Your photo is an essential marketing tool. But how do you make sure it shows your best side?
- Make sure it looks like you. It sounds obvious but it’s the most important point. You don’t want to walk into an audition and surprise people. If your appearance changes, change your picture.
- Get a mix of shots. Some smiley, some serious, some that show your teeth and some that don’t etc. Try to relax during the photo shoot so that the images feel more human.
- Ask a friend. Ask your friends to pick their favourite shots. Make a note of their opinions but don’t tell them which images you like until they’ve shared their comments. Remember, you’re not the one who’s going to be looking at these pictures.
- Get feedback.Ask them what they liked about your pictures. How do they make you appear?
- Ask your agent. Your agent is the one who will be sending the pictures out and they will have an image of who you are in their heads. They need pictures that correlate to what they are selling, so their advice is essential.
- Have a trial run. Get a friend to take some indoor and outdoor shots to help you decide what suits you best. The same with makeup and hair.
- Prepare like a model. Before the shoot eat well and drink gallons of water and get a good night’s sleep the night before. If you wake up with a huge spot on your chin, reschedule.
- Go for different looks. Have different looks corporate, young, sexy etc. With an Upstage website you can have unlimited headshots in your portfolio, so go crazy.
- Follow your instincts.The photo that jumps out at the most people is a good guide. Remember – we are all a bad judge of our own appearance. You need to pick a picture you can live with for a year or two.
