Location for headshots is largely a personal choice. However, my preference for you is to shoot you in a natural setting outside rather than indoors. The main reason is because it gives us more options and often can make someone feel more comfortable. Remember, most actors are NOT models. So just standing in front of a camera, though it seems natural is not always the case. Actors act. Business people work. Comedians tell stories and jokes. The only people standing still in front of a camera, in a studio are usually models. Since most of us aren’t models, I have found that it’s much easier to get people to relax, feel natural, and show who they really are if we go “on location” for a shot. Of course, going on location has it’s own set of challenges, however, most of those issues will be on my an my assistants. All you’ll need to do is show up. Bring a great attitude and PRACTICE your smile in a mirror before you arrive. This is a video that I thought was really good so I’m putting it here so you’ll know the types of things I’m looking at when I’m shooting your head shots. As I run across other materials that I think will help, I’ll post them here too. I’m thinking that it’s time to start a series on how to find an event photographer and what you should be looking for when you’re selecting an event photographer. Also, I want to talk about what things an event photographer should do and the type of pictures you should expect. I’ll start that tomorrow. For now, just know that it’s not easy being an event photographer. It’s much more than just snapping pictures and handing a client a CD. Here’s the latest video I’ve created to show off some of our Headshot models. This one is pretty short. But I happen to really love the song and movement of the whole thing. If you’d like to be a part of the next video, just leave a comment here or send me an email. Models and actors that I’ve work with before will be given priority. I don’t have a set date, yet, but I’ll post it on the blog and send out emails when it’s time. The best thing to do is sign up for my newsletter. Then you’re guaranteed to get a notice when I annouce the date. Fill out the form in the sidebar and that’s it. Today I want to focus on what makes a good headshot; one that a casting director will actually look at. Remember, your picture will get about one half of a second of review before it’s placed in either a YES pile or a NO pile. You need to be in the YES pile. 1. A good headshot will be a picture of you “as you really are”. This is not a glamour shot or a shot for a magazine. This shot will not be overly retouched. This is a picture of you. 2. Your shot should be something that says to a viewer, “hey, I want to know more about his person.” Unless you’re already famous or if you’re a comedian, you are not going to “act” in the shot. You’re going to smile and invite. And it doesn’t really matter if you’re going to audition for the part of a Serial Killer or a Baby Sitter. For the most part, you want a headshot that shows who you really are. 3. The lighting on the shot will be mostly neutral and not overly dramatic. Again, this is not a fashion shot. This is a greeting cards that says you’re responsible and that you can act. That’s it for now. Just some things to look for when you’re in your headshot session.
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