Acting Headshot Expression Guide
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.