How Often Should You Get Headshots?

[Acting Headshots by Vanie]

Guest post by actor and associate photographer Kayvon Esmaili.

LET’S TALK ABOUT MARKETING STRATEGY FOR THE NEW YEAR,

specifically pertaining to headshots. I also want to clarify that I write this from the perspective NOT of a headshot photographer, but as an actor–one who booked eight guest spots on network and HBO shows in 2018. You could say I had a good year. You could also say that my headshots worked, because clearly I got in the room.

But what I want to address is the fact that there are still at least 15-30 major television casting directors who DIDN’T bring me in.

Aisa Llontop: Upscale Business / Casual Office / Heroine / Urban Hip

SOME CASTING DIRECTORS WERE MOVED BY MY HEADSHOTS; some were not. Of course, my resume and demo reel are factors, but let’s concentrate on the first barrier to entry: THE HEADSHOT. If they aren’t moved enough by their first reaction to your likeness, then the resume and demo reel are never even seen.

Cindy Varon: Sexy Latina / Casual Mom / Waitress

So my advice is to refresh your headshots around every 8-10 months.

Granted, it’s an arbitrary amount of time–I’m pulling it from thin air–but here’s the theory: I believe that the casting directors who you’ve made fans of will largely REMAIN fans, even when you get a new set of headshots.

They’ve brought you in, they’ve seen your chops, who you are, and what you’re like. THEY’RE ON “TEAM YOU.”

But where we have room for growth is the CDs who WEREN’T persuaded to bring you in.

So what was it about your shots? Were they unclear characters? Was it the color palette? The face you were making reminds them of their ex? You just don’t know.

Cynthia Quiles: Heroine / BBQ Mom / Detective

Dawn Brodey: Comedian / White Trash

But you know this: they’ve been seeing your headshots in submissions for eight months straight, and they’ve been having the same response: “No thanks.”

E.P. Cho: Geeky Tech / Musician

This is when I think it’s a great time to try a new approach

–a fresh take on YOU.

More clarity of character, a different-colored suit, a ponytail–any subtle difference will do. I personally grow immensely as a person in the course of a year, and I think it shows in my eyes, as well as my physical face. Let’s give them a fresh take on your product.

Kylee and Lia Bacon: Studious / Hipster

Larissa Wirstiuk: Girls’ Night Out / Gamer

I liken headshots to television commercials; what would happen if McDonald’s played the same four commercials for three or four years straight? They’re sure to entice SOME people to buy a Big Mac, and certainly maintain some brand recognition by the fact that they’re always in your face.

Michelle Mosley: BBQ Mom / Quirky Office Girl

But what about the people who just aren’t persuaded to buy a burger by those four commercials? Well, McDonalds could say, “Tough! We already made four commercials! And they were expensive!”–and McDonald’s would go out of business.

Or, they can do what they do… crank out four more spots and try to appeal to a broader audience–or realistically, 50 more spots.

Sanaj Naval: Villain / Friend / Love Interest

Ty Morris: Jock / Urban

And repeat. It’s just part of running an aggressive business with more POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH.

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