Good Headshots vs Bad Headshots: What You Need to Know

Headshot photography is not similar to product photography. Photographic photographers are required to highlight the product instead of the model. In pro headshots, photographers need to show the true self of the model. There are two words in the headshot topic. Good headshots vs bad headshots.

Today we will discuss these two terms and try to show you what precisely a good headshot and a bad headshot are. Let’s jump into the discussion of good headshots vs bad headshots

WHAT IS A GOOD HEADSHOT?

In the world of proficient acting, the actor must recognize the way he is perceived by his or her audience. If you are a character type, you should not be looking for sexy leading role headshots. If you are a leading man or woman, you must ensure your headshots support that vision.

Media Agents and casting directors love actors who know their strong points. And modify their marketing resources to them (it makes their work easier). When you plan your headshots to take benefit of your strengths, you set yourself up for accomplishment.

What Makes a Bad Headshot?

An awful headshot could be unflattering, distracting, or have poor lighting.

Though, there is a way that you could tell it is just not satisfactory for the subject.

Lack Focus

Sometimes bad headshots would lack focus and do not do a good job of showing off their eyes.

Sometimes, it might be because they look down or away from the camera. In either case, this is very similar to squinting.

It might not appear like a big deal, but it truly takes away from the stunning feature of a headshot.

Over-Edited

A bad headshot is often over-retouched or over-processed.

If you cannot tell what the person looks like, it is probably not a good headshot since the only way the audience will remember you is by your presence.

Poorly Edited

Bad headshots have undefined backgrounds, dark shadows, and poorly selected or executed filters. They often feel like pictures in place of natural portraits. If you cannot see what the individual is thinking over their eyes, it is not a good headshot photograph.

What Makes a Good Headshot?

Here we discuss the features that make a good headshot compared to a bad headshot.

A headshot should be Well-lit.

When it comes to headshots, Good lighting is extremely significant. You want to place your best foot onward, and the audience should be able to see you. Poor or deliberately dramatic lighting can mislead facial features. And stop the employer or customer from recognizing you in your headshot. You need something that would help them remember you and your personality.

You must be the Focal Point.

The entire point of a headshot is to help a client or director (in the entertainment world or businesses) see you. Distractingly hectic backgrounds, hair-dos, or clothes, will not only lure the attention of the client. But it will make them have to work tougher to focus on you. Choose solid backgrounds in colors that would make your face prominent in the photo. You want to make their work as easy as possible by placing your face as the entire focal point of the images.

Headshot Provides a Taste of  Your Persona

It should help the client understand you a little bit more as a person. If you like bright colors choose a brighter background or shirt for a bright pop of color. Suppose you like to smile, smile. If you want to show a more serious, pro, business-like side of yourself, select more muted colors. And possibly a more serious expression.

However, a good headshot must not advertise that you are somewhat not. Stay true to your personality, and let that shine over your headshots.

Headshot must Look like You

Excessive makeup, hairstyles, and Photoshop edits that are not usual for you will confuse your potential client. Every time you go over a hairstyle or bodily change, you need to take a new photo. Ensure that you are giving the audience with whom you interact a photo that is up to date.

Tips for Better Actor Headshots

Please keep these things in mind when you’re considering having your headshot done and being the number 1 in the field of battle:

Use a Professional

Be prepared to spend some money—you will not regret it. An expert photographer has expertise in this. He is trained up, knows how to lit people, and does this to maintain their family. Not like a person with a nice camera and knows nothing about photography. Post them on Instagram, not your professional profiles. A good photo could have a broad price range depending on the part of the country you are in. Hiring a cheap photographer will not be a good decision.

Choose Personality over Glamour

The audience do not like terrible surprises. No major retouching is required, and no Glamour photo. It will not be good if your photograph lands you in front of casting managers and you look 17 years older. If you have wrinkles, go with it! People want the real you, not who you think you are or want to be. Neutral makeup is good.

The Eyes Are the Most Significant

Your professional photographers will ensure your eyes are in focus, complete with energy, and excited, not zoned out. Having some thought behind your eyes helps to create a slight passion in the eyes. eye contact is vital. This is what will help you show up from a mound of others. A great photographer will recognize all the tricks to bring out the best in you.

Lighting, Composition, Background

For the most part, a great photo is from the chest, with beautiful lighting on the face and little dramatic shadows. Three-quarter or half-body shots could be good for print, but no extreme close-ups. Either way, you must look straight into the lens as if glaring into the photographer’s soul. If shooting outdoors, the background would be blurred and not recognizable, allowing you to pop off the screen or print. Having the Niagara Falls or Eiffel Tower in the background will not add any points; this is about you.

Studio or Natural Light

Some photographers would have the skill and knowledge to shoot both, but they offer a dissimilar “feel.” Shooting in a studio would certainly look more elegant with a slight grey backdrop. Both can be mind-blowing if done properly. It might be best to have consistently lit studio headshots if you are going for roles in a sitcom. If you are going for a crime detective look, outdoors will perhaps fit much better.

Clothing and Props

Don’t think that adding accessories would make the photograph better; nevertheless, it is about your eye. Think simple in addition to classic while following the normal format. Professional, not desperate, would get you noticed. Solid shirt or one with a slight texture that compliments your eyes would work best. Please do not wear solid white or graphic tee shirts. If you think you would end up wearing a police uniform in the role that does not mean you need to wear it in your photo. That would limit your roles immensely.

Do not Use Lots of Makeup.

A lot can be done afterward your session with retouching; thus, there is no requirement for a lot of makeup. Looking like you do on your best day is the objective, not that you are trying too hard. Style your hair like you would for an audition, and be yourself. It is a good idea to bring blotting paper to decrease any shine. Some people apply too much makeup only to find out they do not like the results. It must look professional not a social media picture

Select photographers that you like plus do great work. Connecting with the photographer will permit you to become more on edge. It will display in the finished product. Do some study in your area to find out who would be best; these photographs might last you a couple of years. You will get many examples from real-life actors’ portfolios. You have to get fun during the complete process.

Conclusion

Find a photographer who gets you. You have to feel with the photographer, and they have to make you feel very comfy. You will use this headshot for a few years and send it to everybody in town. Study photographers. Look over their portfolios. Ask for a consultation. Get a feel for how they photograph your style, ethnicity, gender, etc. You can always get the best photo-editing assistance from a reputable company like Clipping Path Mania.