For me personally, I don't like to underrate the work that goes into a headshot from both behind and in front of the camera. Being both an actor and photographer, I am ever-so-aware of the responsibilities of both parties. I will live up to my end of the bargain. If you live up to yours, you have nothing to worry about in getting your best headshots ever. There's no pressure. Having your headshots taken is like film acting.  Remember, less is better. Just be sure your inner life is active...and alive! See the "Before the Shoot" page for more information on how you should prepare yourself, physically and mentally.

As much as I don't want to get too long-winded and bore you, as a photographer and actor, I truly believe it is necessary to work by principles. I like to call them the Three Commandments of Headshots. Break any one of them and you will have committed a mortal headshots sin!

KNOW THYSELF - Sure, this is an ongoing lifetime task for all of us, being that we are and should be continually changing.  For what we are concerned with here, the objective is to know who you are...and more importantly, know your type.  If your personality is diverse,  which most actors are, you need to be aware of all the facets of your personality.  Remember, in film and television, you are chiefly selling your true, natural self.  Again, the idea is to stretch yourself to the limits, because the more you know about yourself, the more characters you can potentially play, and the more roles you will be considered for.  Get feedback from industry contacts. A great resource is going to meet 'n greets and getting feedback from agents and casting directors, whose first impression of you will say a lot about your type. If you already have an agent, they are definitely going to have a say in your headshots!

Just remember, you must take into consideration your physical appearance, which fortunately, is not so "typed" as it was in the past.  Physically speaking, it is good to have more than one headshot that shows your age range. If you are blessed like some people who only need to change their hair, clothing and makeup to add or take away ten years, you should definitely have a headshot for each look. Ahh...this brings up the Second Commandment of Headshots...

KNOW THY RANGE - Alright...so now that you know who you are and your type (Congratulations!), it's important that your headshot(s) truly convey your age range.

If your age range and look is wide, consider having multiple headshots. You should know by now, that every audition posting is going to list the age range of each role. And especially if you are a character actor, you may want to have several headshots conveying your range of playable characters. For example, you might have a "clean-cut" headshot as well as a "scruffy" headshot. If you know the role you are submitting to (and you should!), this can be a valuable tool.

KNOW THY FIELD - It should be clear to you that you want to act or already are an actor (I certainly hope so!).  Yet, have you asked yourself what areas of the acting field interest you?  If not, you need to do so before getting your headshots taken.  Acting can generally be broken down into film, television, theatre and commercial work (aside from other avenues such as voiceover work, in which case, your voiceover reel is your calling card).  As far as headshots go, you need a specific look fitting for each area. 

For instance, in theatre, the work between actors and the director is more intimate and usually goes on for longer durations of time (longer rehearsals).  Therefore, it is important that your headshot convey the message, "I could see myself getting along with and working with this person".  I cannot tell you how many times I have heard theatre artistic directors say they look for a pleasant, personable quality in headshots.  At theatres - most of the time - you will be auditioning for an entire season of plays or a single play with a variety of open roles.  This is why suggesting a specific character in your theatrical headshot can hurt you more so than help you.  By using a headshot that shows your authentic self, you are leaving yourself more open for casting opportunities within the theatre's repertory. 

Commercial work also has its peculiarities.  99% of the time, commercials aim to make their viewers feel good.  Therefore, it makes sense that your commercial headshot should not give anything other than "feel good" vibrations.  It should really capture your energy. The important thing to remember is that your "general" commercial headshot should give a good, positive feeling. It's also good to show some teeth!

I hope this clears up why it's important to know what acting fields you are or will be pursuing before you get your headshots.  It will save you a lot of time in the long run. If you are thinking about doing commercial work in addition to theatre, film and television, you should definitely have at least two headshots. And guess what? I won't give you any less for the packages that I offer.

By now, I hope you understand that it's truly the responsibility of both you and me in creating the perfect headshot.  As far as you should be concerned, most of your responsibility is in determining your type and range, getting physically and mentally prepared ahead of time, as well as picking out some great outfits that express who you are. My responsibility is to make you feel at ease, and in bringing any "headshot issues" to your awareness, keeping them in mind for myself while I am behind the camera. And of course it's my responsibility to bring the aesthetic and artistic qualities to the headshot - everything that my photographic schooling has trained me to look for and to interweave in all my photos.