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headshots

Feb 25, 2022

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The difference between commercial vs. theatrical h The difference between commercial vs. theatrical headshots...

But first, featuring actor Tristan King, all theatrical looks. 

❌ Stop asking if a headshot photographer shoots “commercial” or “theatrical.”

Here’s the truth: The line has completely blurred.

Think about it:

❌ Your “Suburban Mom” look isn’t just for commercials.

✅ You’re also the “Suburban Mom” in a one-hour drama.

✅ The “Office Guy” in a sitcom is the same “type” as the “Office Guy” in a procedural.

Most of your looks are crossovers.

So, what actually changes in an acting headshot?

Your ESSENCE.

✨ The “Mom” in a Target commercial has a different feeling, a different story, than the “Mom” in Ozark.

Your headshot session shouldn’t be about just “smiley vs. non-smiley.”

⚡️It should be about capturing an emotional arc for each look—from a bright, commercial essence to a grounded, theatrical one.

📸You don’t need two different photographers.

You need one photographer who directs you like an ACTOR, not a model, to show you can do both.

➡️➡️Hey if you made it this far, please like this post. There’s a like recession and we need to like posts to support one another!

Also, have you been confused by this distinction? Let’s talk in the comments.👇
Avoid being asked for a re-shoot!👇 ✨Headshot Avoid being asked for a re-shoot!👇

✨Headshots are your business cards as an actor.

Their purpose is to let agents and managers know how to market you.

If you do that right, no reputable agency is going to ask you for a re-shoot.

👏🏻In fact, the opposite. They’re going to want to meet with you and possibly rep you because you have your sh*t together.

Here’s what to do:👇

✅ Figure out your target market which is based on your age range and the auditions you’d go out for in your age group (if you don’t know, comment “looks” and I’ll send you my look guide.)

✅ Showcase specific looks based on your target market.

✅ Show your personality.

❌ Acting headshots are not about taking “just pretty” pictures.

❌ They’re not about getting glammed out.

⚡️They are only effective when you use them as a marketing tool.

Don’t forget to “like” to support this message and the headshot photographer who created it!😉
Raise your hand if this is you! 🖐️ Maybe you Raise your hand if this is you! 🖐️

Maybe you’re procrastinating cuz...

You HATE the process.

I get it, you’re not a model, you’re an actor!

🤦🏼‍♀️So yaaaa, of course you hate getting headshots.

Most photographers will pose your face and ask you tilt and be sexy.

✅ Your job is to bring characters to life, not to just “work the camera.”

⬇️ You deserve a headshot photographer who directs you like an actor, not one who just poses you like a model.

Maybe you’re procrastinating cuz you’re broke...

I get that too and that’s why I take payment plans.

🤗 Hi, I’m Vanie (Vah-nee) aaand I blame my parents for the misspelling of my name.

I’m the LA headshot photographer for character actors who don’t like to pose.

Comment with the word ✨portfolio✨ and I’ll send you a link to see what personality driven, specific headshots will look like for you!

Share this in your stories or repost if you can relate!😉
Effective headshots are about one thing 👇 💁 Effective headshots are about one thing 👇

💁🏼‍♀️ Working actor and coach @michael_kostroff was super excited because we did all these really specific character looks for his headshots.

As you can see, we captured the American tourist, the New Yorker, the blue-collar deli owner guy...

🤔 But then on the last look,

It was sort of like the generic suburban dad

And Michael said to me

“You know, Vanie I’m really not excited about doing this look but I get it. It’s a tool for my agents and they need this tool to get me work so, let’s do it!”

⚡️And THAT my friends is the reason why Michael is a working actor.

He gets it.

✨Headshots are about giving your reps the tools they need to market you with.

🔃 Share this post to your stories (or repost) if you agree!
Raise your hand if this is you! 🖐️ Maybe you Raise your hand if this is you! 🖐️

Maybe you’re procrastinating cuz...

You HATE the process.

I get it, you’re not a model, you’re an actor!

🤦🏼‍♀️So yaaaa, of course you hate getting headshots.

Most photographers will pose your face and ask you tilt and be sexy.

✅ Your job is to bring characters to life, not to just “work the camera.”

⬇️ You deserve a headshot photographer who directs you like an actor, not one who just poses you like a model.

Maybe you’re procrastinating cuz you’re broke...

I get that too and that’s why I take payment plans.

🤗 Hi, I’m Vanie (Vah-nee) aaand I blame my parents for the misspelling of my name.

I’m the LA headshot photographer for character actors who don’t like to pose.

Comment with the word ✨portfolio✨ and I’ll send you a link to see what personality driven, specific headshots will look like for you!

Share this in your stories or repost if you can relate!😉
👋 Hi, I’m Vanie (Vah-nee) The headshot photog 👋 Hi, I’m Vanie (Vah-nee) The headshot photographer for character actors who don’t like to pose. 

✨ I believe headshots are a marketing tool not just pretty pictures of you and generic posed “pretty” headshots don’t work.

❌ “Pretty” is good on Mom’s mantle and satisfies your vanity, so I’ll give it to you but ONLY pretty drains your wallet and makes you wait for auditions as time passes you by.

✅ You’re more than just “pretty”, so your headshots should be too.

✅ I create personality-driven, character specific headshots for the roles you play.

👣 Follow for more smart acting headshot tips like this one.
Changing outfits does NOT equal, different looks 👇

Double tap if you just had a 💡moment!

Here’s the deal: You’re an ACTOR, not a model. 👏

✅ Your job is to bring characters to life, not to just “work the camera” or “change outfits.”

For your acting headshots to be effective, you need to:

1️⃣ Showcase your personality in each specific look.

2️⃣ Embody the character (or look) in each headshot and show them you can act!

Want to see more samples of what Mel Mack is talking about?

Comment with the word ✨sample✨ and I’ll send you the link to view more examples in my portfolio.
An oldie but a goodie. ❌ It’s not about the o An oldie but a goodie.

❌ It’s not about the outfit.

✅ Headshots are a marketing tool for actors.

1️⃣ You need to think about the age range you fall into...

2️⃣ The auditions you’d target in that age group.

3️⃣ And what are the characters you’d play in those auditions.

In other words, what are the looks you should get headshots of.

And then you gotta dress the character, NOT yourself.

Want to know what headshot looks are popular in your age group?

Comment with the word ✨looks✨ and I’ll send you my Ultimate Look Guide for Actors.

🔃 If you’re with me on this, share it to your stories or repost it!

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