some preview from my senior pictures.
what you think?

You can't use senior photos for headshots. They aren't the same thing. Also, is this picture actually black and white? If it is, then you can't use it. Black and white is out of style now, especially in L.A.

Here are some other things:
-background is distracting.
-You want it cropped closer so only your head and some of your upper torso is shown.

You have a great look. Go to reproductions.com and look at a lot of the photographers' work. See how they photograph people like you ie. Age, ethnicity, color, skin tone, etc. Narrow it down to 5 and meet with each and everyone of them before hiring one of them.

yea
i know i cant use these for headshots
i just wanted to see if i have a chance at getting a good look.
thanks for the feedback
u sound like u know what ur talking about.
i will definitely look into that.

what do you mean "getting a good look"? are you planning a make-over?

the great thing about acting is that you are who you are. there are all kinds of characters because there are all kinds of people. they aren't all tall and glamorous. you just go after roles that interest you and are of your type (generally, sometimes things are cast way out of type, but don't worry about that yet).

what look your headshot gives depends on what you and your photographer (and agent, if you have one) decide to go for. agents need everything because casting directors need everything because writers write about everything.

I'll add to jactressk's post by saying I think it's really good for actors to know their "main" type. A lot of this has to do with the way people see you. Sometimes asking people what types they realistically see you playing is a good way to go. Once you get a general consensus, then 'go' for that type when you get headshots. Make sure the outfits you pick & the way you present yourself are indicative of your main type. For instance - if a girl is seen by most people as "goofy girl-next-door," it would be silly for her to get headshots that show her in sexy outfits - trying to be the vamp or the glamourgirl.

Phelps - you look like you have a very marketable look. There are a couple of minor things you could get taken care of before you go for professional headshots (a little bit of eyebrow tweezing might be good, for instance -- you can keep the bushy brows but get them professionally tweezed so they look a bit more balanced). But, with a little thought & focus & a great headshot photographer, I bet you could do very well.

quote:

Originally posted by Justine:
A lot of this has to do with the way people see you. Sometimes asking people what types they realistically see you playing is a good way to go. Once you get a general consensus, then 'go' for that type when you get headshots.

Yes and no. You want to ask people about your type, but NOT everyone! The people I believe to be most important are agents and casting directors. CDs are paid to imagine you as a certain roles. Agents benefit the most by being able to market you effectively. Go to CD seminars (LA Casting hosts free ones once or twice a month). Meet with as many agents as you can and ask "how would you market me? What do you think is my age range?" Even if you have an agent already, it's still worth meeting with other agencies and ask those questions.