Hi all,

I'm relatively new to this and need some advice. I have several headshots, with a few different "looks." None of them really do it for me, so I'm going to get some new headshots (especially a good commercial one so I can hopefully get signed by a commercial agent) but before I want to settle on one look (haircut and color too) - the one that will hopefully get me the most work!

Anyway, I'm hoping you guys can tell me:

a) which is your favorite photo and/or look?
b) what types of roles do you see me in?
c) how old would you guesstimate I am? Should I go for a younger look in my shots or should I go for a more sophisticated look?

I linked to a flickr stream so that I wouldn't take up too much space with the attachments. Here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41525148@N07/

Thanks in advance for your thoughtful advice! I hope to reciprocate for other newbies when I have some more chops

I love your haircolor in #2 and 3! I also like the two contrasting looks there (although there are too many distracting accessories for a headshot): the suit vs. the younger look. You look adorable in both of those pics.

I'd say your age range is 18 - 23. You could play a college girl, or a young woman in her 20s at a job, or a young mom with a baby.

Unless you look dramatically different now, I think you have a great set of photos.

You actually want 3-4 general looks where each suggest different things. Your photos do such things.

You'll NEVER have just one look that epitomizes everything that you could play.

Of course you'll have one that you'll use more often. That's something that YOU have to decide, not us. You have a good idea of what you usually get cast as and what roles you like to play. Find a main headshot that would suggest that.

quote:

Originally posted by mymeeshell:
I'm relatively new to this and need some advice. I have several headshots, with a few different "looks." None of them really do it for me, so I'm going to get some new headshots (especially a good commercial one so I can hopefully get signed by a commercial agent) but before I want to settle on one look (haircut and color too) - the one that will hopefully get me the most work!

I linked to a flickr stream so that I wouldn't take up too much space with the attachments. Here it is: http://www.flickr.com/photos/41525148@N07/

You have headshots from three separate and distinct sittings represented here, so let me break them down.

First, trash the first "pool" shot. It's obviously a bad snapshot and has no place in your selections.

The remaining two sessions are very different-- the first more suitable for acting, the second, obviously designed for "real people" modeling. Although the second series clearly has the most production value, it's strictly for commercial print work. That leaves only two potential photos from these three shoots:

1) Headshot 6 for your theatrical headshot.
2) Headshot 1 for commercials.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

I find the auburn hair much more flattering/interesting than the other hair color.

I like the way your hair is in the poolside photo. If it were a little longer, or even if it was photographed worn the way you did that day...I think it would be great. The layers look really interesting. Also you look the most relaxed and natural in that photo (probably because you were relaxing poolside, duh).

Good luck with the new shots!

Are we looking at the same photo?

If you use this snapshot, you'll be waiting tables and doing extra work for the rest of your life.

Submit this amateur headshot for any serious legit role and you'll be rejected before you can say, "poolside."

I'm not telling her to use the photo. I'm saying I like the way her hair is styled in the photo and that I would want to shoot her with that slightly tousled, effortlessly pretty look for her new headshots.

She's wasn't asking what photo to use, she's asking which hairstyle/look is best for when she gets her shots updated.

I respectfully, and strongly, disagree.

Click-on: http://farm3.static.flickr.com...81519_e7b5b8e98a.jpg.

This pretty young lady's hair looks unkempt, unflattering and thrown-together, as does every other aspect of this picture. Her hair highlights were poorly done and distracting.

This hair style does nothing to bring out this actors best features and I would NOT suggest using it when she re-shoots.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Thanks to everyone for the great feedback. I think I'm going to stick with the more auburn color, though with the bangs more grown out like in hs#5. I think the wavy-er hair is more my natural style - the straightened look is harder for me to pull off on my own (a stylist straightened it in #s 1 and 2). Robert, is there a way to do the wavy-er hair without it looking messy and unkempt?

Auburn. Hands down. The other look is bland in comparison. You are a different, far sexier girl with the auburn color. It suits your skin tone beautifully and adds depth.

And I LOVE the sassy, straight look with bangs. It gives you a hipper, more unique look where as the other hairdo is what everyone else is doing and is not really stylish anyway. I only wish I could pull of that sassy look but alas, I haven't the right face shape for it.

I think that hairdo will make your shot jump and pop amongst all other submissions. Yeah, it's a pain to do it but it works on you. It makes you look like an actress. I don't even know what that means but that is what I think.

And LOSE the nose stud. So ten years ago and noone does them. Too valley girl and not Hollywood.

quote:

Originally posted by mymeeshell:
I think I'm going to stick with the more auburn color
I think the wavy-er hair is more my natural style - the straightened look is harder for me to pull off on my own (a stylist straightened it in #s 1 and 2).
Robert, is there a way to do the wavy-er hair without it looking messy and unkempt?

Couple things.

It's clear that everyone prefers your straight, auburn look. However, as you mentioned, it can present a problem when you need to get to an audition in a hurry. Chemical straightening works, but it's extremely damaging. I bought a hair straightener recently that worked remarkably well (remember that one on the TV info commercial that has teeth and a "shot of steam" feature? Yes, even professionals fall for these darned commercials), particularly with very curly hair.

So you have a choice-- go with a great look and more upkeep, or go more natural. And yes, there are hair stylists who can work with curly hair to create a more professional look. Do your research well when selecting one, though. Get professional recommendations, first.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Great advice - thanks. So, I guess I'm going back to the bangs then!

Ok, so do you all think I need new headshots or should I stick with the ones I've got? I just don't want to spend $600 on new shots to send out to agents, only to have them tell me I need new ones! I know that good agents won't insist on you getting new shots with "their guy" but I know that agents may want me to have a more specific look in my headshots so that they can market effectively. What do you think?

This is all, of course, provided I can GET an agent, lol. If I sent out Headshot #1 here http://www.flickr.com/photos/41525148@N07/3829578402/ (recommended by Robert for my commercial headshot) to commercial agents, do you think I'd have success? Is the background too bland?

Also, what about this shot in the green? Is it more interesting than the one in blue with the blunt bangs and the angle of my head?

Thanks again for the great advice

oh crap that image was HUGE! Here's a link to the headshot of me in the green instead:http://www.flickr.com/photos/41525148@N07/3840859840/

I prefer the one in blue - I think it's more flattering on you and more striking.