Because many women, children and men will become promising actors one day, it’s important to nail down your photo shoot skills since they’ll become an integral part of your daily life. In terms of importance, your photo shoot should be comparable to a rehearsal for a musical theater production since both theatrical, and photogenic quality, are ways into the mainstream Hollywood world.
The photographer is your director, and is there to guide you, the performer, toward the best angles and expressions to accentuate your strengths. Photographers must give direction during the shoot whether it be through a conversational approach or a more aggressive coaching style. Just keep the below quick tips at heart during your first initial shoot:
Know How You Want To Be Captured
It’s imperative that you discuss your type, or the various types, that you would like captured during your photo shoot before and during your session. You should be very comfortable communicating your ideas with the photographer, and they should be receptive and also provide feedback.
Find a new photographer if you feel that they’re not open to your requests. It’s important that the photographer has the freedom to do his/ her job. However, the job can only be done well if you are both on the same page with your goals for the shoot.
Preparing For Initial Shoot
There’s nothing better than being prepared and getting a lot of great sleep right before a photo shoot! Plan and confirm everything the week of your session. There are several steps nervous individuals can take before their initial photo shoot. For example, remember to always:
- Call and confirm your photographer and the terms of your sitting; ask questions like length of time, pricing, hair and make-up, retouching, location, how you’ll receive and view the unretouched photos, and anything discussed when booking the shoot.
- Create a list of characters, types, and emotions to play during the photo shoot. Email this list to your photographer, and print two copies of the list for the actual shoot.
- Rehearse the expressions of your type and characters in the mirror.
- Select your looks according to the types and characters on your list, unless your photo spread will be to attract agencies. Press and pack them in their entirety.
- Create a list of everything you will be bringing with you to the shoot.
- Exercise, drink a lot of water, and get an ample amount of sleep.
On the day of the shoot, you’ll simply review and confirm that you have packed all of the photo shoot items needed according to your list; remember, it’s best to always arrive at least 20 minutes early for your shoot which offers amply time to relax before your shoot.
Be Careful Retouching
Experienced headshot retouchers bring a specific technique to editing, and have knowledge of what makes actors look their best when marketing themselves to the industry. If you choose to retouch your photos independently, many professional photographers in the business would suggest that your work on photos that require very, very, very little retouching. Be sure not to overdo it; less is definitely more.
Get an idea of what to expect from a professionally rendered headshot. Peruse works by top professionals so you can gauge what top quality work looks like when you review portfolios from various photographers.
Reproduction labs that specialize in headshot duplication are ideal businesses for printing your photos. Be sure to ask your photographer for recommendations. It’s important you receive quality printing, competitive pricing, and superior customer service when you’re pictures will become your inevitable future income source; therefore, never walk away from the table without picture perfection achieved.
Featured images:
- License: Creative Commons image source
Roger Kowalewski is a freelance writer and photography buff from Indiana. You can follow him on Google Plus.
