First off I'd like to say thank you to all of the photographers that take time out of their days to share their opinions on these forums. I've learned a lot from your advice! I recently took my first headshots ever. They were done by a friend who is looking at expanding her business from editorial style photography to include headshots. I'm not in LA yet but working on getting experience in a smaller market before breaking in. So, my questions are: 1. What do you read as my type from these shots? and 2. What should I/the photographer do differently in the future to get really strong shots? Thanks in advance for your time!

Here's another

And another

Last but not least

NOPE!

What genius photographer would use a black background?

OP, Truthteller is right that you shouldn't have a black background. The other huge problem I see is with the lighting. There are shadows etc. on your face in the first and last photo, and the second one doesn't appear sharp and clear.

Type-wise, I'd say good-looking guy next door type.

Hi mrzimmer,
You are a great looking guy, but these are not going to pass at all for headshots. These are not even good editorial photos. The first and last have no light and you can't even see what color your eyes are, the third shot is the best, except you are in direct sunlight and it's like you tried to crop a headshot out of a larger photo and there is a harsh shadow on your neck. The second shot looks like it was over processed after the shoot and the black background doesn't work with your hair or smile or shirt.
Just having a camera and portrait lens doesn't make a photographer in the same way that having a great set of dishes and an oven doesn't make a chef. The third shot would be the best composition out of these and expression for you for a theatrical shot if it was lit properly.

I recommend that your friend do some research and look at great headshot photographers websites in larger markets to understand what a headshot is, what it is supposed to accomplish and what the most successful composition, color and style is to make a great headshot then try and figure that out.

Editorial photography should still be lit properly and I am not sure that your friend understands how to work with light. You have a VERY marketable and great look and you will just waste time if you don't get proper headshots.

Hope that helps
Joanna
www.joannabrooks.com
Headshots LA

TT: Thanks for the honesty, I always appreciate your straightforward answers.

TMR: Thanks for the type input!

Joanna: Flattery will get you everywhere, lol. I should have clarified. My friend has taken photog classes and has a nice camera. Also, she did these for free to "practice." I feared the dark background and poor lighting when she showed me the proofs (as I've read you and others warn against that stuff on other threads) so I'll consider this a lesson in what NOT to do, lol. Thanks for the advice!

+1 on the comments about lighting and background.

#3 is slightly interesting, but honestly I think a photographer with more experience and attention to detail would make someone with your looks really stand out.

At this point in history, everyone and their mom "has a nice camera" but to get winning headshots you'll want to work with someone who has credible, long-standing experience with portraits, especially in an acting or modeling market.
Being in SLC, finding someone may take extra searching on your part, but you shouldn't settle for someone just because they're your friend looking for practice.

You're a leading man, but these shots don't quite portray that. Before you hit a major market like LA, you should shoot LA headshots. You could really work here!

As everyone points out, #3 works best (it doesn't work, but it is best). But for learning purposes, you should know why it works best: (a) most importantly, there is actual light on your face -- in all the others there is almost no directional light hitting your face; and (b) the main light (aka the sun) is aimed strongly down at you, which shows off your strong jawline, but there that light is also reaching your eyes so they don't look nearly so dead as they do in the other shots. To make it work better, the light needs to be softer, the light needs to reach your eyes a bit better, and I think the picture shouldn't be shot from so far below you.

Thanks everyone for your feedback and advice. I'll start looking around for more experienced local photogs and hopefully get this party started!

You look like a mix between Sam Worthington and Ewan McGregor. I just thought that should be noted...

Mae

i DO love your expressions in pic#4... you look like the bad guy! but yes do better with the headshots

You have a lot of lighting issues with all four of these. I think if you can get the technical aspect of a headshot down, you'll be good to go.

Good lighting and a more solid background is what you need. You have a great looks and your personality shows.