What is a Headshot?
A headshot is a simple portrait used by actors, actresses, models or musicians or even professionals in the services industry to get work. Actors, actresses and models would generally print 8 X 10 prints of their headshot to distribute to talent agents or casting directors when pursuing opportunities. Other business professionals would use a headshot to promote a positive image of themselves via, website, brochure, etc. In simple terms it’s a portrait where the central focus is YOU and more specifically, your face. It’s not highly stylized or themed. There are no props or heavy makeup. It’s all about showing you as you are, relaxed, confident and ready to work. Headshots should be an accurate expression of who you are.
For performers it goes a little farther. Attached to your headshot, facing outward or printed on the reverse side of your headshot is a resume that documents the actors recent work and statistics, meaning your height, weight, measurements, eye color, hair color or any special skills you might have such as speaking in various languages and dialects or anything that might be helpful in securing the job.
Many moons ago, headshots were black and white now the trend is back toward color. The trend use to be tightly cropped and now it’s more open to half-length to three quarter length shots. Natural light headshots are popular and will probably remain so but studio headshots are popular as well and are acceptable as long as the light is crisp and clean with a balance of contrast as long as it shows the model as they are.
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