The headshot is the actor’s calling card. It is crucial to have one.
Even if you only have one or two credits on your resume, like I did when I first came to LA, it’s ok as long as you have a great headshot. You are going out for student projects and low budget projects. You want to start building reel material so you have something to show when it’s time to look for representation.
This is Step 2 in My 10 Steps To Start Your Acting Career in Los Angeles – For International Students
The first action to getting an awesome headshot is to research what an awesome headshot is:
Start here.
However, my only reservation with this text concerns the advice to go ahead and immediately spend $1000 on your headshots. OMG! Your first headshot?! I don’t think so lol. Especially when we are going for student projects and unpaid projects.
I paid a 150 bucks for my first headshots and got over a hundred auditions in six months. It was both fun and exhausting. I will talk about how that happened in step 4 when it’s time to sign up on the casting websites.
My first headshot
When I first started submitting, this was one of the looks I used. I soon started noticing this particular one got me in the room no matter if the casting notice called for a girl next door or a vampire. So I used it for pretty much everything.
Some more reading material
Take advice from the best. Check out the links below on how to dress and prepare for headshots.
https://www.backstage.com/advice-for-actors/backstage-experts/4-elements-great-headshot/
http://poyeyphotos.com/headshots/six-tips-demystifying-wardrobe-headshots/
Research even more
Google “How to prepare for headshots” and many links will treat exactly this subject.
Choose photographer
Find a new up and coming photographer who wants to learn/knows how replicate the $1000 shots you’re looking for and save money that way 🙂
These are two fantastic photographers who will get you headshots starting from $150
https://www.instagram.com/wehopete/
https://www.instagram.com/barney_crow/
Printing
When it’s time to print the photos, start with 8-10 copies. It can be pretty expensive. So when you have gotten a feel for auditioning and know that you want to keep going, then you can print out 50 headshots. It will be a lot cheaper, around 60 cents/photo. Print them on matte paper because finger prints will stick to shiny photo paper.
Hope this was helpful, let me know your thoughts below. Good luck 🙂
Cheers,
Ina
A headshot is like your cover letter for me, thanks for your advices!
That is great information you’re providing! You also have a very diverse look so, I would imagine you get many jobs.