Okay, we finally picked my DD's heashots (1 commercial, 1 print) and are ready to have reproductions made. 3 questions:

1. What is the current standard or trend regarding borders? I'm tempted to go with a border. I like the look of the name in the white space. Seems more readable to me.

2. What about font for the name? Anything the norm? Anything taboo?

3. I have read the recent thread regarding reproduction services, and am leaning toward going with Reproductions. Any thoughts?

Thanks, guys. I know I can count on you for some good (and if secondbannana replies, funny) advice.

My photographer insisted on a white border with 'a clean black line' around the image. That seems pretty standard. One reason for a white border and the name in a clear font is that more and more of these headshots are ending up in databases and OCR or other imaging software can read a name better in a simpler font. Old English or Crayola Classic might not pick up if someone is employing those technologies and every edge helps.

As for Reproductions, they did a great job with my two photos. If you're close enough to NYC, make an appointment to sit with the retoucher. If you have an appointment they will see you on time but if you just walk in, they may not get to you for awhile. In both cases, several people were involved in the process and each had great input. When I actually sat with the retoucher as he worked my feedback was welcomed. In both cases, I had my prints the next day. An overall positive experience.

One thing to keep in mind with fonts Dramamama, check out each of the letters in your daughter's name in that font - I was going to go with a particular font until the Reproductions person pointed out that the capital J (two of those in my name) in that font was really unusual, sort of just a straight line that could easily be mistaken as a capital I instead, and the last thing you want after sinking all this money into a shoot and prints is to have someone enter your name incorrectly into a database. Since then, I've always gone with pretty basic, clear fonts. It's difficult to imagine that anyone ever really booked a job as a result of a creative font, but who knows. I would go with black letters in white border also - a stand-out, creative headshot is an absolute must - but I personally think we tend to get carried away with other 'creative' stuff that might work against us in ways such as SecondBanana mentioned. Incidentally, here in LA, Reproductions rocks! My experience has been: you wait in line a while, but only because each customer gets undivided, excellent customer service. And the turn-around time is excellent. Best of luck to your daughter.

espritbonne

Fonts and borders are all window dressing...nobody cares. I don't know of anyone who got a call 'cause they liked the border or the font on your shots...and if you do get a call from that then you should really consider if you really want that person to represent you.
The headshot is about your face. If they like your look or not. You can put a hot pink border on it if you like and I don't think that it will make your career better or worse. Sorry if this sounds negative, but it's just reality...they don't have time to say or think "Gee, what a nice border". So don't waste your time on stuff like that...just do the border and font however you want and let it go at that.

imo, reproductions in nyc is great too!

I got tired of the font card as well. My response was to write my name in my own hand writing and have it scanned on to my photo. I don't have great handwriting, but I really like how it came out.

Thanks, all. I wasn't thinking of getting fancy with either the border or the font. Just wanted to know if anything was industry standard. Now I know what to do.

Thanks again.

our reps dislike boarders, so we have none. I personally like them. We use helvetica on our legit shot and ariel on the commercial shots.

Use Grand Photo Solutions (GPS) if you are in the NYC area. It's prices are comparable to Reproductions (who basically has a monopoly on the reproduction service), and they do a fabulous job! I know many people who have used both Reproductions and GPS, and they all prefer GPS. The man who runs it is incredibly friendly, and he is absolutely committed to making (and keeping) you satisfied with the results. So, I highly recommend going to GPS over Reproductions.

quote:

Originally posted by dramamama:
Okay, we finally picked my DD's heashots (1 commercial, 1 print) and are ready to have reproductions made. 3 questions:

1. What is the current standard or trend regarding borders? I'm tempted to go with a border. I like the look of the name in the white space. Seems more readable to me.

2. What about font for the name? Anything the norm? Anything taboo?

3. I have read the recent thread regarding reproduction services, and am leaning toward going with Reproductions. Any thoughts?

Thanks, guys. I know I can count on you for some good (and if secondbannana replies, funny) advice.

Hi dramamama,

1) There isn't any "standard" anymore. It's whatever works for you.

2) I'd stick to a simple, basic font. "Easy to read" is always a good thing.

3) Reproductions is the industry leader in New York. A little pricey, but always consistent, top quality.

“Whatever works.”

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