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Best Deal On Acting Headshots in Los Angeles
UNLIMITED Acting Headshot Looks
This is our latest acting headshot package. It’s a great way to add a lot of looks and not spend a fortune.
Here’s the deal. You get 1 hour to do as many looks as you want. A lot of our clients have had amazing shoots with the Unlimited Package. The best thing about it is it can be anything you want. You can focus on just a few looks that you really want to get right. Or you can go for it and try to squeeze as many looks in as you can. It’s up to you. I’ve had clients do both and get great results.
You get instant feedback on your shots. The photos pop up on the computer screen as we shoot so you can see exactly how each look is turning out. After you know that you got the shot we can move onto the next look. It’s completely up to you.
The studio has a complete makeup area for you to touch up in between looks. You can change your hair and touch up the makeup. It’s your hour to get exactly what you want.
I change backgrounds in between looks to give you variety. You’re going to be amazed by how many great headshot looks you get.
After the shoot I send you an online gallery link to all the images. From there you can pick your favorites, get them retouched, and start submitting them.
Preparation is very important for the Unlimited Acting Headshot Package. I suggest getting you looks dialed in. Get your clothes organized. Get your transitions organized as you move from one look to the next.
This is the best deal on acting headshots in Los Angeles
Acting Headshot Expression Guide
You need great expressions in your acting headshots. Here's how to get them.
The acting headshots session is all about capturing a great photo that connects with the viewer.
Of course, we need to make sure we have the correct wardrobe, lighting, and photography. After that, it all comes down to a great expression. Sometimes that’s the hard part. The photographer raises up that camera and points it at you and you go blank. Having no idea what to do. Don’t worry this guide will help you get great expressions for your acting headshots.
Get Comfortable
Easier said than done. Just remember your photographer is there to help you get a great headshot. Feel free to communicate what you’re feeling. Then the two of you can work together to get you in the right frame of mind. I’ll often stop shooting and just talk to my clients to get them out of their head. I also show them a few of the photos we’ve taken and let them see what’s going on. We talk about the shots and I explain to them how we can best move in the direction that we think is best. Once they see a great headshot that we’ve taken it becomes much easier now that the pressure’s off. They can just relax and do their thing.
Start Simple
For some, smiling is easy. For others it’s a serious expression. Whatever it is for you, that's the best place to start. It doesn’t really matter what you do, it's just to get you comfortable. After you’ve done a few shots, then you can move on to some more difficult expressions. Remember you and the photographer are working together to get you great shots.
The Commercial Shot
The commercial acting headshot expression is all about being warm, friendly and inviting. One thing I often tell my clients is not to smile in front of the camera, but to smile into the camera. You’d be amazed how this little difference in thought makes you more connected in your photos.
The Dramatic Expression
The Theatrical Acting headshot can be the most difficult for a lot of actors. Most think that if I just don’t smile it’s a serious expression. That’s not true. If you just don’t smile it’s a blank expression. The last thing you want is a blank expression for an acting headshot. The Theatrical Acting headshot expression is mostly in the eyes. The secret is to do the “smize.” You just make a small squint from the bottom eyelids pushed up. Don’t push your eyebrows down. It’s up from your bottom eyelids. Think Clint Eastwood. Add to this a small little smile, just a hint. This keeps you from looking too pissed off. Then play with the eye squint and the little smile. It’s very subtle. Just keep playing with it and you’ll get a great shot.
The Quirky Expression
This can be a difficult expression too. First, smile. Keep it simple, nothing too out there. If you try to make the smile quirky you just look odd. The trick to this expression is in the eyes, again! Try raising up the eyebrows with a little cock of the head. It will look odd more often than not. Just keep doing it until you hit that magic expression.
Freestyle It
Sometimes you can create a wonderful expression by just freestyling it. A lot of time it doesn’t work but it never hurts to try. Take some shots doing your own thing and see what happens. Review after a few shots to see what’s going on. If anything looks promising, run with it.
This is just a basic guide to get you started. Start by practicing in the mirror. I don’t think enough actores do this. It really helps. It gives you a general idea of what your face is doing. Sometimes you’ll mix 2 or more expressions to get what you’re looking for. Try different things before you get to your headshot session and you’ll be ready to go.
Acting Headshots Dos and Don'ts
You’re starting to get ready for your headshot sessions and you want to make sure you do it right. We’re going to give you the Dos and Don’ts of Acting Headshots.
Do your research on your headshot Looks.
Don’t show up with a bunch of clothes and no idea of your character types.
Putting together your Looks is one of the most important things you can do as you prepare for your acting headshot session. Your looks tell the story to casting directors of what you can be. They are looking for someone to fill a role. You want your looks to project that character.
Google images is a great place to start. Search for your character types and see what pops up. It’s a great way to get some reference ideas. Maybe start a moodboard on your types. It helps you visualize what direction you should be going.
Dumping your wardrobe on your photographer and saying, “I have no idea what to wear” Just shows that you’re not prepared.
Do have your hair cut and color in camera ready shape.
Don’t come with dark roots and expect it to be fixed in post.
Not having your hair prepared is just as bad as not having your clothes prepared. Or showing up to an acting job and not knowing your lines. Get a haircut, Trim your bangs. Color your roots. Do whatever you need to be camera ready.
Do bring hair styling products and tools.
Don’t be that person with messy hair and nothing to brush it with.
The best thing to do is to get the makeup/hair artist. (women, men not so much) If you are doing your own thing, then be prepared. Bring everything you need to style your hair. Even though you might not use them in your everyday life. It’s better to bring something and not need it than to not have it when you do need it. At the very least bring a brush and some hair spray.
Do be professional and show up on time.
Don’t be late.
Being professional should be something you practice in all aspects of your acting career. Being on time is a big part of it. Make it a constant practice to always act professional and always be on time.
Do communicate to your photographer what your goals are for you headshots session.
Don’t go through life with no direction of goals.
Every action you take should be intentional. If you want to get somewhere in life you need a direction. The same goes for your headshot session. Know what you want to get out of it. Tell your photographer, then the 2 of you can work on it together.
Do go for personality in your shots.
Don’t try to just get a pretty picture of yourself.
Your headshots is a reference to the types of characters you can play. Casting directors want interesting people to play interesting parts. Show some personality in your shots. There’s only one you and that’s your ace in the hole.
Do wear natural makeup.
Don’t over glam yourself.
Headshot makeup should be natural. There’s no need for fake eyelashes, heavy contouring, or heavy makeup. It should look like a great version of the real you.
Do know that you are in the hands of a professional.
Don’t stress out and worry.
You are coming to a professional to get your headshots. I’ve been doing this for almost 20 years. I know how to get you a great headshot. There’s no need to worry. You are going to see the photos as we do the shoot. You’ll know exactly what’s going on. If you want to give input on the process, feel free. Its’ a team effort and we are all trying to get you the best headshots.
Best Headshot Photographers in Los Angeles
How to find the best headshot photographer in Los Angeles.
How to find the best headshot photographer in Los Angeles. The answer is that it’s different for everyone. The best headshot photographer for you may not be the best headshot photographer for your friend. There are several things you should research when you are trying to find the Best Headshot Photographers in Los Angeles.
Check out their website.
This should always be your first step in researching a Headshot Photographer. You can learn a lot just by looking at the website of a headshot photographer. The first thing that you should notice is their overall professionality. You should get a feel for this right away. Does their website look professional? We all know what a professional looking website looks like. Everything just looks good.
For a non-professional website here are some of the things to look for. It might have a confusing navigation menu. You might also find some dead links. (Links that go to a blank page) You might also find the layout just a little bit off.
Do they have high quality images on their website?
There’s a lot more to getting high quality images than just snapping a photo. A great photographer knows how to put it all together to get great images. Do you see high quality images on their website? You’ll know great images when you see them.
The most important tool in a headshot photographer's toolbox is lighting. Lighting is what it’s all about. Great lighting can make you look great. Bad lighting can make you look not so great.
There’s different types of lighting. Natural light and Studio lights. They each have their own look. You don’t need to know the difference, just go with the look you like in the photos.
Are they shooting in the style that you want for your headshots?
Photography is an art. Of course there are limitations, it has to look like a headshot, but it is still an artistic expression. Every headshot photographer is going to have a style. Each different style is going to appeal to different people. Just choose the style that resonates with you.
How long have they been a headshot photographer?
After looking at their online portfolio you’ll get an idea of how long they’ve been a headshot photographer. It takes years of experience working with people to get the best images for each person. This will come across in their photos. You’ll see the difference between someone who’d been a professional for years and someone who’s just picked up a camera. Their body of work should speak for itself.
Are they easy to work with?
Lastly it comes down to personality. You should get a feel for the photographer from the personality on their website. You can always reach out via email if you’d like more input. A quick phone conversation can also be valuable in getting a feel for your photographer. Meeting in person beforehand is an option, but it’s usually difficult to arrange and you should get the info you need out of the above examples.
Now book your appointment. Showup to your headshot session on time and with a positive attitude. The energy between you and the photographer will have an impact on your final headshots. Be positive. Be happy. Be professional. You should receive the same.
Check out our Women’s Headshots and our Men’s Headshots