Why your friends’ headshot opinions are probably misguided

headshots Los Angeles by Vanie

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If you ask 50 people what they think of your headshots,

you’ll get 50 different opinions. That’s just a fact. Everyone has an opinion, and almost everyone with an opinion on headshots is sadly misguided.

Amy Landon: FBI Agent | DaNaé West: Hipster

Quinn Gasaway: Bad Guy, Good Guy 😉

I’ve heard opinions range from “you shouldn’t have arms in your photo” to “you should show a little body”, “your head should be centered”, “most of your head should fill the frame”, “Your photo is too close”, “there should be no shadows in your photo”, “the background should be real”, background should be white” etc. etc. etc.

All these comments focus on subjective and shallow aesthetics, and they don’t serve to help you figure out how to get an effective headshot.

Jenna Doolittle: Love interest, Romantic Lead

 Dawn Brodey: Quirky, Working Class, Edgy

UNFORTUNATELY, the actor that becomes most confused by such criticism is usually the one that needs the most help– the actor without an agent and the one that’s unwilling to budget in a professional headshot session.

Jodie Bentley: Soccer Mom, Suburban Mom, FBI Agent, Lawyer

 Vann Duke: DA, Dad

Most seasoned actors know how the game works.

They have agents advising them (usually the best people to listen to since they work with many casting directors). They go on frequent auditions and know that what makes a headshot effective is not only having it be done professionally so that the casting community takes them seriously, but making sure to showcase “types” as well as personality.  That’s it.

Julie Brett: Lawyer | Dan Louis: Hipster

Quynh Thi Le: Sexy Love Interest, Gamer

Rachel Henn: Business, Mom

I can tell you in my 16+ years as a headshot photographer, I’ve never heard comments based only on aesthetics from reputable agents.

To take that idea a step further, in my opinion, an effective headshot is one that speaks to the viewer emotionally. In other words, one that exudes a certain emotional reaction because your personality is coming through.

EVERY THING ELSE IS GARBAGE.

There are no rules, and there certainly aren’t any rules that can’t be broken if an image can capture the viewer’s attention. Good luck!

 Bex Carney: Detective | Suzanne Petrela: Hipster

Jennifer Laughnan: Business | Philip Levien: Dad