We're in a New Year, and for most of us, that means a fresh start, updated goals and...NEW HEADSHOTS! For many of you, it may be your first actor's headshot session ever. As CEO of your acting business, your headshot is the crown jewel of your business inventory. It's your calling card, it tells casting directors and agents how you can fit into their projects or talent rosters, it's your main PR and social media avatar, and if it's well done, it shows that you are a pro in this for the long haul, not just someone taking a half-hearted stab at this as a hobby.
Last year, I wrote a detailed blog about preparing for a headshot, and all of that information remains true. You must prepare for it like an acting gig! When agents and casting directors are looking at your shot, which is sometimes no bigger than a postage stamp on their computer, they're looking at what's behind your eyes, what story are you telling, what secrets are you holding, what does it look like you're preparing to do in the next few seconds? That does not come from a pose and tilting your head a certain way, that comes from your inner monologue–your thoughts that you are conveying to the person on the other side of the camera lens. You are also showing your castability, and that doesn't necessarily mean you at your most glamorous. Are you marketing yourself as Mom, kindly social worker, tech bro, 4-star general? To catch up on all of these essential tips, here's the link to that blog post: https://www.andimathenyactingstudios.com/post/how-to-prepare-for-a-headshot-session
Now, would you like to take it a step further, especially those of you who are ready for the next level?
For my coaching clients that I'm consulting before their sessions, I'm making these suggestions:
YOUR CHARACTER PREPARATION – In my previous blog post, I wrote about the Mantras that you are thinking for each of your characters – or “looks,” as some photographers call them. Go further. Write an entire monologue for that person. If you are focusing on co-star business types, write a monologue about the type of transaction they might be involved in, like a doctor explaining a diagnosis, or a professor giving a lecture. If you are at the point in your career where you're auditioning for guest stars, think of the type of casting in your wheelhouse. The parent who's concerned about their child? The idealistic politician? Again, write this monologue and rehearse it several days before your headshot session. You will not speak it out loud while the camera's clicking, but it should be present in your body, in your eyes. If you're feeling it, so will we.
YOUR PR SHOT – Think of this as your “Hello” shot, showing your natural essence and personality. If you're a bubbly, comedic person, have fun with letting it loose during your shoot. Try wearing a brighter color, and if your photographer has different colored backgrounds, they can play with something that pops. You can also easily change the background color in post. Depending on how you market yourself, this could be your social media profile picture and even your IMDb shot, as well as on your Actors Access and other casting websites. (The photo above is a "Hello" shot that I've used until very recently...)
And if you're not bubbly, that's okay! Are you shy? Moody? Got an axe to grind? Think of who you are rolling out of bed and lean into it. You being the most authentic version of you is your superpower.
YOUR VISION – If you were to star in your own TV show or movie, how do you envision that? How would that translate to one of your looks? You may have already covered this in your character preparation or your PR shot, but this gives you another hook and a strong intention that could result in a great shot.
Like many of you, I am doing this exact preparation for my refresher headshot session coming up soon. If you use these tips and they're helpful for your sessions, feel free to post and tag me. Whether you're auditioning or refining your marketing materials, I am rooting for you to do your best work!
For more tips and inspiration, follow my page on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andi_matheny_acting_studios/
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