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The number one headshot mistake
[Best Headshot Photographers by Vanie] Wanna know the biggest mistake I see in headshots over and over again? "Hey look at me and how pretty I am." 💅 And over and over, agents ask actors to re-shoot their headshots. Why? Because though pretty, their headshots lack personality. Unless you’re a model or one of the truly pretty people in town, you shouldn’t shoot just pretty, because just pretty won’t sell you when you walk in the door— your personality will. NOW, I’M NOT SAYING GO TAKE A SELFIE with your iPhone 📱 and post it on Actor’s Access. What I AM saying is to use a photographer that...
How to alleviate your headshot anxiety
[Los Angeles Headshots by Vanie] Have you ever seen a friend’s headshot, fallen in love with the picture, asked who the photographer was and then promptly made an appointment only to have a bad experience with mediocre results? Yeah, I hear ya. You're not the only one. You were probably suffering from a case of headshot blindness. It's when an actor blindly makes an appointment with a headshot photographer based on one person's results and not based on research. Okay I just made that up but… Researching and doing your homework is important. FOR ME, IT’S ABOUT SETTING EXPECTATIONS,...
“When you try to be everything to everyone, you accomplish being nothing to anyone.”
[Commercial and Theatrical Headshots by Vanie] “WHEN YOU TRY TO BE EVERYTHING TO EVERYONE, YOU ACCOMPLISH BEING NOTHING TO ANYONE.” This is a direct quote from former actress and now coach to actors Bonnie Gillepsie. This quote really resonates with me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve consulted with actors that want a session with 8, 10 or 12 looks. Really? 💁♀️ What does 12 looks— or to be more specific, 12 outfits— get you? In my experience, the more specific you are (based on your age range), the greater the chances are of getting in the door. Having headshots of yourself on...
Do your headshots make you look GREEN? Updated Q4, 2025
[LA Headshot Photographers by Vanie] I once attended an event at the SAG-AFTRA Foundation where five panelists, including Chris Game Casting, discussed the elements of a quality headshot. 📸 This event was livestreamed and the archive can still be seen HERE! Two of the attendees were casting directors. Chris, with whom I’m personally acquainted, teaches an incredibly effective auditioning class, so he's got major cred, if you know what I mean! 💁♀️ EVEN THOUGH I’D ALREADY BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER for over 15 years at that point, to my surprise, I walked away from this event having learned...