FAQ
Every acting headshot photographer in Orlando operates differently. Some questions you may have could be things like:
How many images are included?
How much does it cost?
How long does it take to get my photos?
How far do they book out? (etc. etc.)
So, let’s dive in and answer the important questions you need to know before booking your acting headshots session. We want you to be fully prepared, confident, and ready for success when choosing to worth with the team at Eldeen Annette Headshots!
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We are near Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The exact address and access code will be provided upon booking.
We have actors from all over Florida come in - it’s so fun! We have had clients come up from Miami (helloooo Brightline!), Tampa, St. Pete, Melbourne, Gainsville, Jacksonville, and even the United Kingdom (actually!). There are only a handful of photographers that specialize in acting headshots, so it’s worth the time investment to find a photographer whose work will help you reach your goals.
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In short, YES.
Outfit selection is incredibly important to having a successful headshot and portraying your type correctly and immediately.
Sometimes, it’s as simple as a t-shirt, but many other times, you will need to craft an outfit that speaks to your type clearly (but not TOO specifically - lest you limit your headshots’ use).
We have a what-to-wear guide that will not only help you choose outfits, but can help you discover your types so you know what direction to go regarding clothing.
We will also guide you on what colors and fabrics to avoid, complete with examples. We want your headshots to pay you back many times over, so we are also invested in helping you choose the right outfits.
And —> most importantly: ask your acting coach or agency what they would recommend for you! They know your abilities, types, and have an idea on what will help THEM market you! Always consult your agency for types and outfit recommendations.
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Our Sessions start at $274 for adults, and $249 for younger actors.
Rates vary dramatically from photographer to photographer.
Some charge a $300 sitting fee, and then an additional $250 per image afterward. - or even up to $1200 for the full set of proofs!
Some charge a flat rate of $500 - $700 and include all the unedited proofs (edits are extra).
Others charge as little as $50 for the session and all your images.
Each photographer’s work is also different. Maybe all you need is a $50 headshot to start trying for auditions or for a playbill. Or - you might be ready to level-up your acting game and need a more professional headshot.
I am not a “cheap” photographer, but i do charge less than most other photographers so that it’s a do-able entry point for actors. In Denver, my starting point was $500 and all images were included (unedited), but I found that all people really need is a couple of photos, so I adjusted my rate to reflect the needs of the actors - and their budget concerns.
More on that in the next question!
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Headshot sessions include the time in the studio, plus 2 images per look (with 30-50 to choose from per look).
Then, if you decide you would like more headshots from the session, you can purchase additional images for $25 a photo. These extra images are edited and ready to go for you.
I found that actors rarely need the full set of digitals, so why make them pay for them all? In reality, you will only need or use about 2 headshots per look.
(I had my daughter go see another photographer for her headshots (because — well — teens sometimes just want something besides mom, lol) and while we did get all the web-sized proofs and the photographer was great, but the $500 session felt high to me because in the end, the agency only wanted 1 of the shots.. they simply don’t need several headshots in one outfit.)
However - If you find that you would still like all of the unedited images from your session, you can still purchase web-sized proofs for just $100 for the entire look.
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No. Some people don’t need a professional stylist, so in order to keep costs down, professional hair and makeup is an add-on only.
I partner with a select number of stylists. Our partnership gets the rate down from their standard of $500 to just $180 (for the first look, and then a minimal up-charge for more than one look).
It is HIGHLY - STRONGLY - EXTREMELY recommended that women (and girls over 12) include hair and makeup for their session. I work with a set of artists that specialize in acting headshots - often on set - and know exactly how to make you look naturally perfect.
Once in a while, an agency will ask their talent for a re-shoot if they did their own hair/makeup because the styling wasn’t on point, meaning, they can’t market you effectively.
However, if you are good and very confident at doing your own hair and makeup, you can absolutely come ready-to-go! (but note, there won’t be time here to do hair or makeup, so you’ll need to get ready before the session begins).
Please also note that if you opt to come ready-to-go, most hair and makeup issues cannot be corrected in photoshop. Acting headshots must be as natural as possible.
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Editing your images is actually a pretty specialized skill, in order to provide you with headshots that look natural, while still helping you look your best.
My editing process includes:
Removing temporary blemishes
Removing distracting flyaway hairs (but not all! More and more, casting directors and agencies want to at least feel like your photos are REAL representations of yourself, so I caution against removing all flyaway hairs… it just doesn’t look natural, and can even hurt your image).
Correcting any exposure issues (often I shoot a mix of natural light and studio light. On a partly-cloudy day, this can mean one photo is perfect, and the very next is over or under-exposed! But not to worry - I shoot in RAW, meaning, there is a LOT of data in that image and I can easily correct exposure without losing image quality).
Softening anything in the background that may be too distracting.
(I often like to shoot the home environment as your background — makes the actor look like they are on set! — But once in a while, a distracting element may make its way into the shot. That will be softened or removed altogether).
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Good news on this front - I make it a priority to get your photos to you literally by the next business day.. and actually.. I normally can even provide the gallery the SAME day as your session.
I know that you are anxious and excited to see your photos (and I am too!), so why put it off? And, I know that often your agency is waiting on headshots before they can start submitting you. Timing is key.
You will have your gallery link within 24 hours of your shoot.
Then, once you’ve narrowed down your favorites for editing, I only need 1 day for editing.
That means you can shoot on day, and literally have your photos the very next day. Fun, right?!
And let’s be honest - I’m normally so excited for your session, that I can’t wait to get to them (seriously)!
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I try to keep at least one session open three days each week (no matter what) so I am able to accommodate actors who may have a more urgent need for headshots. In short, you could be seen the very same week that you book!
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Well… when I used to hold dates for actors in the past before they booked, I found that those dates often got lost to other clients because the actor I was holding the date for either was a no-show, or, didn’t get back to me with a confirmation.
To keep things running smoothly, I decided to charge upfront for the headshot session, and then make sure to keep a few days open each week no matter what, so that actors with a more urgent need can be seen.
This has worked out really well, and I’ve NEVER had an actor who had to request a refund due to a scheduling issue or delay!
So, in order to get in the calendar, you will need to book your session online. I will then get back to you within 24 hours (but usually the same day) with a bunch of day and time options for your headshots!
We will do everything we can (my stylist and I both!) to get you in as soon as possible, within your availability.
The ONLY exception would be if you must have a Saturday. Those tend to book out a few weeks in advance.
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You are able to cancel your session and receive a full refund, or reschedule your session if you notify me within 48 hours of your session.
Emergencies will be considered as an exception (but.. “I’m having a bad hair day” is NOT an emergency (yes, this was a real request for cancelation). Real emergencies only will be considered for refund or reschedule.
If you are a no-show, or cancel within 48 hours from your session, you forfeit your session rate.
Please do everything possible to arrive to your session on time, and plan well in advance for any potential issues so we can reschedule!
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The best way to get a reduced-rate session is to ask your agency or acting coach if they partner with me.
I only provide special rates for partner referrals. Each partner has their own special ordering page for their actors and models, which they should be able to provide to you. If they don’t have a link, but say they do partner with me, I can provide you with their special ordering page.
The other way to get more affordable acting headshots is to book one of my “headshot days” sessions from my other site, Palm Lake Headshots.
These headshots are on bright white only, and are a mini-session (15 minutes) offered two days each month. This session can absolutely be used for actors, and have been used by many who need a professional headshot, but need a cheaper rate.
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I do Instagram!
Imma be honest - social media is not my forte, but I’ve managed to figure my way around instagram (not Tik Tok, facebook, or threads), and would LOVE for you to follow me!
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Your chosen headshots will be emailed over to you, individually, in two versions:
Full resolution, Uncropped
Web resolution, standard headshot crop
In the event that you order the full set of unedited proofs, or you order more than 6 edited images, you will receive a dropbox link where you can download your headshots to your computer. The link is active for 14 days.
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Yes - if your agency or acting coach would like to help you choose the winning images, you can send them the gallery link.
They can then “heart” their personal favorites, and then I will send you a screenshot of what they chose.
Then, you can consider their favorites when making your OWN favorites / final choices.
Unfortunately, the system doesn’t allow your agency or coach to directly share their list with you. It’s annoying, and I’ve mentioned it to the company (shootproof), but it is what it is. I will do what I can in a timely manner to get their favorites list to you for consideration.
Ultimately, the choice is up to you! I will go off of YOUR favorites list for edits.
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I used to say yes to this, but found that my choices rarely matched the preference of my client :) We all see ourselves in a unique way.
So, no, I actually don’t provide insight into what I think are the best images.
Consider eye contact, connection, the genuine smile, and accurate appearance when choosing your final headshots.
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I work with children as young as 5 years old, and twice a year, bring in my child specialist all the way from Los Angeles to work with babies - 5 year-olds.
Child headshot sessions are very much like adult session (because the adult sessions are FUN!)
We will play music, take breaks, laugh, sing, dance, and capture moments that will help your child actor really shine with their true personality.
The age of your child will make a big difference on HOW we capture images, but have no doubt - we will professionally photograph your child in a way that is cute, youthful, and true.
Professional hair and makeup is STRONGLY recommended for girls age 10 - 17 for best results, and especially for multi-look sessions.
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If, for any reason, you feel unhappy with your headshots and do not intend to use them, we will offer you a refund (minus hair/makeup fee) and sincere apologies!
I will also offer a re-shoot to address the issues if you prefer.
I will note, however… this has never happened :)
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Actually - YES!
You would need to buy the headshot subscription from the Packages page.
You pay up front for severely discounted sessions for up to two years. This is a fantastic way to keep your headshots updates, or for your child’s headshots to stay accurate to their growing little bodies :)
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You must do everything possible to arrive to your session on time. I often schedule sessions back-to-back, and will not be able to extend our session beyond the expected time frame.
If you do happen to be late to a session, we will do everything possible to move through each look successfully, though, you may not have as many image choices in the end as would be normally.
Sessions will not be refunded or rescheduled if you are late to a session. We will simply be efficient, and strategize ways to move through all of your looks well.
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Please do not bring your children to your headshot session if at all possible.
I know that kids may be used to self-entertaining, but my home isn’t set up very well for children, and the distraction can cause delays that will result in less headshots for your session.
If you need to reschedule your session to find a babysitter, please let me know no later than 48 hours in advance so we can reschedule without penalty.
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No. Each look needs to be planned out carefully. We will spend our entire time on that look photographing ONE outfit.
HOWEVER!!! There is one exception: if your outfit has a blazer, jacket, or open sweater that can easily be pulled off or put on, we can shoot a very quick set with the modified look.
Another option is to add glasses for a quick set on a certain look.
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We have a good selection of glasses here with the lenses popped out for acting headshots.
If you have a pair of glasses you would like photographed, you will need to pop out the lenses to make it a possibility. Lenses will reflect the lighting and can’t be used.
We have nerdy glasses, old lady glasses, hipster, standard, cat-eye… you get the idea :)
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If your skin tone is not even, and/or you aren’t fully confident in doing your own hair, YES, I do recommend men also get hair/makeup for their headshot session - especially if you are shooting more than one look.
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I only archive the chosen edits for 12 months. I do not archive images that were not initially selected for editing.
Also, it is strongly advised that you save your final images somewhere safely on your computer and back up your images in case of emergency after 12 months.