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/alluremm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/alluremm

Photo Credit: © 2010 Joseph Cristina

Black & White or Color Headshot?

Well it all depends. Remember that a headshot is a close up from arm pose or three quarters all the way to the extreme close up. Actors used to have to submit only black & white headshots but that has changed somewhat, but a good black and white is still good to submit along with a color. A black & white photo is almost always more dramatic, elegant and thoughtful.

Many folks try to get both color and black & white from the same photo session which is ok, but perhaps not ideal. Makeup is the big difference. Less is more with black & white and more is better with color.

For black & white photos contrast is everything and too much contrast is a killer and the result will be very poor. In a black & white portrait lighter areas appear more prominent while darker regions recede into the photo. Basically the makeup should be applied to even out the face tone as much as possible. Add highlighter to darken areas of the face like under the eyes. Foundation should be even and smooth. The biggest no no is eyeliner which can make a black & white headshot ghoulish or real goth looking unless that is what you want. So normally you will use just a little eyeliner. Lips should be soft but not shiny for black and white while in color a little lip shine is real nice. I think lip liner is probably the most important because the lips can almost disappear without it.

The background for black & white headshots should not be white or black because that gives too much contrast. An off-white, gray or light blue is best as this will a gentle gray tone to the finished product.

Ideally I think a three quarter pose or even an arm pose probably is best in color but a close up is so much more dramatic in black & white. Now if you are using the image for a corporate website then follow the basic guidelines as to what other images are. If you want both I suggest to shoot for the black 7 white first, then apply more makeup and wardrobe and do the color photo shoot.

Lighting for a black & white headshot for actors and professionals trying to get work should be even and simple. A main light, fill light and maybe a back light and no dramatic lighting. Probably a more dramatic lighting like mine on top is not a good idea not to mention the black shirt and charcoal backdrop.