SO

A little while ago I was at a casting shoot downtown Toronto.  A fairly usual occurrence, seeing a lot of new faces, young hopefuls looking for their big break.

The one thing I noticed was this.  Overall the headshots were terrible. It was like the big example book of things not to do when you're getting a head shot done.  Cluttered backgrounds, bad lighting, bad composition, a whole list of 'what not to do' when it comes to looking professional.

But here's the problem. 

Bad headshot means no work
No work means no money
No money means no way of getting good headshots.

It's a viscous circle isn't it?

Now realistically I want you to come in, spend a few hours, do several outfit changes, pay full price, hire my hair and makeup person.  Did I mention, pay full price or more?
Ok, but that doesn't help you does it?

So as a professional I came up with this idea while speaking with a young actor in this exact predicament.

Come in ready to go, hair, makeup, outfit.  Bring at least 3 friends with you who also need a headshot.
Into the studio.
Get that professional shot you can be proud of
Get a digital copy you can make as many prints as you can afford, whenever you need them.
$50 per person.
That's it.  Just $50 but only in minimum groups of 4.  I am not always in the studio, and it's hardly worth it to drive down there for just one person and a quick shoot.

So why do I do this?

2 reasons and they're both good.

First, I hate, I mean personally and professionally, hate seeing bad headshots.  Drives me nuts.  I hate that people paid a small fortune in some cases and came away with something that looks like their mom took it with her phone, or worse, you went to a mall and into "Cheesy-Photos-R-Us".  For every bad headshot I can get rid of, I get one step closer to photographer heaven.

Secondly, You use my shot, get a great role, become famous and rich and then look back on me with loving eyes and pay me a fortune to be your official photographer, or at least come back and let me shoot you completely.

Now that you are all excited and ready to go, here are a few tips.

1.  Makeup, it needs to be minimal but that does not mean none.  Natural is the look, simple, clean.  You don't want to paint yourself out of a role.
2.  Dress for the roles you want to get, the type of character you want to play.  Now this does not mean wear a costume, no, not even close.  You want an outfit, ok, specifically a top, it is a headshot after all, so a top that could represent who you want to be.
Are you the girl next door?  Then wearing the cut to the navel, black leather studded top, well, not so much.  Are you the heroic male, well, the fuzzy pink sweatshirt might not be your best choice.  This isn't a full on body shot, it's at the lowest about mid-chest. 
3.  I will seat you and move you and pose you, but you need to bring your personality.  Practice that perfect look in the mirror that really brings out the amazing person inside.  Relax, have fun, no one leaves with a bad headshot.