What does everybody mean by showing your personality in your headshot? Does it mean looking like the roles you would generally audition for? What if you want a pic that would service a wide range of roles? Thanks!
Kara

Thats a very difficult thing to describe I think. Its not that you want to depict any type of character. Everyone has an essence, you see it when you meet someone in person or see them on screen. Its individual and special. Seeing that in a photo (or headshot) is an extension of that. Capturing it is up to you and your photographer. Why it is important is because you want anyone looking at your headshot to have an emotional reaction. They need to feel like they just met you.

Does that help??

Like I said, hard to expain. Maybe someone else can add something.

Probably the easiest example is the "sex kitten" headshot. If you are inclined to that type of personality you would definitely be able to naturally present that in a picture - it's the way you look at the camera - your eyes, your smile, your "come hither" kind of look. It would be a very different look than a more "conservative" woman might have.

A good photographer can work with you but you should have some thoughts about your personality before you meet. My daughter's legit headshot shows that she is a bit of a wiseguy and somewhat mischevious, definitely not the ingenue type. Her commercial shot is much more all American, girl next door but again, not an ingenue.

As amdivasmom said, it's hard to explain. Think about the roles you would like to play and how they match your personality and then how you would portray them without speaking. Once you know that you can meet with your photographer and he/she should be able to take you from there.

Good Luck!

Showing personality means showing something other than a blank stare on your face.

haha,
of course ipod nails it in less than a sentence!

And if you follow iPod advice it will probably produce useless headshots!

thats true- "anything other than a blank stare" could result in something truely unwanted.

I think the best thing to keep in mind is to be comfortable in front of the camera, relaxed with the phogographer and enjoy the moment. Your inner being and personality is sure to shine through!

I used to work with a great headshot photographer and this seemed to be what really came through. When the actor could just hang out, listen to their favorite music and have fun.

quote:

Originally posted by neverdefeated:
And if you follow iPod advice it will probably produce useless headshots!

You think having a blank stare on your face is a useful headshot?

All I know is it's important. I took some test shots and showed them to my acting coach and he said I looked like one of those female victims on Lifetime. I didn't feel sad but for whatever reason I looked like a pretty but very sad girl. That wasn't what I was going for LOL! So I practiced saying lines of characters in my head while taking photograhs - lines that the sweet, innocent girl would say, lines that the tough 'don't mess with me' girl would say, and I really think it helped. Taking photographs is an art. I know this is nuts, but watching Tyra Banks Model show on VH-1 has taught be a lot too because they talk to the models about what they are giving in a photograph. Hope that helps!

quote:

Originally posted by teenactress:
What does everybody mean by showing your personality in your headshot? Does it mean looking like the roles you would generally audition for? What if you want a pic that would service a wide range of roles? Thanks!
Kara

Hi Kara,

“Showing personality” simply means putting enough energy into your expressions for maximum effect as opposed to just “sitting there like a bump on a log.” But this should not be your responsibility alone – your photographer should take equal responsibility in making sure you receive proper direction throughout your headshot session.

It’s extremely important to determine exactly what roles you would be best suited for, and this should be thoroughly discussed with your photographer in detail, prior to your session. If he can’t help you with these critical decisions, find a photographer who can (would you hire a dentist who didn’t know where to drill?).

Contrary to popular belief, I don’t believe that any single headshot can possibly cover all the bases or completely “service a wide range of roles,” as you suggested. If that were true, it would certainly make my job a lot easier. Just one headshot, and… “That’s a wrap!” A typical female role description could range anywhere from sexy leading lady to high school student, hooker, attorney, young mother, drug addict, aging socialite, stunt woman or Indian princess… the list is endless. Because most roles are always actor-specific, I don’t believe that submitting a “one size fits all” headshot is optimally productive or even very realistic.

I enjoy creating a diverse canopy of looks that will represent every actor’s full range and unique qualities. The subject of character headshots has been brought up here so often that I decided to devote an entire page of my website to it (see: “Character Looks”). I hope that this may explain my philosophy far better than any boring discussion on headshot technique ever could.

As the old adage goes: “A picture says a thousand words.”

www.robertkim.com

I agree with Robert that it is important in the head shot session to get a lot of "looks" from the actor. But I find that those looks come naturally from the rapport that I establish with the actors.

As an indie filmmaker also, I've auditioned hundreds of actors and reviewed many thousands of headshots, and I can say that I prefer shots that are not "blank stares" certainly, but ones that don't try to do too much. A nice, open, available expression will do wonders for the actor trying to get work. When I am casting, those types of shots allow me to picture the actor playing the character I am trying to cast. Photos that are trying to be a certain character are, invariably, reaching for the wrong thing.

Your headshot should look like you on your best day. Work with a good, highly recommended photographer because they will be able to capture your personality.

When your proofs are done get other people to look at your proofs and pick what they like. Some of your pictures will stand out more than others. Pick one of the more popular pictures.

Don't worry about "personality" so much. That's one of those generic things that people say that really isn't that helpful.

quote:

Originally posted by iPod:

quote:

Originally posted by neverdefeated:
And if you follow iPod advice it will probably produce useless headshots!

You think having a blank stare on your face is a useful headshot?

Well, you never know--the Kuleshov theory could work to your advantage. I'm kidding.

I realize the film theory joke may not mean anything to some of you, but I couldn't resist. Here's a link if anyone's interested in research:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuleshov_Effect

Agreed, as to all of the advice about portraying different roles in a headshot.

Sometimes "personality" isn't so much who you actually are, but who you're able to show yourself to be on camera. Of course, that's often related to who you actually are.

How many people can you successfully pretend to be during a headshot session, using expressions and body language? That's what personality means, in this context, and that's what you should try to show on camera.

I think a big part of what people mean when they say "personality" really comes down to "lack of tension or stiffness."

There's a range of "types" out there where actors' looks are concerned, but what is consistent across all the headshots I enjoy viewing is a natural ease, a quality of the actor being at home with their look and type, and the shot helping to enhance and support their natural character.