Headshots For Actors: What You Need To Know

I recently got new headshots and had a nice long chat with my headshot photographer, Peter Hurley. Given the fact that he is well-know for making his clients look good in print, I asked him if he had any advice for actors just getting started.

Read all of his comments and see at the bottom of the page 5 links to pages that will help you in choosing the right headshot photographer and they will help you ensure you get really good headshots!

This is what he said.

Your headshot is your business card. It is one of the first things that casting directors and agents see of you. It must, therefore, make a positive impact. Immediately! Casting directors and agents will tell you that they like to see headshots that 'pop'! Headshots that express something unique about the actor. Peter Hurley is considered by many to be the best headshot photographer in New York. His headshots pop, which is precisely the reason why he gets referrals continuously from casting directors and agents. Peter has some very basic tips for you with regard to getting your new headshots.

To Get Good Headshots, You Need A Good Photographer!

First off you really need to do some research in order for you to find a headshot photographer that you feel will bring out the best in you. Headshots are about showing who you really are. The unique problem that actors encounter when taking headshots is the pressure of having to get a shot that will produce results in their career. I shoot a ton of actors and a lot of random people from different walks of life and there is an entirely different kind of energy that an actor gives off when shooting their headshots compared to when I’m shooting someone for fun or another purpose. This pressure is industry related and comes from that fact that this is the #1 marketing tool for an actor. Also, they are spending a good amount of money on it, they have to get it done well and only have a few hours that they are with me and it’s got to last at least a couple of years. So it makes total sense that this would be nerve racking! Now that being the case, don’t you think that if you put some faith in the photographer’s ability that it would take the edge off that pressure? You bet it would and that is why I recommend researching headshot photographers and finding the one that you feel you can team up with for this challenge.

Headshots: Some important considerations

That’s precisely why you need to team up with a photographer you can trust. You should meet with them or at least talk with them over the phone to get a sense of how they work. Here is what I believe is the most important question to ask: Can you give me an example of how you would direct me on the shoot? That is important because the atmosphere you are in while you are shooting will produce the results of your shoot. The photographer’s job is to create that atmosphere. Also, take a look at their work and look into the eyes of their subjects and see if you believe these people look comfortable, interesting and at ease in their photo. Do you like their photographic style? How does it compare to other photographer’s work that you’ve seen? All these things need to be taken into consideration, so you feel like you are going to get something that you are proud of out of your shoot.

How To Get That Great Expression In Your Headshots

You see, that pressure makes the expression on ones face in front of a camera change completely from a natural expression to one that is lack luster. This happens the split second an actor looks in the camera and realizes that their headshot is being taken. There is a part of everyone that wants to control that outcome and as human beings we are generally never in control of our expression, our subconscious controls it on a daily basis. On rare occasions our conscious mind kicks in and makes a lame attempt at controlling it. There are 2 occasions I can think of where this happens, in front of a camera and in front of a mirror. In front of a mirror you can see exactly what you are doing and have zero pressure on you because those expressions aren’t being recorded or used for anything. Now put yourself in front of a camera and it’s like flying by the seat of your pants with your expression. Make sure your headshot looks like you! One of the easiest ways to get on the wrong side of casting directors and agents is to not look like the picture you give them when you walk into an audition or a meeting.

Hope this helps and good luck on starting your incredible acting career!

For more information on: a casting director's view of headshots click here.

For more information on: the right questions to ask the headshot photographer before the shoot click here.

For more information on: 10 things to look for when choosing a headshot photographer click here.

For information on: how much, if all you should have your headshots retouched or altered.

If you haven't already done so, have a look at Peter Hurley's website: www.peterhurley.com

Peter Hurley is one of the leading photographers in New York. His skills are highly sought after and he receives numerous referrals from casting directors and agents alike.

PETER HURLEY PHOTOGRAPHY
601 W 26th St. Suite 1425E
212.627.2210
www.peterhurley.com
www.colorworksnyc.com (for retouching and headshot reproduction)

both divisions of Hurley Productions LLC

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What you’re doing is great Anthony. Whenever I read the things on your site, the interviews and even your book, I feel like if only everybody got to read this before they got started, they would be so much better off and everybody else (casting directors, agents, directors, etc.) would be so much better off too.
Personal Manager, Ingrid French

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Tony,
I want to say you changed my life. I want to be an actress so bad, but i began losing motivation when I couldn't figure out what to do. And then I found you! Thanks to you, I'm taking my first acting classes next month! Yippee!
Sara, Pasadena, CA

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Hi Tony
I would like to thank you for helping me with the monologue question I asked you. I went to the auditions for a Drama course and I am happy to say that I have been accepted as a first-year student at the Tshwane University of Technology. Please keep on sending me those newsletters and let me know where I can find books that will help me in my acting career. Thank you once more. Have a blessed day.
Sincerely
Edward Thaba -South Africa

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Dear Anthony,
Just wanted to thank you for bringing me in to [audition for the video], meet you and chat this Saturday. I was really excited to hear about your working on actingcareerstartup.com and even took a look at it today - it's awesome! You are very well-spoken, knowledgeable and enthusiastic, and it shows through the work that you do! I hope our paths in the industry will cross again and really enjoyed meeting you. Thanks, again and best wishes with your very important work!
Warmly,
Gretchen, NY, NY

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Hey Tony, thanks for the info, yours by far is the most useful, I am 30 years old, and I myself always (secretly) wanted to be an actress, but I never knew where to begin, so thank you. You have given me hope!
Ana C., Tampa, FL