Hello everyone! So I really hope this isn't a terribly obnoxious question but I've been thinking quite a bit about type lately. I have mostly educational theater experience (and some civic stuff) but I'm pretty green to film so far,and I'm moving to LA in a few months. I know with school a lot of times you get cast in things you wouldn't in real life and such. I also know what I think my type is, and what my friends and peers think my type is, but I'd really like to get an opinion from some non biased outsiders (who also maybe know a little more than me about the whole thing). I was wondering largely because I'm starting to think about headshots. I know your headshot is super important and should show off your type and I'd like a better idea of what I should be aiming for. I don't want to spend money on them if I'm completely missing my mark because I am very conscious of how I market myself. If anyone could offer an objective opinion I'd be really grateful!

This is a link to a photobucket I created with a few pictures of me. Granted they are all with other people for the most part but I tried to include a variety some where they are my prettier moments and some that are pretty average and more "realistic" (aka not much make-up etc) to give a range.
http://s1295.beta.photobucket....anessa_B16/library/#

(The password is backstage)

I mostly want just some ideas of what type you think I would be shooting for. I also included a few of me with blunt bangs and a few without because that is the other thing I'm debating on. I know once I have headshots I need to stick to the look for auditions so I look like my headshots. Part of me thinks maybe the bangs will help me standout but a few people have expressed dislike for them on me and again I need an outside perspective because bless my friends hearts, but they are biased

Anyway, again I realize this is probably a very green question to ask but I'm starting to really think about myself as a business and I wanted to come to people whose opinion I value. Thanks again! (and I do realize that photos can only tell you so much about my type and I DO plan on meeting with some photographers to get their opinions as well)

Having strangers tell you what your type is is generally a bad idea...your type isn't just what you look like, but also what you sound like, act like, etc. The idea is that once you know what your type is, you should show that off in the pictures (not the other way around).

That being said, from what I can gather from these pictures, your type would be something like "party girl" ranging from "rocker chick" to "funny best friend".

Knowing your type is going to require some self-reflection about your own personality and strengths and weaknesses. We can only give knee-jerk reactions to how your type "comes off" from your photos.

In essence, that's the method of developing your headshots:
1) Determine your type yourself or with help from acting coaches/workshops/etc,
2) Develop that type with a photographer who knows how to convey it
3) Bust out photos that strongly suggest and convey that type to others.


That said, from a few of the photos I looked at MY knee-jerk reaction is high school senior/college freshman girl-next-door on the cusp of popularity. A la Lindsey Lohan in "Mean Girls"

But really, if you think you and your friends already know your type, I would suggest cultivating it as best you can.

Thanks everyone for input! I definitely realize all the personality stuff that goes along with type but I did want the knee jerk reactions to see if I was treading the correct path.
I Love my craft: thank you, this was pretty on par with what I was thinking.
Brett_D: I totally get what you are saying. The problem was because I haven't done much film wise I haven't been able to establish a pattern quite yet and I definitely don't want to shell over a ton of money going in the wrong direction! That being said, The responses I've gotten have pretty much reinforced where I was going in my own opinion and I guess that was what I wanted to know. I know my personality and all that but if my look to the casual observer who doesn't know me doesn't work for something I didn't want to be one of the actors who has an unrealistic expectations of themselves you know?
Justin Gill: that was pretty solid advice as to how to go about the process, I appreciate it! The problem I've had with friends is that my theater friends have been hard to listen to because it's always been pretty competitive and I've never quite trusted the opinions of my peers. That being said however, do you think it is something I could ask non actor friends about? I wasn't sure they would know what to look for but maybe they can pinpoint how I come across to those who know me in everyday life?

My acting mentor in college, me, and a casting director I met at ACTF two years ago all kind of decided that I fit into the "best friend/quirky girl/brainy friend category, and the opinions above have kind of confirmed that for me. But I just wanted to say I'm not basing my whole decision off this I just really had no clue if I was barking up the wrong tree. My acting mentor thinks I could do ingenue as well though I don't think I'm classically good looking enough for that especially in film. I also feel very comfortable as friend/side kick type characters.

Thanks for your help everyone!