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Shoot Me in the Head
This is the fourth installment in a series of articles appearing in a new publication on the Haven website later this fall. Each article features the insight, advice, events, and storytelling of Haven artists. Missed an article? Check it out in the archives!
Get ready for your closeup: we know that Gotham's acting scene can be daunting (to say the least), so whether you're new or just in need of some encouragement, check out our first installment of tips and tales from actors who've been there, done that . . .
Shoot Me in the Head: tips to getting the perfect headshot in NYC
by Kevin Johnson
Don't despair. The resources are out there. I recently got new headshots taken and am very pleased with the results. Here are some quick tidbits to help you evaluate whether you should take the plunge and get a stylin' head shot of your very own:
–Are your pictures 3 years old?
Casting directors want an accurate picture of who you are today, not yesterday. Help everyone out by keeping your photo up to date.
–Are you confident when you hand your photo to someone?
It is important that you are pleased with the way your picture looks. We need all the confidence available to us in this business, having a strong photo in your corner is a good way to enter your auditions ready to impress.
–Do you want to step up your game?
If your current photo was taken outside New York City you might think about investing in a local photographer. Here's why: performing is as much about community as it is about craft. Casting directors and agents know the work of New York photographers (most of them have a very particular aesthetic) and they will recognize the work as having been produced at any of the reputable studios in the city. It makes an impact. Granted, New York photos are expensive so make sure you are prepared for the investment. Also, if your current headshot is black and white, know that the times are changing. Having a color photo is standard these days.
How do I find a photographer?
–"Reproductions."
The most comprehensive resource of New York headshot photographers is published annually by Reproductions, a local photo reproduction house. They collect advertisements from all the major photographers in the area and put them under one binding. This book is spread at large through the performing arts community. You can also check Reproductions' website or stop by their office to find a photographer that will best capture your unique self.
–Friends and colleagues.
Everyone has a headshot story, and they are just waiting to tell it! Ask your friends where they got their headshots done, how much they paid and if they were happy with their photographer. Ask your agent who they would suggest and who to stay away from. Everyone has opinions. The point is to learn as much as you can from the people around you so that you can make the most informed personal decision possible that accommodates your tastes and fits your budget.
–Go for a visit.
Once you have found the list of photographers you gravitate towards, call them up and schedule a sit-down meeting to discuss their work. Make sure you jive with their personality and will be comfortable and most fully yourself on the day of your shoot. Picture taking is quite personal. Make sure this is some you can trust and who can support you in your identity and personality. This is vitally important.
What should I expect to be paying?
–Anywhere from $500 to $1,200
You will find photographers whose style and look you respond to in a variety of price ranges. This usually has to do with the marketability of the particular photographer. Those who have been around the business and have established working credibility with agents and casting directors can get away with charging more. Navigate your budget against all the other variables to find the right one for you.
P.S.—Remember that replication of your photograph is going to require an addition to your budget. The New York standard is to have this done at Reproductions (see contact info below), which will cost you about $200 for 200 copies.
Best wishes! And remember, it's about the process. New York is a community and we are all getting to know it better—this is part of it! Take your time, breathe deeply often, and enjoy it.
Reproductions
www.reproductions.com
70 West 40th St., 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10018
Tel: 646.502.3700
Outside NYC: 800.647.3776
Fax: 212.382.3730
 When Kevin's not busy auditioning and performing, he can be found working the cast room at the Hospital for Special Surgery or roaming the city with his camera in tow; check out all of Kevin's Big Apple adventures on his photo-a-day journal. You can also see his play, "Universal Signs," during haven's presentation of the Mercy Plays, Oct. 19-22.
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Posted by Armistead Booker on 10/11/2006 | 0 comments
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