Headshot Photography Los Angeles
Headshot photography in Los Angeles isn’t necessarily better or worse than anywhere else. Wherever you are, it’s essential that you find a photographer in whom you have absolute confidence.
Actor headshots Los Angeles
It’s a fact (in L.A. and everywhere): some people shooting headshots have limited skill sets. Before booking a session ask yourself, is this photographer’s work impressive? Do I feel comfortable talking to this person? (ALWAYS have a preliminary phone call.)
WHAT DO CASTING DIRECTORS LOOK FOR IN A HEADSHOT?
Obviously, they want to see someone who’s a fit for the role they need to cast. If you’re not who they have in mind, so be it. But if your headshot is great, you may come to mind the next time around.
CASTING DIRECTORS WANT TO SEE ACTORS…
…who seem energetic, open, accessible and (potentially) easy to work with. Ideally that’s you, or you wouldn’t be an actor. A great headshot is essential for conveying your appeal at first glance.
headshots are portraits…
…and portraiture is a collaboration between photographer and subject. A good photographer is also a good director!
INGORE ADVICE…
…about “preparing” for a headshot session! It’s nonsense. You don’t have to prepare: the photographer prepares. Show up rested, on time, with clean hair, no makeup and lots of wardrobe. That’s the extent of it. It’s my job to put you at ease — and guide you to your best performance.
Your Best Headshot Performance
By “performance” I don’t mean “acting”. I mean being comfortable and relaxed. This is how you want to be at your session – not observing and/or judging yourself, but simply being present. Again, it’s my job to help you get there. You don’t have to prepare to be at your best.
DON’T PREPARE!
You don’t prepare to have your teeth cleaned. You don’t prepare to get a haircut or a massage. You don’t need to prepare for a photo shoot! Your session is a spontaneous event. You can’t prepare for spontaneity — other than by relaxing.
YOU’RE NOT ALONE…
…if you feel challenged being in front of a still camera. Apprehension is common, even for stars, who get photographed repeatedly. Who’s my character?”, they’ve asked me, “What are my lines? (Joking.) NOT suggesting for a moment that Sir Anthony Hopkins wasn’t completely at ease — or utterly charming!
I’ve photographed many well-known actors…
Some, despite their fame, don’t feel entirely comfortable being photographed. No character, no lines: what to do? I get it — they’re actors, not models. On the other hand, former child star Jane Withers, photographed at the Riverside Museum for Life Magazine with only PART of her vast collection of Hollywood memorabilia, was joyful and energetic from start to finish — and this was a shoot that began in the late afternoon and ended after dawn the following day! Every element in the picture had to be moved from other rooms in the museum to a central location and re-staged for the camera. (Jane helped!)
