New Headshots

PaPa

PaPa

Major Contributor
Well guys, i just got added to Glenn Talents roster in montreal, so i had to take some headshots. Figured i could either go and spend 500 on a photographer, or, from the knowledge i have from filming and the equipment i use for it, i could do it myself. ( these are on 4x6 format because i was printing them to get a test print )


Three point lighting, makeup, the works. Please tell me what you guys think.

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I would love some critiquing, but about setup mostly, i have already sent test photos to Susan Glenn and what i got back from her were the styles she liked from the ones is ent her ( basically these two styles ).

:)
 
Don't take this the wrong way

Spend the $500.00 on the headshots. If you are serious about acting as a career then you gotta ante up; (And the White Background needs to be nuetral)

Your headshot is the first ticket in the door to an audition; don't get cheap on it
 
Agreed.

If you insist on doing them yourself, definitely get rid of the border/ drop shadow thing. It's distracting, you don't want them looking at the paper, you don't their eyes to go anywhere but you.
 
I like them. But, the first thing I noticed was what looks to be lip gloss, and heavy eye liner. I would also consider doing some more touch up work on spots and blemishes. But the shots are nice. The first one is the best.

g' luck.
 
Crate a few more shadows, it llooks like the light coing from the right is too strong.

you look flat.
 
thanks guys. Input always helps

as for the makeup, i did not have any on my eyes ( thats all natural baby :) ) lol

i have a pudgier face so it also looks flat because i have very little indents/definition. no lip gloss either, just a little bass to cover the blemishes on the cheeks ( without being too unnatural )

here guys, check out her roster. I am not one to compare myself to others, but in comparison to the quality of photos, there are ton on her roster who could benefit from even me taking their photos

www.glenntalent.ca
 
oo good info, thanks

its not actually blemishes, but a streak in the makeup, but non the less it would help to do some touch ups before i print em.
 
I think these are fine - maybe with the exception of teh blemishes.

Some people say not to retouch headshots too much or make them too soft, and I think you have a point for old bald dudes like Chris and I, but for a young man such as your self I would go for some retouching.

If you've got the 500 sitting around I would go for it and use it, but I've scene worse pro headshots.

Mine are homade too, and I just moved to NYC and nee to get them redone, mostly because they aren't representative of me now, but my homeades were repeatedly comented on as better than most the agents had scene in New Orleans -- very different Market than NY or Montreal though.

Now is this a commercial agent? Legite agent? Theatrical? I don't know about Montreal but (and Alvarez chime in here if I'm off) my understanding is L.A. is completely color now and New York is almost there with black and whites still being predominate in Theatre. But my understanding is color is the norm for film and television in NY as well and is now acceptable for theatre.

My feeling is
A) its a color medium (hence the move to color headshots) so why not show them that (its what most want to see at least in large US Markets)

B) Even if color isn't the standard in Montreal, I'm sure it must be acceptable so why not stand out against a field of black and white competetors.

C) when you audition for LA or NY directors or Casting Directors you may seem more "with it"

Only reason I woulnd't do color is if its a theatrical headshot and color is frowned upon or seen as pretentious in the Montreal Theatre scene.

Also if these are for a commercial agent -- you need one showing teeth, or at least a very good smile.

Now all of that is just my sense of things an my opinion so remember what the say about opinions.

here's my homeade headshot:
http://www.live-theater.org/jackdanielstanleyheadshot.htm
 
S.G represents actors who are part of Actra, equity, and more, so basically everything from film, television, to stage and son on.

she has a really nifty site, you should check it out. www.glenntalent.ca
 
I couldn't agree any more with what John says. You did a really good job with these, but you should go with professional headshots. If you don't it seems kind of rebellious, like you think it's not worth the time and money or want to undermine the process.

They're nice shots, though, still.
 
I did my own cuz I just flat didn't have the dough.

Maybe he's got a ton of money but, $500 is easier to come by for some than others.

Not sure how I'm gonna do it.

Right now I'd have to make a choice between doing that paying for insurance to shoot on the street in NY for Hero Fest.

Don't pay $500 just for the principle of the matter unless you have it to burn.

Touch them up.

Show them to your agent.

Don't tell them you did them your self.

Show them to your agent and say that you like these but could get others done if he/she thinks you need to.

Yout agent will know if its pro enough and if it showcases you correctly and that's all that matters.

I met with 5 agents before choosing mine in NOLA, showed them my headshot, they loved it, then told them I did it myself and they couldn't believe it and sayed it looked great. So if your agent is down, then you are just paying $500 for principle.
 
but ya know what, even though you shouldnt cop out on what represents you.
not to be immodest, but my eslf shot is better than half of the pro shots on her site, i dont feel badly about doing it myself, i just want to know which one to go with in terms of style and so on.

lighting tips could help too! I know how to light but there are others out there much more experienced than i.!
 
PaPa said:
thanks guys. Input always helps

as for the makeup, i did not have any on my eyes ( thats all natural baby :) ) lol

i have a pudgier face so it also looks flat because i have very little indents/definition. no lip gloss either, just a little bass to cover the blemishes on the cheeks ( without being too unnatural )

here guys, check out her roster. I am not one to compare myself to others, but in comparison to the quality of photos, there are ton on her roster who could benefit from even me taking their photos

www.glenntalent.ca
Click to expand...

You are right about the quality of photos on the site, in comparison I think you have better shots than most.

Personally.......I like the shots you did and $500 is a lot of cash. I didn't see what looked like pro photography on the website and if those are..........then save your money!

Marlene
 
I think you can do your own photos. But to be honest...these don't cut it.

Montreal is small but it ain't that small. You need a profesh looking pic.

I've done my own photos before and have been very pleased. That said...I've always gotten a better response from pro pics.

It's a game. Play the game to win. And don't do things that UN-cast you. It's hard enough to get cast on it's own.

2cents.
 
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