How to Choose a Headshot Photographer
Choosing which photographer to invest in for your acting headshots can be a daunting task, with so many to choose from and a wide variety of operating practices.
There are, however, four key things to bear in mind when choosing your next photographer that will make your choice as easy as it can be.
Headshots: not ‘the prettiest,’ but ‘the best’
Above everything else, the most important piece of advice I can give you is to approach your headshots in terms of what they will do for you, i.e. as your most immediate form of marketing. So, above all else, ensure that your photographer understands what you are there to do: make an investment in your future career that will ensure you get into auditions.
The best headshot is not necessarily the one in which you look the most attractive; rather, it is the one that ensures you are noticed and remembered for the right audition. Its purpose is functional. It should make it immediately clear where you sit in the casting landscape.
In addition to this key piece of advice, four considerations are worth bearing in mind when researching your photographer:
Portfolio
This is the most important criterion when choosing your photographer. Do you genuinely like the photographer’s work, and can you see it allowing you to express yourself as you intend?
It is important to look at a photographer’s full website rather than only their Instagram in order to consider their reliability, range, and reputation.
Does their actual website resemble their Instagram page, or are they using the latter as a ‘best of’ collection that doesn’t represent the rest of their portfolio (or vice versa)?
Process
All sessions involve trade-offs: time spent will vary, from shorter, tightly structured shoots to longer exploratory sessions. Shorter shoots, for example, might be helpful for actors on a tighter budget, whereas longer, and perhaps more expensive, shoots are best for relaxing, getting into the mood of the shoot.
Location matters: whether studio-based, outdoors, or on a specific site and the inclusion of a hair and make-up artist will alter both outcome and cost. There are no ‘must do’ guidelines here; rather, ask yourself, ‘what would suit my brand?’.
Decisions you make about the photographer’s process will effect your final images, and so should align with what you want to get out of your photography.
Personality
Not every photographer is right for every actor. Some adopt a highly creative approach, others are more directorial. Some are analytical and reflective, others practical and efficient.
It’s worthwhile having a look at the photographer’s social media, their ‘About’ page, or their blog to give you insight into their way of working. A photoshoot is a very personal event, and photos often come out best when emotions are allowed to flow as part of the shoot – feeling comfortable with your photographer is therefore important, and not something to be overlooked.
A discovery call is often valuable and I recommend only booking a photographer who’s willing to have one; this is too much of an investment to make to end up not getting on with your photographer. You can find my contact page here.
Price
Headshots are visual assets used for marketing, so it is useful to think about them in the same way a company director would consider marketing expenditure.
You are investing in materials designed to get you the opportunity for work – i.e. auditions – so make sure you make the necessary investment in time and money: it will pay off, and skimping on either will have a drag factor on your career.
Different levels of expenditure generally correspond to differences in time, experience, and service; the cheapest option is rarely the most strategic one for your career.
Conclusion
If all of this sounds too clinical and business-oriented, don’t worry. The artistry and the fun in the photoshoot comes during the shoot itself; this article is about how you should select your photographer so you can then have the most enjoyable photoshoot possible and end up with a set of images you’re proud to show off.
If you have any questions on the above, do send me a message.
This article was put together following a workshop with Kent Actors Connected on branding for actors which will be run regularly. Get in touch if you’d like to attend the workshop and I’ll send over the details.
