7 Things You Want Out of Your Headshot Photographer

Not every photographer can or should shoot acting headshots. Just because you have a friend who is a good wedding photographer or a friend who has a camera and is willing to take your headshots for free it does not mean that they have a clue about what goes into a headshot photo session with an actor. There are so many things that a photographer needs to understand about headshots for actors and those without that understanding should immediately be disqualified from the business.

Below are the top 7 things you are going to want to look for in an acting headshot photographer in Los Angeles or any city anywhere in the world. If your photographer does not have the following down to a T, then they are just a technically trained photographer who is flirting around with the art of acting headshot photography.

1. An Ability To Know What Character Looks Will Work Best For You

An acting headshot photographer needs to be able to know just by looking at your social media accounts what type of character range they can pull out of you. They will know how to help guide you into achieving these variations. In most cases this involves helping the you plan ahead. The photographer will tell you what appropriate clothing you should bring to the headshot session to accomplish this look and they definitely need to know which clothing styles you should avoid.

Your headshot photographer would know how to assess this because of the amount of actors they work with and the consistent character themes certain looks are regularly being sent out for. The more actors a photographer works with the more likely they are to hear about the different look-types agents are requesting. For example, “the girl next store,” "the edgy millennial,” “the heartthrob,” “the young mom.” If they don’t know exactly what these descriptions mean, then they probably shouldn’t be taking your headshots.

2. A Good Understanding Of Colors

The headshot photographer needs to have an understanding of skin tones. What colors complement which skin tones? Which outfit colors clash with skin color? Also which backdrops make certain skin types pop? Which make the talent look flat and stale? For example, pale skin type people should never wear black. Why? Because it will make their skin washed out and look even more pale. Bright colors pop on darker skin tones, so colors on black people should be more encouraged. Color shirts that match the persons eye color will bring out their eyes. Never have an actor wear clothes that match their skin color. These are essential things a photographer should know before your session.

Your photographer needs to be able to understand color temperature. For example, the warmth of an image vs the coldness of an image and for which look, a commercial or theatrical, it applies to. If they don’t know what a commercial look is vs a theatrical look, then that’s already a problem.

3. Knowledge Of Hair

A good acting headshot photographer needs to understand all of the different types of hair textures. This ranges from flat thin hair, to dense natural afro hair, to bouncy waves. This is especially important when hair needs some major polishing on set or in post and they need to know how to preserve the integrity of the character the actor is trying to portray.

They need to know how to showcase the different ranges in looks an actor can pull off with subtle hair changes.

Certain hairstyles can make an actor look older or younger and that may be beneficial depending on what type of look the actor is going for. If they don’t know how to assess that just by looking at them, then it’s going to be limiting for the actor or the actor will feel directionless.

4. An Understanding Of Skin Texture

The headshot photographer needs to understand skin texture. They need to know the balance between over-retouching an actors image vs cleaning it up so it looks professional while still looking like them. This is important for the actor when they show up to a casting and hand their headshot to the casting director.

You are supposed to look like yourself in your headshot. Not an airbrushed, photoshopped model. A photographer should never let you take control over the retouching process with your headshots unless they don’t believe you’ll actually use them for what they were intended for.

5. Lighting Skills

Your photographer needs to understand how to light an actor so that they pop out in their photograph. This is usually apparent by examining an actors eyes in their headshots- what we photographers call the “catch light.” A good headshot photographer is able to make it appear as if it was shot in front of a giant window pane, with light illuminating their face equally, and with their eyes glistening. They should know how to avoid any light from behind or around the actor that interferes or distracts the viewer from focusing on the actors face.

6. Good Communication Skills

Your headshot photographer should understand how to communicate and interact with actors. Headshots are awkward. Having a camera pointed directly at your face is pretty invasive and can make people feel insecure. To me it’s an incredibly vulnerable moment for my clients and it takes a really talented photographer to be able to make the subject feel comfortable, loose, and to actually enjoy this experience. So your photographer needs to know different exercises, techniques, and a certain level of psychology. This will allow the actor to open up and be set free of insecurities so that they can get one of the best shots that will open up many doors for them.

7. Guidance And Movement

It is important for your headshots photographer to be able to direct and guide your movements in front of the camera. A good headshot photographer knows how to capture a real candid laugh, but also ensure that your head is not too thrown back where the viewer can see the back of your throat or up your nose. They should be able to position you so that when you laugh you’re not causing a double chin or anything unflattering.

They will work with you on how to deliver great theatrical expressions, and hand positions so that you are channeling in emotions that will enhance your headshot. They will never leave you to feel uncertain about what you are doing and will definitely not make you feel like you look stupid for trying different poses or movements. The photographer can take a look at your face and body and already anticipate which poses and movements will be the most flattering for your body type.

These are just some of the qualifying factors your headshot photographer should have when you are working with them. Most people might assume that just because a photographer has a portrait studio and can technically take photos of your face that it makes them qualified to take acting headshots, but as you can see the art of acting headshot photography is far more complicated and rigorous than many might expect.

Join our new Facebook group, “Actors Social Media Marketing & Branding Mastermind” that helps actors turn their careers into a thriving business.

Brandon Andre - Headshots Photographer in Los Angeles

If you are in need of headshots in Los Angeles or professional headshots in Phoenix area, please contact me to set up a photo session. I am 5 star rated and considered one of the best headshot photographers in town. If you want more information on pricing and how to book a session with me click HERE.