Andrew & head shots

My friend and actor, he asked me take some head shots.
This was my first time doing this (head shot for an actor) and I am not overly impressed with the end results and he will probably be more critical than myself. I don't feel I caught his essence that should be in a head shot.

Good thing is he is my friend and we will be doing it again this coming week, natural light this time.
I am curious if anyone has any suggestions, pointers, tips, etc for the actors head shot?

Anyway I managed to sneak in some moody shots for myself that probably wouldn't work so well in finding acting work
comments and suggestion for the picture would be appreciated as well, some subtle detail was lost on the web version.

I love this shot. Love the expression and lighting.
Not sure though if it can be used for a headshot because of the lighting being dark on the camera side...not sure of the specs.

I just realized I posted this in the still life section when I meant to post it in the studio/portrait section.
Would somebody mind moving it for me?


Thanks Kathy and yes I agree, far to dark to be used as a head shot, this was for me not for Andrew

Hi Charlie,

I like the picture of your friend for its presentation of a character. It is somewhat haunting in mood. Even for that, It does not perhaps show enough of him if only one picture is going to be used. I have had actors bring me examples from the agent of the kind of headshot they need to market the actor the way they envisage. For a dramatic part of to be a villain this may be fine, but I'd really want to get direction.

Anyway, in this picture, I'd want the eyes and more of the lips shown and illuminated. Also I'd have most of the collar clearly drawn. The one side of the face can be dark, but why not with rich dark shading rather than black and no detail at all. For an artistic portrait, I have no objections, since it's your vision and anyway, I like what you've done. However, this is simply a vehicle for marketing the man. So what kind of actor is the agent selling? Unless there is some other direction, just a well lit posed image is what I'd do.

Asher

Charlie,

It's a good shot that should be on the actor's web-site but it's too stylized for the "standard" 8x10 head-shot with resume and credits on the back that actors give out. That one needs to show them as they would appear to a casting director during a call.

So, IMX you can do things like remove a temporary sun-burn or small pimple but you shouldn't hide bone structure or the shape and size of ears, etc. It's more like a flattering mug shot than anything else, I think, and different from a model's complete portfolio.

Will_Perlis said:

Charlie,

It's a good shot that should be on the actor's web-site but it's too stylized for the "standard" 8x10 head-shot with resume and credits on the back that actors give out. That one needs to show them as they would appear to a casting director during a call.

So, IMX you can do things like remove a temporary sun-burn or small pimple but you shouldn't hide bone structure or the shape and size of ears, etc. It's more like a flattering mug shot than anything else, I think, and different from a model's complete portfolio.

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Very clear and helpful!

An illustration. This isn't anything artistic but my friend Jim says he has gotten gigs with it. We toned down his complexion a bit to counter the sunburn he had from a previous outdoor shoot.

charlie chipman said:

I am curious if anyone has any suggestions, pointers, tips, etc for the actors head shot?

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Hi Charlie,

While I'm no expert on actor's head shots, I do know quite a bit of what marketing is ...
Marketing is NOT about selling, it is about purchasing (removing thresholds)!!! I'll spare you the long version, which is not free ;-)

So you'll have to ask yourself; what does an agency want to see, what are they looking for?

They will ultimately evaluate the model's capability of assuming different personalities in a casting session. Therefore I'd concentrate on getting the actor's (facial) features in pain view (i.e. reduce contrast to show both sides of the face). You'll want to hide what prevents or emphasizes what sells, obviously.

However, it might be useful for the actor to have some shots in his (in this case) portfolio in which he expresses different emotions. Nothing over-the-top, but subtle. If he has a fair idea of what his manager/agent, or the art director, is looking for, he could pick whichever portrait suits that purpose best. I doubt (but I could be wrong) that production people keep headshots. I suspect (if I'm wrong, another strategy is in order) they are requested over and over again for each new project. That would mean the shots could be taylored for the purpose, that's where a good agent could be useful.

Bart

I doubt (but I could be wrong) that production people keep headshots.

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The marketing company I worked for had a huge pile of them. For each new project they would develop an idea of the sort of people they wanted. They either called for those they had liked before or asked the agencies to send over a bunch like those.

They don't call then "cattle calls" for nothing. The most striking one was one for hair models. The place was jammed with these amazingly tall women with super-glossy hair down to their waists or below. 'Twas complete with at least one tiny dog carried in a purse.

Bart_van_der_Wolf said:

I doubt (but I could be wrong) that production people keep headshots.

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Will_Perlis said:

The marketing company I worked for had a huge pile of them.

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Hi Will,

Thanks for the confirmation. That wouldn't surprise me, but then it always does depend on one's audience, which is my point (general marketing does not equal producton in many cases (unfortunately), one needs to make sure). Marketing people (would, should) look for something 'else' than some others.

Bart

To be honest I absolutly love it.
I agree that for selling your face you should probarbly use a polaroid like shot, but they don't awe me, this one does.

Remember that a good portfolio should contain all kinds of shots.
This shots shows that when the person is lit this way he comes over VERY strong, I think that can also sell him.

Just imagine.
Seeing a casual shot of Al Pacino or seeing a shot like this.
I think this shot will turn heads and got him hired.

BUT AGAIN, the portfolio should also contain a polaroid.