San Francisco & Bay Area Actor Headshots
Headshots are a professional representation of you. As an actor, headshots are your calling card. Casting directors use your headshot to quickly identify your type and the roles you are right for. In this competitive industry, a great headshot gives you the attention you need to stay booked.
Headshots play a massive role in the career of an actor. You can use them on your website, your profile for online casting, marketing equipment for your agent/ manager, business cards, and postcards. Most importantly, your acting headshots will be attached to your application for auditions. Having the right headshot means the difference between getting a call back for an audition and never hearing from the casting director again.
Acting headshots should always be done with a professional photographer who specializes in acting headshots. As an established photographer in San Francisco, Brian Klemm empowers actors to put their best face forward.
Acting Headshots 101
Professional headshots are so much more than photographs. They are, quite literally, the lifeline of any actor’s career. Casting directors, agents, and anyone else who books work for actors sees the headshot first—not the person. For actors, headshots are a representation of the characters the actor can embody.
Standard headshots are 8 X 10 inch photos that capture the person’s head and shoulders. These images can be printed in black and white or color — depending on the role you’re auditioning for. Headshots are used within a variety of contexts, including:
Personal or professional websites
Resumes
Casting profiles
Branded marketing materials
LinkedIn profiles
It’s evident that headshots are necessary within the acting industry, but they also serve an important role in business. Research shows that LinkedIn profiles with professional headshots receive 21 times more profile views and 9 times more connection requests than profiles without them. No matter your reasoning, professional acting headshots are a smart way to boost your career opportunities.
Know Your Type
Excellent actor headshots should give an accurate representation of who you are and the possible characters you might be able to play. Your headshots portray your brand and personality. When taking theater headshots, make sure you bear in mind the types you want to audition for. This will help you come up with a look that will bring out your persona correctly. It is also vital to consider the background of the character; including financial status, family origin, and even the character's disposition.
How to Prepare for Professional Acting Headshots
Preparation is key to getting a call for an audition. You will feel more comfortable in front of the camera and achieve better results by prepping for your photo session ahead of time. Here are our tips for being camera-ready for your headshot session:
Consider your clothing. You don't want clothing to be a distraction. Clothes should be solid colors without patterns, pictures, or logos. Layers are okay, but don't overdo it. Also, make sure that your clothing represents your type, and are well-suited for your role.
Have hair products on hand. For one, you'll probably want to do different looks. A second reason is to ensure that your hair stays neat throughout the shoot. A hairbrush, comb, pick and hairspray should be the bare minimum.
Pay attention to your skin. You want to make sure your skin is as healthy and clear as possible. You should start a skin care regimen weeks before your photo shoot, but don't do anything extreme right before your scheduled session, like tanning or microdermabrasion. During the photo shoot, make sure to have skin care products that keeps your skin looking fresh during the length of the shoot.
Keep your makeup simple. You only want to wear natural makeup that accentuates your features—not changes them. If you can afford it, the best thing you can do is hire a professional makeup artist who has experience with headshot photography.
Practice different poses. You should mainly pay attention to your facial expressions. Be aware of your face and your features. Practice beforehand in the mirror. You can even use your phone to take selfies and see how certain angles work for you.
By following these tips, you can come to your photo shoot feeling confident. An experienced photographer will work one-on-one with you to ensure that you really shine in front of the camera. Feel free to reach out before your shoot to ask questions, make special requests, and get to know the photographer.
How to Dress for Professional Acting Headshots
The colors of your clothes and your dressing style are critical for acting headshots. Some colors are more suitable for the camera than others. When bright light hits a white garment, it bounces back; therefore, wearing bright white is highly discouraged. Consider an off-white alternative. Black and other darker shades are often recommended as they attract less focus so that people will pay more attention to your face, but the darker you go, the trickier it is to light. Bright, flashy colors can work if you know how to pick the right tone. A color that contrasts with your skin tone will make your acting headshots pop.
Should Your Photos Be in Black and White?
Taking theater headshots in black and white is an older practice with limited application in the current acting environment. Submitting black and white acting headshots for the wrong role could cost you an audition. A casting director may be tempted to throw your acting headshots away because they'll assume that you do not have recent headshots or do not take your career seriously. Having a few black and white photos in your portfolio may not be a bad idea, but they’re generally not the foot you want to put forward.
How to Use Actor Headshots to Your Advantage
Headshots are like the engine that powers an actor's career. A person can't claim to be a professional actor without headshots. They serve so many purposes, which is why it's important to nail your photo shoot.
Landing auditions are the primary reason actors need headshots. They are the first impression you make on a casting director. A photo that grabs their attention gets your foot in the door. A bad headshot is sure to do just the opposite. You'll want to have a printed headshot at every audition. In fact, take extras just in case you need more than one.
Headshots can also be mailed out to casting directors and agents in San Francisco. However, you may want to review their policies on mailings before you send them anything. Headshots can even be used for you to autograph and give out to some of your favorite fans once you reach that level of success.
Keep in mind that headshots should be updated as your look, your acting type, and your industry changes. You will require a different style of headshot depending on if you want to appear in the theater, dramatic films, commercials, or comedies. At the end of the shoot, you want to walk away with images that accurately represent you and help you stand out in your industry.
For headshots in the San Francisco Bay Area, trust BrianKCreative to put your best face forward.