What You Need to Know About Character Headshots

Over the years I have taken numerous casting director workshops and a frequently asked question regards character headshots. I have heard several say that the environment/background of a headshot should insinuate the character in which the actor would like to be cast. For example, if you can still play high school, it’s not a bad idea to shoot your headshots a high school simply because it generously affects the feel of the picture. If you would like to play a business professional, it’s smart to shoot in a business suit. I’ve even heard some casting directors go as far to suggest that actors who play by these rules just have more credibility. Casting directors don’t want to work too hard at finding the right type. Actors who look the part are automatically more trustworthy.

 

As a writer/director/producer of my own play, I will admit the same is true. Actors with the right “look” were a higher priority than others. Clothing and atmosphere help us cheat our look in our headshots.

If you’re considering having some character shots taken, here are some guidelines:

·        Play up your looks. Don’t go against the grain. If you’re sexy, use that! Don’t play it down to innocence. Become different versions of who you already are. If you’re a cop, decide whether you are a good cop or a bad cop. The two are very different, yet equally popular.

·        Do a survey on social media and have your friends tell you what you can play. Sometimes people see us differently than we see ourselves.

·        Keep down costs by booking a photographer by time and not looks. See how many looks you can get in a 30-minute or an hour shoot. Photographers who charge by looks usually cost more and spend more time that it’s particularly necessary.

·        During your photoshoot, start with the minimal look and build upon that. Make your look with heavy make-up the last shots of the day so you’re not working backwards.

 

It doesn’t take me long to catch on to trends, especially those that will help me get cast more. So I had a photoshoot with local photographer Mike Boyce, the Creative Genius, and here are the shots we can up with based upon the roles for which I am usually cast.

 

If you live in the Atlanta area and would like to book a shoot with Mike Boyce, you can hit him atmikeboycecreativegenius@gmail.com.

 

All casting sites allow actors to upload several pictures. Take advantage of these opportunities and make your pictures as diverse as possible. Don’t wait until the submission comes up to upload your image. Sometimes they have to be approved by the site before they can be submitting for castings.

 

I hope this info has info has helped! Leave me comment and let me know if you know anything I don’t!