The Stress of Headshots

I am sure that every other struggling actor in town can relate the daunting process of getting headshots. The thought of going through it again makes me sigh deeply and think about what I could do with practically a grand that I am about to spend. I could buy a ticket to Rio and travel for a week, which I have been wanting to do for four years.

But we all know that a headshot is our calling card, our ticket into that big office we have always wanted to get into. But how many freakin times do I need to take 700 photos of myself before I can just get ONE decent shot that represents me- my spirit, my youthful energy, and my eyes.

After two months of research- asking every actor I know for suggestions on the BEST photographers in LA, and going to hundreds of websites, I realized I wanted something more cinematic this round- not something so "portraity" like Glamour Shots for example. My manager agreed and he told me to write out different lines of dialog to go over in my head while we were shooting. I spend hundreds of dollars at the mall acquiring various clothes and accessories for my four "looks". (Which I plan on returning by the way) I even had my boyfriend do test shoots because he recently bought a nice Nikon camera and an 85mm lens (if anyone needs headshots!)

I then took photos of myself wearing these newly purchased outfits and emailed my manager and family to gather their opinions. The day before my shoot, I spent a few hours packing everything and making a list of every single shot I wanted to capture. This grey shirt with my hair down straight, then throwing it up and putting on this jacket, then taking my hair down, with out the jacket, etc.... So specific! I even put a portfolio of my favorite looks and headshots on my computer to show the photographer. My friend Julie told me to just relax and have fun with it because I would look stressed out in the photos if I was fretting this much!!

So after a week of waiting ever so patiently to view the results, here is what I got! I appreciate any comments!!! Hopefully my eyes don't exude "I am so concerned about getting the perfect picture!" 

Here is the link!

---Heather Tocquigny

Comments

[NickGregan]

Hi Heather, great headshots. However they do seem quite expensive, but maybe that's because it's LA. Over here in London I'm one of the more well known actors headshot photographers and only charge £145.00. www.nickgregan.com

You could have probably have bought a return ticket to London and had your headshots done by me and still had some change to shop on Oxford Street.

But seriously, why are headshots so expensive in the USA, even the most expensive guys over here charge about £300.00.

Best regards

Nick

[Justine]

Heather - I like quite a few on pages 1 and 2. If you narrow it down more (tell us which ones you're leaning towards), I can tell you which of them I like the most. I do think you have some good choices there.

But, none of the ones in the Van Halen shirt. Come on, you know better than that! (Or should) :) No graphics or logos, no words of any kind on a shirt. It's way too distracting. You want people looking at a headshot to focus on YOU, not your shirt. :)