Why Does An Actors Need A Headshot?

Good question – Why Does An Actor Need A Headshot?

Well, an actor’s headshot is their main marketing tool. Without a brilliant headshot, even in today’s modern video driven world of YouTube, Instagram and a multitude of other social media outlets, a traditional headshot is crucial to an actor’s success. Of course training and show reels are important, but if an actor doesn’t have a killer headshot they’re not giving themselves a fair chance of success. This couldn’t be more evident than at the start of an actor’s career when you are an unknown to casting directors and agents etc. It’s your headshot that’ll open doors for you.

A great headshot can have a bearing on just about every aspect of your acting career as first impressions do count. Here’s a brief list of why does an actor need a headshot,7  ways to use your headshot, and remember we live in a visual world and we make instant decisions on what we see so your headshot has to have impact. I call it this impact the WOW Factor!

• It’s the face of your personal brand
• You submit it for online castings
• Use it for production programs and brochures
• To use on your website
• For your CV
• Marketing materials like business cards and flyers
• To submit to agents

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while you’ll have heard me say ‘your headshot is your calling card’ many times before. This hasn’t changed in decades. True headshot styles may have changed and will continue to change in years to come. However one thing throughout those changes has remained constant – your headshot must look like you – that will never change! Watch this video on headshots that suit your character.

Personal Branding

What is branding and what is it for? Well in the world of acting it’s about drawing the industry professional to you. In terms of your personal brand, every successful product on the market is branded so why shouldn’t an actor? Without realising it we brand actors already, think of Meryl Streep or Robert De Niro – you know their brand automatically. But what is and how do you brand yourself as an actor in the early stages of your career and indeed is it important?

Branding is not as important as doing great work, as being true to yourself and adding personality to your acting. It is worth thinking about, but it’s not the most important part of being an actor. In terms of your headshot it’s about understanding who you are, the kind of roles you are likely to play and working with what you’ve got. Read Understanding Your Castability here to find out more about working with what you’ve got.

So back to the original question why does an actor need a headshot? It’s as simple as this; you’ll never get any castings, auditions or meetings with agents or producers without one. Indeed if you have bad headshot you can do damage your opportunities especially at the start of your career.

My advice is to find a specialist headshot photographer who is up to date with current headshot styles and trends. Someone who knows how to encourage best performance out of you in front of the their camera. A great headshot is collaboration between you and the headshot photographer.

If you’re looking for more advice and tips on getting going at the start of your career read this great article on Backstge. If you’re still unsure why does an actor need a headshot check out some of my other blog posts.

More Auditions Mean More Work

Let’s be serious, everybody wants to play the lead actor whether it’s the handsome lead male or a hot sexy lead female, the intelligent, inquisitive female journalist or the tough guy. Everybody wants to play the lead character however, not everybody is suited to those roles. Actors have variations in physical frame’s, differing physical presence and also by the way they look. This is particularly evident in the actors headshot market and actors should always shoot headshots that suit your character.

Common sense

It’s difficult to accept sometimes that you’re just not the romantic lead material no matter how fabulous you look in your headshot – the truth will be told when you walk into the casting room. However, once an actor accepts their castability and the kind of roles they can play and, have the common sense to shoot headshots that suit your character, they are much more likely to get more work within those roles. If a casting director see’s a headshot of an actor already in the character of the person they have in mind they are much more likely to take time to look at the headshot, like the headshot and put them on their list for yes. Or maybe or call you to audition. It’s simple common sense.

There are some headshot photographers who prefer to shoot a generic headshot, these generic headshots do have a use in certain cases. If you’re the kind of actor who can play those roles that is; a nice friendly guy or a pleasant mother etc., then a generic headshot is not a bad way to go. As it allows a casting director to place a character on you and it does not define you to a single specific type of role. On the other hand if you’re the kind of person who is only ever going to play the tough guy, the bouncer, a doorman or a thug. Then why would you as an actor have a headshot as a smiling friendly guy when in fact your character is somebody who is tough and threatening and menacing? A headshot in that type of character would look so much better and this is the crucial point – it’s much more likely to get the actor more auditions and more work. Alternatively as a female actress, if you’re the sort of actress who can play the cute girl next door then shoot a headshot that suits that cute girl next door persona.

Shooting Headshots For Your Character

Rather than trying go for an edgey character, that might not suit you at your particular age or facial development at the moment. Sometimes you have to accept the roles you can play and the roles want to play are not to the same as the ones you get cast for. They might not be the roles you dream of, but they are work and an actor. If this is you – it’s not a failure, it’s a positive thing. Accepting what you’re good at, and shoot headshots that suit your character as these will give you a much better chance of getting more auditions and more auditions generally mean more work!

You can read more about headshots here.

acting

How To Find The Right Headshot Photographer

Headshot Photographer

Probably the single most important aspect to take into account when booking a headshot photographer is whether or not you feel comfortable with them. The relationship between a headshot photographer and their client is a personal one there needs to be trust and understanding. It also helps if you are both on the same wavelength as good communication is crucial for a stand out headshot. In my new book 'The Headshot Bible' I explain in Tip no.23 - Choosing the right headshot photographer for you, the subject in much more detail.

How do you know if you and your photographer will get on? Some people may say ‘it’s not that

Uncle Bob?

important to get on with them, they are here for a specific reason and time and as long as they do the job what does it matter if you get on or not?’ Well it does matter if you want your headshot to have what Tip no. 17 – The Wow Factor talks all about! A good headshot stands out from the crowd and one of the factors that is imperative, is emotional content within the eyes. It’s difficult to do this alone, so you need the help from your headshot photographer, it’s much easier to express yourself if you feel comfortable with them.

I think it’s a bit of a gamble booking a session with a headshot photographer if you haven’t even spoken to them, it only takes five minutes on the phone to know whether you like somebody or not, whether you’re likely be comfortable with them. I’d be disappointed if I wanted to book with a photographer and they couldn’t find the time to talk to me before the shoot – if only to break the ice before I stand in front of their camera.

Nick Gregan Headshot Photographer

If a photographer is ‘too busy’ or ‘uninterested’ in taking the time to talk to me, to get understand my needs and help ally my nervousness then I don’t think they’re the right headshot photographer for me. It would make me think about the shoot itself, would they have time for me, what if I am slow getting started, what if I’m nervous and need time? All of these points would run through my mind. A headshot shoot should be a pleasant, fun experience in an environment that is conducive to creativity.

Sure the photographer has to be creative but they should also have the ability to encourage you to be creative too. After all a great performance leads to a great headshot and without a great headshot no one ever notices you!

there’s more information on headshot in the forum on Casting Call Pro It’s worth a visit during your research.

Headshots