First impressions mean a lot, and a striking headshot is vital in grabbing immediate attention.  A great headshot will open doors, and is one of the most important tools a performer can invest in. For a performer, your headshot is your first, and often only, impression on potential employers. Unprofessional, blurry headshots with poor lighting mean you could miss out on an audition.

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No matter how great a performer you are, you need to be able to make a visual impact before you can wow everyone with your skills. Your headshot needs to make them say, we need this person to come in. Similarly, your headshot is the first impression for the performing arts schools to which you are auditioning.

 

You may not judge a book by its cover, but you will certainly be judged by your headshot. In acting, an impressive resume is a distant second compared to an impressive headshot. It’s basic psychological behaviour that we respond much more strongly to visual stimuli than to words on a paper.

 

As a performer, how can one picture possibly capture all that you have to offer? Therein lies the great challenge of the headshot: capturing the shades and distinctions of you as a performer in one image.  All this whilst making sure your headshot looks like you! That may seem like an obvious thought, but this is a common complaint among casting directors. A good headshot gives an accurate sense of who you are as a performer and the characters you might play. 

 

A headshot, however, is not just a picture of your face. There is a lot of thought put into how your face will come across as powerful for the viewer.  There is specific lighting to the placement of your head in a way that you catch the good side of your face in all its glory. You may have access to a great phone camera, or a friend who owns a very good DSLR and can make you look good, but that is not the material a casting director is looking for.

 

You don’t have to break the bank to get a great headshot. However, you don’t want to cut corners either. Remember, your headshot is a direct reflection on you and your professionalism, so it’s worth investing in. The cost of your headshots should not be your first or main consideration. You should be sure of getting proper value for your money. If you are interested in getting work as an actor, singer, or dancer (or anyone else in the arts for that matter), invest in good, professional quality headshots. Doing it yourself could derail your career.

 

Get in touch to learn more and to view my headshot packages (student discounts apply). 

 

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Sources:

https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/headshots-everything-need-know-5052/#section17

https://eyemediastudios.co.uk/headshots/why-a-great-actor-headshot-is-the-most-important-tool-for-you/

https://peakactingstudios.com/blog/240-are-professional-actor-headshots-important.html