Choosing a Headshot Photographer
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Posted under: headshot photography, Headshots, Men, Photography, Uncategorized, Women
There are many Los Angeles headshot photographers but in my opinion there are only a few who will give you what you really need to be successful. There are headshot photographers in Los Angeles that are good with lighting but who are not specific with other details such as body language, wardrobe, makeup… etc… It is one thing to light an actors headshots the right way but it is another to be able to guide and direct the actor… showing you how to stand, sit, lean and look into the lens… being able to convey proper directions to an actor while giving them the freedom to move comfortably…. so he or she doesn’t feel and look contrived in their headshots is crucial… I have seen a lot of actors headshots properly lit but they did not look comfortable in the headshot so the natural effect that you want to have is seriously compromised. A good example of this is when the photographer will ask the actor “Ok move around… do something spontaneous…” in some cases even “talk…” while the photographer shoots really fast hundreds of images in the hopes that they’ll catch the “magic shot” by luck…. I cannot even count how many times I have heard stories from actors who have actually had that exact experience.
In fact unless I am working with someone on their first actors headshots everyone else (it seems…) has gone through this experience and I still have not heard one actor tell me that they have enjoyed that kind of photo session… Not only did they not enjoy the experience but the results were never satisfactory.
For your expression, body language, wardrobe, hair, correct angle, composition to fall into place in one instant is quasi impossible unless you’re lucky… but who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a headshot photography session to catch a great headshot “by luck”? Not me!
It has actually happen to me and I was pretty upset having to spend the money not knowing if I had one good headshot in there….
I have learned through my mistakes and that’s why as a headshot photographer I am particular about all the details…
When choosing a headshot photographer this would be the first question I would ask: “Will you walk me through the photo session as oppose to insisting I move around… shoot really fast and “maybe catch something…?”
When visiting a headshot photographer’s website… in addition to the lighting (which goes without saying…) pay attention on how natural and comfortable the actor looks, does the wardrobe make sense for the type…? The hair, is it flattering or does the style define the type…? The makeup… is it too much, does it look natural…? Is it tasteful…? Could you actually tell if this person looks like that in real life…? Is it compelling? Does it have an effect on you? Do you get a sense that this headshot photographer is someone who pays real attention to detail? Does the headshot photographer’s website have a lot of content…? There is a significant difference when a photographer shows 30-40 images on their website and another shows 300+ images… The one that has a lot of content is usually proud to show the consistency throughout 300+ images… I would lean more towards the one who shows a wide variety and consistency in so much photography content… it also conveys more experience which is a very important asset the headshot photographer might possess when you are considering spending the money on your new headshots and more importantly leaping forward as a successful actor.
More to come on this subject…