Spotlight: Everything you need to know about headshots

Check out what Spotlight has to say about headshots.

Casting directors at Subtitle Film Festival spoke to Spotlight about what makes the ideal headshot for actors.

How many headshots do I need? Steve Lawton explains.

APHP member, Steve Lawton looks at how many headshots you need to include in your portfolio, and why.

The great architect, Mies Van Der Rohe was first attributed with the phrase; “Less is more” when describing the de-cluttered and powerfully direct style of early modern architecture. I think the same can be said for how actors present themselves on Spotlight or other actor platforms.

Along with a strong and impactful main profile image, my advice is to really only have one other image from the same headshot session in the gallery section. We want to avoid the idea that the full range of your emotional gamut and versatility will be represented by a string of different poses and set-ups from the hopefully excellent session with your APHP photographer. This will only undermine your presentation as a competent and self-posed professional who will always impress more in person or in self-tape than in photo-shoot - with all the implications of a managed outcome that that implies.

The gallery section of Spotlight is most effective when it shows images of you working, either stills from a film, television or theatre job. Your video showreel, if you have one, will then expand on the tone and character of that first key, main profile headshot.

If you are starting out in your career, resist the temptation to populate your profile with numerous headshot images. Exercise choice. Casting directors know the stage you’re at and are far more likely to call you in if they see a clear and professional statement of intent using a well-chosen, elegant choice of just two head-shots; one main and one gallery.

For men their main pictures should be their default presentation – how they are if we meet them in the street, albeit beautifully shot and lit. The gallery image should have a contrasting set-up and tone, perhaps with a beard or unshaven.

For women the same rule applies, with possibly the second image with hair alternatively up or down. Again, we’re hinting at versatility – NOT spoon-feeding – remember, “Less is more”!

Your headshot session should always include a range of tops and - again keep it simple. Combined with the tonal and lighting changes the photographer makes throughout the session, there should be plenty of choice. The differences of the shots may be subtle – but each picture will demonstrate a moment of uniqueness and character for you to consider – never an easy task as there are almost invariably a great spread of pictures.

I shoot anything up to 400 images in a session depending on the package booked. I then make two or three passes to boil them down to the best 120 – 200 which I forward to you on PDF contact sheets. Then the hours of consideration and comparison begin before you come back to me with your final choices. Good luck!

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3 questions to ask yourself before investing in new actor’s headshots

Your decision to invest in a set of actor’s headshots in London – whether for the first time or to update your previous photos – means you are probably well aware of the need for current headshots that reflect how you truly look. 

However, there are certain things to which actors sometimes do not give sufficient thought when they have new headshots taken. So, before you choose from my headshot photography packages, you are advised to ask yourself the following questions.

1.    What are the projects for which you wish to audition?

The best actor’s headshots in London for those wishing to be cast in sitcoms or romantic comedies can differ markedly from those most ideal for attracting work in action films, indie films or one-hour dramas. The more confident you are about which projects you wish to target with your headshots, the more informed you and your photographer will be about which style to aim for.

2.    Which actors would be your direct competitors for roles?

It is important for your headshots to show your own unique value as an actor, instead of implying that you are copying someone else. Nonetheless, you will need to have an idea of what it is about you that you wish to sell in your headshots. Having a few actors in your head who would hypothetically compete directly with you for roles will give you a clearer sense of what requests to make of your headshot photographer with regard to style and approach.

3.    How would you describe your headshot in five to 10 adjectives?

What words or phrases would you like to come to an observer’s mind at first sight of your headshots? Do you aspire to be the sultry femme fatale, perhaps, or a more winsome and approachable character? Are you the charming and quirky best friend, or the handsome and macho leading man? By being as specific as possible, you will help your chosen headshot photographer in their efforts to achieve just the right look for you in your headshots.

Browse this website to learn more about Steve Lawton’s actors headshot photography services, learn about what to expect before and after a headshot session, all-inclusive headshot packages, and/or to contact Steve.

3 tips for taking better LinkedIn headshots

With LinkedIn now said to have more than 530 million users in over 200 countries and territories worldwide, it makes sense to invest in your own presence on the site to ensure you gain the best results from it.

LinkedIn is a highly useful portal for professionals who I regularly work with.

However, if you haven’t updated your LinkedIn headshot for a while and believe now is the time for a ‘refresh’, it is worth bearing the following tips in mind for producing the best ones ahead of your next big career change or job search.

Ensure you look the part

Your LinkedIn headshot plays an instrumental role in supporting the message that you wish to convey about yourself through your profile.

If you have great career ambitions, you should present yourself as a successful individual in your field. At the very least, that is likely to mean having your hair cut and your suit dry cleaned.

Those in creative fields are able to be slightly more relaxed in how they present themselves, but should still pay close attention to their outfit ahead of any photo shoot.

Make the right choice between colour or black and white

Whichever package you choose when you work with me, Steve Lawton, you can be assured that all of your headshots will be produced in both colour and black and white.

This raises the question of which of the two is the most suitable choice for your LinkedIn profile.

While colour images are more common on LinkedIn, well-lit corporate and actors’ headshots in black & white are very striking, injecting a certain drama that you may feel will be more impactful on the viewer.

There is no definitive answer to whether a colour or black and white image is best for any one person’s LinkedIn profile. However, black and white images are generally regarded as most suitable for those in creative fields such as media or architecture, rather than more corporate environments like banking or law.

Extract the maximum value from the available space

The size of your headshot as it appears on your LinkedIn profile does not afford you a great amount of ‘real estate’, so it is important to make the most of the space provided.

A well-proportioned shot of your head and the top of your shoulders will help you to fill this space. The background of your image should also not be too busy, as the objective should be to draw attention to the main subject – you.

I, Steve Lawton, shoot corporate and actors’ headshots in both black & white and colour, capturing and selling the qualities that make you unique. Contact me today with any queries about my service and the packages that I offer at various price points. 

How often should you have new headshots taken?

One of the most frequently asked questions about corporate and actors’ headshots alike is how often they should be updated, and there are good reasons for this to be a matter of concern.

After all, if you are an actor, your headshot may be the single most powerful tool you have in your battle to land roles. Your headshot may be the first opportunity that a casting director has to see what you look like, and whether you have the right appearance for a given part.

If it turns out that you do not closely resemble your headshot, there is unfortunately a high risk of rejection.

Nor is it only a concern for actors

The importance of up-to-date headshots for those in other professional fields can also be frequently overlooked. Whether you like it or not, your professional headshot will be one of the first things that potential business contacts look at and judge you on when they visit your online profile.

While a clear difference between how you appear in your headshot and real life may not seem an obvious ‘make or break’ factor in whether people choose to do business with you, it may still get any corporate relationship off to a less-than-perfect start.

If someone meets you for the first time and sees that you bear little resemblance to your headshot, they may feel a little misled. They may be left with the impression that you are more concerned with hiding in your youth than you are with being honest in how you present yourself.

What factors should prompt you to update your headshots?

A general rule of thumb for both corporate and actors’ headshots is to update them at least every two years. However, other potential factors may necessitate you updating your headshots more often.

One obvious such factor is age. It is suggested that for children, one headshot should be sought between the ages of four and five, two between the ages of six and nine, two between the ages of nine and 12, three between 13 and 17, and one between 18 and 20.

Otherwise, common sense should largely dictate when you have new headshots taken. Have you recently lost weight, for example, or started wearing glasses? Maybe you have moved from a formal to a less formal mode of dress, or perhaps you have recently switched careers? A stern, business-like headshot may not seem very suitable for a field where it is more important to make a warm and inviting impression.

Have engaging new headshots taken by an expert

The exact reasons to have a new set of headshots taken can differ greatly from one person to the next. What is truly important is ensuring that your current headshots reflect both what you actually look like, and what you wish to communicate to potential acting or business contacts.

Steve Lawton is a professional headshot photographer based in London, shooting actors headshots and corporate headshots all year round.

A few words of advice on headshot cropping

Given that I include cropping to various extents in my headshot prices depending on the exact package that you choose, you may be wondering why I feel the need to give any advice on cropping at all as a headshots photographer.

The answer to that question is that while I may be the ‘expert’ on the most effective and appropriate methods for cropping the headshots that we take together, I do feel that an understanding of some of the ‘art’ and ‘science’ of cropping can be useful for when you avail yourself of my services.

Different crops of one headshot can have different uses

The manner in which one particular headshot of yours is cropped may seem at first to be a relatively minor detail. However, there are various ways in which such a seemingly simple operation as cropping can enable just one of your headshots to serve multiple purposes.

Your headshot may be cropped in a traditional ‘2x3’ fashion, for instance, showing the face and much of the torso, if it is to be published in corporate marketing materials and websites. However, a square crop that removes most of the torso from view is more likely to be chosen for a LinkedIn profile.

A wide crop, meanwhile, may be useful for dropping your headshot into a presentation or publication, and there is also the option of a particularly close crop so that the headshot can serve as publicity for you in print publications.

What are the guidelines for suitable cropping?

Whichever crop of the above options you may choose for certain contexts, there are certain ‘rules of thumb’ that do consistently apply when you are seeking to achieve the right effect with your cropping.

These include ensuring that your head always remains in the upper third of the image, as well as keeping your face centred if you are cropping tight. While the face should always remain the focus of your headshots, you should not completely lose your neck and shoulders.

Ensuring that your face remains centred is also crucial if you are standing at an angle in your headshot and cropping in close. If the cropped headshot shows more of a front shoulder or too much of your back shoulder is visible, you may appear lopsided.

Would you like to be sure of the most professional retouching and cropping of your headshots in accordance with how you intend to use your final images? In that case, please feel free to consult my headshot prices before getting in touch with me to ask a question or book a session.

5 common headshot photography mistakes

Whether you are an actor, performer, businessperson or other worker, the instrumental role that the most professional headshots can play in maximising your career opportunities should never be overlooked.

Unfortunately, several mistakes can be made that may prevent your own headshots having the desired impact – of which the below five are classic examples.

1.    Obscuring your face

If your headshots do not show the whole of your face – such as if your eyes are partly or fully concealed by your hat or hair – viewers of those headshots may not feel that vital sense of connection that they do when they meet you in person.

2.    Not using a headshot at all

Failing to use any photo in your online profiles – or at least, not one of your face – may leave viewers presuming that you simply cannot be bothered to invest any time in the creation of a credible and professional image for yourself.

Our natural human suspicion of anonymity may also mean that you receive fewer connections and career offers than if you had used a professionally-created headshot, or any headshot at all.

3.    Cropping a photo from an informal occasion

Attempting to create a ‘headshot’ from a cropped holiday snap, wedding photo or that smiling image of you from a drunken party is unlikely to convey the professionalism required to help you to get ahead in your industry.

Even if you work in a sector in which a casual photo would be more acceptable, it is still important for whatever image you select to signal your authenticity, approachability and professionalism.

4.    Using family photos

While it is vital to use headshots that provide a sense of your personality, it can be distracting for the potential employer, client or contact to see photos of you that were clearly taken outside a professional context.

Nor do most potential contacts have much reason to take an interest in any family or friends included in your headshots, other than in a personal rather than professional context.

5.    An unsuitable backdrop

An interesting background can certainly enhance the impression given by your headshots, but it is important to consider how that background is likely to be perceived in a professional context.

If you are a barrister or doctor rather than an actor, for example, a backdrop that resembles something from a murder mystery weekend may not exactly reflect the brand image, values and authenticity to which you aspire.

I’m Steve Lawton. Would you like to have truly professional headshots taken by a renowned actors’ and corporate headshot photographer? If so, feel free to consult my packages and prices to get a sense of which option may best suit you, in the event that you choose to work with me.

How much should you spend on a headshot photographer?

With the end of 2017 looming, you may already be contemplating your New Year resolutions – one of which may be to hire a headshot photographer to take a new set of shots to take you through the next few years of your career.

Inevitably, the task of choosing a headshot photographer necessitates the consideration of a wide range of issues, including the given photographer’s portfolio and how they typically conduct a session.

However, there is another factor when seeking out the most suitable headshot photographer that you simply cannot ignore: price.

No one price is the ‘right’ one

As disappointing as I suspect this news may be to you, I equally suspect that you anticipated it from me – there is no one price figure or bracket that you should be aiming at when you are trying to select the most appropriate headshot photographer for you.

The real answer to the question above is: “it depends on the circumstances”. Are you a complete newcomer to having your headshots taken, and need an entirely new set of headshots to be created from scratch? Or are you a seasoned professional simply seeking a quick ‘update’?

The thorny matter of how much to pay for a headshot photographer is naturally complicated by the fact that many photographers – including myself – offer multiple headshot packages to cater to different needs and budgets.

A ‘cheap’ headshot photographer can be a false economy

When choosing a headshot photographer, as with any other product or service, there is an extent to which you do ‘get what you pay for’.

If you insist on spending less than £100 on a headshot photographer, for instance, you probably can’t expect much more than an hour – or even less – of session time, and may have to compromise by choosing a photographer whose main specialism is something other than headshots.

All in all, there can be a ‘conveyor belt’ feel to the cheapest headshot photography services. This means you will want to strike the right balance between understandable financial factors and the benefits of working with a more established and capable photographer who will spend a decent amount of time with you and is trusted by the UK’s leading agents and employers.

Talk to me about your needs from headshot photography

You can find out more about my own prices on my website, with different packages available depending on such factors as your budget, how much time you would like to spend with me and the number of set-ups you wish us to try.

There is also information on my site about the nature of my sessions, because after all, what you will want most from a headshot photographer are the best results, not simply a great price. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me now to discuss your requirements.

Why you shouldn’t just take your own headshots

With past research having indicated that you only have about half a second to make a first impression, it’s fair to say that any headshots you use to represent yourself in a professional context are important. That importance is even more so when you are engaged in a highly competitive local job market, as is the case for London actors and other professionals.

Despite this knowledge, it can be tempting for many seeking to advance their career in the English capital to simply grab a friend or tripod and attempt to take their own headshots. After all, good London headshot photographers can be expensive, and you may be wondering just how hard it can really be to produce engaging ones of your own.

Here are a few reasons why it really is best to simply put your faith in a professional.

There’s so much that can be easily forgotten

While the practice of headshot photography may seem straightforward enough from the outside, there are many ‘tricks’ of creating appealing headshots that can be easily forgotten about or overlooked.

You may be aware of some of the basic ground rules of taking your own headshots – such as ensuring that the image is framed from the chest up, as well as that it projects a bit of personality.

But it isn’t always so easy for an amateur to know how to get the lighting right, and which locations will provide the most suitable lighting and backdrop. You may also be in too much of a rush to take the headshot – this isn’t something that you should try to ‘squeeze in’ during a half-hour work break.

Even the positioning of the camera and knowing which editing technology to use to get the most flattering results from shots can be tricky for non-professionals.

The right photographer will produce the most effective shots

Aside from the technical aspects, attempting to take your own headshots can also make it difficult for you to achieve just the right ‘look’ and mood in the context of your broader career ambitions.

It can be very easy to end up with headshots that simply look too much like ‘headshots’ – i.e. images taken of someone looking deliberately at the camera. Do you look nervous, uncomfortable or boring in your headshots... or instead natural, confident and approachable? These are things that a truly experienced London headshots photographer can help you to achieve.

Remember that headshots aren’t like other types of photography, such as artistic, portrait or wedding photography. This is a specialised field of photography with specialised, often unspoken ‘rules’. You will want to ensure that your own London headshots exude professionalism, confidence and personality, having been taken by someone with a keen understanding of such ‘rules’.

Don’t take risks with your London headshots

It’s worth saying again that you do only have about half a second to make an impression on prospective employers and colleagues, so I would advise you not to take chances with your London headshots.

Get in touch with me, Steve Lawton, to draw upon my know-how and track record of producing the beautiful and impactful images that have long helped actors and other professionals to advance in the London labour market. I invite you to read my past reviews, compare my prices and packages and then contact me directly via info@stevelawton.com or +44 (0) 7973 307 487.

Are the terms ‘headshot’ and ‘portrait’ interchangeable?

When considering which photographer may be best-suited to take your acting headshots, you may have also come across the term ‘portrait’ and wondered what the difference really is between a headshot and a portrait – if there is any at all. 

In theory, ‘headshot’ and ‘portrait’ are alternative terms for what is generally the same thing. A headshot is supposed to be a picture of someone – often just their head and shoulders – and a portrait is also supposed to be a picture of someone, also often just their head and shoulders.

But the two things are not the same...

In reality, there does often tend to be a different ‘vibe’ to a portrait, compared to a headshot. Even the respective terms seem to imply something slightly different – a headshot, for instance, is usually taken to mean a formal representation of a person for use in a professional context.

You will probably be familiar with headshots from such settings as Spotlight’s book of black and white photographs of actors, as well as the LinkedIn and Facebook profiles of actors, models and businesspeople alike. As an actor, you will certainly need an up-to-date headshot for your portfolio.

The term ‘portrait’, meanwhile, does imply something a little more... artistic. A portrait is typically less formal, placing more emphasis on providing an insight into the sitter’s character, or telling an enlightening story about them.

This is not to suggest that an actor’s headshot is meant to appear characterless or soulless – quite the opposite – but a headshot is nonetheless typically created for a specific promotional purpose, so there is a little less scope for artistic licence.

A portrait, for example, may show not only the subject’s head and shoulders, but also the entire figure, or perhaps from the waist up. Light and shade may also be used more dramatically in a portrait than in a headshot, for the purposes of contrast or creating a sense of mystery. Props may also be used to help to tell a certain story about the sitter.

What are the implications of this for my acting headshots?

Headshots, with their aim of creating a true life representation of the subject, do tend to comply with certain ‘rules’. These include the use of softer lighting on the face that does not create harsh shadows or make prominent features even more so. Nor should headshots generally use props, with a neutral background typically being favoured.

One of the other aims of a headshot session is to ensure that the sitter looks as relaxed as possible. They will typically wear their normal work attire with the aim of reproducing a ‘natural’ appearance, avoiding heavy makeup or fresh haircuts.

Acting headshots also need to be consistent in how they are shot – shots from distance or at unusual angles are very much the preserve of the portrait photographer, rather than the headshot photographer.

Versatility is vital in headshots, too – they should not suggest just one ‘type’, which is why attendees of a headshot session are often advised to keep clothing neutral. The casting director needs to be able to clearly see the person’s face, and will be aware that they can easily change the actor’s look if required, simply by altering their wardrobe and makeup.

As the favoured actor’s headshot photographer for many of the UK’s most established drama schools and talent agents, I – Steve Lawton – would be delighted to take your own next set of acting headshots.

Contact me today, by emailing info@stevelawton.com or calling +44 (0) 7973 307 487, about how we can produce beautiful and unique images together that truly capture your best qualities.

Should an actor’s headshots be black and white or colour?

More and more these days, doubt seems to prevail as to whether an actor should have colour or black and white photographs taken. What is best these days for casting purposes, and what might the ‘state of play’ be in another five or 10 years’ time?

Black and white: the long-time norm

For many years, there would have been little discussion about the respective merits of actors’ headshots in black and white or colour. Black and white used to be the norm here in the UK, while colour headshots were favoured in the US.

There were obvious reasons for this. We were living in the pre-digital age as far as headshot photography was concerned, and even the book published by casting portal Spotlight included only black and white actor headshots.

Times have changed greatly since then. Almost all headshot photographers now shoot in digital, meaning they are able to choose between delivering their headshots in colour or black and white. It is now customary for headshots to be displayed online, and while the Spotlight book is still black and white, both colour and black and white are accepted on the Spotlight website.

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Dev Patel, Actors Headshot

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Douglas Booth, Actors Headshot

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Gerard McCarthy, Actors Headshot

So, what’s the most relevant solution today?

I would recommend that you assemble a portfolio consisting of both colour and black and white headshots. Bear in mind that if your chosen headshot photographer only shoots film, they will only be able to produce one or the other.

That’s why you may choose a single headshot photographer who can present you with a combination of black and white and colour images. This is likely to be someone who shoots in digital, capturing images in colour that are then converted to black and white on the computer in post-production.

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Matt Howdon

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Anna Rawlings

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Darian Estler

As for the future...

When I consider the years immediately ahead, I find it hard to envisage any scenario other than everyone working in full colour. Black may already seem old-fashioned to some, which is a shame – after all, it’s usually much more flattering than colour.

In the meantime, I and other photographers like me will continue to produce actors’ headshots in both colour and black and white. Both ‘options’ undoubtedly have their strengths and uses, so why not look for a photographer who can draw upon both in producing the most beautiful headshots for you?

Steve Lawton is an APHP-approved London headshot photographer. Steve has been shooting actors headshots and corporate headshots for 25 years and is a trusted headshot photographer for some of the UK’s top talent agents, drama schools and organisations.

Getting to know you, and why that’s important

One might imagine that life as an acting headshot photographer means passing through a succession of clients of whom you may take great shots, but who you may never get the time to know well on a personal level.

After all, in a typical session with me, you can expect to spend between one and 3.5 hours in my company having potentially many hundreds of images taken.

Once the session is over, the shortlisted images are presented to you and the necessary retouching has been performed on a much smaller number of selected headshots, you may never again be in contact with me – or only when the time comes for another set of headshots to be taken.

Think of it as a ‘fast-track’ friendship

It might well be true that the average working day for me is busy and that I may have several clients to serve within any 24-hour period. However, it’s quite wrong to presume that the relationship we will have for those few hours will be a mere mechanical, workaday one.

Ask almost any acting headshot photographer, after all, and they will tell you how much they delight in the sheer infinite variety of human beings. It’s a big part of why we are in this line of work at all, and we do love to strike up relationships that our clients will fondly look back on for all of the right reasons.

We realise that your headshots need to capture a distinct something about what it means to be human, and what it means to be you. This is why we take such great pride in cultivating what can be much better described as a mini, fast-track friendship than as a soulless business transaction.

What to expect when you have your headshots taken by me

This perspective has real implications for how I work as an acting headshot photographer. It means that I do take the time to get to know you and your personality, and to relax you to help ensure that we get the very best results out of our session together.

I love to chat with my clients, to laugh and to imbue our session with a great atmosphere, which I feel is so important if we are to get the best possible results on the day. I want the headshots that we create together to be natural, and to show you as you – a human being with qualities that make you interesting, attractive and unique. 

Would you like to have your next set of headshots taken by a professional and friendly photographer who also appreciates the vital role of the ‘personal touch’? Get in touch and let’s weave some magic together.

5 things to avoid ahead of your headshot session

I take immense pride in creating London acting headshots that really speak to casting directors and assist my clients to land lucrative roles – as well as that my clients themselves just love! However, there are also certain things that you can do yourself – or not do, as the case may be – to help ensure that we take the best quality headshots together.

With this in mind, here are some of the things that I would advise you to avoid in the days and weeks leading up to your headshots session.

Bringing too many items of clothing

Bear in mind that we will only have a limited period of time together for shooting, so we won’t be able to work through an entire case of clothes.

I would instead suggest that you keep the clothing to a minimum, sticking to simple classics – preferably V-necks with long or mid-length sleeves. This will enable us to get the most out of the time we spend together, creating a focused number of impactful looks and headshots.

Spending too much time on your hair and makeup

I always encourage my clients to prepare to look their best ahead of their session with me. However, this doesn’t have to mean applying heavy makeup or spending hours carefully styling your hair.

Indeed, I would suggest that you keep your look as natural as you can, as there will be plenty of time to discuss and play with your hair and makeup in collaboration with me on the day.

Having too many drinks the night before

Unfortunately, if you have had a heavy night, the effects do tend to show the next day, and are likely to show in your headshots, too.

You need to bring a certain level of energy to your session if we are to create the best headshots together, and you can maximise your chances of this by ensuring you are not exhausted or hungover on the day.

Any lack of energy can easily show in your headshots – especially in your eyes – so I would suggest that you relax and get a good amount of sleep the night before your session.

Over-preparing

A good level of preparation is important for your headshots session, but it’s also true that one can ‘over-prepare’.

Are you trying so hard to control every element that you’ve barely left any space for your photographer to work their magic? Bear in mind that you’ve hired a professional headshots photographer specifically so that you can benefit from their creativity, experience and expertise.

Anxiety about the end result

It’s very understandable that you may be nervous ahead of your headshots session – but don’t be! I love to meet new clients, and I’ve worked with the full range of them – from seasoned professionals who know exactly what they desire from their headshots, to those who may have never attended such a session before and who may be unsure about what they want.

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Whatever your own situation, I will do everything possible to put you at ease and ensure we achieve fantastic results from your headshot session.

Are you interested in having London acting headshots created that say all of the right things to a casting director about your image, professionalism and capabilities? If so, contact me – Steve Lawton – now, and I can guide you through and advise you on my many competitively-priced packages.

The eyes have it: how to strike an ideal gaze for a shoot

During a shoot, you shouldn't underestimate how crucial your eyes can be to the whole look and ‘vibe’ of your headshots. Even what may feel like the most subtle adjustments to your gaze can make a surprisingly great difference to what the viewer of your headshot sees and feels.

"Where should I look?"

This is probably the most common question I am asked when I am about to start taking headshots. The answer is not complex; for your own shoot, you should simply look right down the barrel of the lens and through to the back of the camera.

A lens, in close-up, can reveal the subject's inner life. The headshot's viewer will recognise this "reveal" as a secret moment of truth shared between the subject and the photographer; this can compel a casting director or agent to want to meet that person and learn more about them.

I treat each of my headshots as a "close-up". I want the actor to be in not a state of stasis, but instead an emotional or psychological movement. My aim is to give the sense that something has just happened - or is about to happen - the split second the shutter is released.

Eye contact means close contact

Your eyes can highly influence the quality of your headshots because, as humans, we are easily affected by eye contact. We are very aware, for instance, of the absence of eye contact, such as when someone to whom we are speaking is looking around or into the middle distance.

However, there can be a strong human response to genuine, direct eye contact. In a film or television close-up, the actor's eye-line is just left or right of the camera, where their fellow player is delivering lines to them. I want this kind of specificity in each of my headshots.

In a headshot, I want the subject to be connecting and responding directly to one specific individual - except, in this case, with the image's viewer. So by looking down the lens, the subject can make the viewer their fellow player and co-conspirator.

On the subject of contact, I warmly welcome your own if you would like me to capture you in a beautiful location in Central London. I offer a wide choice of prices and packages, so why not choose me, Steve Lawton, when you next require the finest-quality and most impactful actor’s or corporate headshots?

Which headshots should you choose for a casting?

I always aim to make my headshot capturing sessions relaxed but productive affairs. However, if you are an actor who has just been handed a gallery of shots taken by me, you have a question to think about: which of these pictures should be used for what types of casting? Here are some pointers.

Put each face to a type

Looking over the shots in front of you could leave you feeling like you are looking at a big crowd of your clones. You're here, there and everywhere... yet, you could be showing distinctively different poses and facial expressions in many of those images.

That's a good thing, as it means that different headshots can be used for different casting types. Make a list of those types before trying to assign an image to each of them. Resist simply focusing on the images where you have ramped up the sex appeal, as they might not necessarily land you jobs.

This is a time to be instinctive

Which of your photos do you feel most naturally drawn to from the moment you start looking at them? It can pay to listen to your instinct. Also, test the enduring appeal of the most immediately eye-catching images by squinting and slightly blurring your eyes as you look at them.

Which headshots continue to stand out at that point? Whether this is due to the colour, general shape or something else in the imagery, these photos can be worth setting to one side.

Don't just disregard imperfect photos

There might be some shots that look somewhat promising, but which you want to rule out using for one reason or another. Perhaps one image doesn't look bright enough, while another picture has the contrast wrong. However, headshots can be tweaked after they are captured, so resist dropping one too quickly that, with a little polish, could actually get you a dream casting!

Getting such castings is one thing that I routinely look forward to helping actors to do.
Please contact me for more information about how I can effectively capture you on camera in an atmospheric Central London location, or peruse my packages and pricing now.

 

How to strike the perfect poses with your headshots

As any actor even vaguely familiar with the process of having headshots taken should know, a great headshot isn’t entirely the photographer’s work – and for the actor, certainly isn’t a case of just turning up and being snapped. An actor’s headshot photographer needs more from their subject than just a face and body to work with – they also need some great poses.

I can understand, though, why you might be pretty nervous at the prospect of having to come up with your own poses. Even the most experienced actors can be made very anxious by this, so here are some tips to help you out.

There’s no ‘wrong’ way to pose

Yes, you may have read about various techniques online, but these are just techniques... strategies.

In truth, a given technique may not even be a brilliant match to the photographer you’re working with, as every actor’s headshot photographer has their own way of working and their own ‘vocabulary’.

Some may be very detailed and precise – making tiny adjustments – while others may be more casual and chat to you while they’re working. That doesn’t mean one particular approach or style produces better quality photos, of course, as much depends on exactly how you work with the photographer.

Get to know your face

If you’re an actor, you will probably be accustomed to spending a lot of time recording yourself and reflecting on your performances on film. That process enables you to quickly learn what works, what doesn’t, what’s too subtle, what’s over-the-top... and much the same can be said of posing for a headshot.

After all, a headshot session is a mini ‘performance’ in itself, and you need to practise your performances if you are to deliver the best one ‘on the day’.

So don’t be afraid to do just that in front of a mirror, with a camera phone or even a friend with an entry-level DSLR – whatever you need to do to truly get accustomed to the ins and outs of your face.

Make an effort!  

Guess what: simply sitting there passively in your headshot session, while simply following basic orders from the photographer, may well result in your shots looking slightly bored and detached.

As I mentioned above, your headshot session needs to involve you giving a small performance for the camera. I don’t necessarily mean an intense performance – it could be one of optimism, lightness, vulnerability or any number of other states or emotions.

Whatever – the really important thing is to give something of yourself to the camera. Also take some time to physically ‘reset’ yourself during brief interludes – perhaps by stretching or relaxing – so that you don’t end up simply holding the same (what may turn out to be undesirable or uninteresting) pose throughout the entire session.

Hopefully, the above will have given you a bit of ‘food for thought’ ahead of your coming session with an actor’s headshot photographer.

Take a look at some of my own packages for a set of headshots – you may just be surprised by how much we can get done together in one session.

5 ways to maximise your chances of a great set of headshots

It can be easy to feel intimidated by the process of having professional headshots taken. After all, you’re ploughing a lot of your money into this, and you need the end results to be right.

Get the right headshots out of your session, and it could really help to propel you forward in your career. If, however, your headshots don’t feel right, you’ll be forever annoyed by the sight of them on your marketing materials and CV.

So with no further ado, here are five tips for increasing the likelihood of getting some truly great headshots out of your session with a professional headshot photographer.

1.    Keep well-hydrated

It can be surprisingly thirsty work to have professional headshots taken – remember, after all, that you may well be in the session for several hours. Just as importantly, drinking plenty of water prior to your shoot also does a huge amount to keep your skin looking good.

2.    Have a detox ahead of the session

Speaking of the above, you might want to build on it by giving yourself a bit of a detox a week or two before your session. It doesn’t necessarily have to be anything mega-sophisticated – simply cutting out alcohol and ensuring you get five consecutive nights of good sleep can really help to ensure you’re on top form – and look that way – on the day of your session.

3.    Allow plenty of time

If the session is to take place at the photographer’s venue, good time management on your way there can help to ensure that neither you nor the photographer is duly stressed or inconvenienced. Remember, after all, that they may have other shoots after you and if you are late, that might mean less photography time. Plan your journey the day before and have alternative routes in mind in case public transport – as it so often can in this country – lets you down.

4.     Give your hair time to ‘relax’

You will want your professional headshots to show you with your hair as it usually looks like, so whatever you do, don’t get a haircut the day before a shoot! The constant sight of that ‘just had a haircut’ look in your headshots will drive you mad. Instead, allow plenty of time between your last haircut and your shoot, so that your hair has time to ‘relax’ into a more natural look.

5.    Don’t overdo the makeup

If you never wear makeup, fine – carry on that way to your shoot. But if you do, we would suggest that you simply start with a basic level of makeup, from which you can then build up if desired. The important thing is to start at whatever level is comfortable for you.

Don’t ‘over-prepare’ for your session, and make sure that above all else, you enjoy it! However, by following the above tips, you can help to make it more likely that at the end of your session, you really will get a set of professional headshots with which you can be truly delighted.

Does it matter what you wear in front of your headshot photographer?

You might not imagine that what you wear would necessarily make a big difference to the impression given by your headshot. Alternatively, you may be sure that it very much makes a big difference, and be worried about what the finest detail of your clothing in a headshot may say about you.

The formal advice I give to those choosing me as their headshot photographer is basically to keep things simple. I generally favour V neck lines and am not mad keen about patterns, logos or stripes, which I always advise my clients not to bring to their session.

However, there is a lot of scope beyond these basic recommendations to be inventive with the clothing you take to your session, in accordance with what you wish to portray.

So is it a case of ‘anything goes’, then?

Alas, not quite. First of all, you do need to bear in mind your ‘natural’ casting when you are considering what to wear to your photo shoot, and yes, we do all have one. If you are a rugged-looking bald male, for instance, you’re unfortunately unlikely to be given many lead roles as a sensitive and vulnerable love interest.

So while you may be proudly versatile as a performer, you also need to at least keep your most likely casting type at the back of your mind when choosing items to wear. Ultimately, choosing what to wear to your session with a headshot photographer is often about going for a range of items to subtly suggest a range of casting possibilities. Each and every potential outfit can imply something ever-so-slightly different to the last.

There are a lot of factors to consider

Even the most basic clothing choices can have big implications for headshot photography. Just consider the perennial ‘black or white’ question, for example. White and similarly light colours work brilliantly as a layer under cardigans, jackets and jumpers, but can also make you look ghostly and ‘washed out’ if you have a lighter skin tone. Black, meanwhile, is timeless and flattering, really helping to draw attention to the face, but you may yearn for a choice with a bit more character.

Brighter colours unquestionably have a real vibrancy about them, but it’s important to consider which ones best compliment your eyes and skin tone. Necklines are another key factor – a lower one can work really well for elongating the neck and possibly making you appear a bit taller, while higher neckline T-shorts often make you look younger, especially when a bright colour is chosen.

As we mentioned above, you’ll need to also think about the parts that you want to play and how you can communicate this through what you wear. Classic period dramas and modern dramas, for example, are each associated with very different wardrobes.

These are certainly far from the only elements to which you will need to give a lot of thought when deciding what to wear in front of a headshot photographer. Nonetheless, I hope the above will all be useful pointers to inspire you in preparing for your session.

Why not take a look today at the prices and packages that could make me, Steve Lawton, your headshot photographer of choice, whether you are an actor, businessperson or other professional?

Why are the right headshots so important?

Many of us are rightly proud of the characteristics that make us unique, and those qualities are ones that deserve to be celebrated – particularly when you need to promote yourself.

Whether you are a widely recognised celebrity or lesser-known working actor, student or professional, the likelihood is that from time to time, you will wish to have headshots created that really project and sell all of the things that make you you.

But why is it that in the acting and corporate worlds, we place so much emphasis on headshots in the first place? Why do people spend so much time and energy hunting out that perfect photographer who will be able to provide that magic headshot?

Headshots allow you to truly get ahead of the competition

A headshot, of course, can only do so much – it is, after all, ‘only’ a headshot. But as they say, a picture does say a thousand words. It means that a great headshot can make a great difference to how you are perceived, whether by casting directors or agents or other potential colleagues or clients.

A headshot may only take up a small amount of space on a screen or page, but it can nonetheless have a huge effect on how you are perceived. A great headshot shows you at your best. It doesn’t need to be overly glamorous, but it does need to be truthful, striking, natural and – of course – completely and utterly professional.

Be careful with your choice of headshots photographer

However, it’s also true that you won’t be able to achieve all of the above things in your own headshots unless you work with the right photographer. That person should have great creative and technical nous, such as the ability to incorporate ever-changing seasonal light into photos that are compelling, unique and flattering.

But a great headshots photographer will also be much more than that – they will be the kind of person who is friendly and puts you at ease. That, in turn, will help them to bring all of the best qualities out of you, so that you end up with a set of truly brilliant headshots.

Are you ready to have headshots taken that represent you at your very best? Contact me, Steve Lawton, now to enquire about my packages and prices.