actor headshots nyc

What makes a good headshot?

Being comfortable in a selfie isn’t easy, being comfortable in a photoshoot is a whole other story. Being in front of a camera in a room full of strangers is daunting to say the least, and may be one of your rather vulnerable moments. Yet grasping the key to have your best moments documented is wholeheartedly rewarding. No model starts out stunning the camera, but practice makes it better; lenses can capture your insecurities, but too, your confidence.

Before a shoot, let loose. Walk around, star jumps, stretch. You want to feel your muscles and mind relaxed and comfortable. You sometimes know you see a picture and the person looks like they have to take a deuce, it shows.

actor headshots nyc

actor headshots nyc

 

 

Stay hydrated, and get enough rest. Photoshop can clear out your skin $1/pixel but nothing beats a healthy body.

Know your angles. The Majority of us have asymmetrical faces, if you can’t beat the minor percentage of genetically blessed human beings, use your asymmetry. Angle any part(s) of your body, face, shoulders, arms, chest, hips, legs; think about creating an ’S’ or a ‘C’ curve by example dropping a hip or turning a head. Once you’re comfortable with a few poses, switch it up, practice using your entire body.

When it comes to poses, open up your body, and don’t be afraid to relax your eyes; staring dead straight into the camera isn’t always effective. Standing straight, you want to feel less like a soldier, more like personal security, like you can claim the room if you wanted to.

One hand on hip? This is neither Hannah Montana, nor prom.

Pose with intention. Do you have a prop, is that the focal point? Is your face the focus or are you trying to showcase a pair of shoes? Think about what you want the audience to see on the image that you are posing for right now.

Don’t be afraid to try new poses, improve style during a shoot. If it doesn’t work, it’s a delete button away to no trace of its existence.

These are the only few hints of many countless you can learn by doing actual shoots. You can practice in front of the mirror all day but nothing beats communicating with your photographer during the session. Feedback from others helps to see things you might not have noticed; maybe your neck looks a bit too stretched forward, or your arm’s lifted too unnatural, etc. The biggest difference can be made by the slightest change of gesture. Modelling is trial and error, but learn from the errors, and keep running the trails.

 

actor headshots nyc
actor headshots nyc

 

REQUEST A QUOTE →