The importance of your Headshot

Today finds us browsing a sea of blogs, and connecting through social media more each day. Standing out and making a good impression is important in success, and more than ever we have to promote our own personal brand.  For myself my brand is my photography business, Worrest Photography, but more than that, my brand is my name: Peter Worrest the photographer, or Peter Worrest the singer, the designer, the actor... you get the idea.  Presenting your brand in an honest way is important, letting your personality shine through, and a headshot is a great place to start.

Whether you are an actor or performer, a salesperson or service worker, a headshot that presents you will help make an impression with your prospective employer (or director).  Keep your headshot current with your look to be sure that it represents the current you. If you go through a major hairstyle change or especially a color change it's probably time to call your friendly neighborhood photographer. Be sure to wear something simple, and field appropriate, to keep the focus on your face.  Multiple outfits are always a good idea for more variety, but stick to solid colors.

Ok, lets fast forward to after your session... now what? The procedures are pretty standard for the actor, get yourself some 8x10s printed and staple, paste or clip your resumé to the back. Hand it out at casting calls, bring it to auditions, mail it out to companies. This is all work you can do yourself, but look into working with your photographer.  In the first place you cannot reproduce your headshot without their permission in most cases, but consider that they will have an interested in producing a high quality print of their work, showing you (and them) in the best light.  consider integrated design from your photographer if they do that kind of thing, and get two-sided headshot/resumés printed.  Consider smaller printed items as well for in-between resume overhauls.  Keep your face fresh in companies you've worked with before with a postcard with your recent work.  small postcards present great options for showing off a couple different images as well.

shameless self-promotion follows

Feel free to choose any photographer you'd like, but here's the low down on what you can expect to pay when you hire me. as a note, buying images from me entitles you to reproduction, but my quality and price for prints is quite good.

1 hour headshot session with 1 selection and 25 resumé/headshot sheets: $145 ($95 without prints)
1 hour headshot session with 4 selections and 50 resumé/headshot sheets, plus 50 postcards: $375 ($190 without prints)

special event option: for multiple subjects, such as a theater company, share the booking time and save. (up to $500 deposit applies, call or email for details)

one example cost breakdown(and some alternate services): (allow 2 hours) company of 10 performers, 4 poses per performer, single high quality headshot for lobby display, 500 postcards promoting a show: $1000
same 10 performers, same four poses, 25 headshots each: $1000
either way, save $140 per person, and optionally snag a few group shots along with your headshot selections.