6 Steps to Plan For Your Headshot Session!

You’ve made it through the pandemic! Things are getting back to normal and productions are starting to get back into full swing. You may or may not have changed your hair/look during the pandemic (like I have) and if you haven’t updated your headshots, its time. Even if you haven’t changed your look, I think it’s time for a refresher.

This is how casting sees us on actors access (breakdowns)

I have a theory (unproven but makes sense to me) that as casting directors scroll through hundreds to thousands of submissions for each role (see image), where we look like small thumbnails, and for whatever reason we are not right for a few roles, maybe they remember that we’re a little lacking in skill, or whatever reason, I think they will associate a “no” or “not right now” with a certain headshot or headshots of you. Not intentionally, but they are sort of seeing your headshot and having that “no” or “not right now” feeling, so they skip over you.

So to break up that “routine”, you can introduce a new headshot. Just to make casting pause, an extra second to look at you. You may look like a new person to them and make them re-investigate your profile. And it’s just that extra second we want casting to notice you. This is why when you’re in an auditions slump and switch representation, a lot of times the new reps will suggest new headshots. Now of course along side a sweet new headshot, you also need to make sure everything else is in order such as your training, your great quality reels and clips, representation, etc. That’s all another blog post.

It was kind of suggested to get new headshots once a year a so and I believe this is especially true for newer actors just starting out and trying to break through and grab casting’s attention. And of course if you have a bit of a good track record, it wouldn’t be bad to keep that momentum going and add a refreshed shot every now and again.

Ok so with that all said, how the heck do you plan for your headshot session nowadays? Lets break it down!

1) Know Your Types!

So starting with how you look and your acting ability, what types can you play on tv and film? Do you look more like a blue-collar worker or an corporate office type? Look-wise, could you be a employee of Dunder Mifflin on The Office or a cop on 911? We can’t all be everything or we’d be spreading ourselves way to thin. Hone in on those types of roles that are your strengths first and then of course you can also add the looks for roles you just know you can play or want to play. Finding out your types can be tricky and take a while. Try asking your acting classmates.

Tell them to maybe email you or write down, 5 roles they think you can play or characters on tv/film they could imagine you replacing. Ask a casting director friend if you have, but only if you have that kind of relationship! Don’t just track down a CD’s email and blast them! After a while you will see a pattern emerge. These are your types!

2) Collab With Your Reps!

Remember when you are working with your agents/managers, they want you to book! Their input could be helpful. If agents/managers have the time, ask them for their input on your looks. Sometimes they may be a bit too busy to be bothered with a full on “consultation” for your looks. So make it easy for them. After you’ve figured out your character types, put together some wardrobe for them. Maybe a couple options for each look. If you’re a quirky character, put on that blouse, cardigan, and glasses and take a photo while wearing them. Then repeat for your business-lawyer-detective look. And so on for your other looks. Put them all on one document and label them. Then send this for approval to your agents. Now agents/managers are not “stylists” per se but you can ask for their input of how they see you and what looks they want you to get during your headshot session.

EXAMPLE: This Is What I Did (2019)

Here’s my example below that I presented my reps. And of course you can just take phone pics. Don’t need to be fancy , just make sure theres decent light. So I knew I wanted 3 looks off the bat and I was asking whether they wanted any other looks. I wanted one as professional, business look, a casual cool guy look, and a comedy/sitcom friend look. Then if there was extra time I was presenting other options. I also sent them a gallery, but you can just send a document with variations of those looks to see which they like more.

These are the looks they picked below. They kept business and comedy-sitcom guy and left out casual guy next door. The other looks they picked I think they were trying to lean me in a tougher directions, sort of Bourne Identity, secret agent vibes and also rich asshole dude. Yes very technical names I know….

See the end for my final results and the extra looks I managed to squeeze in!

3) Pick The Right Headshot Photographer

First, pick a GOOD headshot photographer! Also know that not all headshot photographers are for everybody. There are great photographers out here in LA and some of them have very unique styles. Some of these styles of shooting are honestly not for everyone. Not everyone shoots commercial headshots. A lot focus only on theatrical shots. So don’t make them try to shoot something they don’t do. Just take a look at their portfolio and if you see someone that looks like you and you like how they look, then you may be safe. Your agents/managers may have a list of their favorites which are alway safe bets. You can also present them with another photographer’s work and see if they’re ok with them. Remember your agents are the ones clicking the submit button everyday. Help them help you :)

4) Communicate with Your Photographer

Not all photographers may like this, but I certainly do. Ask them if its ok to share with them your gameplan! Photographers are artists as well so they may like to have some creativity. And then also ask if they have any advice/opinion on your said gameplan. Seasoned pros know a thing or two. I always appreciate (actually require) when clients present to me a list of their looks written out along with snapshots of the finalized wardrobe. This helps my gears start to turn so I can cater my style of shooting to those looks. Commercial headshots will be lit more brightly and theatrical may be a bit more dramatic. The more we know, the more we can plan ahead of time JUST FOR YOU!

5) Practice In Front Of A Mirror

I know this sounds silly, but consider it a “rehearsal”. Your probably kind of do it already! Play with how you like to smile. With lots of teeth or no teeth. Laughing smiles. Small smiles. Then rehearse your serious looks. If you’re a detective on Law and Order, how would you hold yourself. If you were the quirky comedic friend, how would you behave? I consider a headshot session almost like a film shoot for either a commercial or tv/feature. You are “in-character” and we photographers are just grabbing a slice of the action. This all being said, be adaptable and open to direction from the photographers regarding posture and/or maybe thoughts to have.

6) Don’t Stress, Have Fun!

Before your shoot, get plenty of rest that week. Try not to stress even though it might be difficult. Moisturize your face and your lips. The evening before your shoot, have all your clothes ironed or steamed to get rid of all wrinkles and have them ready to go. If you’re bringing glasses, make sure to have options with lenses removed to avoid glare. Visit EyeBuyDirect (or similar sites) to find affordable frames. Bring water to stay hydrated during the shoot. And then seriously, try to have fun!

My Finalized Headshots (2019)

With the help of my reps, my gameplan was set. I added a few more looks since I knew there would be enough time. I sometimes shoot my own headshots, but sometimes its nice to let someone else do all that work so I can focus. I chose to try shooting with David Muller since his style of shooting I knew would work with my type. Had a good session, then I presented my reps (commercial and theatrical) with all the photos and also a short list of my favorites. Here’s what they picked below to have uploaded onto the Actors Access, LA Casting, and Casting Frontier.

Self Shot Headshots 2021

Since those shots were from 2019, and the pandemic changed my look, here’s my new headshots uploaded online for 2021 just for some context. Since my look changed, so do the headshots!