Marketing Tips for Actors- Getting a Great Headshot!

what makes a great headshot?
This is the easiest thing in the world, but most actors get it wrong. The photographers get it wrong and ironically, many headshot photographers work especially with the actors get it wrong.

What's the secret?
Nothing. Doing nothing. All you have to do is be yourself in front of the camera. Easy. Yet, very difficult for most participants who are incredibly shy when it comes to themselves. If they can not focus on what other character, something we all spend years learning to do as actors, then there is confusion, uncertainty, fear and tension that makes for a lousy headshot. Adding to that the frustration of most photographers I've met or worked with who do not know how to get the actor to relax. So they say things like, "Relax, relax, be quiet, stop biting your lips and squinting your eyes!" or "Relax your forehead, there are lines and wrinkles where you are frowning, lower your shoulders, breathe!" The list goes dalje.Rezultat? actor gets more self-conscious, upset, more nervous and more tense. It is a spiral.
What to do?

Five Simple Steps to a great Headshot

1 - Choose a photographer you feel comfortable with is not "trendy" hot type in which each actor is going. ("Oh, if only I HEAD shot from the top of this type would be successful, too!") No, not exactly.

2 - go through the "tip" and a series-type roles that would be cast out and play before you decide on a cabinet. There is nothing worse than generally headshot, one with an actor dressed in a white shirt or a boring black sweater with a fake smile. Know your role. Doctor, Lawyer, Businessman, Teacher, Mom, Dad? To dress or signal. Wear your favorite colors-solids are generally better than prints. Another mistake? Actress wears too much jewlery, make-up or choosing outfits that are more suitable for a disco, beach party, baseball game or just hanging at the bar. This is fine if that's what sells as its brand. If not, the casting directors are confused about how you throw it or call for the role, so you do not! (Get advice from a career coach if you do not know its type or what to wear).

3 - Explain the thorough make-up artist and hair stylist exactly what it looks like every day. Too often, the stylist will do your hair the way you see not how you normally look so that you end up with photos that do not accurately represent you. This is especially true for women, but can be applied to people with longer hair that can be changed with a mousse, spray, curling iron. For women with curly hair, if that does not seem to straighten your hair just for a headshot unless you want to do everyday of your life now. Casting directors want to see how true that there "may be".

4 - Bring a CD or over the music they love. Create your own "space" and place in a studio. Bring the water or your favorite juice, snack, food. Bring your favorite photos of your pets, children, families or partners, so they are thinking about positive images and memories. Focus on just being nice.
Then, take half an hour or even 15 minutes to sit quietly and just be-yourself. Do not come late and rush to shoot with a stylist discomfort, dress, photographer clicking, lights flashing. Anything that creates tension. Relax before you sit in a chair or stool on which you will be photographed.

In my experience with more than a dozen of the best headshot photographers for many years, the best footage I have ever received were taken by a photographer who was part of a husband / wife team. He greeted you at the door and offered refreshments brought you to a quiet dressing room where you can unwind with soothing music. She sat and talked / laughed with you for a full half hour before you hear the click of her camera and saw a flash of light. Of course I knew the lights were skilled in the art of photography, but their success as a team is understanding the psychology of relaxation and harmony for the actor / client. Brilliant!

5 - Use your acting "technique", while you're being photographed. Think Fun thoughts (your subtext or internal monologue). Talk about your life. Telling the story of your family or traveling. Some relaxation of just talking show on your face. It's like you. Talk, tell the story, and then let it go. Sit still and "shine" in memory or laughter. Then, give the photographer something to burn. VI. Your energy. Your joy življenja.Radost to you.

And that makes a great headshot!

Successful Marketing!

Gwyn