What Makes a Good Headshot? Helping actors take control, with Michael Wharley

Every actor understands the value of good headshot, but what makes a great casting portrait, how are headshots changing today, and how can you make sure your portfolio stands out in the modern casting environment?
In the next video in my 'Take Control of Your Headshots' series, we look a light & informative look at the way the headshot has evolved, explore simple tools for critiquing good casting portraits, and assess how the headshot is changing in 2014 and beyond.
Backed up by statistics from my recent survey of all 175 Casting Directors GUild (CDG) members, the video covers:
- What makes a headshot technically?
- The headshot in history (courtesy of Spotlight)
- Why we need headshots and how that shapes thewm
- Why the headshot is a subtle form of portrait
- Modern Trends in Headshots
- Colour vs B&W
- Using Headshot Portfolios in 2014 and beyond.
More broadly, my 'Take Control of Your Headshots' series, aims to give actors the tools, techniques, insights, & tactics to take control of their next headshot session, before, during & after the shoot.
Hope you find it useful, and thanks for watching
MW
My work:
www.michaelwharley.com
My industry insights and photo blog:
www.wharleywords.co.uk/
Filmed & edited by Sam Swainsbury, at the awesome Cut To: Productions:
www.cuttoshowreels.co.uk/cut-t...
unitedagents.co.uk/sam-swainsbury
Music: 'Funky People' by John Landau & The Giants (with thanks to John Landau):
Music: / thegiantsband
Buy the album: itunes.apple.com/us/album/jou...

[@nycblueyes10024]

Hello! Well now, it is six years after you made this video… And it still is fresh and very relevant. I’m preparing for a session tomorrow and I am so happy to have discovered your fantastic series. So informative, so empowering… AND as I’m listening to you, you are putting me at ease about the whole thing. (Thank God!)

[@MichaelWharley]

My pleasure. I myself may be a little less fresh 6 years down the line, but really glad the video is helpful. Breathe easy, connect with the lens and trust your subtle acting skills, you'll be fine!

[@martinferoli7480]

Thank You, Ive never done one before. Great advice

[@johnclark8616]

Well done Michael. Great vids. Very informative for the actor. May well put a link up on my site.

[@terrycormier5221]

Thanks again. Very helpful

[@nicholasdawkes333]

Great vids Michael, looking forward to seeing others in the series...

[@MichaelWharley]

Cheers Nic, glad you enjoyed it, hope you noticed the Nic Dawkes shoutout!

[@yonyx119]

Great vid, thanks for the tips

[@freddyl777]

Great advice and videos!

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thank you!

[@donnypryorsburg2169]

...a few good points, thanks!

[@brigranger2119]

what makes a good headshot? #1 make sure its of your head. that's all I got. thank goodness you know what you're talking about 😂

[@azarialaina6803]

Can/should I wear my prescription color contact lenses?

[@davidcavill1518]

I'm sure you can take several photos, some with and some without the contact lenses.

[@Comedianmsanita]

the sound effects and the music was louder than you were audio needs to be better when talking it was great info though

[@liyuancheng3887]

Can you wear hats in your headshots

[@MichaelWharley]

Not really, because they are supposed to show your face shape, rather than be a fashion shot, and a hat can makes things very fashiony but also obscure your face. That's true in the UK and US at the very least. Hope that helps mw

[@oswaldtheblue9271]

No