Daughter (15) is going this Sunday for her first headshots w/a professional photographer. (Early Christmas gift.) She's looking for shots appropriate for musical theatre. She also needs a full body shot for a summer program audition. How best to pose that one? Has tons of naturally curly hair. Any advice about wardrobe (photographer said to bring several solid-colored outfits, with a variety of necklines). What about makeup, poses, expression, etc? What else can you tell us to help make this experience a success...and fun for her?

The photographer is giving me a disc w/the shots and printing rights. I have a good photo printer. What sort of paper (glossy, semi-glossy, matte?) is best for a headshot?

Thanks for any help!

Most who place their headshots here are posting snapshots, amateur photographs destined for an agent's circular file.

If this photographer is a true professional, he should be providing all of this important information for you, well ahead of time. That's what you're paying him for.

He he hasn't, or can't, he's no "professional" at all.

www.robertkim.com

I'm no expert but I love to read this site. So to start, read past posts on this forum because there seems to be alot of things photographers can do wrong when taking the headshots (contorted poses, cropping too much of the head off, hands up by face etc., background that matches shirt color). So don't let that happen to you! Also, make sure she is well rested, relaxed, and healthy (no head cold etc.) Keep the mood light. I have no idea about make-up but my guess is at 15, no makeup (maybe light powder, little blush and tinted lip balm?). Be careful that the shirt/top does not shift the focus to her bustline. I have the same question about printer paper. Good luck.

quote:

Originally posted by beachgirl:
I'm no expert but I love to read this site. So to start, read past posts on this forum because there seems to be alot of things photographers can do wrong when taking the headshots (contorted poses, cropping too much of the head off, hands up by face etc., background that matches shirt color). So don't let that happen to you! Also, make sure she is well rested, relaxed, and healthy (no head cold etc.) Keep the mood light. I have no idea about make-up but my guess is at 15, no makeup (maybe light powder, little blush and tinted lip balm?). Be careful that the shirt/top does not shift the focus to her bustline. I have the same question about printer paper. Good luck.

All of this is good advice, and I'm sure you'll be receiving twelve pages more from fellow actors anxious to help.

But remember what the title of this thread is: "First Pro Headshot Session." Not a "amateur" headshot session, a "professional" one.

Don't forget the message of my previous post, IF YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER ISN'T PROVIDING YOU WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION VITAL TO YOUR SESSION, YOU SELECTED THE WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER.

I'm seeing far too many posts exactly like this, actors desperately seeking advice that should have already been provided beforehand by their photographer, without resorting to looking for help on an actor's blog site. The ENTIRE REASON for hiring a professional is so you may completely put yourself in their hands and totally rely on their knowledge and expertise to insure that your entire headshot session is a resounding success.

Is your photographer doing his job?

www.robertkim.com
Special Back Stage Discounts

True RKP, but if what if he provides the information and its bad advice, this place is one way to get hints on how to check if what the photographer recommends (or shows you in a portfolio) is really what is recommended in the industry. For example, those headshot photographers who often cut off too much of the head (and torso too), I, new to this myself, might have thought those photos looked great until I started reading this site and realized that's not such a good idea.

The few highly reccommended photographers I know of from asking around provide a stylist and a hair and make-up person.

I have learned alot from you RKP, ELDORADO, Miss Stone and others here. Next time I get photos for my dd, I will use all that knowledge to PICK THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER!

Finally, I stayed home to clean my house today, and this is a great distraction

quote:

Originally posted by beachgirl:
True RKP, but if what if he [your photographer] provides the information and its bad advice

THEN YOU DEFINITELY PICKED THE WRONG PHOTOGRAPHER!!!

quote:

Originally posted by beachgirl:
True RKP, but if what if he provides the information and its bad advice, this place is one way to get hints on how to check if what the photographer recommends (or shows you in a portfolio) is really what is recommended in the industry. For example, those headshot photographers who often cut off too much of the head (and torso too), I, new to this myself, might have thought those photos looked great until I started reading this site and realized that's not such a good idea.

The few highly reccommended photographers I know of from asking around provide a stylist and a hair and make-up person.

I have learned alot from you RKP, ELDORADO, Miss Stone and others here. Next time I get photos for my dd, I will use all that knowledge to PICK THE RIGHT PHOTOGRAPHER!

Finally, I stayed home to clean my house today, and this is a great distraction

Glad we can help! FYI really good photo paper to buy yourself is very costly and so is the ink required to print the photos. If when you say you have a really good printer you are referring to the standard computer type and not a massive industrial one like at the printing shops, it will be FAR more cost effective to have them reproduced by a printing shop. Remember, you will need hundreds and postcards too. And the paper quite often used is lustre. It is not glossy and not matte. Good luck.

You absolutely need makeup. For a professional headshot you need to use a professional makeup artist. Makeup makes your photos pop. The point is to make it LOOK like you are not wearing any. Be careful to not make her look older or sexy in any way. Go for a natural, youthful look.

EXACTLY, not blond.

This is what I meant by being a "professional."

Any good professional photographer should be able to provide you with an equally good makeup artist, an essential part of getting a great headshot.

www.robertkim.com

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:

Remember, you will need hundreds and postcards too.

WAIT! Assess your situation before you print up hundreds. Do you have representation? Are you auditioning regularly? Just trying to prevent you from spending a lot on reproductions like I did the first time I ordered. Ordering 500 in bulk is cheaper per headshot, but not if they're going to sit and collect dust.

$ .02

quote:

Originally posted by transfergirl:

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:

Remember, you will need hundreds and postcards too.

WAIT! Assess your situation before you print up hundreds. Do you have representation? Are you auditioning regularly? Just trying to prevent you from spending a lot on reproductions like I did the first time I ordered. Ordering 500 in bulk is cheaper per headshot, but not if they're going to sit and collect dust.

$ .02

I meant 200, not 500. Yes she should get them done elswehere than doing them at home- still cheaper and it is too much wear and tear on her printer and home printed ones look crappy on that glossy damn printer paper. Those ink cartidges are also $30-$50 a piece and you only get a few shots out of one before changing it out. And postcards are cheaper to mail out. Representation or not- she will need at least 100-200. So yes, some may gather dust but it is STILL cheaper to have 200 printed at a shop than to print out a few dozen at home. I learned this from personal experience. Trust me. If there is a possible cheap way to do something, you can bet I have tried it!!

Should have added: I took into account that she's located in L.A. or NYC. She still may not need that many, if not repped. There are likely some places that'll print 50.

Miss Stone, we may have to have a contest... one of my bookmarks is slickdeals.net. I don't think there's anything related to the business there, though.

quote:

Originally posted by transfergirl:
Should have added: I took into account that she's located in L.A. or NYC. She still may not need that many, if not repped. There are likely some places that'll print 50.

Miss Stone, we may have to have a contest... one of my bookmarks is slickdeals.net. I don't think there's anything related to the business there, though.

LOL!! On that note...
Headshots at Kinkos!!Mmmm! Good times!! Noooooo-I am JOKING! Please noone try that!!

For very good prices on printing check out spotlightprinting.com

OOPS! it is spotlightprinting.NET, not com