It is important to remember that your headshot is the first piece of marketing casting sees, so it needs to do two things:
1 Sell your brand
2. Grab their attention
The first part is up to you, but the second part is up to your photographer, and it is no small feat. Not every photographer knows how to shoot actor headshots. They may be great at nature photography, or even corporate headshots, but neither of those things have anything to do with a great actor headshot.
Just like you wouldn't get heart surgery from a podiatrist, nor should you get headshots from someone who does not specialize in actor headshots. They are probably more expensive, but that is because more people are trying to book with them because they are good at what they do, so the price goes up. They may cost you $500 more than the lady from your hometown who shoots mostly weddings, but they will be worth every penny.
If you have questions about headshots, leave them in the comments below.
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How often do you think an actor needs to get new headshots?
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Very informative note. Thanks a lot
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Suzanne Bronson It changes as you get older (because we change less over time as we get older). A good rule of thumb is if you are in your mid-twenties or later, and nothing else about your appearance has drastically changed, every 3 years or 25lbs in either direction. Whichever comes first. Obviously, different body frames carry weight differently, so use your best judgment, and if you find that you have that change in your appearance, take a good look at them and ask yourself if your headshot looks like the person they get when you walk into the room.
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Completely agree, investing in a specialized headshot photographer can make all the difference in how you’re perceived by casting directors!