How to Find a Headshot Photographers in Los Angeles
As an actor, your headshot needs to be great. It needs to be an accurate representation of how you look and meet the needs of the Los Angeles market. In an average headshot session, you'll be taking lots of photos with a variety of different looks. Make sure to plan thoroughly for your session to get the most out of it. You also want to make sure that the headshot photographer you choose is professional, takes good photos and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
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Instructions
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Ask for recommendations. Your friends and colleagues will be able to honestly tell you what they thought of the person who took their headshots. Take note of the photographers people tend to love and others they don't like as much. Personal experiences from people you know and trust are the best feedback you'll find.
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Talk to your representation. If you have an agent or manager, your headshot session is something you should absolutely discuss with your representation. He may have some suggestions for you. Agents and managers can recommend those who have shot good photos of their other clients. You'll also want to discuss other details of your session with your representation, such as the various looks you'll be aiming for.
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Read online acting forums. There are a variety of online acting forums for the Los Angeles area where actors interact about a variety of issues ranging from headshot photographers to acting classes. You can conduct a search for photographers and read feedback. You can also post a question about a particular photographer and see what others have to say about her.
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Go to headshot reproduction businesses and ask to look through headshot sample books. Most reproduction companies will have a book with various examples of headshots. Find the headshots you like best and ask who took them.
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Contact the photographers whose work you like. Ask to see more examples of their headshot sessions. You can ask to see several photos from one session to get an idea of the breadth you may get in your session. Discuss what you want to accomplish in your session with the photographer. Ultimately, you want a photographer with whom you feel very comfortable.
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Discuss the specifics of the shoot, such as the cost and the number of different looks it covers. You want to get a few different looks out of your session. For example, you may aim for three looks--girl next door, business professional and blue collar worker.
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Tips & Warnings
Remember that you are the boss of your headshot session. Plan in advance and talk to your photographer about any questions you may have.
Bring a friend to your headshot session. This will help to keep things fun and relaxed.
Beware of any photographer that asks you to pay in advance. Most will require some kind of deposit to reserve the shooting day but you should never pay in full in advance of your shoot.
If the photographer works out of his home, bring a friend with you to meetings and the shoot.
