All actors seem to think that just because they have arrived in Hollywood, they need to have a headshot right away. WRONG! The most important thing for a new aspiring Actor or actress in Hollywood, is to learn the ropes first and ask a great deal of questions, especially to those that have been in La for awhile. Just be careful whose advice you take. You do not want to learn from a "Shrinking Violet" in the business that has been there 20 years and still doing extra work. Unless you are already a working actor in the business, take you time to adjust and learn when you first arrive. Too many actor come to Los Angeles ready for Stardom the day they arrive. Its does not work that way.
For most actors, as myself, it take about an average of 15 to 20 years of persistance to get to the top of your game making serious money and getting significant recognition. Katherine Heigel and Adrian Brody, for example, busted their buts in the business for 15 years before they hit a serious financial breakthrough. Its does happen on occasion that people get break right away, but remember its best to work your way up over time. Too much too fast, can cause one to not be ready and have the knowledge, connections, and relationships to maintain that stardom. If you are an actor or actress that needs a headshot and is ready to work in LA, here are some suggestions from free headshots to high-profile expensive photographers. If you are a model type, you can upload a free profile of your self on Model Mayhem, a free website for models. Its a website geared for model and photographers to get together. Most of the shoots are on a TFCD, trade for prints. They shoot you for free in exchange for using you photos to market themselves as photographers. A great deal of photographers from no experience to famous photographers are always looking for ways to update their books and website. Some may even hire you for a paid job. Looking in the trade papers, as Backstage West, and the Hollywood Reporter are ways to find a legitimate photographer.
BEWARE of photographers that ask for the entire shoot to be paid up front. Most photographers ask for a deposit, but not usually the entire balance. Most good photographers can range from $50.00 a shoot to $1000.00 a shoot depending on who shoots you. Alan Weissman is amongst the best headshot photographers in Hollywood. He has shot Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman. His studio is located in Studio City, CA. Make sure you sign a model release agreement with that photographer, so you know how your photos will be used. You do not want your photos to end up on a site or somewhere you would not want. Also, get a CD of your work, or a copy of the negatives, so you can make prints. Ask the photographer also, if he copyrights his work, most do. So, get a standard copyright release from them stating that its okay to make prints of the photos because some print shop will not reproduce anything that looks copyrighted. Never take anything for granted.
Always take photos that represent yourself and your purpose truthfully. If you take shots that do not sell a character you can perform, it may come back to bit you when you go on an audition for that type of character. On average, you will need at least 3 different looks. One for commercial, one for television, and one for film. Make sure, that your pictures show character and personality and its not just a pretty picture. There is nothing more irritating to a producer, agent, or casting director that gets a photo that is just an empty, but pretty picture, and no character. You came to Hollywood to be an actor or actress and its important to understand you are selling a product, YOURSELF! Most people want to buy products on the market that are interesting and different, so STAND OUT and GOOD LUCK!!!
For most actors, as myself, it take about an average of 15 to 20 years of persistance to get to the top of your game making serious money and getting significant recognition. Katherine Heigel and Adrian Brody, for example, busted their buts in the business for 15 years before they hit a serious financial breakthrough. Its does happen on occasion that people get break right away, but remember its best to work your way up over time. Too much too fast, can cause one to not be ready and have the knowledge, connections, and relationships to maintain that stardom. If you are an actor or actress that needs a headshot and is ready to work in LA, here are some suggestions from free headshots to high-profile expensive photographers. If you are a model type, you can upload a free profile of your self on Model Mayhem, a free website for models. Its a website geared for model and photographers to get together. Most of the shoots are on a TFCD, trade for prints. They shoot you for free in exchange for using you photos to market themselves as photographers. A great deal of photographers from no experience to famous photographers are always looking for ways to update their books and website. Some may even hire you for a paid job. Looking in the trade papers, as Backstage West, and the Hollywood Reporter are ways to find a legitimate photographer.
BEWARE of photographers that ask for the entire shoot to be paid up front. Most photographers ask for a deposit, but not usually the entire balance. Most good photographers can range from $50.00 a shoot to $1000.00 a shoot depending on who shoots you. Alan Weissman is amongst the best headshot photographers in Hollywood. He has shot Charlize Theron, Angelina Jolie, and Morgan Freeman. His studio is located in Studio City, CA. Make sure you sign a model release agreement with that photographer, so you know how your photos will be used. You do not want your photos to end up on a site or somewhere you would not want. Also, get a CD of your work, or a copy of the negatives, so you can make prints. Ask the photographer also, if he copyrights his work, most do. So, get a standard copyright release from them stating that its okay to make prints of the photos because some print shop will not reproduce anything that looks copyrighted. Never take anything for granted.
Always take photos that represent yourself and your purpose truthfully. If you take shots that do not sell a character you can perform, it may come back to bit you when you go on an audition for that type of character. On average, you will need at least 3 different looks. One for commercial, one for television, and one for film. Make sure, that your pictures show character and personality and its not just a pretty picture. There is nothing more irritating to a producer, agent, or casting director that gets a photo that is just an empty, but pretty picture, and no character. You came to Hollywood to be an actor or actress and its important to understand you are selling a product, YOURSELF! Most people want to buy products on the market that are interesting and different, so STAND OUT and GOOD LUCK!!!
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