It’s a matter of opinion and here’s a few:

Here’s an opinion from Mila Kunis – I run around and pretend I’m someone else for twelve hours – click here for the full article.

And then again here’s some more opinions from the lunch table from Actors Nicolas Cage, Colin Firth, Morgan Freeman, Stanley Tucci, Peter Sarsgaard, and Christoph Waltz debate their answers to the question: “Is acting art?”

Feel free to offer your won opinions.

You’ve made it past the first round and now it’s all systems go for your audition. I’m a headshot photographer not an actor though I have done a bit in my past and had to go through the dreaded audition a few times.
The one thing I do remember vividly is the gigs I really wanted never seemed to come my way yet the ones I wasn’t particularly bothered about I always seemed to do well at. Looking back I suppose I came across as maybe too eager (make that desperate) and yet where I wasn’t too fussed I obviously came across as more of a personality or simply more relaxed and THAT allowed me to perform better.

Headshots with personality

Here’s a quote from Lisa Kudrow that think sum’s up the process of auditioning really well and put things into perspective.

“Those other actresses were falling apart. A lot of them really couldn’t cope with the auditioning process, and I could. That’s why I got the job, because I’m good at auditioning.”

—Lisa Kudrow on the casting process for “Friends”

I came across a great article on how to ace your audition here and I’d recommend you read it as it contains straight forward sound advice to actors about how to prepare for your audition.

Before the Audition
First, let’s talk about attitude. You have to walk into that room prepared, without a care in the world. Auditioning is an opportunity to act, and that’s the one thing you love most, right? So don’t worry about booking the job or getting a callback. Just focus on giving a good performance. If you can do that, you’re already halfway home.

Headshots in London

Daylight actors headshots are becoming more popular to the point that some Agents actually specify that they want to see a “daylight headshot”.

While this an essential part of an actors portfolio of headshots it’s is not a reason to have the whole of your photos taken outside. Outdoor shoots do have limitations and some posssible negative aspects too. Often you see headshots taken in front of a tree or a bush for example. This can lead to a background that is busy and distracting especially during harsh sunlight conditions.remember, anything that distracts from the focus on the face is taking the eye of the viewer away from the main point of the photo – your face.

There is another problem that can occur when the eyes  (the most importsnt part of an actors headshot) disappear into deep dark shadowy holes. Many actors aren’t aware of these issues and they are often not pointed out to them by their headshot photographer (who often aren’t aware of them tthemselves!).

A daylight actors headshot is a great tool as part of your headshot marketing kit. Make sure yours is working well for you.

Read more about daylight actors headshots here

What is important in an actors headshot?

Personality, Connection with the viewer and emotion in the eyes. Without all three of these working well together to creat a headshot with the wow factor your acotrs headshot is letting you down, you’re missing casting calls and auditions.

Next time you look through a selection of actors headshots, especially if they are of actors who’ll be competeing for the same roles as you, check out their headshots and see if all three of the above criteria are being fulfilled. Often they are not which gives you an advantage, if your headshot has the wow factor casting directors and agents won’t fail to notice you.

Many actors headshot photographers make the mistake of over-retouching headshots. They often produce beautiful photographs with smooth skin that appears almost glass like, yet these heavily retouched headshots are often unsuitable for an actor. They often lack the detail that gives an actor’s face character, the character that shows the viewer who that person is, and most importantly how that actor can express themselves.

How many of us have skin without blemishes, without different tones or a face without movement -  that’s right none of us. Over and over again we hear Casting Directors and actors Agents stress the fact that a headshot should look like the person. Does a headshot with computer generated skin actually look like them?
I think retouching is an important skill for a headshot photographer but I think it’s crucial we enhance natural features rather than obliterate them. The other question I always ask myself when I see actors headshot where the skin looks plastic and unatural is “does this actors headshot actually help them get auditions or will it in fact restrict them?”

After all, the main focus of a headshot session is to produce a set of photographs that help an actor to get noticed by Casting Directors and Agents. What happens then if they then take note of the headshot for the wrong reason, because it is so obviously retouched. Does this leave a lasting positive impression or possibly impact negatively?. We have all heard the saying ‘you only have one chance to make a first impression’. Lets make sure that it’s a great first impression.

A deliberate example of too much retouching leaving the skin unatural and plastic looking

How many shots do I get?
Can I change my outfit?
Do I need hair and make up artists?
Will you do any retouching/airbrushing?

Here’s a selection of the kind of shots I take in a ‘normal session’ although I think it’s incredibly imporatnt to tailor each and every session to the individual’s needs depending upon, age, castability and several other factors including the needs of their Agent etc. A headshot session is collaboration, I have the neccessary photographic skills, an actors has ideas and often an Agent has specific needs in terms of a headshot to market their client in a particular way. Part of the fun of shooting actors headshots is discovering this dynamic, then working together to produce a seriess of headshots that everyone is happy with but most importantly the actor is confident will help them to get into more auditions.

Although shooting headshots is fun it also comes with a huge responsibility and this is something that has to be understood at all times. A great headshot can have a fantstic effect on an actors career but conversely so can a bad headshot – missing opportunities, missing auditions etc.

ACTORS HEADSHOTS BY NICK GREGAN