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A good headshot is intended to market a person "as they are" (you should look your age, for example), but in as positive light as possible, accentuating the subject's best qualities.
A good headshot will provide the viewer with a glimpse into the person's character, or show their potential for a particular role a casting director is looking to fill.
Some photographer may claim that their headshots will get you work, but this isn't entirely true. A good headshots can help you get your foot in the door and called in for an audition, but it won't get you hired if you can't follow it up with your acting chops.
A headshot is almost 100% of the time the absolute only thing a casting director has to judge you by. And if your headshot isn't good and grab their attention in about 1/2 of a second, you'll get passed over without a second chance or a second thought.
A good headshot will focus on the subject and only include what is necessary in the photo to show a casting director that you have potential for a part. Nothing in the photo (jewelry, clothing, hairstyle, background, props, etc) will distract the viewer from the main point of interest.
A good headshot will be an accurate and realistic representation of the subject. It won't make you look younger. It won't make you look like someone else.
A good headshot will avoid overly dramatic (shadowed) lighting. Good headshots are not intended as "fashion shots". A photo can work perfectly as a fashion shot, but fail miserably as a headshot.
Whether it's a photographer who is a celebrity or it's a photographer who has worked with celebrities, keep in mind that it really doesn't matter at all when it comes to your headshots. A casting director just wants to see a good headshot. They don't have any idea or even care about who the photographer has worked with in the past. So as much as the photographer themselves may impress you, all that really matters is the quality of your headshot.
So be sure to choose a photographer based on the quality of their work and not the celebrities they've worked with.
Clothes should be neat, clean (free of stains, lint, hair), and free of wrinkles.
I recommend solid color clothing, with no polka dots, no wild prints, and no distracting stripes. Clothing of this type can have a tendency to distract the viewer from the most important subject in your photos, you. Pastel colors are typically not recommended. Neither is white or black, but more importantly, you should avoid anything that clashes with your skin tone. Colors that compliment your skin tone are appropriate. If you feel you look really good in something, even if it doesn't abide by "the rules", bring it.
Avoid wearing distracting jewelry or anything that may distract the viewer from your face.
Avoid wearing "costumes".
Your skills as an actor should allow you to suggest a part without "wearing" a part.
Prepare for your Photo Shoot
Here is a list of things to keep in mind while you prepare for your photo session:
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This is an important day!
RELAX. Give yourself plenty of time in case of traffic.
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Come to the shoot with
your hair ready for the first look. DO NOT get it cut just before your shoot
in case it doesn't turn out right!
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Bring your make-up
supplies for touch-ups.
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Fingernails should be
clean and groomed and not too long. Polish should be a light color.
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WOMEN:
All facial hair should be tweezed, waxed, or shaven, and excess arm hair
should be waxed.
MEN: If you are starting with an unshaven look, bring your shaving
supplies for your next look.
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Stay out of the sun
and the tanning salons!
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Get plenty of sleep
the night before. Stay off the booze and other influential substances! It does
show on your face. Eat a good meal prior to your shoot.
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Try on all your
clothes ahead of time. Make sure they fit well, are cleaned, pressed and have
no missing buttons. Bring colors that look good on you. Black & white are
great.
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WOMEN:
Make sure your bras go with your tops.
MEN: Bras not required
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