Why Do Headshots Matter
/by Roj Whitelock
London-based photographer and HSM Associate Member
You know you need headshots for your agent, Spotlight, personal branding or LinkedIn. But how much do they really matter? And what does a good headshot look like anyway?
I've always have been fascinated by faces. As a young art student I used to plug into my Walkman and sketch my fellow passengers on the train every day. This fascination is literally in our collective DNA - our human brain has evolved to seek out and recognise facial patterns and is able to instantly translate the most subtle variations in the 42 face muscles capable of creating over 10,000 expressions.
But the most wonderful and dizzying thing about faces is that every single one is different. There are over 8 billion faces in the world, and no two are the same.
Which is why your face is genuinely your Unique Selling Point (USP). And that’s not just the case for actors and performers. From LinkedIn to personal branding, the first thing people will want to know is what you look like. It’s why the ‘Meet The Team’ page on corporate websites gets so much traffic. People want to see you.
We’re all fascinated by faces.
And that’s why headshots matter. They are a celebration of you. Your authentic appearance. And as a representation of your USP they are a vital marketing tool and proof positive that first impressions really do count.
Let’s talk about authenticity first. Over the course of my career I’ve been a casting director for both TV ads and photoshoots working with actors and models. And I can tell you that there’s nothing worse than someone turning up for a casting who looks nothing like their headshot. It instantly feels disingenuous and a total waste of time. In this age of filters, Photoshop and AI there’s no limit to how a headshot can be edited. To the point where sometimes style can overtake substance - or your own personal goals. But the primary purpose of a headshot is to accurately capture your unique appearance. What makes you different. What makes you stand out. Your headshot should accentuate and celebrate your individuality, not subvert and hide it. You’ll go further and earn more respect for being 100% you.
Which brings us back to your USP and positioning. Your headshot will be the first thing most people see. It is the front line in how you market yourself. It creates a first impression that can see you move forward or be discounted in a heartbeat.
It’s not just an accurate representation of your face, it’s your branding. It defines what people will say about you when you are not in the room to speak for yourself. It’s impossible to underestimate the importance of this investment and of working with a headshot photographer who will take the time to really understand you, your goals and aspirations and how you wish to be seen by the world. How else can you be confident that your first impression is the right impression? That your headshot will not only get you in the room, but into the right room?
So, headshots are crucial and directly linked to your chances of success.
Which is why they need to be as good as they can be. These days the barriers to entry for headshot photography have never been lower. Digital cameras and decent lenses are cheaper and more accessible than ever. Sunlight through a window is free. And AI editing can make post-production quicker and easier than ever before. Most people with some level of skill can get 80% of the way there.
But like all things in life, it’s that last 20% that makes all the difference. Putting you at ease before and during the shoot so you can relax and be at your best. Understanding what casting directors are looking for in a headshot. Making subtle changes to the lighting, studio or natural, to bring out the best in you. Direction on posing and expression. Developing mood and atmosphere that suits your brand or casting. Getting consistently good results no matter the challenges. Creating images that feel spontaneous, alive and authentically in the moment. Subtle and sympathetic editing that accentuates your look rather than smothering it or looking fake.
A great headshot photographer will make 100s of micro-adjustments based on their experience and expertise to deliver that final set of perfect headshots the pop off the screen or page even as a thumbnail. Because a great headshot will have that impact, that little bit of magic, that ability to come alive in the eyes of the viewer that makes all the difference.
Headshots really do matter. And authenticity, celebrating and focussing on you and genuine expertise in crafting the perfect headshot are what really matter when it comes to making them work for you.
Cheers, Roj
Roj Whitelock | Actor Headshots | London, UK
Blog | www.rojwhitelock.co.uk/blog
Instagram: @rojwhitelockphotography
Website: www.rojwhitelock.co.uk
