Your headshot should look identical to you

Unfortunately, too many actors get called in for castings based on their headshot photograph and come in looking entirely different. These are casting directors, agents and producers calling you in, based on what you looked like on your 10x8 headshot photo.

A common complaint from the casting deptment is that actors waste their time by sending in photos that make them seem right for a part that clearly they're not right for when they show up in person. This wastes your time too, and could even harm your chances at future meetings with that person. So get a photograph that's an accurate, current representation of you.

Headshots are great because they give the viewer of your photo a good, close look at your face and eyes. At the time of your shoot, I will help you determine which type of shot is currently being used the most. You should focus on having at least one solid theatrical headshot for more dramatic roles, and a good smiley shot for lighter stuff, such as comedies and commercials. Casting directors want to know if your teeth are suitable for a television audience, and a smile is essential in conveying the warmth and humour that make this shot work.

Your actor headshots are your business card

It's your chance to make a first impression, a positive first impression! Use that opportunity to the max.

The competition for performers is immense so make sure you get enough sleep the night before your session, and don't make any major plans before your appointment. This day should be all about having a great headshot session. When considering which shots you need, you will have chosen a variety of outfits to bring to your shoot, so that you can emphasize certain aspects of you. My advice is to keep it simple! We want to focus on your eyes which is the window to the soul, not on that off putting striped shirt!

Black and white or colour headshots?

At the moment casting directors require a 10x8 in black and white as do most agents. In the USA on the other hand, headshots are mostly done in colour. So, if you are popping over LA or New York for a casting, make sure you have a copy of your headshot in colour.

I shoot in colour and then convert to the traditional black and white. Colour is becoming more common for the UK market especially now the spolight link allows performers to have a diverse range of photos posted in both formats.

Portrait or landscape format?

Industry standard here in the UK lean towards the portrait 10x8 format and in the US they tend to use the landscape 8x10 style format. If you have a web site for example, you'll possibly want to use the landscape portrait for impact and wide screen spacing. However, more and more clients are having both. Feel free to speak to me bout these options during your session.