Getting A Great Headshot By Peter Elliott Throughout our careers, we will have a large number of headshots taken. Headshots are one of the most important tools we can have early in our career. The right headshot can make a difference between getting a call for the audition or not. It is our calling card and our image. It requires forethought, planning and endurance to find the right photographer that can give you exactly what you need and the stamina to make certain you do your part. This article should help make that process easier. Many actors think that photographers have a 'silver bullet' for headshots. They do all the work and you get all the results. That couldn't be further from the truth. It is an actor's responsibility to know what they are looking for in a headshot and make certain they give the photographer exactly what they need to achieve it. A great headshot photographer knows exactly when to click the shutter, but unless you give them something to shoot, they can never take a great headshot. Preparation What can you do to get a great headshot? The first step is defining your type. The most successful actors I know understand exactly how others see them and make certain their headshots reflect that. Your type is unique to you. It is the vibe you give off when you meet people. It's inherent in the structure of your face and the glint in your eye. It is the essence of who you are, not who you want to be. For more on typing yourself, go to my other article Typing Yourself. Once you know your type, you need to know what you want to say in your headshot. It's like a mantra or inner monologue that will put you in the right frame of mind. It will be different for each type of shot you are taking (i.e. Commercial vs. Theatrical, sexy vs. strong, etc.). For a commercial shot, you should be truly amused with whatever is making you smile. You come alive as the unique you when you are happy and it needs to come from deep inside you. The following theatrical examples are more like a mantra, but you can expand on them if you like. You might use something confident like "I'm the best actor you'll ever see!", something intimidating like "Don't mess with me", something cocky like "I don't need you, I'm going to do this on my own" or any other statement you want to make. But make certain it is a part of you and fits your type. Use the mirror or preferably a video camera to see how much more life you have when your brain is actively engaged rather than just waiting for the next whir of the shutter so you can stop smiling. This is the difference between a good headshot and a great one. Searching for a Photographer So you have your mantra and are ready to go. Now you need to find the photographer that meets your needs. One of the first places we turn is our friends. Ask for referrals, but make certain you see the headshots they are talking about. We all have certain restrictions or preferences. The search engine at My8x10.com will allow you sort through hundreds of photographers to find the ones who meet your precise needs. You can sort by rates, number of exposures, what type of film they use, do they do locations or use natural lighting, what is their negative policy, do they have hair and makeup (which I only recommend for women) and how long have they been shooting headshots. From there you can review their personal philosophy on headshots, learn about their education, training and background and view samples of their work. Once you narrow down your search you are ready for the interview process. Remember, you are hiring them. You are in charge. You already know what you want. The interview starts when you call them. How do they sound on the phone? Are they organized, knowledgeable and helpful or do they rush you into an appointment? Do you get a good vibe from them or not? YOU make the decision on who you meet with. I recommend you meet at LEAST 5 photographers. The Interview When you meet with them, you will look through their portfolio. A photographer's portfolio reflects what they feel best represents their work and their style. It is a chance to see if what they shoot is what you want and if it fits your type. They may be great headshots, but if they don't fit with what you want, move on to the next. You may also get a list of some high-profile clients they have. Give them the proper weight and don't get star struck. Remember, like you, stars have had tons of headshots taken in their careers. Some worked for them and some didn't. Don't let that sway you. If you like their work, the interview continues. Now comes a crucial part that most actors ignore. You only want to shoot with a photographer you feel very comfortable with. Remember, you must be relaxed and comfortable to give them what they need. If you feel uptight or pressured, it will show. Ask about the type of music they play and what a typical shoot is like. How much time do they allot for your shoot? Ask them a little about themselves. Then start to explain exactly what you are looking for in a headshot and what your expectations are for the shoot. Good photographers will really listen to what you say. This communication is critical to getting what you want. You should feel confident that they have heard what you said and they will deliver what you want. If you can't communicate, move on. The Decision Hopefully by this point you have several great photographers to choose from. Consider all things before making the final decision. Don't decide during your appointment with them. Wait until you get home and have a chance to think it over. It will also give you a chance to see how they react when you don't book immediately. If you didn't find anyone, don't despair. You can always change your criteria and search again. Don't rush this process, it's too important. One last thing about headshots. Everyone has different opinions on what makes a great headshot. One of the most consistent is the importance of YOUR EYES. They must be clear, expressive and alive. There should be a 'pop' to them that draws your focus. And that needs to come from within as well as from the photographer. I would say that is the top comment from 70% of the casting directors. Other than that, you can ask 100 people what they think of your headshot. Some will say it's GREAT, some will say it's awful and others will say it's fine. There is no universal rule on headshots. Just make certain that you have the headshot you envisioned when the whole process began and most importantly that you feel like you have a great headshot.