How to Get Great Headshots

Guidelines for Using This Information

Feel free to use these materials for your personal use only. You cannot use these materials in a class, seminar or other public forum without Mark’s written permission. All materials are copy-written. Contact us HERE if you have any questions.

How to Find a Great Photographer

Here’s our list of Los Angeles’ most talented headshot photographers

RECOMMENDED HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHERS

(In no particular order – please check each website for current rates)

Mark Atteberry – idyllicphotography.com
Brad Buckman – bradbuckman.com
Laura Burke – lauraburkephotography.com
Marc Cartwright – marccartwrightheadshots.com
Jeremy David – https://jeremydavidcreative.com
Jackson Davis – jacksondavisphotography.com
Joanna DeGeneres – joannadegeneres.com
Cathryn Farnsworth – cathrynfarnsworthheadshots.com
Stephanie Girard – stephgirardheadshots.com
Don Hannah – donhannah.com
Huebner Headshots – huebnerheadshots.com
Michael Hiller – michaelhiller.com
Photos by Jamaal – photosbyjamaal.com
Chris Jon – chrisjonphotography.com
Matt Kallish – mattkallish.com
Robert Kazandjian – kazphoto.com
Sage Kirkpatrick – fresh-look-headshots.webnode.com
Peter Konerko – http://peterkonerko.com
Holly Lynch – http://hollylynchphoto.com
Jonny Marlow – marlowphotography.com
David Muller – davidmullerphotography.com
Molly Pan – mollypanphoto.com
Brian Parillo – brianparillophotography.com
Vaine Poyey – poyeyphotos.com
James Pratt – actorschoicephotography.com
Cameron Radice – radicephotography.com
James Reese – jamesreesephotography.com
Elaine Reid – elainereid.com
Michael Roud – michaelroud.com
Emily Sandifer – sandifer56268.cmdwebsites.com
Brandin Shaeffer – brandinphotography.com
Jessica Sherman – jessicashermanphotography.com
Paul Smith – paulsmithphotography.com
Matt Stasi – stasiphotography.com
Jade-Lorna Sullivan – snapsbysullivan.com
Tandem Photo – photosbytandem.com
Maria Tornberg – tornbergheadshots.com
Bob Turton – bobturtonphotography.com
Chris Violette – chrisviolettephoto.com
Shandon Youngclaus – shandonphotography.com
Jeff Xander – xanderphotography.com

HOW TO PICK A GREAT PHOTOGRAPHER

Of coursse you want to find a photographer who lights and composes beautiful shots but you also need someone who knows how to capture an actors personality! That means find someone you completely gel with who is talented in the art of headshots (see the list above for ideas). You need to be comfortable being yourself so you need a photographer who encourages that, not discourages it! You need someone that will have FUN with you and visa versa. Go to their studio, check out their work, ask them questions about how they see you and how will they would shoot you. See if it feels right and if they address who you are. If you;ve taken a seminar or class with Mark show your paperwork from the class to the photographer. See if they agree. Ask them how they will capture your essences, your personality and your unique qualities. But, please make sure you meet with them before you shoot or leave a deposit. It’s a huge mistake when actors don’t meet with a photographer first.

PREPARING FOR A SHOOT

Headshots are all about casting. That means you need to get shots that address three things: 1) what’s your look 2) what’s your personality and 3) can you act. What’s your look means how you physically cast? Rule #1 in headshots is you have to look the way you do in your shots as you do in person. What’s your look is primarily the responsibility of the photographer but you do need to make sure you dress appropriately and your makeup and hair is done the way you normally do it. What’s your personality and can you act is primarily your responsibility. You need to be relaxed and have fun! That is the key to being “you” and showing us who you really are. Our best pictures are usually the ones we shoot with friends when we are messing around, having a great time. That is the feeling you should try to capture in your headshot session. So, come prepared to have fun!

Can you act means can you have something going on in your head, behind your eyes, and let the camera capture that moment in a shot. They key is to come prepared to act. Come with appropriate dialogue, a monologue or even some personal stories. Think about your types and bring thoughts and ideas that address those types. For great ideas on dialogue see the info below this.

Finally, avoid drinking alcohol or doing drugs the night before. The dehydration will definitely be noticeable through the lens, believe me! Make sure you get plenty of rest and, as stated above, come prepared to have FUN!! Nothing sells a headshot better than a person who is relaxed and having a blast!!! It makes you, what casting directors call, “like-able!”

WHAT SHOULD YOU WEAR?

Great agents usually define “looks” (or wardrobe changes) in these three basic ways: 1) Professional, 2) Casual and 3) Casual Nice. Professional is usually a nice suit or professional looking button down shirt (whichever is more appropriate for you). Think of an outfit that makes you look successful but not out of your age range. Casual is just that, it’s casual. It’s anything from a tee-shirt to a hoodie to a jeans jacket to a leather jacket to a casual layered look, etc. Again, think what most expresses “you.” Casual Nice is best described as every Olive Garden commercial you’ve seen. It is not overdressed or under-dressed, but what you’d wear if you went out with friends or family to a decent, but not fancy, restaurant. It usually entails a nice layered look, a sweater, a button down over a nice tee or camisole, etc. Bring to your session a couple of options for each of those three looks. When you shoot, the plan is to get both theatrical and commercial shots for each of those three looks, as well as all of your types in each.

Stick with simple clothing. Texture is great on camera but stay away from big patterns or stripes or florescent colors. And avoid whites if you can (although a white button-down under a suit, cardigan, etc. is fine). Just remember, you want all the attention to go to your eyes, not to the logo on your shirt, the brightness of your clothes, etc. The same is true for jewelry. Little and subtle is fine but anything distracting will ruin it for you. Now that online casting is the norm and casting directors look mostly at 1 1/4” tall thumbnails to cast, the standard shot is chest up. As a result, clothing is not nearly as important as it used to be. The neckline is what matters most.

Remember, great shots are all about your eyes. Pick a color that helps bring them out. A wonderful little secret to finding the best color for your eyes is to look at the iris (the colored part) in your eyeball. The color that is on the outside ring of your iris is almost always the best color to wear for your eyes.

Jewel tones are always best on camera (especially if they match the outside color of your eyes). A jewel tone is the rich, deep color of jewels (emerald, jade, garnet, sapphire, etc.). Basically it is the darker shades of red, blue, green, purple, brown and even black. Pick the colors that work best with your eyes, skin tone and hair.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

Most guys won’t need it (unless you are oily all the time, then you’ll need a good blot powder). Most women and non-gender do. Because some photographers shoot natural light, your makeup will look mostly like it does in person. For studio lighting it’s best to go slightly heavier. But, for the most part, do your makeup as you would if you were going on an audition. Remember, Rule #1 in headshots is you have to look the way you do in your shots as you do in person. If you have any concern about doing your own makeup for camera, please get a professional makeup artist.

If you choose to do your own makeup, the only real concern is mineral makeup. They DON’T look good on digital or film. They are fine in person but on camera they enhance your flaws thanks to the sparkly minerals they contain. So avoid makeup lines like “Bare Essentials.” If you must use a mineral line (or if you are a guy who is shiny all the time) get a decent blot powder of some kind to keep the shine down. Mac makes a very nice, camera friendly, affordable line of blot powders. Just go to any Mac counter and ask for one that matches your skin tone (you too, oily guys!). Or if you want to upscale, Bobbi Brown makes fantastic blot powders.

** GET PROFESSIONAL HELP AND ADVICE!!

Because headshots are so very important in an actors career, particularly to those just getting into the business, it is crucial that you know exactly what you’re doing before you shoot a headshot session. Mark Atteberry was voted “Best Headshot Photographer in Los Angeles” by Backstage Magazine some years ago and is considered one of the top authorities on this particular topic. We highly advise that you take a private session with Mark before you shoot your headshots. We can’t stress this enough! The information you’ll get from a simple one hour session with Mark will guarantee your headshots will be far superior than most actors and any you’ve ever had in the past. For more information check out our consultations HERE!

Some Tips for Getting Amazing Headshots

The inside track on getting the best headshots possible

SAMPLE LINES OF DIALOGUE FOR A PHOTO SHOOT

*Feel free to alter these to make them more real for you. You can download a copy of this HERE.

All-American (Boy/Girl Next Door) – “I love the smell of a soft rain on a warm September night’.” “I don’t care what anyone else says, I think life is great.” “My Mom is my best friend.” “Look at the beautiful sunset.”

Artist – “True acting comes from the soul.” “Every time I hear… (pick the most emotional song you know) a tear comes to my eye.” “The most profound book I ever read was…”

Athlete – “Work it, work it, work it… push for the burn.” “Dedication is a daily effort.” “Nothing beats an early run in the park.” “Sweat is good!”

Bad Boy/Girl – “You gonna’ eat that or what?” “ I can make you beg if you want.” “You looking at me? I knew you were.”

Best Friend – “I love my friends, each and every one.” “Oh look, a puppy!” “Let me carry that for you.” “How much do you think I paid for this Dolce Gabana, shirt? Ten dollars, thank you very much.”

Boss (Leader) – “Next time we have this talk, you’ll be looking for another job.” “Work is 90% perspiration and 10% inspiration.” “The last company I worked for netted me a three figures income, this one I’ll own.”

Business Person (Lawyer) – “Is that the best you got? Let me show you how a real pro sells.” “Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, there’s only one thing missing in this case… a crime.” “One more sale like this and I can retire early.”

Comic Relief – “You call that a fart?” “Hey look, I look like Oprah on acid.” “I met my significant other at a flu vaccination clinic.” “A horse walks into a bar… the bartender says, ‘Hey, why the long face?’ Get it!”

Dad/Mom – “I love my kids.” “Now how many times do I have to tell you not to paint the cat with cranberry sauce?” “Mommy/Daddy’s on the phone…” “Let’s take the kids to Disneyland.” “Another cookie? Alright.”

Hero (Leading Man/Woman) – “I’ll get your cat out of the tree, ma’am.” “It’s the ones who perseveres that take the prize… and I will persevere.” “My recommendation to you is… don’t mess with me.” “Another crisis… bring it on!”

Ingénue – “Can you believe Brad actually broke up with Jennifer?” “And when I wasn’t looking he put a gorgeous ring on my plate.” “When I listen to the ocean I can hear the sound of his voice.”

Intellect (Scientist/Doctor) – “Overreaction is the most visceral of reactions, which is why don’t do it.” “This is a disease that can be cured.” “Intellect has power but lacks personality.” “I did my residency in only one and a half years.”

Law Enforcement (Military) – “Put your hands where I can see them and step away from the car.” “I believe it is my duty to stand for my country.” “This silence is just a calm before the storm. Stay on your guard.”

Psychotic – “You ever had the color red talk to you? I have.” “Why do you ask so many questions about my motives?” “Nothing gets me more than the touch of steel against my neck.” “I hear the dead.”

Regular Guy/Girl – “Life is good, very good.” “Nothing beats a late night ride in an old Chevy pickup on a hot summer’s night.” “Meat, potatoes and big glass of lemonade… now that’s what I call living.”

Seductress (Heartthrob) – “Can I buy you a drink? I never sip alone.” “I would come over, but I don’t know if my husband/wife would appreciate it. Oh, why not.” “Well, aren’t you just the prettiest looking flame in the fire.”

Slacker – “Eight hours of Gilligan’s Island on DVD, Fritos with bean dip and no where to be all day… heaven!” “What, spend my hard earned money on laundry detergent, are you out of your mind?” “Did anybody see my toothpaste… oh well.”

Thug – “You got something to say to me, punk.” “I suggest you walk away… now!” “Don’t even think about trying it.” Victim – “He’d never do that, he’s my best friend.” “Please don’t stare at me like that.” “I’m safe, right?” “Why does this
always happen to me.”

Villain – “Last time someone said that, they never spoke again.” “I have only one reason left to live, that’s to see you squirm.” “Your only hope is me… and that’s just pathetic” “They messed with me first and for that I’ll see them, in hell.”