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Actors Headshots - The Session
Your photograph is your first contact with a casting director so
it is important to get an honest representation of yourself in the
picture.
Many actors hate having their photograph taken, and find it quite
a stressful experience as they know the importance of getting it
right. So it is essential when having your pictures taken that you
feel relaxed. Our sessions here at Mike Turner Photography are
relaxed, photographers are friendly and put you at ease straight
away, one of which is an ex actor and knows how it feels.
We will take approximately 100 shots during the session from
different angles and lighting situations. You can change your
clothing as many times as you like. (For advice on what to wear,
see our ‘what to wear’ section)
The next step is choosing your images. If necessary, basic
retouching is included at no additional cost, on the images you
have selected. Digital post production can help to lessen or
eliminate the appearance of wrinkles, blemishes, etc.
Once completed the images you have selected are prepared to the
proper resolution, they are then burned onto a CD. Alternatively
you can order the selected images from the website and we will
email them to you. Prints can be ordered and collected from the
studio. Any prints sent by post are at an additional cost and sent
by special delivery.
Mary Elliott Nelson (extract taken from "The Stage" newspaper).
Mary Elliott Nelson, in addition to her work as an agent at Grays
Management (which represents Sarah Lawrie) also has wide-ranging
experience of production and casting from both sides of the
performer/producer fence. As such, she is a passionate advocate of
the importance of getting your photos right.
"Most actors hate having their photos taken, but photos can, and
do, make the difference between getting seen for a job and not
getting seen. Like John, I say photos plural on purpose.
"Technology has made it possible to use a variety of pictures,
easily and cheaply. The Spotlight Portfolio system makes it
possible to have several pictures on the Link, so casters can get
a rounded view of your look. Any actor with just one photo on
Spotlight (or any other casting directory) is shooting themselves
in the foot. Your photos can be updated at any time, at minimal
cost. My own view on the popular colour debate is that while black
and white is still best for actors in general, colour shots and
production shots look great in the portfolio.
"Gone are the days when an actor could choose one all-purpose shot
and use it for ten years. I cannot and would not submit a client
using a picture more than three or four years old. Even if you
still think you look the same, it's disrespectful and
self-defeating to keep just sending in the same old shot.
Photographers' prices have not gone up much in the past few years
and a digital photographer can show you the photos as you go
along. Think about what you look like when you arrive at
auditions, what you want to be cast as, what your genuine selling
points are from a visual perspective, and be bold with your look".