REMEMBER, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.

There are 100s of headshot photographers out there, most are inexperianced. Go with an experianced professional. It will save you money in the long run.

A word about the tools you will need to get into acting.

1/ First thing you will need is a good headshot.
The Photographer will usually give you between 50-100 images to choose from.
Edit these by first eliminating the images you do not like,then go through the images and eliminate some more.
Do this 2 or three times until you have a
managable number of images left to make a final choice.
If you do not have an agent yet I suggest you first have
postcard size headshots made up.Use these to send to agents along with a resume.

The reason for this is that is that almost inevitably,the agent who takes you on
will want to choose a shot that he feels will get you into casting sessions
and this will most probably be different to your choice.At this stage you will have the 8x10s made up.

2/ Join an Acting Class.
This will not only teach you about acting.It will also teach you
what to do in front of the camera and understand the director's instructions.
Directors get aggrevated if they have to explain what they want from you.
Do not waste their time by not knowing what to do on the set.To a production, time is money.
Agents also like to see you honing your acting skills all the time.

3/ You must strive to become a member of SAG (Screen Actors Guild).
To do this you must accumulate hours as an actor or extra on productions.
Generally you will do this by working on non union productions.
At the end of each day ask the Assistant Director for what is called a voucher.
Once you have enough vouchers go to SAG and apply for membership.
Also join AFTRA and Central Casting.
Read trade publications such as Backstage & Variety every week to find castings.
Call the casting office and attend those castings.

When you get a call to see an Agent, Manager, Casting Agent, Producer or Director,
they want to see the same person whose headshot they looked at.

You should look pretty much as you do in your Headshot.

There is nothing that drives people who might hire you more crazy, than seeing someone they never asked to see.
So, when you get your headshots taken, be yourself at your best.

FOR THE PHOTO SHOOT

ACTRESSES

Wash your hair before you come to the photo shoot.

Don’t put on makeup before you get to the studio.

When choosing what to wear for the session, first take a look at TV shows to get an idea of how productions dress their actors.
From your closet, pick  the type of outfits that reflect what is popular in the biz now.

For theatrical shots do not wear bold prints. (Whoever looks at your  headshot will only see the print , not you.)

Try the outfits on and LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

Bring as many outfits as you can carry. What may look great in the mirror, doesn't always look great in the camera ,
so give yourself and the photographer a chance to change into something that works in the camera.

You must have your hair and makeup done by a professional.

Why?
Because they know best how Makeup responds in studio lighting conditions.

ACTORS

No makeup.

When choosing what to wear for the session, first take a look at TV shows to get an idea of how productions dress their actors.
From your closet, pick  the type of outfits that reflect what is popular in the biz now.

For theatrical shots do not wear bold prints. (Whoever looks at your  headshot will only see the print , not you.)

Try the outfits on and LOOK IN THE MIRROR.

Bring as many outfits as you can carry. What may look great in the mirror will not always look great in the camera,
so give yourself and the photographer a chance to change into something that works.

ABOVE ALL BE RELAXED AT THE PHOTOSHOOT, IT’S JUST FILM OR DIGITAL IMAGES,
NOT WORLD WAR THREE. YOU CAN ALWAYS BURN THE FILM OR DELETE THE IMAGES..

HAVE A GREAT TIME & HAVE FUN!