Improve on actors headshots
reynazackphotography
Registered Users Posts: 45 Big grins
I'd like to improve on my actors headshots. Anyone know of any online tutorials, websites, or books? Specifically for actors, not just a portrait.
I'm hoping to find fresh ideas on posing, lighting, on location v. studio, etc.
Thank you!
I'm hoping to find fresh ideas on posing, lighting, on location v. studio, etc.
Thank you!
Reyna Zack Photography
www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
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Have a search in the people forum here at dgrin for some of the exchanges we've had recently (seems quite a few people tried their hands at these over the winter - llywellyn, briandelion and a few others posted threads which are worth reading since we really discussed what headshots are trying to do in the course of looking at the photos). I'm a professional performer, btw, so I have strong views on the subject (although my opinions are, of course, just my opinion and there are plenty of folks who may take a different and entirely valid approach to mine!)
First port of call: great pair of articles by a casting director, discussing what she thinks makes a great headshot with a lot of helpful info for actors and photographers alike. This article is a couple of years old now so some of the photographic trends have changed a little (trends move pretty fast), but the principles she lays out are still very valid. One of the best articles on the subject I've come across so far.
Bad Headshots, Good Headshots (link to examples at bottom of column)
Bad Headshots, Good Headshots II (ditto)
Next: www.reproductions.com. Stick in a zipcode and go to the galleries - lots of links to headshot photographers in NY and LA (the two big markets). There are distinct differences in style between the two coasts - this sorta-kinda equates to film vs theatre, but not completely. Once you start to see what folks are doing out there, it helps a lot towards understanding what you're trying to achieve
Another photographer who's worth reading - especially since he has quite a bit of discussion about his work, including a short video of testimonials from clients (with a lot more than just "Sean's fab" - some really interesting points made) is http://www.seanturi.com/seanturi/Welcome.html. It is well worth reading through his FAQ and explanations of types/styles. I have friends who've used him for shots and were ecstatic with the experience and what he delivered.
discussion here at dgrin with examples from one of the big name photographers in NYC.
Recent shoot of my own (nb this was for an opera singer not an actress, so is consequently a bit more formal/retouched than the current trend for actors). My headshot portfolio can be seen at divamum.smugmug.com. I'd say over half of mine are for singers rather than actors, but there are some actor shots in the mix, too.
Main thing to remember: a headshot is NOT just a flattering portrait (although hopefully it's that, too!). Especially since so much "first round" typing/casting is done from photographs these days, it is vital that the picture really shows the actor's personality and what they could deliver. It needs to engage the viewer, portray the type of energy and character the actor could offer the production, and generally make them think not only "they look like they'd be nice to work with" but "Yup, they'd be perfect for this part!" (whatever that part might be). The important thing is for the shot to GET THE AUDITION - after that, it's up to the actor, but the photo has to represent what they could take into the room with them. That means it has to really look like them - the usual advice is "a headshot should look like you on a fabulous day" rather than be lit/angled/PS'd into something else entirely. This is particularly important for those submitting for film work, where what the headshot shows should be what somebody else's camera will also see.
I talk to my subjects constantly - hard part is getting them NOT to talk while we're shooting (for better looks), but we do get some brilliant outtakes that way! Also, I encourage them to play with posing and "playing dress up" in terms of posing for a photograph - I'll tell them this is their chance to play Cindy Crawford, or GQ model or whatever. Those aren't always brilliant shots, but every once in a while we'll get something really fun from that kind of idea - it's easy enough for me to hit the delete key for the ones that turned out to be rubbish
Trends change - currently natural light, close-cropped and angled shots are very popular, but that doesn't mean they will be next year. In the US, colour has taken over from BW, but that's not necessarily true in other markets, eg the UK (interesting discussion/poll/survey here - again this is BRITISH, and the same does not necessarily apply in the US). I've definitely noticed some more studio shots starting to creep into portfolios (even high key setups which 3 years ago were being poo-poohed as too naughties and old-fashioned), although natural light is still dominant from what I've seen. Both can work. Main thing I consistently notice in really good headshots is that they're DYNAMIC - not stiff "hold still" portraits, but body angles, leaning into camera and, most importantly, a really connected, alive, sparkling, engaging expression in the eyes - real *energy* in the photos. Can be serious or smiling, sultry or soft, but when that energy is there, the shot works.
Also, get familiar with "types" - girl/boy next door, character, commercial, corporate, leading man/woman etc etc. Quite a few headshot photographers will mention this in their blogs/sites, so when you work through the Reproductions galleries, always make sure to have a look at what these guys are saying about their work. They don't all go into detail, but some do and it is verrrry interesting.
Hope that helps - have fun!
Moderator of the People and Go Figure forums
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I'm also a professional performer (classically trained vocalist) so it helps to have that perspective when taking headshots. It just seems that not a lot is written out there on the subject. Maybe because it is ever changing.
I really appreciate ALL of your suggestions and I'm excited to delve in.
Again, many thanks.
Reyna
www.reynazackphotography.smugmug.com
One other thing I've noticed: an awful lot of times a headshots photographer's "style" is defined as much by his hair/makeup artist as his lighting and angles. It's amazing what a huge difference it can make. My clients have typically done their own hair/mu, with me riding shotgun for touchups and details, but I'm really hoping to find a MUA to work with me when I need one - it would save me hours of work in post cleaning things up, and would save a lot of stress on clients (and me!) when somebody's having a "bad hair day"! I dont' mind advising a bit, but I don't really want to have to take over that part of things when I'm also shooting. Haven't found somebody yet, although sniffing around.....
I work as a specialist actors headshot photographer in London UK and I have loads of info on my blog about what constitutes a good headshot and what doesn't.
Essentially a casting director makes their decision on whether they like a headshot or not in seconds and a great headshot has to have the 'Wow Factor' as I like to call it to stand out from the crowd. This is the 'wow factor' that grabs the casting directors attention and decides if the actor will be invited to audition or not. And like one of the reply's above, once this has been done the headshot has done it's work. It's then up to the actor and their acting ability as to whether or not they get the part because the headshot has got them in the door.
As for the actual shooting of a headshot, the style in the UK is different to that of the USA but essentially a good clean shot, showing a good connection to the viewer, a good showing
of emotion in the eyes are important too. Unless an actor has a specific 'character type' then a general all-round headshot should be warm, friendly and allowing the casting director to paint a 'character' on them. Moody, heavily shadowed or showing side profiles does not tend to work well over here.
I use a lot of direction and scenarios to help the actor express themselves, I find this approach works very well as most actor's are trained to react to direction instructions given by a director and in taking this approach I think it makes it easier for them and gets better results.
If you'd like to check out some of my work please do here actors headshot photographer. If you need any mre info drop me a line.
Nick
Welcome, to dgrin Nick! Great to have somebody else chiming in. I'm now in the US but spent many years in the UK (in fact, best set of headshots I ever had done was by Geoff Shields in London - sadly those were done immediately after I left music college in the 90s' so haven't been useable in more than a few years
Can you elaborate on some of the kinds of direction you give your subjects? This is the thing I find most difficult.... despite being a performer myself! I've tried a few things, including asking for specific emotions, using the character of specific roles I know they sing (or are hoping to sing) which fit their type etc etc - some of these suggestions worked and some were an epic failure, and I'm always looking for fresh ideas in this regard. Especially for opera singers - more used to stage work and thus "big" emotional communication and often phsyical (rather than facial) gestures, it's sometimes hard to focuse those broad emotions into something the camera can capture; I suspect actors used to film work find this a little easier.
Would love to hear your thoughts!