The headshot is your calling card, and one of the most important investments an actor makes. It’s that little JPEG that jumps off the screen on a casting director’s computer when they are deciding whether to bring you in. It’s that professional, high-quality color 8×10 that shows your personality, and can hopefully get you in the door for that big role. It’s all about this first impression, and if you want to be a professional actor, you must have a killer headshot.
Mark Bennington, a New York–based headshot photographer, says, “It begins with an actor coming to the table knowing what they look like and how others see them…. Developing this connection with your inner and outer self is huge.”
So what makes a great headshot?
Framing, Lighting, and BackgroundIn general, a successful headshot is framed chest-up with good lighting on your face. Three-quarter shots are good for print, and extreme close-ups are good for, well…nothing. For a headshot, you should look directly into the camera, and the focus should be on the center of your eyes, not your left ear or your shirt collar. No peace signs, weird facial hair, or the infamous “hand on face” pose. The
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