I am trying to get new headshots, but I need some tips on picking a photographer. What Criteria should I use to pick a headshot photographer.

quote:

Originally posted by prefamous:
I am trying to get new headshots, but I need some tips on picking a photographer. What Criteria should I use to pick a headshot photographer.

* main focus is you
* lighting that will only enhance yourself; not make you appear darker or faded, or withered, or sickly, or reddish
* photographer can bring your inner beauty; help you look more attractive then you actually are
* photographer mainly does headshots
* you don't have a bad pose, expression
* Photographer *optional* takes photos of your type
* Makes you feel comfortable
* Has a huge supply of photos to showcase
* Isn't totally cheap; 100$, but there are exceptions just rare

There are a bunch of threads posted about this very subject (a few of which I replied to), but here is the most recent one which has a lot of good advice:

http://bbs.backstage.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/8011031/m/1...=583103281#583103281

when Looking at headshots the photographer has taken before, what would be signs of bad headhsot?

For example: Cropping ya know stuff that would negatively effect the look of the headshot that I have to rely photographer for.

quote:

Originally posted by prefamous:
when Looking at headshots the photographer has taken before, what would be signs of bad headhsot?

For example: Cropping ya know stuff that would negatively effect the look of the headshot that I have to rely photographer for.

*you can tell the actor is good looking, and looks horrid in the photo

biggest sign

There are hundreds of things that can go wrong in a headshot.

But if I could list just one, I'd say lighting.

If the lighting is wrong, nothing else the photographer does right will make much of a difference.

Rather than bore you with the technical stuff, just compare a well-lit shot vs. one with bad lighting.

www.robertkim.com
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quote:

What Criteria should I use to pick a headshot photographer.

If you've found a portfolio you like, it's a good idea to meet with the photographer. If the rapport is good, the shot will be good.

quote:

Originally posted by prefamous:
I am trying to get new headshots, but I need some tips on picking a photographer. What Criteria should I use to pick a headshot photographer.

I've read so many excellent ideas here on how to find a good headshot photographer.

Except one... GUT INSTINCT.

Just now, I had my weekly massage, this time at a new place with really reasonable prices, so I walked in. An interesting thing happened. The second the masseuse placed her hands on me, I knew that she didn't know what she was doing! It didn't even take a minute, I knew instantly. It was the worst massage I've ever gotten. And when it came time to pay, I felt as though I was ripped off TWICE. But I knew from the moment I was in her hands that she was totally inexperienced and that the end result would not be very satisfying.

I suppose the moral to the story is, always go with your gut instincts. They're usually right.

Have you ever gone to a new acting coach or even on a first date, and the instant you met them you knew it was going to be a disappointing experience? I'd enjoy hearing your stories...

My first headshot was a disaster. I suppose I can't totally down the guy because I got the photos for nearly nothing, but I hear you on the "instinct" issue.
He simply didn't have his thing together. He was frantically trying to get the lighting right, and the wind kept knocking his reflector off its stand, and watching him getting more and more frustrated didn't help. I actually thought the whole thing was kind of comical, but had I been paying big money I would have been pretty mad. The pictures were awful. Half of my head was in shadow and it looked as large as a balloon. Never again!!
The second time I felt "wrong" this early into a new experience was when i took an acting intensive in Philly, a couple of years back. The teacher (who shall go nameless in this post) kept praising all of the actors to the moon, when what they really needed was a strong hand and an experienced instructor to essentially tell them what they were doing WRONG. btw, most of the actors in attendance were pretty bad, not giving myself any undue credit.. but I just KNEW that I wasn't going to get anything out of this class. Turns out my "gut felling" was right.
I really enjoy reading your posts, Mr. Kim. You don't give the same answers or ask the same questions as everyone else.
N.B.

I think Mystique mentioned this, but make sure you are using a headshot photographer, not someone who takes studio portraits. You certainly don't want to look posed and rigid. Before you shoot, you should talk to your coaches and teachers to confirm your type and bring a relevant selection of clothes. For example, if you are a "badass" type, you probably want to stay away from soft colors and feminine ruffles.

I cant agree with these two

quote:

* photographer can bring your inner beauty; help you look more attractive then you actually are
* photographer mainly does headshots

you should look exactly as attractive as you really are, more so and you are not doing the right thing.

and it dont matter what the photographer does, as long as he CAN do proper acting headshots,

you are not going to find a pure headshot photographer that isnt going to charge you a arm and a leg. to solely do headshots your income is going to be less than if your studio offers many types of photography.

so the guy that offers nothing but headshots, could be 800 to a thousand bucks. just because he has to make ends meet. but photographers who got stuff going on can charge you less and still make a living.

IMHO.

just look through reproductions and get testimonials from your friends or forum members.