Ymaphoto Toronto | Ways to prepare for your actor headshots session
How to prepare for your headshots session/photoshoot?
As a Toronto headshots photographer I am always striving to push the bar higher and higher. Expression sells the image and sells you to casting directors. A headshot that is technically perfect but has a dead expression is no good. Casting is intersted in your emotion; not in perfect lighting or how amazing your photographer’s skills’. THAT SAID - it is very important that you are captured in perfect lighting and having a photographer with top notch skills. What I am saying is that technical are only 10% of the battle and your expression is the other 90%. Which is why step one to prepare for your headshots is to:
1-Schedule a consultation with your photographer!
Why? Very simple.
We are all emotional beings and energy is important. You can go to a hair stylist whom you don’t like but as long as you sit still you’ll get a style you like. NOT the case with getting your headshots. You must be able to connect with your photographer and be on the same energy level. A consultation helps you figure that out and decide if you’re both a good fit to work with each other.
Michael Caruana
Acting coach - Bongo Productions - Humber College - George Brown College - Second City
2-Knowing what your brand is as an actor will help you nail the headshot you need to get into rooms you want to get into.
In the meeting we will discuss things like your character type, mood of the headshot…etc. Many headshot photographers use flat lighting for their headshots, others tend to use a little bit of a shadow to give the face 3 dimension feel. Discuss that with the photographer and make sure you’re both on the same page!
Kathy Rupcic
Toronto Actor - Agent: Stephanie Porter - The Porter Group Talent Agency
3-You are the focus of the headshot
We want you to be the most eye drawing element of the image (not the background, clothes or makeup).Clothes: Bring 5-7 tops/outfits that are of mid tone colors. Stay away from crazy colors, patterns..etc. If you wear glasses, make sure we shoot some with them and some without. Bring your shirts to the consultation meeting so we can see them prior to the shoot!
Adam Daniel Mezei
Toronto Actor - Agent: Marla Mann - Marla Mann Agency
4-Makeup and Hair: Makeup and hair in actor headshots
Yana Pridina
Toronto Actor - Agent: Melissa Rock - Film Comm Talent
Makeup and Hair: Makeup and hair in actor headshots is supposed to enhance your look but not take away the attention from you. It is a very common mistake to show up for headshots with heavy makeup. In your acting headshot, you want to look like yourself on your best day. Actor headshots are supposed to get you in the casting room, They are not supposed to look extra glamorous!
5-Retouching
Images will be retouched to produce a polished and a professional look as the headshot is meant to present you on your best day. Retouching is done in a natural way that makes you look like you do in real life. We’ll retouch out things that are not permanent on your face, however we do not retouch permanent facial traits since they are part of you!
Katherine Stella Duncan
Toronto Actor - Agent: Lisa Meuser - The Meus Agency
