Guide to actors headshots?

Carlo

Carlo

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Carl
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Portrait work is something i don't do much of, i mostly take landscape, wildlife, sports pictures purely on a 'hobby' basis.
I have though done bits of things such as theatre and performance work for friends as favours/ for expenses and purely for the love of taking pictures!
My wife is a writer and has many friends in the business, one of which who has seen some of my work on social media, and has now asked if i could do her some head shots.
I'm really looking forward to it as i always like gaining any experience, also she's adament she'll pay me the going rate!
I've met her a few times, she's really nice and has done a lot of TV work, so i'm really flattered, (sorry, won't name drop!), although i'm not very experienced at portrait work as i can never get family to pose (teenage kids and a self conscious wife!!)
I've got a few Scott Kelby books, but nothing in them that goes into too much detail and i've also searched the web, but most of the advice i have found is for what actors should look for for their headshots!
If anyone can direct me to some guides, whether written or youtube etc i'd be very grateful. (guides on lighting, settings, tips ets)
The kit i have is;
5D3, 70-200 f2.8, 100mm macro, 24-105 f4L (have other lenses but think these are best suited)
metz and yongnuo flashes, softbox, umbrella, reflector, 2.4m x 11m white background, tripods, remote triggers.
I'll probably go round to hers to take them, so any tips on what i could use for maybe black/colour backgrounds? (can't afford any more gear!), also she likes colour shots outdoors.
Probably be doing it in a week or two time.
I'd say my ability is intermediate, I just take pictures because i love photography!:)

Just heard from the Mrs that another friend/famous actress would like me to do some!
This if goes well could lead to lots of work!!! :nailbiting:
 
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In my local library, in the reference section there is a book containing many current actors and actresses plus details of their agents for casting purposes. Each person has a head shot as well and it was useful to see all the different approaches.

I suspect same or similar is available online via actors agents / casting agents to give an idea of the finished effect, and then analyse to work out how it was taken.
 
Carlo said:
Portrait work is something i don't do much of, i mostly take landscape, wildlife, sports pictures purely on a 'hobby' basis.
I have though done bits of things such as theatre and performance work for friends as favours/ for expenses and purely for the love of taking pictures!
My wife is a writer and has many friends in the business, one of which who has seen some of my work on social media, and has now asked if i could do her some head shots.
I'm really looking forward to it as i always like gaining any experience, also she's adament she'll pay me the going rate!
I've met her a few times, she's really nice and has done a lot of TV work, so i'm really flattered, (sorry, won't name drop!), although i'm not very experienced at portrait work as i can never get family to pose (teenage kids and a self conscious wife!!)
I've got a few Scott Kelby books, but nothing in them that goes into too much detail and i've also searched the web, but most of the advice i have found is for what actors should look for for their headshots!
If anyone can direct me to some guides, whether written or youtube etc i'd be very grateful. (guides on lighting, settings, tips ets)
The kit i have is;
5D3, 70-200 f2.8, 100mm macro, 24-105 f4L (have other lenses but think these are best suited)
metz and yongnuo flashes, softbox, umbrella, reflector, 2.4m x 11m white background, tripods, remote triggers.
I'll probably go round to hers to take them, so any tips on what i could use for maybe black/colour backgrounds? (can't afford any more gear!), also she likes colour shots outdoors.
Probably be doing it in a week or two time.
I'd say my ability is intermediate, I just take pictures because i love photography!:)

Just heard from the Mrs that another friend/famous actress would like me to do some!
This if goes well could lead to lots of work!!! :nailbiting:
Click to expand...

I had cause to research this a little while ago.. though I usually go more off the wall than conventional headshots.

Headshots are nearly always 8x10 and colour, you need eye contact and to include the shoulders. Get the subject to stand rather than sit; it often gives a better shape to the neck and back. Have the subject turn their shoulders slightly side on. Try to keep a conversation going and snap away as you chat to get informal reactions. Tell them to move this way and that - a little - as you do so and keep taking pictures even if the pose isn't great. Keeping a flow going is important. If you can then avoid showing the subject the back of the camera.

Your 100mm lens should work well if you have the room. Start with a large light source close to the camera axis and the subject and a white background. If you're far enough from the background and it is unlit then it will appear dark grey - or even black.

If her hair is dark then you may want to separate it from the background with a hair light.

Then once you got a few basic shots in the bag start experimenting with moving the light further off the camera axis, adding some fill via a reflector or second light, whatever you like really. Shoot a few different outfits. They should all be relatively plain and neutral coloured. Avoid major jewellery. Don't be tempted to do too many shots which include the sitters hand(s) e.g. on the chin - they don't often work. Don't include any props.

Outdoor shots need to have the background completely free of distractions and/or out of focus.

Practice on someone else first!

Peter Hurley is the headshot king - but don't get too caught up in trying to reproduce his posing tricks; you run the risk of over-posing someone.
 
I shot a local actors head shots with a 24-105, mostly at the long end.

The main thing I was asked was to make it fill the frame as the area they have on the casting websites is only about passport size.

I shot mainly clamshell and loop at different distances from the White background to get both white and grey.

I had two softboxes, one above, one below although a reflector would have done for below for the clamshell and a diffused beauty dish for the loop.

We did a lot of the expected type and then a few off the wall ones, one of the off the wall ones has proved very popular.

I would ask them if they could link to some styles that they like so you have a good idea of what they are after.
 
Hi again
Did the shoot last Sunday, she came over to my house for it so i spent a few hours beforehand setting up and practising on the wife to get the lighting right.
Well...we had a chat and she told me what she wanted; Colour shots and outdoors!:eek:
Yep, that well and truly threw me! into a slight panic too as i hadn't planned/prepared for that (lesson learnt for next time), also the weather was a right PITA!
Sun in and out every couple of seconds and windy (she liked the idea of windy hair effects, but i'm not sure whether her agent will!)
Anyway i learnt a lot, mostly from my mistakes! but we went through the pictures after on the laptop and she was very happy!
I suggested doing some more and it ended with her picking about 25 of the shots which i'll need to edit and send to her agent!
I'll probably be back mithering you all for help on that and tips etc, but i'd like to thank you all for the suggestions/advice, was very helpful
 
Check the very precise guideline in Spotlight for how an actor's portrait must be taken for that publication, most acting directories and castings use the same rules. There's not a lot of scope for getting creative, it's a very precise genre. Details at http://www.spotlight.com/artists/multimedia/photoguidelines/BookPhoto.html

That assumes it's a formal actor's headshot/portrait that's required. If the client has other ideas you need to establish this with them well in advance.
 
Actor headshots are all about expression and character. You need to be able to direct your subject, sometimes in quite extreme ways. Setting up a few lights is pretty straightforward, it is in the expression where they will either succeed or not.

You also have to make sure the shots meet guidelines for the major casting agencies and it takes a lot of research to find this out.

It's not an easy fast buck market. There is a big learning curve.

Also consider that the actors depend on these headshots for their lively hoods. A failed headshot means not reaching an audition, being auditioned for the wrong roles or even being struck off the books for life if the Casting Director feels the shot does not portray the actor they meet in an audition.

The Spotlight guide is pretty much a joke. Compare their guide to style of photos shown in their photographer of the month slot.

Also, the styles for the UK and USA market are quite different. In expression, lighting and even apparel. Some actors will need shots taken in both styles.

You will have to spend a lot of time to learn this market.
 
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