One of the most common questions we get here at Secret Agent Man headquarters is how EXACTLY actors should go about choosing the right headshot photographer. And yes, the word “exactly” is always capitalized. That seems to be a thing with you actors.
Anyway, it’s a solid question because we live in a digital world where your picture really needs to pop if you’re going to score auditions. When casting directors review submissions, their monitors are flooded with faces and they have to make decisions quickly. It’s a lot like Tinder.
So my first piece of advice is to embrace your inner journalist and do some research.
I have an actor friend who’s a major foodie. This guy will spend hours on Yelp, researching restaurants and trying to find the perfect meal. But when it comes to getting new headshots, he always goes back to the same person, a photographer who is mediocre at best. Why does my friend do this? Because he hates having his picture taken and with that attitude, it’s easier to choose the path of least resistance. But I would argue it makes more sense to go the extra mile when you’re dealing with anything related to your career.
So start researching photographers online. Post questions on the Backstage message board. Check out the headshots your actor friends are using. And if you have representation, make sure you get your agent’s opinion.
You should also think about gender. Who would make you more comfortable? A man or a woman? That’s an important consideration.
And let’s not forget cost. There’s no need to go broke when you take headshots. There’s a wide range of quality work out there, all at affordable prices.
Once you’ve narrowed down the field to a few choices, contact the photographers and make an appointment to meet them in person. Anyone who refuses to sit down with you for a few minutes is not a photographer you should hire. Face time is essential and no, I’m not talking about on your iPhone.
The relationship between a photographer and subject is an intimate one. The two of you are going to spend hours together, trying to capture your soul in the click of a button. It would help if you feel comfortable with each other.
Before you meet, make sure you have a basic understanding of what you want and don’t want. Here are a few things to consider:
1) What time of day would you like to shoot? Some actors prefer mornings after a triple shot of espresso. Others like the afternoon. It’s totally up to you, not the photographer.
2) Do you want indoor or outdoor shots? A studio is private; the streets are public. Make sure the photographer has samples that reflect your preference. Again, this is your decision, not the photographer’s.
3) Does the photographer have experience shooting people who look like you? Dark- or olive-skinned actors have different lighting concerns than white boys like me.
And finally, don’t forget to show the photographer your old headshots. Discuss what you like and don’t like about them. Make sure the photographer is on the same page. The shoot won’t work if he or she adores the oblique angle that everyone else hates.
Now that you’ve hired the perfect shutterbug, you have to remember that you did indeed hire this person to provide a service. That means you’re in charge. Yes, you should be open to the photographer’s advice, but when push comes to charge it’s your money and you’re the one who has to live with the pictures.
Like this advice? Check out more from Secret Agent Man!
