Many different careers have a need for the individual headshot. The photo that markets a certain person whether it is on their business card, company website, or if you are an actor… the quintessential 8×10 photograph to send to industry contacts. The elements on a great shot remains the same across the board: personality, composition, balance, approachability, and memorability. This article will highlight what you should look for when deciding on your important photograph.

Headshots for an actor can be the most mind boggling decision. What should I wear? How should I fix my hair? Who should I choose for a photographer? The latter question should be first one asked if you are truly serious in marketing yourself as a professional actor. Afterall, it is the first and last impression you leave with potential clients. The headshot should echo your personality and remind people of the spark you possess. That is why special attention to the way you attain this shot should be a high priority. A good photographer will help prepare you for your shoot by asking you questions that will get you to reveal your current goals and appropriate style. Don’t just ask for a quote without knowing the process you will be going through with your photographer. What good is a price if you don’t know the value?

The best photographers have an instinct for what will be marketable in accordance to your goal and personality. There shouldn’t be a cookie-cutter formula if the whole focus is making your individuality shine. So the answers for preparation may vary depending on the actor. Some of the factors may be: Are you performing in film and television or theatre? How do people perceive you? The girl-next-door or the vixen? Are you more of a character actor than you are a leading man? Do you look like a particular celebrity that you can be a photo-double for? Your answers will determine what clothing suggestions your photographer will offer.

You can also prepare for a shoot by practicing being comfortable in front of the camera. Some people become self-conscience or camera shy. You can alleviate some of the shyness by asking your friends and family to take practice shots of you. However, you and your photographer should have built a repor before the actual shoot date to help you confidently pose for the shot. Also, professional photographers have state-of-the-art cameras that can capture you at your best moment with a fast shutter speed. It can be a shot that’s taken right after a roaring laugh or a deep discussion on your past accomplishments. Most photos that speak volumes are not the “posed” types. They are more natural and capture a particular mood that intrigues the viewer into becoming interested in studying your portrait.

As a photographer, I try to avoid exposing my subjects to too much light and flash. Real life situations use available natural light. Photographs that have this setting express a more natural feel. This also helps avoid harsh shadows, constant blinking, glare spots, and unflattering skin tones. I also pay close attention to the clothes the actor is wearing. I don’t like distractions such as wrinkles or random hairs out of place. Even the setting behind the actor is very important. What is the focus of the photo? What could possibly take away the focus from the actor? If it is even a question, then it doesn’t belong in the shot.

Some people ask if a do-it-yourself photograph is sufficient or a shot that a friend has taken would be a good economical option. It certainly can be but this may not be the impression you may want to market yourself with. If the entertainment business is about heading towards the finish line in a race, you wouldn’t want to drive just any old car. You would want a car that was professionally crafted to compete and was dependable enough to go the distance. What if the role of a lifetime was casting in your region? Ultimately that headshot would move up the chain as you get closer to your dream role. If you are using a snapshot, would you be making excuses for your headshot not being the quality of your competitor? Would it be a good enough photo to pass through to the executive level? Your headshot will more than likely precede you in an audition and your agent has the difficult task of selling you before you even set foot into the audition arena. Make their job easier by providing them with an undeniable representation of your professionalism.