If you wish to be an actor or model, the most important investment is your head shots. Why? These are what are submitted to producers and casting directors who decide who gets to audition for projects.
Below are three of our talent all with Fantastic head shots!
What do professionals want to see in head shots?
Professionals, those who either hire talent or help guide companies to hire talent, want to see a confident look in your head shot. But there’s more than just confidence, you need to have the right look for the right job you are submitting for.
Background:
Background is just as important as your actual pose because this makes you stand out. Based on my observation of who regularly gets head shots, I highly recommend a pink, purple or turquoise background. Not a pale color, a significantly brighter color, but not neon.
Photos for commercial:
- Have several head shots with your teeth showing in a smile. The smile is important so producers can see if you have straight teeth, which is required for all adults.
- Have a solid bright colored background inside a professional photographer’s studio
- Make sure to wear solid bright colors, avoid black, red, white and gray.
- Make sure your background is not black, white, gray, or some unknown muted color. Why? Because when you are lined up with 400 other talent on a casting director’s screen as a thumbnail image, you need to stand out.
- Dress casual.
- For guys, no suits, no ties, no fitted shirts. Wear a denim type shirt from The Gap with non holey jeans. Wear a crew neck solid t shirt underneath with no decals, logos. Unbutton shirt 4 buttons from the top and roll up sleeves 2-3 times. Tuck shirts into jeans.
- For gals, no suits, no business apparel more business casual to hanging out with friends. No sexy, nothing skin tight, no shoulders or cleavage revealed. Hair down, light make up, bright colors and don’t wear anything too trendy.
- For kids and teen, dress everyday clothing. No suits, no party dresses, just everyday wear, ideally solid, bright colors. Either crew neck or v neck outfits. For the girls,, there are some shirt dresses out there that make wonderful head shot looks. For little girls – age 3-8, nothing is better than a pair of Oshkosh shorts denim overalls and a bright solid short sleeved shirt, no matter what the season. For boys, wear jean shorts or jeans and a casual shirt that has no decals/logos on it. Ideally in a blue/green or purple color. Only for little kids, age 3-8, are ponytails/braids acceptable as a second hair look.
Photos for theatrical (film and television)
- Have several head shots with a serious look. Provide some head shots (chest up) and some 3/4 or full body.
- Have a solid bright colored background inside a professional photographer’s studio
- Make sure to wear solid bright colors, avoid black, red, white and gray. Despite this being a more serious look, you still need to stand out.
- Make sure your background is not black, white, gray, or some unknown muted color. Why? Because when you are lined up with 400 other talent on a casting director’s screen as a thumbnail image, you need to stand out.
- Dress casual. Yes even for theatrical.
- For guys, no suits, no ties, no fitted shirts. Wear a denim type shirt from The Gap with non holey jeans. Wear a crew neck solid t shirt underneath with no decals, logos. Unbutton shirt 4 buttons from the top and roll up sleeves 2-3 times. Tuck shirts into jeans.
- For gals, no suits, no business apparel more business casual to hanging out with friends. No sexy, nothing skin tight, no shoulders or cleavage revealed. Hair down, light make up, bright colors and don’t wear anything too trendy.
- For kids and teen, dress everyday clothing. No suits, no party dresses, just everyday wear, ideally solid, bright colors. Either crew neck or v neck outfits. For the girls,, there are some shirt dresses out there that make wonderful head shot looks. For little girls – age 3-8, nothing is better than a pair of Oshkosh shorts denim overalls and a bright solid short sleeved shirt, no matter what the season. For boys, wear jean shorts or jeans and a casual shirt that has no decals/logos on it. Ideally in a blue/green or purple color.
When you need new head shots:
Whether your age is 79, 53, 32, 21, 17 or 4 years old you need professional shots. Any time your look changes you need new professional shots too. Below are situations where you need new head shots:
- You changed your hair color
- You grew a beard or mustache or you no longer have a beard or mustache
- You lost a tooth
- You grew a new tooth (in the front of your smile)
- You grew out your hair
- You cut your hair to a much different length that what it currently is
- You actually grew (kids need new head shots once a year)
Hair
Whether male or female, you want your hair to appear natural, healthy, clean and not filled with hair products. Minimal hair product is desired if you need any. No hair bows, head bands or other hair accessories should be used unless you are a little girl, in that case two ponytails or two braids would be acceptable. The point of your hair is so you match your look in the photo when you appear on set on in your auditions. If you have brown hair in your headshot but have blue hair in your audition, you easily could be eliminated for not providing your current look to those who make decisions.
Remember, head shots get you seen, but do not get you the actual booking in most cases. Experience, coaching and dedication to being an actor/model by working in the industry helps keep you informed of how the industry works.