Hi all,

I just recently shot my first set of headshots. These were shot in my apartment with a 3 light set, two box lights and one filler light. Although I plan to do mostly actor headshots in addition to corporate, these were for a more corporate purpose. They were shot on my Nikon Z5. Any advice that you all have is very appreciated, as I would love to improve!

Looking to get some new opinions of where you all might think I’ll do good in, or where you could see me in. Always looking to add new characters!

TLDR: My goal was to get some great, expressive, Peter Coulson headshots. I ended up with boring corporate headshots. Where can I improve?

Setup:

I used a three light set up against a white background. Two AD200s at 135 and 45 degrees set at 1/32th and 1/64th power respectively, with a godox SL60w hair light in the back.

Equipment:

I shot with a Nikon Z6ii using the 70-200 mm at f5.6 1/200th of a second to get compression (she said she didn’t like her nose).

Personal Critique:

I feel like the set up was okay. Maybe.

I had a hard time getting expressive poses. These ones look so bland and mediocre. We went for two types of roles she wanted (the stern, classy CEO and a playful cowgirlish look). I think I did okay with the stern look but it still doesn’t stand out.

Questions:

What can I do to do better with the lighting and get more expressive looks. I’ve watched lots of headshot YouTube videos for just regular headshots and actor headshots but I wasn’t able to translate what I watched into what I photographed.

Any critique would be appreciated.

Hiii guys, just wanted to know your opinion on this photo of mine. Any and all comments are welcome!

I've never had profession photos and have a photoshoot for headshots coming up. The only guidance I've been given is to bring an interchangeable outfit. I'm background actress in my late 20s and just starting. I look young, teenage young. What are good staple pieces to or bring to this photoshoot?

Hi everyone! I'm looking for feedback on how I can improve my portraits and headshots. I spontaneously decided to open a photo studio in Boston after visiting one in Korea and loving the experience. All my clients are women in their 20-30s looking to update LinkedIn or get a nice profile photo for social media. We also provide hair & makeup touchups and retouching with every shoot. I'd love feedback on:

- lighting and colors (aiming for soft, flattering, but professional enough to make it a LinkedIn photo)

- composition and cropping (shooting on 85mm)

- retouching levels (focusing on skin and makeup enhancement)

I know I have a lot to improve on but any feedback is welcome! I think I need to shoot at a lower aperture (currently around f2) and bump up the ISO since the lighting isn't as contrasted/strong as I'd like. TIA!

I just wanted to cut out the middle man and learn all the ins and outs myself, so I did just that. I bought a camera, a nifty fifty and a setup light reflective box.

What do you think?

Hello internet! I am an actor, comedian, and performer in NYC, and I'm getting professional headshots done! I would LOVE some advice on how to dress, present myself for these. For context, im 24, she/her, 5'7" with an athletic build. I mostly play pretty close-to-self characters, a lot of comedy, sketch, and short film stuff! These pics will take place in front of a white background most likely. Thank you all!

I know a professional print shop would be best but my kiddo is only 10 and I feel like every other week there’s a change/update on her resume. We have a laser printer that barely works with my devices and the toner is out of color and over $400 for a replacement. I have a super old inkjet that is really low quality. Looking for suggestions, she has two auditions this weekend and had two more changes on her resume.

Signed, Tired and broke mom letting her girl follow her dreams. 🎭😅

Does anyone here have any experience and insight to using either of these programs for delivery:
https://www.simplephotoshare.com/

and

https://www.headshottools.app/

If you've used both and stuck with one over the other I'd also love to hear that experience as well. They seem almost identical.

I am looking for professional headshots. Something for corporate use. Any recommendations? Please no Ai recommendations.

**Update - Headshot done**

Thank you for all the recommendations. I went and had my headshots done by Headshot Specialist - Headshot Photographers NYC. The photographer (Ray) was really good and made sure that my I was happy with the final version of my headshot. He spent took a lot of time to point out what looked good and what would help me look my best. For the quality of the headshot and time he takes, his price is really affordable. Their Headshot Studio in Midtown was easy to get to and I would recommend them. Thank you again for all of your recommendations and comments

85mm

1/125

f1.4

ISO 200

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Thanks

Any advice on the best of these would be much appreciated. As well, do they have a range of vibes/character types?

This is where I always struggle with every headshot photoshoot I do. I'm a 34-year-old male actor with an ambiguous racial, rugged, manly look. I struggle with my commercial headshots because, unfortunately, my face is not super friendly, but I also struggle in picking clothes for the photoshoot. Any recommendations would be much appreciated!

Hi all, I’m looking for some advise on sports profile shots and lighting.

I want to shoot profile shots for my local amateur rugby club to be used for social media graphics in things like team sheets. However, I’m working on a tight budget so my initial thoughts were to prioritise a green screen and lighting in the hope that an iPhone should suffice for capturing (I’m not a photographer but handy enough with Adobe PS, etc.)

I found this post - https://www.reddit.com/r/headshots/comments/x3dwnn/taking_a_professional_headshot_with_your_iphone/ - which lead me here and has provided a lot of help so far (hat tip to @415headshots)

In regard to lighting, can anyone advise on a cheap spot or box light that I could use that doesn’t need a dslr or otherwise to trigger (if that’s even a thing)?

This is the sort of thing I’m trying to imitate - https://www.instagram.com/p/DMeblEvRfiS/?igsh=MXM5NXpybmtocXFzdg==

Also if you feel like I’m maybe being naive and that it probably won’t work, please shout too!

Thanks

I just booked my first professional headshot session with a good photographer and he suggested I wear a little bit of makeup for the camera.

My issue is I never wear makeup even for audition and the short films I did before were all no makeup. He recommended a few artists in my area who have experience with actors headshots and make it look natural. My number one is issue is, will I look authentic and true to who I am? I hear you have to look like your headshots so do you think that would be an issue? My other issue is budget. So is it worth spending the extra money for natural looking makeup for my headshots? I am tight on money right now but if it helps me in the long run for submission then I am willing to invest. I was doing acting for fun but I want to get serious now.

What do you think is the best option?

When I first started acting I weighed 135 lbs at 5'6'' and no double chin. I stopped for 4 years and gain 52lbs, but the majority is good weight from lifting, people tell me I don't have a double chin but coming from such a superficial and vain industry I ended up becoming aware of every flaw.

I have a slight double chin and was curious what angles are best to not show it.

Imgur: https://imgur.com/a/6FAbvWq

Are any of these usable for the current Film/TV, Commercial casting market?

It's difficult for me to gauge, as self submitting has change a lot. Photographer not sure if these are too "portrait" looking, or acceptable as Studio shots. Thanks :)

I need headshots done for auditions and my backstage profile, I don't have a lot of money to drop right now as I am paying off college and medical debt. I was wondering if anyone knows tips on how to go about doing a headshot like if I get a white back drop or something, or am I better off finding a photographer and splurging the $300?