I spent good money on them; why aren’t my headshots working online?

[Los Angeles Headshot Photographer Vanie]

“I spent good money on them; why aren’t my headshots working online?” 

I get asked this question all the time, and I consistently see actors making the same mistake— overwhelming the “buyer” with too many choices.

The “buyer” being the casting director.

Think of it this way; you’re a salesman selling your product 💰 (in this case, your look), and if you give the buyer too many choices, he will move on.

It’s basic Sales 101.

Roland Rojas: Upscale Business / Khrystyne Haje: Boho Therapist

Khaliun Amarburen: Love Interest / Miriam Stark: Suburban Young Grandmother

Have you ever just given up with the Cheesecake Factory menu and just pointed to an item and ordered when the waiter came around for the third time asking what you’d like?

Same thing here.

When I look at the online profiles of actors who did everything right and their pictures STILL aren’t working, redundancy is usually where they’ve gone wrong.

I’ll see 10+ images all featuring the same two or three expressions in different outfits.

Additionally, the photos often show the same outfits in varying poses and hairstyles, AND seem to be from multiple headshot sessions spanning an unknown number of years. 😱

I know the urge to showcase all the different looks you’ve ever done because you love your headshots (as you should) is strong, but all that really does is leave casting directors wondering what you look like now and what you’re really selling.

Timothy Wright: Sidekick / Elena Muslar: Best Friend

To put it simply, it’s a reason to pass on you.

Here’s what you need to do instead:

• Mix it up with expressions and outfits: Every shot should show off a different expression, and ideally, a new outfit (a new look).
• Keep your look consistent (ideally from one session): While you’re changing up expressions and clothes, make sure you still look like you in every shot and you don’t look like you’ve aged 5 years in-between looks.
• Don’t overdo it: Once you’ve got a diverse set of photos that show your range and what you’re all about, stop adding more. Piling on extra pictures just makes it harder for casting directors to quickly identify your brand.
• One outfit, one pic: If you only wore four different outfits during your headshot session, try to only put up 4️⃣ pictures on your profile. The idea is that each of those four photos captures a different expression, a different essence.

Related Article: How To Figure Out Your Target Market (Part 1)

Kassandra Johnston: Student / Stacey Miller: Best Friend

Esther Mira: Creative Professional / Love Interest

Olivia Powell: Hipster / Lawyer

Don’t leave casting directors wondering who you are, what you look like now, and what you’re selling.

They don’t have the time to do that and they’ll inevitably move on to the next product— with fewer, but clearer choices. 😏

Because in this case, less IS more.

Samia Mounts: Edgy Anti-Heroine / Hipster

Tate McMillan: Student / Jock / Anti-Hero

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