Hi! I'm still pretty new to this site, but wanted your input. These headshots were all taken by students from Brooks Institute of Photography (model for their class in exchange for free headshots)! There are many more but this is just kind of a mixed-bag of what I thought looked the best.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylecooknick/sets/72157609010747289/detail/

You're adorable but these ain't heashots. Go to reproductions.com and see what headshots look like.

quote:

Originally posted by AnitaLoos1:
You're adorable but these ain't heashots. Go to reproductions.com and see what headshots look like.

Thank you! But yeah, I kind of suspected these might not qualify as headshots. Oh well, I'm off to look for a good photographer.

In your quest for a headshot photographer, take note that most good CDs/Agents (in L.A. at least)hate:
-Character/Specific looks/Props. This is an insult to CDs who are paid to imagine you playing different roles based on one general headshot. It is good to have multiple GENERAL looks. For example a business suit look should say lawyer, young professional, detective, FBI, etc. A more casual look can say college, high school.

-Landscape cropping. When a landscape photo is posted online on LA Casting or Actors access, it's appears very tiny compared to a photo that was cropped portrait. CDs get submissions as really tiny thumbnails. They might miss your photo if it's smaller than the majority.

-Chopping off the top of the head. I mentioned that in one of your photos that I posted earlier on the thread. When too much of your head is chopped off, it makes it a little difficult as to what your really look like. Cropping off a small part of the top of your head is forgivable, but not to the extent where you look like Hannibal Lecter's victims.

-Too close. Don't get it cropped too close to where people can't see your body. At least your upper torso should be visible in your shots so CDs/Agents have a fair idea of what you look like physically.

-Silly poses. Headshots are supposed to be as natural as rain. Making stupid poses will just make you look stupider. Such common poses include, but not limited to:
1. Sitting on the toilet. This is where you're sitting down but leaning a little forward.
2. My head is too heavy. Don't do a headshot where your hand is under your chin or even touching your head.
3. Look at me, I have a sexy back! I've seen some headshots where people are in contorted poses, looking over his or her shoulder. It's not natural.

-Kevyn Major Howard. This overrated and overcharging photographer does all of the things above in his work and thus is not that well liked by CDs/Agents. They know it's his stuff because he also sneaks in his signature in the bottom right or hides it within your photo. You can't remove it because he can technically sue you. I just hate it when fellow actors get ripped off by people who overcharge and under deliver!

You want to meet with multiple photographers before committing to one. You want to make sure that they have a great personality so you're comfortable with them during the shoot. Be sure to communicate that you don't want any of the things that I mentioned above.

This is some excellent well organized advice from Eldorado. I saved a copy of this response. Well put!

quote:

Originally posted by JiveTurkey:
Hi! I'm still pretty new to this site, but wanted your input. These headshots were all taken by students from Brooks Institute of Photography (model for their class in exchange for free headshots)! There are many more but this is just kind of a mixed-bag of what I thought looked the best.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylecooknick/sets/72157609010747289/detail/

WTF?????

quote:

Originally posted by miss stone:

quote:

Originally posted by JiveTurkey:
Hi! I'm still pretty new to this site, but wanted your input. These headshots were all taken by students from Brooks Institute of Photography (model for their class in exchange for free headshots)! There are many more but this is just kind of a mixed-bag of what I thought looked the best.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/kylecooknick/sets/72157609010747289/detail/

WTF?????

None of these are usable my friend. Black and white is outdated and you NEVER pose in a headshot.

quote:

None of these are usable my friend. Black and white is outdated and you NEVER pose in a headshot.

Gotchya, I suspected that might be the case. Thanks again for your tips in your previous post! That was an awesome list (I saved it for future use). Any recommended photographers (that won't destroy my wallet )?

There are a few local agencies near me (Simi Valley) and I was thinking of sending my headshot/resume to a few of them just for kicks (not the headshot linked in my original post). Granted my resume isn't incredible by any means, but I mean what could it hurt, right?

I have a resume put together on actors access (again, it's not much) but I have yet to do any mailings to agencies. Should I simply send in my resume/headshot with a cover letter or something along those lines? (Sorry for all the newbie questions )

Which agencies are they? It's a waste of your time and money if they're subpar ones.

quote:

Originally posted by JiveTurkey:
There are a few local agencies near me (Simi Valley) and I was thinking of sending my headshot/resume to a few of them just for kicks (not the headshot linked in my original post). Granted my resume isn't incredible by any means, but I mean what could it hurt, right?

I have a resume put together on actors access (again, it's not much) but I have yet to do any mailings to agencies. Should I simply send in my resume/headshot with a cover letter or something along those lines? (Sorry for all the newbie questions )

JiveTurkey,

Yes, send in your resume and headshot with a cover letter. The best time to send out headshots is when the industry slows down. When work is slow agencies have more time to actually open up and look at headshots.

I would also suggest going to agent showcases. Sure it's going to cost you money but you're spending money sending out blind submissions which does work. But, I think you have a better chance of making a good impression when you meet an agent face to face.

I agree with HeadshotsOnly. I've been sending out Headshots and cover letters for a while and I got nothing! I'm looking into some agent showcases (out in NY) and will hopefully get something from one of those.

quote:

Originally posted by Sharon Moist:
Eldorado gave you some great info to remember when looking for your next headshot photographer.

With regard to the Simi Valley thing, I would highly recommend that you spend your time and energy submitting to agents in LA & the Valley, as they are more likely to be doing the breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks thing that folks in Simi Valley. (Please note that since I don't know the folks in Simi, this is just speculation on my part.)

That said, unless you're living the high life and have money to blow, I would NOT send out sub-par photos and a so-so resume just for kicks!

Your headshot is your calling card, so make every submission count, especially now, when the industry is getting ready to slow down for the holidays (i.e. btwn Thanksgiving & New Years), as it's a really great time to look for representation.

Good luck,
Sharon

Guys thank you all so much! Sadly I don't have a lot of money to blow (I'm both a staving student and a starving actor, double cliche ), but I am saving up for professional headshots. But in any case, I'd like to give it a shot anyway.

Should I use a simple manila envelope? Maybe one with a clear screen on it? Would you happen to have any suggestions/examples? Sorry, I'm probably over-thinking this now.

Who are these Simi Valley agencies? Everyone is curious to know.

As far as envelopes go, there's no single right way.

Some say those clear envelopes are a waste of money. Personally, I've found a lot more success with those clear window envelopes than I did with regular. Don't get those Bulky 9x11 ones from Samuel French. Get the 8.25x10.25 ones from Actortips. The smaller ones will keep your headshot, resume and coverletter more snug (cut your coverletter to 8x10 or fold it in half). They're also fairly close in price compared to regular envelopes, definitely cheaper than those Samuel French ones.

Here's why I advocate window envelopes. Agents say they open everything, but WHEN? From a marketing and psychological standpoint, I think clear envelopes get the attention quicker, especially after seeing a bunch of manilla envelopes with numbers and letters on it. A lot of people are against windows because they think they'll immediately judge the headshot and not bother to look at your resume. To possibly help remedy this, be sure to have a printed Avery label on the window side that says "More Inside!"

If you do choose to use window envelopes, be sure to follow up 2-3 days later with a postcard with the EXACT headshot that you sent out on it. Doing this creates a visual anchoring. You should actually follow up with a postcard regardless of what envelope you use. Postcards are a hell lot better than phone calls or another 8X10 submission because postcards are small enough to go into the same mailbox as the "must read now mail" such as bills, residual checks, etc.

If you just want to send regular envelopes, be creative. Maybe a regular envelope that is NOT white or manilla but some different color can help.

Also important, DON'T seal your envelopes. Just fold the flap inward. If you're paranoid, put a fancy sticker over the opening, so the agents or their assistants can open your stuff quickly and not damage what you sent them.

quote:

Originally posted by ELDORADO59:
Who are these Simi Valley agencies? Everyone is curious to know.

As far as envelopes go, there's no single right way.

Some say those clear envelopes are a waste of money. Personally, I've found a lot more success with those clear window envelopes than I did with regular. Don't get those Bulky 9x11 ones from Samuel French. Get the 8.25x10.25 ones from Actortips. The smaller ones will keep your headshot, resume and coverletter more snug (cut your coverletter to 8x10 or fold it in half). They're also fairly close in price compared to regular envelopes, definitely cheaper than those Samuel French ones.

Here's why I advocate window envelopes. Agents say they open everything, but WHEN? From a marketing and psychological standpoint, I think clear envelopes get the attention quicker, especially after seeing a bunch of manilla envelopes with numbers and letters on it. A lot of people are against windows because they think they'll immediately judge the headshot and not bother to look at your resume. To possibly help remedy this, be sure to have a printed Avery label on the window side that says "More Inside!"

If you do choose to use window envelopes, be sure to follow up 2-3 days later with a postcard with the EXACT headshot that you sent out on it. Doing this creates a visual anchoring. You should actually follow up with a postcard regardless of what envelope you use. Postcards are a hell lot better than phone calls or another 8X10 submission because postcards are small enough to go into the same mailbox as the "must read now mail" such as bills, residual checks, etc.

Also important, DON'T seal your envelopes. Just fold the flap inward. If you're paranoid, put a fancy sticker over the opening, so the agents or their assistants can open your stuff quickly and not damage what you sent them.

In all honesty, it was just a quick Google search. I figured I'd start somewhere nearby where competition might be less insane. I figured getting some kind of representation and building up at perhaps landing some jobs (commercials/print/roles/etc.) to add to the resume, and then from there moving on to agencies in the LA and the valley.

Here's a link to my search (as you can see there's only a couple):
http://maps.google.com/maps?client=safari&rls=en-us&ie=...ct=more-results&cd=1

Thanks again ELDORADO for the mailing tips.