Here is the link to my daughter, Gina's, headshots. http://flickr.com/photos/24339027@N04/

In person she looks between 16-19. On another site, others have felt her pictures depict her as older. Please, any opinions/advice you can give is greatly apprecitaed.
Thanks! Cindy

It's extremely important to play down the age in this business. Always try to make a child/teen look younger. Your daughter is very pretty. I would like to see a little more "sparkle" in the shots. Although the pictures are not terrible at all, better than many first attempts I have seen posted here. I still feel as if there is more to her personality and I'd like to see that. I get the feeling she was still a little nervous at the shoot and didn't quite relax. She has a wholesome look that doesn't quite come through. If she doesn't curl her hair everyday then I would not pick a headshot with curly hair. Also the crop will need to be tight on the final pick. Lastly, I think it's important to find a photographer who can help teach your child how to do a shoot. The photographer needs to be able to coach a child though the shoot. I am a big believer in finding someone who shoots a lot of new people if it's your first shoot and will really take the time with your child.
I hope I'm not to long winded here, sorry if I am. However I have extremely strong opinions on what works and what doesn't after 10 years of submitting headshots for a child and a teen.

I've learned what works for them and it is a shot that says, "Look at me!" you keep going back to look at it again and in a sense it talks to you.

Again,I hope I am not over stepping my opinion here.

PS: I am not new to the business, just this board.

Dear Cindy,

Your daughter is extremely photogenic.

These photographs were obviously taken by a professional photographer adept at both indoor and outdoor lighting, a very rare ability. However, I have a feeling that his primary focus with your daughter was a session designed more for a modeling portfolio than acting headshots. The sexy overtones of these photographs appear much more fashion/print oriented, as opposed to keeping Gina strictly within her prescribed age category -- an ingenue -- a teenaged, young leading lady. Simply directing her to use happier, more youthful energy (outside of her smiling commercial shots) would have certainly produced the desired effect. But opting for the more sultry looks shown here had the effect of making her appear much older and sophisticated than her actual age would imply (Chanel's top cover girl was only fourteen-years old when they first approached her, and fifteen when they actually signed her!).

As is often the case with "tweeners" (girls on the verge of womanhood), this is a very easy trap to fall into. The photographer must walk a fine line between making the subject look pretty, but still well within the desired age range. This can easily be accomplished using age-appropriate makeup, wardrobe and proper direction.

"Whatever works."

www.robertkim.com

Thanks to both of you for your experienced and detailed opinions. It's greatly appreciated!