question about headshots

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:09pm

Is it unprofessional for a headshot to include your name on it?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:10pm

Not at all.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:16pm

I thought that was the norm? Rath - do you have color shots? My wife's new shots are color.

Also, do you use sites www.acctorsaccess.com?

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:17pm

The contemporary wisdom is to not put the text on the photo itself, but to add a border and print your name below the photo. However, many many people do not do so, and book work. So, while a pictue says a thousand words, a mono/song says more.

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:19pm

can u show me some examples?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:20pm

My name is on the border.

And no, I don't have color shots. They are really only useful for redheads.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:22pm

Funny, I was just trying to decide this. I was at Reproductions, and I was wondering whether I should just have my photo with a small border, and keep the name on the back.

But, I decided against it because:

1. Casting directors can be very easily annoyed.
2. They can also be fond of doing things the way they are used to.

So, to make it as easy as possible to connect name with face, I decided to have my name printed on the border (not the actual photo).

For the record- my headshots are in color, and that's the only reason I considered no name/border. But I just saw a test print, and they look great.

Updated On: 8/25/05 at 12:22 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:26pm

1. I recommend HIGHLY the name in border.

2. Color shots are quickly becoming hot. Especially for film work. Cheno, if you wouldn't mind, pm me with your headshot photographer's name. Great shot and I'm looking for new ones.

[M J R]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 12:30pm

Most definitely put your name on the front. Color shots are quickly replacing the standard b&w. The border around the picture is also very common.

Most people I see also use a very small contrasting photo on the resume side in the top right corner.

[otis33]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:28pm

I know one casting director in particular who says that when there is NO name on the front, it prompts him to turn the pic over and look at the name on the resume. So, there's one arguement for not putting your name of the front. Of course, I don't know many cd's (or their assistants) that will put that much effort into it.

ps...my name is printed on the front.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 1:29pm

otis- totally. I figured, why make them breathe a sigh, roll their eyes, and flip over the pic? That's already one strike against you.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:32pm

Plus if your name is not anywhere on your headshot (border or otherwise), and your photo becomes detached from your resume...

....you're screwed.

Call me old fashioned but I think B&W headshots look classier that colored headshots.
Updated On: 8/25/05 at 03:32 PM

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:34pm

WCA - how do you attach the photo - staples, glue sticks??

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:36pm

I usually staple, although sometimes I use double stick tape.

On rare occassions, I can also feed my heashot through my printer and directly print on the back.
Updated On: 8/25/05 at 03:36 PM

[robbiej]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:51pm

I, too, like the B&W headshots best...but it's getting to the point where an actor is going to be expected to have both.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 8/25/05 at 3:58pm

WCA - I have used the printing method, but often get a shadow. I probably need to use a better printer. Double stick tape? That information makes the wasted time here today worth the while!

My wife's new color shots from McConkey are excellent, but it is about $2 a shot to print.