Sweet Chariot Photography
As an actor myself, I looked long and hard for good photographers, and thought a great deal about what what makes a good shoot. Here's my "two cents" and some thoughts for you as you go through the process.
What is a headshot?
You might think that it's silly to even ask this question, but there are often many misconceptions about headshots. The most common comment that I hear from casting directors is that a headshot should look like you. Casting directors are trying to fit you to a particular role, and so if you don't look like your headshot, they probably called you in for the wrong role.
I like to think about headshots as a way of showing the casting director (or whoever you're giving it to) not only what you look like, but what kind of qualities you have and what kind of characters you can play. Ideally, they should give people a sense of who you are. So, when you're hunting for a photographer, look for someone who can handle all the technical basics, and can help bring out your personality.
What should I look for in a headshot photographer?
Isn't that the question? Another way to answer this question is to ask, "what makes a good headshot?" I believe that a good headshot has the following:
- a strong connection to camera, a compelling expression in the eyes
- good lighting, with shadows that bring out your best features
- good composition, so that the viewer is drawn to your face
Now, how do you figure out whether a photographer can do these things? The first thing to do is to check out the photographer's work. Just by looking at the photographer's pictures, you can figure out whether a photographer is technically competent. Look at the expression, shadows and composition. The photographer's book will also tell you how creative he or she is, which may be important to you. But that's only part of the answer. Read on.
Okay, the photographer's portfolio looks great, but how do I know that he or she will take good pictures of me?
I know someone who's a model and has done dozens of professional shoots. Although she had great modelling pictures, she didn't have strong headshots. She researched, visited photographers, looked at their books and asked the advice of friends, agents and managers. Finally, she picked one and spent $550 on the shoot. Out of four rolls, or 144 pictures, she got one or two usable shots.
I have another friend who was pushed by her agent to get new pictures. She asked around, looked at books and finally picked a photographer that cost $600. Her agent didn't like any of his photos, and the photographer refused to do a reshoot.
How does this happen? Well, the honest answer is that a photographer can be like an actor on screen - you don't know if the actor gave a good performance, or whether the actor just had a good editor and director.
The only way to know whether an actor is really good it to know how that actor works on set. The same is true for photographers. When you meet with a photographer, feel free to ask him or her questions about how they see you, what kind of looks they'll try to go for, and how they'll try to work with you.
Here's a great secret: always look at a photographer's proof sheets. They tell you a lot about how a photographer works and his style. For example, I've gotten headshots done with a very expensive photographer. In one of his proof sheets, 32 out of 36 shots are in exactly the same pose, with only minor differences in expression. This photographer was technically excellent, but didn't try to work with me to get the best expression or connection with the lens. He was clicking away, and by taking 32 shots of the same pose, he was playing the odds and betting that one or two would turn out well.
Should I go for studio lighting or natural light?
Many studio photographers will tell you anyone who works with natural light isn't technically competent and doesn't know how to control their light. Others will argue that you shouldn't do outdoor shots because the conditions are bad - you'll squint, it'll be cold, etc.
The truth is, it doesn't matter. There's no guarantee that if you shoot indoor, you'll get better pictures. A good photographer understands the principles of lighting, and can apply the principles in either situation. A studio flash, the sun, and the open sky are all light sources for the photographer that knows how to use them. Granted, it takes a lot of experience to use studio flashes properly, but the same is true for outdoor light.
I think it's a matter of tradeoffs. It is true that outdoor light is more unpredictable and that weather can affect a shoot. At the same time, I've found that for many clients, outdoor is less artificial and more natural. As a result, it can be easier to get a strong connection with the camera.
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