I Just Got My New Acting Headshots!
What Do I Do Next?
Let’s talk through how to get the most out of your brand new acting headshots.
You received 3-4 variations of each headshot.
Here’s why, and how to use them:
Your headshots were sent to you via email or dropbox in several forms -each has a specific purpose. Save EACH ONE to your computer.
Full (High) Resolution, Full Photo. This is a printable file (and the only one that should be printed). This headshot label will have one of these words at the end of the file name: “print” or sometimes “_copy”).
Web-Sized, Full Photo. This photo is made for web-use only, when you prefer the entire image composition. This headshot has the word, “web”, at the end of the file name.
Web-Sized, Cropped-In Photo. This image is cropped to the industry standard for acting headshots, which is a tight cut - usually cutting off a bit of the head and going down to mid chest. Use this photo for online headshot purposes, including agency profiles, Actor’s Access, Casting Networks, Casting.com and your IMDB profile. This headshot has the word, CROP-WEB, at the end of the file name.
I can also provide a high resolution 8x10 printable file with your name on it. I create this type of headshot upon request only, as most people never need to print their headshots. Theater actors, or sometimes actors in the entertainment industry that go in for an in-person audition may require a printed headshot.
FAQ: If I need to print an 8x10, can I just print the FULL version?
Yes! However, an 8x10 photo is a different ratio (more square) than the standard camera photo, so some of your image will be cut off. An 11x14 photo won’t cut as much of your photo off, however, isn’t what casting directors are used to receiving. If you plan to print, simply adjust the crop in the printer’s software to your preference, or you can also let me know and i’ll create the 8x10 version for you :)
Make sure that when you upload your photo to your chosen printer, you intentionally direct which parts of the headshot are cut off. Normally you can zoom in and move the photo around inside the “safe zone” to get your preferred composition.
FAQ: Where should I print my 8x10 headshots?
I recommend using Mpix.com or The Actor’s Photo Lab for a high-quality color and contrast print. I DO NOT recommend printing headshots at places like Walmart, Walgreens, Target, Costco, etc. They produce images that have the wrong color, and tend to be way too high on the contrast.
Q: How were my headshots edited?
A: Naturally.
Agencies and Managers (and especially Casting Directors) are getting more strict about how headshots are edited. If they can tell your headshots have been severely edited, it’s becomes a red flag to CDs because they need to see you as you are, not how you wish you were.
Here are the things that I normally include in editing, if needed:
Overall skin texture and tone. I often put a VERY light softening on the skin so that when I sharpen the image (to help it pop!), the skin texture isn’t highlighted.
Image exposure. Once in a while, the light may feel too bright or dark depending on how far from the light source you were in the moment, or especially if I’m using any natural light for your headshots.
Background. Sometimes a background may feel too busy (if we’re shooting the environment), and I will then add some simpler color behind you to bring the focus back to your eyes and smile. Or sometimes a background needs to be stretched (especially in the case of a full-body shot).
Pimples & Blemishes (but not full acne). I edit out zits and pimples when they are just a few and would normally be covered well with makeup on set.
If you don’t have what would be considered clear skin (more than just a few pimples), then I usually soften the effect and take out the major offenders of that day. …But general acne should not be eliminated - your skin will appear way too soft and false, and you will disappoint casting directors when you do callbacks (leading to a bad reputation). I’m here to help YOU SHINE and make casting directors happy they chose you to audition when they see you “live.” :)
Contrast and Sharpening. Another way I love to help images pop is to create a touch of contrast. I will use this technique if your agencies prefers LA-style headshots, but for Florida commercial headshots, we will likely not add more contrast. Natural light is one great way to keep your commercial headshots looking friendly and natural.
I sharpen nearly every image for anyone over 18, but not in a way that makes the photo feel “crunchy.” Your headshot will be sharpened JUST ENOUGH to help it pop.
Here is an example of a typical edit. The original photo is good, but just needed a touch more light, minor stray hair removal, the lightest skin re-touch, and overall “pop” created by sharpening and contrast. This photo is only enhancing her true appearance, not creating a false image of her - which is always the goal when retouching your headshots!
I try to get the images usable right out of camera, so that editing can be very light and natural.
Here are a few things that are NOT edited in your acting headshots. This way, they look natural and accurate:
Fine lines and most wrinkles. These will remain in your headshots so you have an accurate representation of your age and skin. As nice as it is to soften those wrinkles away in post production with other photos and selfies, it’s not a true representation of who you are in this moment (and let’s face it - you’ve earned every one of those smile lines!)
Under eye color is not totally removed because it makes eyes look puffy.
However, this is actually one thing that I will have softened if your under-eyes seemed too dark to me. If you got the professional hair and makeup, this will be a non-issue. And as a general rule, anything that can be fixed with makeup like under-eye color is fair game for me in post production :)
Most stray hairs. There are becoming much more acceptable to agencies and casting directors, and help your photo look real and believable.
I will remove any single hairs that may have strayed across the face, or seem a bit too wild outside your silhouette. If we remove ALL stray hairs outside the head, then it starts to look very fake. Usually I tackle the ones closest to the top of the head.
Stray hairs that are too many (as we can see sometimes over the neck or shirt) must remain nearly in full, lest I have to paint a new skin on or shirt :) That editing seems a bit too obvious and will make your photo look fake.
Roots showing from undyed hair.
Skin discoloration or red patches. I don’t change your skin color in any way. How you come to your headshot session is how we assume you want to appear in your headshots
If you feel you need a re-do with the makeup artist added to your session, get in touch - I will try to help out on my end with the HMUA cost or set up a custom mini session!
Wrinkles in your shirt. If you brought a shirt that has wrinkles, those are too difficult to remove and still remain believable. However, if it was just one or two lines, on a non-textured shirt, those I would have likely taken care of for you.
Save your chosen, edited headshots safely - back up your images
In addition to saving your photos onto your computer, I strongly recommend backing up your images on the cloud or an external drive.
I archive only the images that you chose for 6 months.
IMPORTANT: I do not save any images that were not chosen initially.
Please make sure to order any images you may want up front. I will hold on to the entire set of images and keep your gallery live for 7 days after your edits are sent, and then do not keep the un-chosen photos - it’s just too much for me to store images that aren’t needed :)
If you’d like another 1 or 2-ish beyond what was included with your session, you can order individual images (which will be edited) here for $25 each
If you would like to have ALL of your images, you can get the entire set of unedited images for $100 per look, which can be ordered here
Share with your agent and coach who did your headshots!
It blesses me more than you know when actors share with their coach and agency who did their headshots :)
Please make sure to follow me on instagram!
And it would be SO COOL if you could share with everyone what you loved about your experience on instagram posts and stories - it means more than you know to me!
Also, I’d love to keep up with your journey!