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What's the difference between Theatrical and Commercial Headshots
What’s the difference between Theatrical and Commercial Headshots
Theatrical Headshot vs Commercial Headshot
After reading this you’ll easily know the difference between a theatrical and commercial acting headshots.
It's time to get new headshots and your agent ask you get a theatrical shot and a commercial shot. You don't want to appear stupid so you smile, and say thanks. Now it's up to you to figure out what to do.
I'm going to help you understand the difference between a theatrical headshot and a commercial headshot.
The Theatrical Acting Headshot
This is your serious shot. Think of it as the headshot of a serious actor. It can be divided into two areas that make it a theatrical headshot. Wardrobe and Expression.
THEATRICAL ACTING HEADSHOT WARDROBE
What you're wearing is very important. Your clothes and wardrobe should come across as something serious. Go with colors that make a serious statement. That would be blacks, browns, navy blue or other dark colors.
Your choice of clothing must also be serious. You don't want to wear something frivolous or fluffy or cute. I don’t think it would be a good idea to wear suspenders and a pink shirt in your theatrical headshot.
Colors to stay away from are the lighter colors, the pinks and pastel colors, anything that doesn't look too serious.
THEATRICAL ACTING HEADSHOT EXPRESSION
When you're getting your photos taken, it's important to have the correct serious expression for a theatrical headshot.
This expression consists of engaging serious eye contact. A good way to do this is to consider the smize. This is a small squint where you actually push the bottom eyelid up instead of squinting the top eyelid down. This gives you that serious connected eye contact with the viewer of your headshot. Add to this a very slight smile. This will keep you from looking too angry or pissed off. Feel free to practice this in the mirror.
The Commercial Acting Headshot
The commercial acting headshot follows a similar formula to the theatrical acting headshot.
It's what you're wearing and the expression on your face.
COMMERCIAL ACTING HEADSHOT WARDROBE
For the commercial acting headshot you should wear colors that are more colorful and fun. Any color that brings a light friendly bright happy attitude with it. These should also not be pastels. Think, blue red, yellow any color with a pop
Your choice of wardrobe should also be less serious. You don't want to wear a black leather jacket in a commercial acting headshot. Instead wear a colorful hoodie or a denim jacket with a colorful T shirt underneath.
COMMERCIAL ACTING HEADSHOT EXPRESSION
Your expression should also be more friendly in nature. A nice smile or relax expression that tells people you're a friendly person.
It's really that simple, just have your clothing and your expression appropriate for either a theatrical headshot or a commercial headshot.
Now go out there and get those new headshots with confidence.
Best Headshot Printing in Los Angeles
The 6 Best Headshot Printing Places in Los Angeles
Best Headshot Printing Places in Los Angeles
The 6 best headshot printing places in Los Angeles
Remember back in the day when you had to print 1,000 had shots every time you had a new headshot taken. Well those days are gone. Even though acting headshot printing is something we do less and less, it's still important to know a great headshot printing place.
Here is my top 6 headshot printing places in Los Angeles
Theatrical Headshots
Theatrical Headshots
Commercial Headshots
Commercial Headshots
PRINTS CHARM’N
Not only do these guys have a catchy name they also do some of the best Prints. Specializing in great rates and low quantities you'll find something that fits your budget. Their same day service is great if you’re in a hurry. They've been printing headshots for over 30 years so you know you're going to get quality.
REPRODUCTIONS ONLINE
Reproductions moved all their services online. Back in the day, it was the go-to place for printing in Hollywood. Now that their online anybody can use them anywhere. You can order 8 x 10’s, postcards and business cards all online. Their website is easy to use and their prices affordable.
PIXELS DIGITAL IMAGING
Started in 2005 these guys have a lot of experience in creating great prints. The nice thing about Pixels if you need only a single print they can do it. You can drop into their location in Hollywood or do your ordering online.
THE ACTORS PHOTO LAB
The actors photo lab specializes in high-quality Luster photo prints. They have an office in Studio City or you can order online. With their low price guarantee you're going to get a great rate on your headshot prints.
PRINT HEADSHOTS
High quality photo prints on thick cardstock are these guys specialty, and they're still able to keep their prices within reason. Located in Orange County that's a little far away but you can always order online.
RAY’S PHOTO LAB
Originally, Ray the retoucher, this place has been a staple in Los Angeles for a long time. Back in the day everyone headed to Ray’s for his awesome retouching services. Now you can go there too also get your reproductions printed.
This list is just some great options to help find a great printing place for your acting headshots. Good luck and may you book that next gig!
How to prepare for my Acting Headshot Session
Everything you need to know to prepare for your acting headshot session
How to Prepare for my Acting Headshots
Is your hair ready?
Is your hair ready? Do you need to get a haircut? Do you need to color your roots? Are your bangs too long? All of these are things you don't think about until you're in the process of actually getting your headshots taken. Then you'll be like, “Oh I wish I would have got my bangs trimmed, or I wish I would have colored my roots, or I wish I would have got a haircut.” Don't be that person. Get your hair looking the way it should look. In addition, if you need different hairstyles, for your different characters, you should plan those out.
Put together your outfits
Of course getting the right outfits together is a big part of getting your headshots. I wrote a full blog post on this be sure to check it out Here.
Is it weird to practice my expressions?
OK, now that you’ve done your research, and got your characters together, it's time to practice your expressions in the mirror. I know this may feel awkward, but it's a good idea to do it. I'd start with practicing expression that best fit the characters you discovered in your initial research. Maybe do a little Google search on these characters to see common expressions that they would use. Now of course for headshots the expressions need to fit in that headshot box. As a photographer I'll help guide you in that direction.
My trick to Getting a good night's sleep.
Of course you need a good night sleep before your headshot. I'll share with you my trick to get a good night sleep before an event like headshots.
What most people do the day before their headshots is get everything ready the evening before their headshot session. This usually leads late into the evening and part of the night. Then what happens while they're trying to sleep their mind is racing, thinking about all the things they were getting ready for their headshot session. This, of course, leads to not getting a good night's sleep.
What I suggest you do is start getting things ready your clothes and such a few days before. Plan on having everything completely Ready by 4pm the day before your headshots. now spend the rest of the evening just relaxing at home. Maybe watch a movie, read a book, or whatever it takes to get you to fall asleep for a good night's rest.
I hope this little post helped you prepare for your next headshot session. Have a great shoot!
Headshot Photographer for the Newbie Actor
Easy to follow guide for getting your first acting headshots
Headshot Photographer for the Newbie Actor
So you're about to get your first headshots
This easy-to-follow guide will tell you everything you need to know.
Did you move all the way to LA to be an actor?
You saved up your money and moved to Los Angeles and you want to be an actor. The very first step to being an actor in Los Angeles is getting your acting headshots taken by a professional headshot photographer.
Ok how do I even get started?
The first thing you need to do is select a headshot photographer. Start doing your research using Google, Actors Access, LA Casting, and ask your acting friends if they know a headshot photographer that they recommend. However, select the photographer that’s the best fit for you.
Am I Ready?
After you've selected your headshot photographer now it's time to get yourself ready to take your headshots. The first thing you need to do is get your outfits together (also known as looks). This is an important step. The clothes you wear follow a specific formula for acting headshots. I've written the complete post about what to wear for acting headshots here.
Should you get a makeup artist?
Getting a makeup artist for your first acting headshot is always a good idea. I know you’re a starving actor and you're trying to save money. If you think you can do it yourself go for it. The main thing is you want your makeup to look nice, but natural, don't overdo it with heavy eye makeup or fake eyelashes. Also don't want to wear red lipstick. Natural colors work much better.
Now it's time to prepare yourself.
You've picked a photographer, you got your looks together, decided on a makeup artist, now it's time to prepare for the actual day of your headshots.
You need to be completely prepared the day of your headshots. Have your hair cut if it needs to be. Be sure to have all your clothes cleaned and pressed. Get a good night's sleep the night before your headshots. that means no late-night partying! Also try not to be too nervous and worried about getting everything ready the night before your headshots. this is a common mistake. People stay up late getting all the clothes ready and all that stuff and then their mind is racing when they try to go to sleep. They can't sleep and wake up really tired. I recommend having everything together before 6 p.m. the day before your headshots. Then spend the rest of the night relaxing and watch some Netflix. Or whatever.
Now when you show up to your headshot appointment be sure to tell the photographer this is your first time doing headshots. I always like to tell newbies what to expect during their headshot session. I’ll give them little tips and tricks so I can get the most out of their expressions. If you have any questions be sure to ask the photographer. I’m always more than happy to help. If you feel a little nervous say so. Then I can make that extra effort to make t you feel more at ease and comfortable. Now we’re going to get some great photos.
Is that it? …Nope
After the shoot I need to select the headshots that you’ll be send out for castings. You'll have lots of pictures so you need to go through them with the eye of selecting headshots not of selecting a photo that you like. Be sure to ask your acting friends to give their input on your choices for your selected headshots.
Yeah! It’s time to book your First Acting Gig.
After you have your photos selected you need to post your headshots and your profile on LA Casting and Actors Access. This is a great place to get started with your acting career. You can submit yourself for acting jobs and submit yourself to agents.