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The following is an article I was asked to write for New York Casting in 1993.
The tips in the article are still true in 2008. I sometimes hand it out as part of my information packet and have received great feedback as to how helpful it is to actors in preparing for their session. I hope it does the same for you.
NEW YORK CASTING
September 7, 1993
Guest Feature
Paul Greco
Your head shot must reveal to the viewer
what you want to know about you
When agents open their mail, what makes them stop dead in their tracks and give a picture special consideration? When casting directors are going through submitted photos, how do they choose one over another? What caught their attention, what made them choose? What is the perfect head shot? I decided to pose that question to a few people whose opinions I highly respect because they are constantly advising actors on the importance of a good head shot. Each of them always seems to make excellent choices when looking over contact sheets.
Valerie Adami, casting director, and director of WEIST BARRON, tells me that, “A head shot is more than simply a picture of the actor. It’s the actor telling me what she wants me to know. The energy and brightness you have in a commercial shot is very different from the more provocative quality that is intrinsic to a legit shot.
Margo McKee, producer/casting director, suggests that “Your picture should represent what you can look like with 10 minutes notice. Don’t choose a head shot that represents your fantasy of what you would like to look like all the time. If I call someone in because I received their picture, I want to recognize them when they come in the door.”
For me, a professional photographer for over 30 years, the answer is always the same. A good head shot has your personality in it. It shows that something special that sets you apart from everyone else who is similar to you. I’ve worked with actors from every area of show business – from soap star to Broadway star, from commercial actor to recording artist. I’ve received input from their agents, managers, acting teachers and coaches about what kind of photo the performer needs; but if the actor comes into the photo session “cloudy” about who they really are, the pictures just won’t be successful.
I always advise aspiring actors to learn something about themselves as a performer before having head shots taken. There is nothing like an acting class to find out what your emotionality is. And this is vital. Are you naturally funny, dramatic, quirky, romantic, sexy or a straight arrow? Your head shot must reveal to the viewer what you want them to know about you.
HOW READY ARE YOU?
Physically, have you:
· Lost or gained the weight you wanted to?
· Cleared up your complexion?
· Gotten your teeth fixed
· Gotten you hair cut, colored, our styled to your liking.
EMOTIONALLY ARE YOU?….
· Not rushed as in, “I need these pictures for a big audition on Friday…”and it’s Wednesday!
· Sure of your areas of marketability? As in, I need pictures for:
-Commercials and Industrials
-Film, Television and Soap
-Legit and Musical Theatre
-All of the above
NOW IT’S TIME TO INTERVIEW PHOTOGRAPHERS:
The search is on; how do you find the photographer who is right for you?
Everyone dreads looking for a photographer. The best way of course, is to get and follow recommendations from agents, acting teachers and friends. Today, there are many good photographers out there with various styles of photography and ways of working.
How do you make the decision to work with a certain photographer? Certainly not because your best friend got great shots there, the photographer is the current fad, or the photographer has shot many celebrities. You have to feel good about the person with whom you will be working. Select a reasonable number of photographers (three or four), based on solid recommendations, or from other actors head shots that have impressed you. Interview with these photographers and decide who you feel comfortable with.
Remember, all the styling, lighting and retouching in the world cannot help if you feel uncomfortable during your photo session. Selecting a photographer is your responsibility, not the responsibility of an outside source.
WHOSE PERSONALITY AND WAY OF WORKING IS GOING TO PUT YOU MOST AT EASE AND BE ABLE TO GET YOUR PERSONALITY AND ENERGY ON FILM?
This is your photo session. We all have enough issues that come up while having our pictures taken without having to be intimidated by the photographer. Most of you have been in head shot hell before. Ever had an agent say, “I’d love to work with you, but first you must get new pictures,” and you’ve just had them taken, made hundreds of copies and have no other choices on your contact sheets? Many actors have had this happen over and over. If you take your time, do your research, and pay attention to your instincts, this doesn’t have to happen again.
`Once you’ve made the decision to go with a certain photographer, it’s time to let go of those past experiences and trust your photographer. If you don’t, it will only work against you.
Now we start to work together…
A good head shot session is a collaborative effort. For women, it involves make-up artist/hair stylist, client and photographer. For men, it’s usually client and photographer. My policy is to have a private consultation a few days to a week before the session. This is in order to discuss how you want to market yourself; what categories crossover; and what wardrobe colors flatter, look interesting, or will serve a dual purpose. It’s important that you make a contribution during the consultation. Don’t leave it all up to the photographer. S/he has just recently met you and it’s impossible to know everything about your specific needs.
The day of the session:
· Make sure you are well-rested (and not just the night before your session.) Stay away from liquor, heavy partying, tanning, etc., for at least a week or more before your session.
· Iron your clothing at home.
· Don’t only bring exactly what the photographer tells you. Go through your clothes and bring things that you think might work. Many times people have contributed their clothing ideas to a session and gotten great shots by using something different.
Arrive on time.
After all the necessary preparations are made to create a specific look, most photographers will take a Polaroid. This is your time to speak up if you are not happy with the way you look. Make-up artist/hair stylists do not know exactly how you wear your hair – and what looks good in the mirror does not necessarily look good in a photograph. Taking an extra five minutes to change bangs, fullness, etc. will save a lot of time and many headaches.
Lastly:
· Be prepared to relax and enjoy yourself.
· Don’t harp on the things that you don’t like about yourself. Bring some positive energy to the session about your good qualities.
When the editor of New York Casting asked me to write this article on how the performer can make his or her session more successful, I jumped at the chance to express how I feel the actor can change what could be an arduous experience into a positive and fulfilling one. I hope this article is encouraging and helpful to all of you searching for the perfect head shot.
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