Here’s how my first headshot experience went:
2022
First headshot experience 👍🏽
Headshots.
A critical material we need as actors. The experience can be nerve wracking. My first time taking headshots surely was.
When taking my first ever headshots, my immediate thoughts were consumed with doubts and insecurities, wondering how in the world will I pull this off and feel happy with my headshots.
I had no idea how to take headshots. I didn't have a clear direction, what to wear, what I felt confident in, how to pose. And I definitely didn't know that the photographer you choose can make or break the headshot. The only goal I had in mind was not to look “bad” in the headshots, however that's very vague AND subjective 🤦🏽♀️.
I had to work with what I had. My mom and I searched for photographers and there was a limited selection especially around where I live. Soon enough we found a photographer that had great reviews. My mom also spoke with the photographer and he said that he could absolutely do headshots for actors.
We didn't book a makeup artist because I felt decent about my makeup skills. Besides, it's common knowledge that you're not supposed to have heavy makeup in your headshots, so I could totally pull this off.
I have long thick wavy/curly hair and out of everything I felt unsure about, I was sure about one thing: I wanted to wear my natural hair because it felt the most me and my headshots were a reflection of myself. We ended up not hiring a hairstylist.
I did brief research on what to wear for headshots and concluded that I would pick a couple of plain tops both dark and light for film/television and commercial shots.
As the day got closer, I prepped my bag with makeup, hair products and the clothes that I would need. Once that day arrived we drove about an hour and a half to take my first set of headshots. How exciting!...
When we arrived, we realized that the photographer’s location was his house, not a studio. I later learned that's a common thing with some photographers. As a first time headshot taker, I was a little creeped out.
I unpacked my things and started to get ready while we conversed with the photographer to further see if he knew what he was doing. He said he had experience taking headshots and other types of photos like business headshots, portrait photography for graduations etc. He also gave me some advice for taking these headshots as he seemed to be speaking from experience knowing what the industry wants.
Then we started taking the shots. I wasn't feeling super confident in my hair, makeup and clothes. It felt incomplete. The photographer was also asking me to do strange movements with my arms to help my posture and face. Let’s just say, I felt like there were other things I could’ve done to give that illusion rather than “pretending I’m holding a large sub.”
The photographer showed me the shots as we were going through the photoshoot. Some looked nice, but I felt they could have been stronger. My initial thought was: “I feel like he could have captured my face and angles better.” But, I thought it was just in my head and that was simply how I looked.
My mom and I exchanged looks at each other, but we didn’t think too hard about it.
A few weeks later when we received the edited shots, I kid you not— remember how I said headshots shouldn't consist of heavy makeup? I did natural makeup especially since it was all I really could do. In fact I would even argue it looked like I had no makeup on. So imagine my mom and my surprise when we receive the edited shots with long lashes, strong blush and the most perfectly brushed skin…WHAT?
Not only did I not feel confident in how I did my hair, makeup and clothes, but it felt worse to see the finished product of my first set of headshots. Now, this isn’t meant to be a disappointing story. I realized that ignorance is a big trap amongst aspiring actors. The lack of education and credible resources available for actors leave space for them to make many mistakes that could have been avoided.
I don't mean that you should avoid mistakes, we are bound to make them and it's impossible to succeed without them. If actors had a better understanding of how to handle headshots, auditions, etc. I think we'd be able to get more efficient results that we are more likely to be happy with or proud of.
Taking my first set headshots was a big learning experience. Even the second and third. It wasn’t until my fourth set of headshots where I actually saw the real me in the pictures. I didn't see an actor trying to appear like a character or the illusion of perfect posture from opening the shoulders up holding a “sub.”
In order to get this result, I educated myself like never before to ensure that I would go in with a specific intention knowing that I would leave out of there with something I was proud of.
I hope that in one way or another you can relate to the experience because without sufficient knowledge and experience taking your first set of headshots is tough and it is no easy task. It doesn't have to be as hard or daunting.