Taking Professional Headshots — The Casting Directors first Impression of the Talent is on you.
The Why, How, and What, of Offering Headshot Photography Services
- Why do Performers get Headshots?
- How to Produce Professional Heashots.
- What it takes to find and get referrals from Clients?
A Headshot is a style of photography that lives inside of Retail Photography.
Pricing varies, depending on area… but if you google Headshot pricing you’ll get these results.
A Headshot is a 8 x 10 inch image, of a recent and clear representation of how a performer's authentically looks. The image desired should be discussed and the style should be agreed upon before you begin. Different types or styles of headshots include, commercial, theatrical, soap, and portrait. More recently today portrait headshots are becoming more popular over-all because they also show off the talents body type. But elements of the commercial, theatrical & soap headshots, can be applied to the portrait style photographs your client is after.
Why do Performers get headshots?
A headshot is a marketing tool. It is the first impression Casting Directors, and Producers get of a performer.
The Headshot should express the Authentic Self of the Performer.
Probably a good idea to have this conversation with your client before the shoot happens. (pinterest.com is a great way to start/have this conversation)
It’s important to stand out but also that you look like you. So be your unique self to the extreme! — Don’t let the casting director look up from your Headshot and not see you in the photo they are holding. Sell your authentic self.
The desired headshot could be for commercial intent, which includes a smile that expressed your warmth and enthusiasm.
Directing your Model: Direct your client to repeat over and over in their mind…
Hi… this is all me, and I’m confident you know I’m already perfect for the part.
The desired Headshot could be for stage & theatrical performance, which includes theater, TV, and cinema.
Directing your Model: It’s best to direct your client to just be as they are. Work to direct them to a nice and relaxed state of mind. Casting Directors and Talent Agents are often looking for “aliveness & intelligence, especially from the eyes.”
Hi… this is me, just relaxed and as is. I’m comfortable and can’t wait to express myself.
The desired Headshot could be for Soap Operas. If your client is attractive, sexy, somewhat glamorous, or romantic looking (or could be), it’s not a bad thing to encourage them to promote themselves more specifically as such. Talent who look this part, tend to already want the role. So make sure you bring it up, if you see the possibility.
Directing your Model: Encourage your clients glamorous and sensual side.
Hi… my life is sex, drama, and me me me me me.
Performers get headshots for self promotion, and it’s partly the photographer's job to help them find their authentic self and aim their headshot at the type of gig ultimately desired by the artiest.
Sharing examples with clients can help them get started at finding their headshot style, and most importantly what they feel with best express their authentic self, can start with streaming through photo galleries.
Here is screen capture of some Pinterest Boards set up by Elle Aime Photography.
Using a Pinterest as a tool for planning projects is a revolution and something you can feel good about learning how to do. Because it will truly serve your business.
How to provide your Client with a professional headshot, that meets the Technical Standards expected by Casting Directors and Talent Agencies.
As the professional you’re responsible for the correct lighting set up’s, and using the professional equipment in the way it’s designed by the maker for best results.
Using professional equipment so it produce the expected technical results it’s capable of producing requires lots of reading and experimentation, which ultimately is learned overtime as you practice.
Photography has come a long way over time. One particular thing about photography that’s been carried along over time is the technical language used when working with equipment.
Some of those basic things are relevant to all cameras include, ISO, F-stop, aperture, & white balance.
Technology has improved things in many ways, but it’s also normalized and standardized some of the technical skills applied to the creative/technical process of every photoshoot. That being said, the industry has a diverse array of professional products and it’s important that you master the piece of gear you choose (practice from the manual) while you practice your skills and expand your professional capabilities.
How well you Know your equipment will be revealed in your final product. From the details of the skin color, to the vibrancy of the eyes, if you don’t capture the details in the studio, you end up painting them in with photoshop and it just isn’t the same as something produced by a photographer who’s studied best practices for their personal equipment and knows how to work in balance with the constrains of doing things the right way, for the highest results possible, even when working in the category of headshots, where photos are printed on something the size of a piece of paper. The technical knowledge of the photographer will still shine or shine-ish through.
Types of Headshots
- commercial headshot
- your theatrical or “legit” headshot
- The Soap or Circus/Character headshot
- The portrait Style headshot
As the Photographer you are fully responsible for the technical part of the process. So have your lighting setup planned out before the shoot and have second options in the back of your mind and ready to go. This way the time you scheduled to the client is spend present with the client fully, attending to all their needs and really listening to where they are at so you can be flexible and direct toward the finished product you both desire.
What to do, so potential clients can find you and later recommends your service?
We’re in this together!
Things to bring to your clients attention before getting started.
Guiding your client as needed should be non invasive, and legitimizing you as a technically capable creative professional. If it doesn’t you won’t get any recommendations. The more compassionate, personal, and supportive you can be, the more clients referrals will be sent your way.
Your potential clients are looking for you… if…
- make them comfortable during the shoot. (bit of food goes a long way)
- you are calm and collected letting the client relax (set up is done and you’re ready to go when they arrive)
- plan an enjoyable shoot experience (we like referrals)
- good collaboration, avoid giving orders, & ask question (How to get the authentic self out of the client)
- available schedule with clear time constraints. (most clients want to do this now!!! so have your studio ready)
- rates change constantly, and working with talented people means it’s better to get secure the contract and expand your portfolio then not schedule at all. (pricing should be fair and negotiable)
