Hi, everyone. :-)

I recently moved from Philadelphia, PA (where I had my headshots taken professionally) to Los Angeles, CA. I'm interested in working in film and television. I haven't gone on any auditions out in LA yet. I'm working on becoming SAG eligible (two SAG vouchers down, one to go), building up my resume, taking more classes (I believe I'm starting with Ivana Chubbuck later this month), etc. I was wondering if I could please get some feedback on my headshot. Will it suffice for now? It will mainly function as a tool to attract representation, and after that, I assume I'll be asked to get a new one. Please note that the images lost a lot of quality when I re-sized them and uploaded them.



I also have reproductions of this one, but it's not my "main" one:



Thank you!

Erin

You have a great look, but in LA these will look like snaps from your high school year book. You probably should get new ones. I think it's the background that make them look that way. Good luck!

I think you could start off with this pic, you have a very warm smile and you look very cute and accessible in that pic. I'd give it a try and see how it goes. If you don't get any interest then start looking for a new photographer in LA.

Thank you for the feedback. :-) I figured in the long run I'd get new headshots because I know that the one I use isn't perfect. I am hesitant, though, about getting new photos before I land an agent or manager because I hear so many of them want you to do different things with your look, get new shots, etc. I suppose if no one shows any interest, I will get new shots. Or maybe that's a mistake, who knows. Any recommendations about LA photographers? I will peruse the forums here, of course, but I figured I'd also ask.

Erin

quote:

Originally posted by CSilvera:
You have a great look, but in LA these will look like snaps from your high school year book. You probably should get new ones. I think it's the background that make them look that way. Good luck!

I couldn't have said it better myself, so, I'll just copy and paste.

Thanks again. :-) I feel like I really should just go ahead and get new shots despite my hesitation to wait until I find representation. Not having a great headshot could hinder that process. If I need to then go ahead and get new shots once I have representation, I will have to do it. I realize that this business is very much about marketing oneself, and if it's done well, with a little bit of luck and hard work, it should pay for itself in the end.

I've been looking at the portfolios of the winners and honorable mentions noted in Backstage's "Best of LA." I really like him: http://www.blakegardner.net/

Erin

Have you ever heard that you look like Michelle Trachtenberg before? Personally, I see a LOT of her in your headshots... not that it's a bad thing; she's a beautiful girl. Just thought I'd point it out, because it's the first thing I saw looking at your shots.

quote:

Originally posted by kinnniggets:
Have you ever heard that you look like Michelle Trachtenberg before? Personally, I see a LOT of her in your headshots... not that it's a bad thing; she's a beautiful girl. Just thought I'd point it out, because it's the first thing I saw looking at your shots.

Yes! I hear that a lot. Ever since Harriet the Spy came out about 12 years ago, hundreds of people have told me that, some of them being complete strangers who approached me. I don't have any representation yet, but a friend of mine is friends with a manager at a top boutique agency. The resemblance was one of the first things he pointed out to me. He said that I should play it up. I was surprised to hear that because I'd think that I should change myself so we're not too similar. That's one reason I thought maybe an agent or manager might tell me to change my look, thus creating the need for new headshots. I feel like I'll end up needing new headshots before and after I get an agent and/or manager because I really am starting to agree that my headshots look too senior-portrait-y.

Erin

quote:

Originally posted by avidactor:

quote:

Originally posted by CSilvera:
You have a great look, but in LA these will look like snaps from your high school year book. You probably should get new ones. I think it's the background that make them look that way. Good luck!

I couldn't have said it better myself, so, I'll just copy and paste.

I totally agree....

quote:

Originally posted by sparklyactress:
Thank you for the feedback. :-) I figured in the long run I'd get new headshots because I know that the one I use isn't perfect. I am hesitant, though, about getting new photos before I land an agent or manager because I hear so many of them want you to do different things with your look, get new shots, etc. I suppose if no one shows any interest, I will get new shots. Or maybe that's a mistake, who knows. Any recommendations about LA photographers? I will peruse the forums here, of course, but I figured I'd also ask.

Erin

Hi Erin,
I'm in NYC so not sure about the best/most popular LA photographs. I do have a vague memory of an LA friend mentioning that she liked "Theo and Juliet" (photographers)

http://www.theoandjuliet.com/

definitely check the past pages on this board, or do a board search for LA headshot photographers. Hope that helps a little!

quote:

Originally posted by sparklyactress:
Thank you for the feedback. :-) I figured in the long run I'd get new headshots because I know that the one I use isn't perfect. I am hesitant, though, about getting new photos before I land an agent or manager because I hear so many of them want you to do different things with your look, get new shots, etc. I suppose if no one shows any interest, I will get new shots. Or maybe that's a mistake, who knows. Any recommendations about LA photographers? I will peruse the forums here, of course, but I figured I'd also ask.

Erin

When I first started out I shot with Ken at www.headshotsonly.com. He wasn't that expensive and his work helped me get my first agent and book my first national commercial. When I did my second shoot I went back to Ken and I'm still having great success with his work. I've met a two other people at auditions who shot with him, so I guess his work is getting them auditions too.