Acting, Corporate & Social Media Headshots
What is a Headshot?
Whether it’s for business or if you are a creative or performer, essentially, it’s an image of your head and shoulders, shot close up, to show you at your best. The industry standard is for them to be in 8×10″ portrait format and for actors, that’s certainly a requirement for Spotlight. For business though, landscape images are becoming more and more popular. Beyond that, I like the process to be as creative and as individual as you are. What matters is that it reflects you.
Predominantly we do headshots for actors and art-performers. However, corporate & Professional portraits for use on websites like Linkedin have become essential now. We’re also happy to shoot them for use on dating websites and Social Media too.
If you’re either a professional actor, a student or an aspiring actor, you will know that your headshot is one of the most vital tools to make your mark in the industry. If you want Casting Directors to notice you or you’re looking for an agent you need a shot that stands out. The key ingredient to a great image is that it has to look like you, but on your very best day.
A successful portrait should say what you want agents, managers and casting directors to know about you. We’re focused on making sure that your shot says what you need it to say and shows you, as you want to be seen.
If you’d rather not come to the studio,
get in touch and ask about our “Headshots At Home” Package.
(It’s the same price)
Download our Headshots for Actors & Creatives PDF Brochure now for more Information
If you’re actually looking for Business Headshots, instead of Arts, Click here for Our Business Headshots Page
Why Choose Us
There’s plenty of people out there taking actor’s headshots, especially around Leeds. The performance arts have really started to take off in Yorkshire & across in Manchester, so it stands to reason that the number of photographers would go up too.
I’ve got years of experience taking headshots for actors and performers. I work extensively with Leeds Arts Centre & Screen Yorkshire & several other theatre production companies, photographing productions from casting and rehearsal through to the opening night. As a trained portrait photographer, I know what angles your face looks it’s best at, the most flattering lighting etc.. But more importantly, experience working with many casting and talent agents over the years has taught me what they want .
Relax
We want you to feel as relaxed as possible when we shoot because we want your photographs to look as natural as possible. Headshots can be taken in the studio or outdoors. We can shoot them in our studio in Pontefract, only a stones throw from Leeds, or in an outdoor location of your choice. Even both if you like. That way we can create a few different looks for you. Our package includes one change of outfit. If you’d like more looks, a second session is half-price when booked at the same time.
Children’s Headshots
There’s a few extra things to bear in mind when taking headshots for child actors and performers. We have a blog post that we wrote with some extra considerations and advice that you can read by clicking the button below.
Headshot Packages and Prices
The standard headshot package is the same for both actors and corporate / professional usage.
What’s included:
- 90 minute session, up to 150 photos taken.
- Headshot, Half length and Full length body shots (if required) in Colour and Black & White.
- One Clothing Change (2 different looks) per session. If you book a 2nd session for more looks, it’s half price*.
- 2 digitally retouched (airbrushed) images of your choice in Colour and Black & White.
- Additional images can be retouched at a cost of £20
- Outside natural light images or studio shots
- Online private gallery with all images taken emailed to you at the end of the next working day.
- Copyright License provided to allow you to use all of the images for self promotion in any media.
- Fast image editing turnaround time.
- All headshots provided in full high resolution, print quality.
- Package Price: £150.00
* 2nd sessions to incorporate more looks must be booked at the same time as the original session to get the half price offer deal
If you’d rather not come to the studio,
get in touch and ask about our “Headshots At Home” Package.
(It’s the same price)
Advice for Actors
At True North, we want everyone who comes to us for a headshot to have the best possible chance at getting the role that they want. With that in mind, we’ve put together some advice for Actors. Although it’s primarily aimed at actors, almost all of the following advice is applicable if you are wanting to have shots taken for business or Social Media use too.
The Basics
- Your Headshot should be a head and shoulders shot of how you currently look.
- Casting directors are put of by unprofessional badly lit or blurry images.
- Try to keep your headshots as close to the ‘real you’ as possible.
- You are the focus. Avoid bright clothes, props, accessories and hats as well as distracting backgrounds.
- Both eyes should be visible and draw you in to the photograph.
- Retouching of temporary blemishes is ok, but don’t fall into the trap of too much retouching.
Be Specific About Your Requirements
You want your headshot to stand out from the crowd. Your face and your personality should be visible. Know what sort of roles you are going for and have a headshot for those roles. Moody, shadowy and serious portraits won’t get you a role in children’s TV. Just like bright, beaming smiles may not endear you to roles in a gritty drama. If you’re not sure what to go for, get general images that cover both eventualities. Let the Casting Director see what you look like now. It’s their job to determine what ‘you can be’.
Should I wear Make-Up? How much is ‘Too Much’ ?
The basic guideline is to be yourself, but on your best day. Try to stay away from ‘Night out’ make-up but if you like to wear it during the day, by all means usual day make-up is ok. Remember that make-up for cameras or theatre is very different to your normal make-up. You will also need to bring any hair care products that you think you might need too. Please bring your own hair brush and any spray, gel etc. that you think you might need. We can provide a Hair and Make-up artist should you require one. Remember, if you do want one, to ask when you complete the contact form.
Colour or Black & White ?
Once upon a time, Black and White was the way to go, all day long. Most Casting Directors now prefer colour images though. At True North, we like you to be prepared, so all retouched ‘final’ images are supplied in both Colour and B&W.
What Should I Wear ?
Bring a choice of outfits to your shoot. As a rule, a few tops in paler, pastel or grey colours and maybe one or two darker tops will suffice. It’s better to bring more and not need it than to not bring enough variety. We have private changing facilities for you to change during your shoot. Try to avoid large logos or brand icons on your clothing too. Productions cannot use your headshot for publicity if it has the name of a sportswear brand prominently displayed.
When Do I need New Headshots ?
Your photographs should reflect how you look now. If you’ve had a new haircut or colour and look significantly different, then you should probably think about updating your portfolio. It’s also good, especially for younger actors, to have them updated every couple of years as the face can change so much with age. I am living proof of this, unfortunately.
How Many Headshots Do I Need ?
According to Spotlight, with a good portfolio, two or three headshots will suffice. Casting Directors won’t look at more than that so you must ensure that you lead with your best ones. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
UK or US Style ?
Over the last couple of years, this question has become a lot more prominent. In the UK, Casting Directors prefer an 8×10″ (25 x 20cm – Don’t ask me why the photography industry still hasn’t gone fully metric!), closely cropped to the head and shoulders. It has become popular in recent years to include a looser crop, generally just above the waist, sometimes in Landscape format (Horizontal). This is known as a US style headshot. Although we shoot mostly UK style headshots, we can and do include some US style ones in the shoot. Again, it’s vital to know the sort of roles you’ll be going for and what you think you will need.
Frequently Asked Questions
Indoor Or Outdoor, Which Is Best ?
Indoor shoots allow us to control the environment. The weather isn’t an issue. We can also match a backdrop to your hair colour, or outfit. We can also shoot in the studio at any time of the day or evening.
Outdoor shoots do look great too but we are in the UK and for that reason, sometimes the weather forces us to reschedule a shoot. It’s also better to shoot outdoor in the evening. Overhead midday sunlight is not flattering. Early evening ‘golden hour’ sunlight works best. Our studio is over the road from a lovely park, so if you book a studio session, weather permitting, we can always nip outside for a few shots at the end.
How Long Does It Take ?
A typical headshot shoot takes about 90 minutes. If we go outside for a few shots at the end, maybe 2 hours. The rate is fixed. The shoot won’t cost any more if we run over a bit.
Do You Retouch Images ?
The standard package includes 2 retouched images that you will get in both colour and B&W (4 images total). If you go for the extended double package, that includes 4 retouched images (8 images in total). Retouching is something that we do to enhance the real you. We use it to even out skin tone, remove the occasional spot or blemish etc. ultimately, if there’s something that you want retouching, we can do it.
Do You Have A Contract ?
Simply put, yes. The contract gives you all the rights to use and print your headshots whenever you want. If you get a role and the production team want to use the headshots for publicity, that’s all detailed there too to enable them to do that. When you book, you will receive the contract by email.
Finally, How Much Does It Cost?
A good headshot is a priceless investment to a serious actor. We do two packages:
- Standard Package – £150: 90 Minute shoot inc. one wardrobe change – 2 retouched images provided in both colour and B&W.
- Double Package – £225: 180 Minute Shoot inc. three wardrobe changes – 4 retouched images provided in both colour and B&W
With both packages you can purchase additional shots from the shoot, fully retouched for an additional £20 each.
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