DC Actor Headshot Pages

Are black and white actor headshots passé?

Approximately one out of five clients ask this very question and quite frankly I've been a little scared to answer it. Actually I do answer the question by saying "Oh, sure. I can happily make any of your choices black and white." But really who uses black and white headshots anymore?

Scouring the web for the answer one recent afternoon, I came upon a very insightful forum called Classical Voices. The forum's name pretty much explains its audience. Read a few posts in the thread and you'll conclude that if this traditional, main stream (and I don't mean that in a bad way!) crowd is choosing color headshots, then I think we can safely suggest you not bring the casting director your black and white one. You will look very passé!

The only advantage of having a b&w headshot is for print à la Playbill or for the theater's lobby poster. Having said that, you can certainly print a color photo out as black and white on your home printer. But it's likely the colors will have a washed out, muddy look. To solve this problem, just ask your professional headshot photographer to convert your color image to b&w. This allows contrast to be adjusted accordingly. You'll look amazing and you'll be a hero to whomever will ultimately distribute your headshot.

Happy Holidays!

Bonnie

 

 

 

Randall Lawrence, VEEP and Headshots

I recently had a great time shooting headshots for actor Randall Lawrence. Randall is amazing. He started the "acting life" a little later in his career and has never looked back! He's written screenplays and is busy doing film work. He has an impish charm that gets him great gigs like VEEP, the new HBO comedy series filming in the DC area starring Julia Louis-Drefus. Randall worked with her and says she's as funny off screen as she is on. But I can't say I'm surprised! Seinfeld and The New Adventures of Old Christine are two of my favorites. Can't wait until April when the show premieres to see Randall of course! Pat Moran & Associates finished casting for the show's season and hopefully there will be another. So think about when you'll need your new headshot. I know a really good photographer!

 

Cheers!

 

Actors' Center Winners!

Two recent headshot clients Eric Bruns and Bill Blumenauer were selected for audition slots for The Actors' Center Fall Lottery coming up Monday, November 7. Registration began in October. 132 members were randomly selected for audition slots. Members who win slots have an appointment time to audition for a group of auditors from local professional theaters and production companies. If you haven't joined The Actors' Center yet I highly encourage it! This event is just one of the many of benefits of joining this highly professional, non-profit organization. 

Break a leg Bill and Eric!

 

Hey Guys. Ready for your headshot session? Read this first!

So you've scheduled your headshot session (with me I hope) and now you're challenge is to come up with the right outfits to bring along. "What should I wear?" is my most frequently asked question and for good reason. Your actor headshot is who you are and who you want to be. Choosing what to wear is so important, but it doesn't have to be hard. Just follow these basic rules!

I'm starting with the guys because they tend to stress more about this subject than women. Really. To keep it simple gentlemen---just wear jeans. There isn't a guy in the world who can't wear them or who doesn't look good in a pair. Unlike we women, guys tend to wear jeans because they're comfortable and comfort is what it's all about. It's not likely you'll need a full body shot for auditions anyway, so feel free to come to your shoot in your favorite Levis!

Out in the the real world, I like to see men dressed better than casual. Assume that whoever finds your headshot will be expecting better than casual too. So leave that football jersey at home.

 
 Shirts, sweaters, t-shirts and turtlenecks all work well depending on the color and depending on the man. If you're buff, meaning that you work out regularly and it shows, you could do well with a nicely fitted t-shirt. If you're not so buff, that's o.k. too. You've probably got in your closet at least one button down dress shirt and suit jacket. The shirt-jacket combo looks especially great on "the big man" since it'll give you a look of power and strength. I also think sweaters on most men can be casual and dressy. As long as the sweater's knitting isn't too big or loopy, threading isn't multi-colored and it doesn't button or zip down the front. If you're not sure, bring it anyway. All I'll say is "that look doesn't work for you, Bob." Lastly, the classic turtleneck is also a nice option for the older man. Since I'm an "older women" I can swear to the turtleneck's amazing ability to hide under-the-chin flab. I have them in a slew of colors!

On it's most basic level color is as simple as knowing the complexion of your skin! If you are fair with light eyes and hair, muted gray and navy or blue will look best. If you're complexion is olive to dark, bring browns and greens and grays. However none of this matters if your clothing is wrinkled, has logos, stripes designs or "messages". Remember, leave the football jersey at home! If you just don't trust yourself to determine what to wear, just email a recent photo. It doesn't have to be a masterpiece, just as long as I can make out your face and body type. It's a easy as that. I want you to look and feel great so you can get the work you want!

Cheers!

P.S. Next installment for women only!

 

 

 

Ms. Weisz Stays in Washington!

It was the hottest day of the year. My client, Autumn Weisz, was due to arrive at 11:30 am. Autumn and I had been in contact for several weeks before her headshot session and I knew by our phone conversations that she was going to be a pistol! I don't normally use that term to describe someone, but it's quite apt for Ms. Autumn Weisz. I was nervous because I had made Autumn a huge promise. I pretty much guaranteed her that I could out-do her last headshot photographer who happened to be from New York. Although the Washington DC area is no slouch when it comes to theater and movie-making opportunities, I, like many instinctively think of only New York when it comes to providing services, like acting workshops, voice or dance lessons and yes, actor headshots. Or so it seems. Perhaps these are my own insecurities rolling forth, nevertheless, I had thrown down the gauntlet!

Did I already mention how hot it was? It became even hotter when I couldn't get my strobe lights to work! How in the world was I going out-shoot the famed New York headshot photographer when my lights didn't work? @#$@!!! It was 11:00am and Autumn was about to arrive at any moment.

@#$@!!!

 

Just when I think all is lost, in walks this tall, statuesque, diva who clearly takes control of a room. She was funny and down-to-earth, with a husky voice and a bawdy sense of humor. Immediately I was at ease. I figured if my lights don't work, well, we'd just go out for a glass a wine and try later!

However, the goddesses must have been on my side because as soon as Autumn sat down for test shots, my lights miraculously started working. With the adept assistance of DeShae Mayrand, make-up expert extraordinaire and Autumn's confidence and ease in front of the camera, the photo session was a blast and the photos came out great. The images we created on the hottest day of the year truly exhibit Autumn's great personality. I'm thinking that Autumn doesn't need New York. Perhaps New York needs Autumn, Weisz that is!

Emily H. Gilson at The National Theatre

I love when clients let me know what they're up to! Emily H. Gilson, a lovely, recent client will be performing a staged reading this Sunday, July 31 at 3pm of "Born Guilty and The Wolf in Peter"

This Theatre Lab and Theatre J collaboration was written by Ari Roth. It explores the darkest secrets of history with insight and humor, staged readings are performed by students of The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts, featuring Theater J guest artists David Raphaely and Jeff Allin.

Where:

The National Theatre - 13th and E St NW, Washington, DC:
Sunday, July 31, 3:00 pm - "Born Guilty and The Wolf in Peter"

Emily says,

"Please invite as many people as possible, since ALL PERFORMANCES ARE FREE! However, reservations are requested, and can be made online at www.theatrelab.org or by calling 202-824-0449."

For more information contact:
www.theatrelab.org OR www.theaterj.org

Break a leg Emily!!!

 

Local High School Athletic Teacher Headed for Hollywood

If Jimmy Sanabria looks like an athletic director soon-to-be movie star, that's because he is! Jimmy works at a Fairfax county public high school but has always loved acting. A childhood friend wrote a screenplay for At the Top of the Pyramid a yet-to-be-released film about a high school cheerleading team. No, Jimmy won't be playing a cheerleader in this movie, but because of his small role he may have a bigger part in his own upcoming biopic about a Northern Virginia gym teacher! Can't say I've ever worked with a client who's had a movie written about him. Hey, you heard it here first!

A Casting Director's Advice: Look Like Your Headshot

Author and casting director Bonnie Gillespie makes her point in this very information article about actor headshots. Wise words indeed! Here's an excerpt:

Don't choose the one that worked for you 30 pounds ago or five years ago. Don't choose the one that shows you looking fierce when you like to show up looking frumpy. Don't choose the one that your mother loves but your agent hates. Don't choose the one that takes you out of your primary type category and gets you called in for the wrong role. That's just not helping you!

Enjoy!

Glamour Headshots?

Ryan Jones loves theatre and recently signed with a local agent to do print work. We thought we'd "glamour" her up for some shots.  So I asked her to muss up her hair, in Bridgette Bardot fashion (I must still have Paris on my mind) but to my dismay, Ryan had never heard of Bridgette Bardot! And a good thing too! I'd forgotten that although an ardent animal activist, Bardot had been fined several times for inciting racial hatred in France. I'll have to be more diligent when offering up celebrity comparisons. Neverless, Ryan was lovely to work with and photograph!

 

 

 Some things are just good fortune. Like my recent session with Washington Wizards Dance Team member Kim Perrow. We took lots of images but finally decided that a closer, more "model-type" camera angle would work best for her. It gave me a chance to stretch my photography chops. I love the results!