What you think during your headshot photo shoot is just as important as what you wear. As we discussed in an earlier post, your headshot is not just a pretty picture of you, it is a way to communicate who you are as an actor, what your character type is, and how you can fit into the production being cast, or class being assembled.
Last week, we looked at how you can flip the script on uneasy thoughts in front of the camera. But let’s go a little further and dig into how to get those photos to speak to the person who is receiving the photo. (After all, a picture is worth a thousand words 😉)
Let’s start with your TYPE.
In three words (or portmanteaux), define your MOST PROMINENT TYPE. Yes, yes, we all have so many characters inside of us, blah, blah, blah. There is ONE type that you can really land every. single. time. Describe that in three words.
Here’s how that looks for my ONE type.
I am a smart, no-nonsense authority figure with a deep well of empathy.
My three words are:
- Smart
- No-nonsense
- Empathy
My primary type is: Authority Figure
The types of characters I tend to play are teachers, nurses, doctors, cops, detectives. I often deliver bad news, but with tenderness. Since I am a female of a certain age, “mom” is a given character type. But there are a kabillion “mom” types – the sassy one, the wannabe-cool one, the PTA President, the shy one…etc, etc, etc. Therefore, “mom” is not a helpful type. What kind of “mom” would I play?
For you, dear high school student, what kind of teenager would you play?
Three words. Go!
Now, back to your headshots!
Once you have your succinct description of your type, choose three phrases your type might say in a production.
For example, my character type might say:
- You can trust me, just tell me the truth.
- Vote for me, I will make it right in Washington.
- I made the cookies gluten-free and nut-free from scratch last night because I just love to bake.
(Full disclosure, I really do just love to bake. Talk about type-casting!)
At your headshot photo shoot, you can tell the photographer your three words, you can even share your three lines. Then, they can prompt you if they are seeing something different in the lens. Also, it takes the focus off of how you feel and what you look like. It makes it about what your character feels and what your character looks like.
When you in front of the camera, rather than thinking about your smile or the weird twitch at the corner of your eye, you’re thinking about your lines. Maybe you even say your lines out loud a few times to really get into character.
Try this with your phone: Take a few pictures where all you think about is looking nice. Then, take a few pictures where you think, or say, some lines from a character you’ve played. What difference do you notice?