Casting has changed dramatically over the last couple of years, in particular with the increasing amount of digital submissions. With a huge amount of casting going through Spotlight and other casting portals it becomes more and more important as an actor that you have headshots that match the role you are submitting to.
Many headshot photographers still don’t understand that things have changed and they are still trying to deliver that ‘one killer headshot’ that say’s it all. This unfortunately is not the way to shoot an actor in this competitive modern casting world.
As an actor you have to be prepared to submit the right kind of headshot for the role. This gives casting directors an easy opportunity to ‘visualise you’ in the role they are casting. Why submit a smiling headshot for a role as a sinister character when you could and should submit your sinister headshot? If you look at the three headshots below you’ll see 3 very different headshots each showing lots of personality and each showing a different character. if you were a casting director casting for a cool, suave confident character you’s obviously choose the center photograph – you certainly wouldn’t cast Anthony from the smiling shot on the right. However if you’re casting for a nice family guy you choose the opposite way around.
This is why your headshot photographer should understand how and why to deliver a range of different shots in every session they shoot.
I’ll be posting more on headshots with personality and character so keep tuned.
