Headshots.

There’s a lot of work needed to figure this one out.

Generally, in the early part of your career getting a headshot done is a bit of a nightmare. There aren’t any courses on it. On how to do it.

In fact, the very idea of a course on headshots probably sounds absurd. Certainly not de rigueur. And not discussed at most drama schools.

How to let them see you.

That’s a key idea.

Acting for camera is letting them, us, the camera - see you. Knowing that you’re being seen, but not having dealt with it through practice sessions and analysis of what it is that’s making you nervous, can produce a horrible experience.

It has to be thought of what you want to show the producer. ‘One serious and one smiling’ just isn’t good enough. Too general, too vague and completely misleading. You usually just try and ‘smile’ or ‘be serious.’

Disconnected.

Self-consciousness is the issue here.

Your hyper inner monologue could go like this: ‘Hello, casting, producer, director. You can look at me.’ or ‘Hi there, I know you’re looking at me. That’s fine. I like it. Look as long as you want.’ and ‘Being looked at is part of my job. Letting a camera film me is the work I do.’

Saying phrases like this out loud before the photo shoot is excellent practice and saying it during the shoot is even better.

You have to be on your own breath. You have to have real thoughts going on – thoughts that will produce the picture you want to present.

Through your eyes.

Approach it as you would a scene, rather than a “photo shoot” with all the confusion that’s attached to that idea.

Act your shots. That’s what you’re good at.

If you’re starting with a new agent they invariably ask you to get new headshots and have the authority to choose which ones you use. That’s both an asset and a liability.

The best headshot photographers in the city are skilled. No question. But often, they don’t follow the simple rule of taking a photo so it - looks like you.

That’s a minimum.

They often make you look like a movie star. Why? Is that fulfilling some civilian idea you might have of what the movie business is and your place in it? Or the photographer’s idea of giving good value for the money.

It’s just not suitable.

Let movie stars take movie star photos.

A headshot doesn’t mean you should look gorgeous, attractive, handsome, exciting because we need everyone in the movies not just actors who look like that.

If you’re an actor who has a natural demeanor and look then why wear heavy makeup and a low-cut top with a push-up bra? I see actors come into class who cannot play the types that their headshots represent. They can’t support the look of the picture.

It’ll be misleading for agents, casting and directors.

The cost of the photo shoot is another real pressure.

Your headshot is important, yes, but it isn’t the be-all and the end-all.

When asked about your headshots you might be saying, what many actors say, ‘I hate my headshots.’ That’s not a professional comment about your work.

See if you can figure out how to take headshots, so you say, ‘I like my headshots.