Headshots are one of the most important steps in the casting process. We’ve seen some great ones and we’ve seen some that were severely lacking. Let’s talk about the qualities of the best headshots we’ve seen and how you can make your child’s photo stand a head above the rest.
No make up
Gone are the days of child beauty queens and here is the much more natural looking trend. We can’t stress this enough, those JonBonet Ramsey glamour shots will hurt your child’s chances more than help them. The intent of headshots is to show the director and production crew a “blank canvas” for them to work with and make up to become the character they’re envisioning. If your child is under the age of 13, definitely opt for no make-up. In their teenage years, some concealer is acceptable if they have acne but in general, best practice is to avoid painting your face.
Let that personality shine
Every person is unique and even more so for children. You see what makes your child’s personality so captivating, let their headshot show us what you see! That doesn’t just mean they should smile (which they should) but let their special quirks shine. Whether your child is naturally funny or serious or mouthy or energizing or gentle or something else, showcasing that exceptional quality that they embody so well will help them get the right roles for them.
Eyes should always be in focus
Even Shakespeare wrote children into his plays because he was fascinated by the hope and creativity that can be seen in a young innocent’s eyes. If your child’s headshot doesn’t have a clear, focused picture of their beautiful, expressive eyes the chances of them landing a role are low.
Natural light
In a relatively new shift in thinking, natural light or artificially created natural light is best for headshots because it portrays the facial features as they really are and not how they’re altered by professional lighting.
Professional photographer
We understand a professional photographer can be pricey. However, this is going to be the most important and worthwhile expense of your little one’s potential career. A professional photographer will know the best poses, exposure, and natural looking headshots in the industry. Spring for the best photographer you can, it’ll pay off in the end. Also, lots of local professional photographers or beginning professionals have great deals sporadically throughout the year, so keep your eyes peeled!
Classy Clothes
While your child’s favorite shirt might be that one that says “Fun Boy” or has flip sequins on it, leave those at home for photography day. Instead, you should dress them in solid colors (or a mellow pattern) and simple layers. Glitter, ruffles, taffeta, bold colors, busy patterns, and bright accessories all detract from your child and their natural beauty. It distracts and makes it seem as if the young actor or actress is compensating for a lack of talent.
Following these tips, we guarantee you’re going to have a callback smashing headshot. We hope your child has so many calls they can’t decide which role to take! Do you have your headshots ready but now you’re not sure what to do? Send them into one of our talent contests and we’ll be in touch if we think your little one has star potential.
