Shopping for a Headshot

Acting Career FAQ - Headshot Info At The Supermarket


Do you read The National Inquirer? People? The Star?


Well, even if you don't read them, you can't help
but notice them – as you are checking out at the
supermarket. Let's face it, the tabloids are a part
of our everyday experience.


Did you realize that there's a big lesson to be
learned from them?


If you are pursuing a career as an actor, I urge you
to give the tabloids a closer look and discover
something important about getting your headshots
taken.


Here's the way it works: The tabloids offer good
money to photographers who can come up with a
photo of a star looking like something the cat
dragged in. Why? Because they know that their
readers are curious. Everyone wants to know what
the stars REALLY look like. (They can't all be
beautiful, can they?)


Of course, the stars are aware that the paparazzi
are out there. The paparazzi's goal is to get a
money shot: An unflattering photograph of Jennifer,
Angelina or Ben. The stars' goal is to look like
the stars they are, in every picture.


So that's the game. The photogs snap and the stars
pose. Watch any red carpet ceremony and you'll see
the game being played out. Hundreds of people with
cameras - scores of stars doing their best to look
like, well, stars.


So what's the lesson? It's just this - no matter
who the photographer is, it's the actor's job to
make sure that the photos turn out well - for the
actor.


This is especially true when you are paying the
photographer to take your pictures. The idea that
a certain photographer is going to produce a great
headshot FOR YOU, without your involvement ... is
just not reality.


No matter who the photographer is, (and remember
there are hundreds... of varying skills, at every
red carpet event) it's your responsibility to
look good in any photograph of you.


Is this a matter of "looks?" No, it's a matter of
knowing the skills needed when you are in front of
the camera. Stars get to be stars because they
know this ... and they work at these skills.


Most actors discover the hard way that spending
100's of dollars to get headshots doesn't guarantee
success. For some it takes years of frustration and
disappointment (and sometimes thousands of dollars)
... before they finally get a headshot that gets
them called in.


Why? Because most actors learn these skills through
a process called "figuring it out on my own." This
is a costly approach ... guaranteed to cause career
problems for actors ... until they get a headshot
that works ... a headshot that gets them called in.


And,let's face it, nothing can happen until you get
IN THE DOOR.


Getting in the door is all about your headshot. Not
getting called in? It's probably not you - it's
probably your headshot.


I urge all actors to watch the red carpet - and see
what the actors who've succeeded are doing.


And don't forget to check out the tabloids while
you're in line with your groceries - and see what
happens when stars are not "in the game" and doing
their part.