It is your lifelong dream to become an actor. You want to see your name held in the same breath along Gable, Eastwood and Hanks. There is a star with your name on it on the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame. Or so you believe. Because right now, you are finding it hard to even land a gig. There have been no calls in a month, your agent tells you. Forever is more likely. You are slowly watching your dream fade away right before your eyes.
Maybe it is time to go on the offensive. Things are looking bleak. It is time to step up. It is time to aggressively pitch yourself to movie executives and casting directors. And if you are going to do that, you need a good actor’s headshot. The only problem is you do not have any. Or well, you do not have a good one at least.
Now you have to find the perfect actor headshots photographer to get your career going. Here is how:
Have your agent make some calls. That is after all his job to do, to get you an acting gig and the headshot is part of that. As an agent, he should have contacts to find you the best photographer. Being in the business has probably helped him network all over town and opened many communication channels with different people.
Ask fellow actors. Fellow actors are great sources of information because they should have gone through this process before. Ask around who took their headshots for them. Maybe they can show you their headshots and if you like them, they can give you the number of the photographer who shot them. The best way to find one is to ask people who have needed one in the past.
Place an ad. If you are looking for work, the photographers are probably looking for work as well. Place an advertisement in the newspaper or online looking for a headshots photographer. Big agencies may not notice you but independent firms should come calling. Photographers are always looking for new things to shoot and professionals won’t be any different. You never know, you might make each other’s careers.
Look them up online. Lots of photographers probably have their own website where they house their portfolios. Browse through them and see if you find yourself attracted to their work. Decide whether or not you like their style and composition. Do you like how they frame their subjects? How is the lighting and contrast in their pictures? Can you easily contact them?
Do it yourself. Cannot find any photographers to your liking? Why not do it yourself? Maybe you can be as good or maybe even better. Who would know more about the subject than you?
Your career is just over the horizon and to get there, you need to work at it. Getting your headshot circulating is a good start so it is important that you find the best photographer to get you the best pictures.
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