I’m offering my email subscribers first dibs on the limited deals I’m offering this Black Friday!

Want to secure your Black Friday Headshot before they go out on general sale? Drop your name and email below and get 24hr advanced access to one-time only Black Friday Headshot photography deals.

As a subscriber to my emails, you will get 24hr advanced access to these exclusive deals before anyone else.

These deals have NEVER been offered before and are a one time only special for YOU.

Need a new killer headshot to get you the auditions you want? Sign up and check your emails on Thursday 26th November to see what exclusive Black Friday Deals I’m offering.

Deals go live to everyone else on Friday 27th November so be sure to subscribe to grab them on Thursday before they go! 

The post Black Friday Headshot Deals are coming! appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

“Do I look any different to my current headshot?”

That means….

Have you gained a few years?

Had a few birthdays? It can be surprising how much we change in just a few short years and how that rate of change differs across age groups. Here are my recommendations for how often you should renew your actor headshots when it comes to aging:

Children under 10

This age group is the one that requires the most frequent updates to actor headshots as children grow and change at an incredibly fast rate. It is recommended that child actors update their headshots every 6-12 months. When you’re buying them clothes the next age up, think about getting their headshots updated!

Teenagers:

Teens are still changing and developing each year so it is recommended their headshots are updated every 12 months. This is especially important when younger teens start transitioning into older teens and begin developing more adult features such as developing curves and facial hair, as it dramatically changes their casting type.

Adults:

From 20 years old and upwards, I recommend updating actor headshots every 1-2 years. This frequency is recommended as not only will looks change, but so will your casting type as I mention in more detail further down. In addition to this, a casting director may get bored seeing the same headshots over and over. A fresh one can be the prompt the casting director needs to look at you again and see what new work you’ve been involved with.

Is that it?

Well, no. Other things like these might be a sign you need to update your headshots:

Have you got a new fro?

Rocking a new hair colour? Maybe you chopped it off or have added a few inches, or perhaps you’ve got a weave or are letting loose your gorgeous afro! Whatever the change, it’s a good idea to make sure your headshot reflects your current style.

But what about hair in *other* places?

Beards and moustaches!

The growth or indeed shaving off of a beard or moustache can make you look so different. Take a look at Zach for instance and the difference growing out his hair made!

It’s time to get brutally honest…

Have you put on a few pounds or lost weight?

No one likes to admit they’ve put on a bit of weight but it’s important to be honest with casting directors about your size and shape.

It’s not just weight either:

If you used to be an Adonis and haven’t updated your headshots since you started getting too busy with acting work to hit the gym, a casting director is going to be disappointed when you walk into the audition room and no longer fit the look of the character they need. Even if you haven’t gained weight, have you substantially lost your muscle definition to make you less suited to playing Superman or Wonderwoman without some serious pre-production prep?

But don’t forget…

Pretty much any other kind of change is worth bearing in mind when it comes to updating your acting headshots. For instance, noticeable scars, tattoos and piercings are also good to be honest and transparent about when it comes to your headshots.

The final thing to ask yourself is:

Have I changed my casting type?

As you develop your craft, you’ll discover your casting type and this may change, particularly in the early years of your career. If you feel you are moving away from the kind of characters you used to play a few years ago and want to go in a new direction, headshots are a great way to do this.

For instance; if you want to start being cast for more serious and gritty roles, you might want to consider letting go of your sweet baby faced headshots and updating them with something with a little more edge. Just look at the difference in casting type between the early images of Zach!

Your casting type should always be at the forefront of your mind when getting your headshots done as this is what you want to be selling to a casting director. Speaking of casting directors, why not check out my recent interview with casting director, Sharon Sorrentino and director, Tracey Street, where we discuss exactly what they look for in a headshot and what decisions they make when going through the process of selecting actors for audition!

In Summary:

A new you, means new headshots!

Want to get some new headshots done? Check out the links below!
Interested in booking your next actor headshots? Find out all about my sessions along with prices, HERE. In the meantime, why not check out some of these useful links?

The post How often should you update actor headshots? appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

How to prepare for your actor headshot session…

Your actor headshots are a key marketing tool for your acting career, so it’s important to prepare yourself in order to get the most out of your session. Here are some things you might want to consider:

Think about your casting type.

A good actor headshot is not only eye-catching but also successfully conveys an actor’s casting type. For instance, if you typically play edgier, authoritative or confrontational roles, you may not want to have a bright beaming smile in all of your actor headshots. Conversely, you also don’t want to take those roles too literally and find yourself looking standoffish in your headshots. It’s about subtly suggesting at your casting type, rather than ramming it down the throat of the person viewing your headshots. You still want casting directors to think you’re friendly to work with! (For more of an idea as to what casting directors look for, check out my recent interview with CD Sharon Sorrentino and director, Tracey Street, HERE.)

I always like to have a chat with actors ahead of their headshot session in order to establish what their casting type is, as this allows me to tailor the session and give appropriate direction in order to bring this out in a subtle but effective way.

If you’re an actor at the beginning of your career, don’t worry if you don’t have a casting type just yet; it can take time and experience to fully discover. If you don’t have a casting type, it’s a good idea to think about the kind of roles you’ve enjoyed playing in the past and those you’d like to play in the future. This gives your headshot photographer a good starting point so they can make your acting headshots reflect these areas of interest and experience.

Dress appropriately.

I’ve done a whole in-depth blog post on what to wear for actor headshots HERE which covers everything including which colours are best and why, what fabrics are most ideal and which necklines suit different looks.

The bottom line is you need to make sure you look professional and in something that isn’t distracting so stay away from bright colours, patterns, collars and logos. Make sure your tops are crease and stain-free and be sure to bring options so your photographer can advise on the best tops for you and the look you want to achieve as your choice of tops can make a surprisingly huge difference.

Be fresh!

This might sound obvious but don’t go partying the night before you’re actor headshots; you will look and feel tired and is that really the vibe you want to give to casting directors?

Make-up

A bit of natural, subtle make-up is fine, but avoid looking too glammed up; casting directors want to see the real you. Generally speaking, you’re pretty safe with a light foundation paired with mascara and subtle eye-liner.

If you have woken up with a zit, don’t panic! Most photographers can very easily remove spots and other non-permanent marks but I strongly advise against asking your photographer to remove scars, moles, freckles or tattoos as a casting director will not be impressed if you walk into their audition looking different to your headshots!

Hair

As for your hair, be sure to bring a comb and a bobble, particularly if you have long hair. Even if you don’t normally like you hair up (or even down) it’s worth experimenting with both options during your session as it can have a big effect on your look, especially when working through different expressions and postures.

If your casting type sees you in a lot of period dramas, wearing your hair up can work well with fortifying this suggestion, particularly if in a loose bun or updo that can easily come down half way into your session. A slicked-back ponytail or bun can often work well when trying to give off a practical, confident or authoritative appearance as they are very practical ways to wear one’s hair.

Having the hair down is great for giving a casting director an idea as to the length and thickness of your hair as this can also impact your casting, especially for shows and soaps who don’t expect to ‘wig up’ their cast.

Gentlemen with longer length hair should also consider bringing bobbles or bands to show hair both up and down as, like with their female counterparts, it can make a huge difference to your look.

It’s also important to have options to remove hair from your face should you have particularly thick or unruly locks that have a habit of covering you up – casting directors don’t want to see you hiding behind it!

Trust your photographer

You’d be surprised at the number of actors who are confident on stage and screen but who hate getting their headshots done! It can be an intimidating thought, especially if it’s your first time getting them done. I’ve worked with many actors who do not like being photographed and they have all left smiling with headshots they love and an experience they’d recommend to others. No matter how uncomfortable being photographed might make you feel, a great photographer will know how to put you at your ease and direct you in a way to get amazing acting headshots. My headshot sessions are a collaboration; we work together to see what kind of approach works for you and gets you the best results possible. Every session is tailored to each individual actor in a personal service designed to help you relax, have fun, and leave with headshots that will get you the auditions you want.

Don’t just take it from me! Here are what my previous clients say about their experience with me.

Interested in booking your next actor headshots? Find out all about my sessions along with prices, HERE. In the meantime, why not check out some of these useful links?

The post How to prepare for your actor headshots appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

 One of the most common questions I get asked about actor headshot photography is ‘what should I wear?’ Though the industry is certainly more flexible and open to contemporary style portraits than it used to be, there are still some very good rules of thumb to follow in order to make sure your actor headshots look professional and that your clothes aren’t distracted the casting director from you.

Colours:

Below are my recommendations on the kinds of colours to consider wearing for your actor headshots. If you HAD to choose just two, I’d say black and a top that matches your eye colour should be the priority!

Black is very strong and is great for giving an unfussy and direct look. It’s professional and works particularly well with fair-medium toned skin, especially when images are converted to black and white (in black and white images you want the brightest part of the image to be your face so a darker top works well). I highly recommend having at least one headshot in a plain black top and it works especially well if you want to get across a strong, sharp, bold, dark or confident casting type.

White: white is great for giving a softer, brighter and cleaner cut feel. It works best with actors with medium-darker skin tones; if you have fair skin and fair hair it may wash you out so you might consider a grey instead. White is synonymous with innocence, purity, youth and goodness so it can be particularly good if you want to suggest a casting type that aligns with these characteristics.

Grey: grey can be a good alternative to suggest the softer casting types above but without washing you out. The right shade of grey is also great for bringing out blue eyes. It usually doesn’t have the impact of the highly contrasting black and white but it’s good to bring as a safety option.

Burgundy and Navy: these are two of my favourite alternative colours to photograph actors in when shooting outdoors against a natural background, particularly burgundy as it works so well with the earth tones of a park or garden setting. Still dark, these are fabulous when headshots are presented in both colour as well as black and white and in my opinion, add a little more depth than a solid black.

Green: if you have green eyes or red hair, a green top is a must!

Style:

Just as you don’t want the colour of your top to distract from you, you want to make sure the style of your top doesn’t let you down either!

Avoid: shirts with collars, logos, patterns or tops with multiple colours. These all call attention to themselves which we do not want! Formal shirts can also make your headshot look like that of a corporate manager rather than an actor. I’ve seen softer, more casual shirts work however they are a risky option.

Neckline: believe it or not, the neckline of your top can have a subtle subconscious effect on how your character might be interpreted at a glance.

There’s a reason why Disney typically gives all of its heroes soft edges and the villains get pointy chins and noses etc. Points give a sharp edge so you’ll find that a V-neck t-shirt gives a stronger, edgier look compared to a softer look from round or crew neck. These are the two most common types of neckline for actor headshots and a good safe starting point.

Boat, drape and lower neckline tops work well for ladies with a period casting type, particularly when matched with an updo though be careful not to be too revealing!

Tank tops are great for giving a more practical, hands on and confident look though sometimes they can show too much skin which can be distracting so be prepared with a backup in case it doesn’t work.

Halter neck tops are a much better alternative to tank tops for women who want to come across with an aura of strength and practicality. The reason for this is the neckline cuts into shoulders which emphasises the muscle structure there and a high neck halter keeps everything covered for a more practical appearance.

Turtle neck tops and jumpers don’t often work well as they can leave you looking like a floating head. Unless you’re going for a very specific look, I highly recommend avoiding these styles for your headshots.

Fabric:

Though reflective fabrics like satin and silks can work really well on fashion shoots, they can prove distracting for actor headshots so you might want to consider sticking to matte fabrics like cotton and wool.

Though solid colours work best, if those colours are mottled, it can produce even better results that block colour alone as the mottling adds a little texture to your top without being distracting.

Examples of mottled fabric – great for adding texture to actor headshots!

Other clothing:

If your actor headshot photography is being done outdoors, you might want to consider wearing a thermal under layer or vest that can’t be seen beneath your tops. This has the benefit of keeping you warmer, particularly in autumn/winter months, as well as facilitating quick and modesty-keeping changes!

If your headshot session does fall on a colder day, think about bringing a pair of gloves and a large jumper you can keep on around your arms or even some hand warmers. This way you can stay warm and relaxed throughout your shoot.

In terms of what we see on camera in your actor headshots, you really don’t need anything else. I’ve sometimes been asked if actors should dress up in costume to reflect the various roles they play such as a bomber jacket and a scowl for a doorman or scrubs to show you’re ability to play someone in the medical profession. The answer is a big fat raging NOOOOO! Doing this will make you look extremely amateurish – you should not rely on your clothing to show your casting type, nor should you ham up your expressions to spoon feed your range to a casting director. The key is to be subtle about it so that the casting director can mould your headshot to match the vision they have in their head of the kind of character they see for a role.

Actor headshots typically are just that – headshots. You don’t need any longer or full length portraits unless specifically asked for by an agent or casting director so don’t worry about what you have on your legs and feet – just make sure you’re comfortable and warm!

More useful stuff…

Interested in booking your next actor headshots? Find out all about my sessions along with prices, HERE. In the meantime, why not check out some of these useful links?

The post What to wear for actor headshots? appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

I often get asked “when should an actor update their headshots?” The answer is simple: do you still look exactly the same as you do in your most recent actor headshot?

This is where you have to get brutally honest with yourself: take a deep breath and admit that if yes, you may have put on a few pounds and accrued a few more wrinkles since your last headshot session ten years ago, it may be time to get some more done.

Age, weight, tattoos, piercings, hair – whatever may have changed since you had your last actor headshot; any potential casting director needs to know about it. Make sure that the person they see in the headshot that got emailed to them is the same person who walks into the audition.

Had a few more birthdays?

Time is the enemy of us all and we can’t help but change as it passes. The amount of change however varies between age groups and from person to person. Assuming you’ve had no drastic hair changes or gotten tattooed and pierced (in which case, book a headshot session now!) below is my recommended guide on how often you should renew actor headshots, but always ask yourself this question: do I look different from my current shots? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to renew them. If you still look pretty much the same, you can probably hold off a little longer!

Children under 10

This age group is the one that requires the most frequent updates to actor headshots as children grow and change at an incredibly fast rate. It is recommended that child actors update their headshots every 6-12 months. When you’re buying them clothes the next age up, think about getting their headshots updated!

Teenagers

Teens are still changing and developing each year so it is recommended their headshots are updated every 12 months. This is especially important when younger teens start transitioning into older teens and begin developing more adult features such as developing curves and facial hair, as it dramatically changes their casting type.

Adults

From 20 years old and upwards, I recommend updating actor headshots every 1-2 years. This frequency is recommended as not only will looks change, but so will your casting type as I mention in more detail further down. In addition to this, a casting director may get bored seeing the same headshots over and over. A fresh one can be the prompt the casting director needs to look at you again and see what new work you’ve been involved with.

Change of direction?

It’s not just a change of look that indicates it’s probably time to renew your actor headshot but also if you find yourself having a change of direction. Take Zack for instance. When he first came to me last year, he was a sweet, clean shaven, second year actor at Birmingham School of Acting. Back then he was going for the fun and endearing boy next door look; young, sweet and perhaps a touch naïve.

As you can see; when he came back to me last month to renew his headshots, not only was he rocking a totally different look but a totally different direction for his acting. Now Zack is going for the brooding, edgy guy with attitude and this totally comes through in his latest actor headshots.

Zack is a great example of how different you can look between headshot sessions so it’s important to keep evaluating your current style both in terms of appearance and goals as an actor! Your casting type should always be at the forefront of your mind when getting your headshots done as this is what you want to be selling to a casting director. Speaking of casting directors, why not check out my recent interview with casting director, Sharon Sorrentino and director, Tracey Street, where we discuss exactly what they look for in a headshot and what decisions they make when going through the process of selecting actors for audition!

Do you need a new headshot? Why not check out the links below?

The post When to Renew Your Actor Headshots appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

When actor’s book their first actor headshot session with me, they often ask how to prepare for the shoot. I therefore thought it might be useful to write a short blog entry discussing the key things to be aware of when diving in to your latest actor headshot photography session, and how these can affect the success of your shoot.

1. Your Experience So Far

When you arrive to one of my actor headshot photoshoots, I like to get to know a bit more about you: have you had headshots done before? Do you have any previous experience in front of a stills camera? How long have you been acting for? Has it been primarily stage or screen work? What sort of characters have you portrayed in the past?

Knowing all of this enables me to plan how best to tailor your session: whether it’s how much direction or physicality coaching you might need; the pace of the shoot; which backgrounds and lighting set up I think might  best suit your style; as well as the variety of looks we might be able to achieve.  These last two points are also particularly important when thinking about the next consideration….

2. What Direction Would You Like Your Career to Take?

It’s all well and good establishing your background, but the more important thing to consider is what you want to achieve going forward. What are the goals of your new actor headshots? Is it to update your current headshots now that you have a new fro or have a few more wrinkles? Is it to take your acting career in a new direction? Is there a specific role you really want to go for and want to be able to send a tailored headshot to the casting director to help improve your chances of securing the audition?

Again, all of the above is information that will allow me to tailor your headshot session to meet the goals you have set for yourself. For instance, if you just want to update your current headshots and would like to keep the same style then I can do my best to emulate the look and feel of your previous headshots whilst showing off the new you. Alternatively, if you want to take your career in a new direction, perhaps transitioning from Shakespeare and stage to TV, then we might look at taking a more contemporary approach to the lighting and background in order to appeal to casting directors in that area of the industry. The final point; trying to capture a specific character, leads us very aptly to the next thing to think about…

3. What is Your Casting Type?

This is one of the most important things for any actor to be able to identify about themselves as this affects how you market yourself and potentially allows you to establish your niche or ‘brand.’ Are you a leading lady? The boy next door? The hardman? The geek? Do you belong with the cast of Downton Abbey? Knowing your casting type means that I can provide more tailored direction and physicality coaching that is specifically designed to bring out these characters, without going over the top: it’s all about the art of subtle suggestion!

But what if you’re just starting out in acting and haven’t established your casting type yet? Don’t panic! By walking you through different exercises, we can get a range of looks that cover a variety of casting types as well as focusing on the next point of consideration…

4. How Would You Describe Yourself?

Whenever actors come to one of my headshot photography sessions, I always ask them to describe themselves in 4-5 words. The thing to remember is that as useful as it is to be able to convey your casting type in your actor headshot, casting directors often also want you to offer them a glimpse to your own personality. Are you loud, expressive, confident and boisterous? Are you geeky, analytical, precise and hard working? These words describe two very different people and so they would need to be photographed in different ways.

It can sometimes be difficult to think of these things on the spot so by coming prepared, your actor headshot session can start with a solid foundation, a clear set of goals and a tailored method of approach unique to you!

If you have any questions on how to prepare for your session, feel free to drop CONTACT ME or check out some of the links below for more frequently asked questions when it comes to actor headshots!

The post How to Prepare for an Actor Headshot Photoshoot appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

If you want to find out more about how I run my acting headshot photography sessions today, head on over to the headshots info page, or check out the latest reviews from the hundreds of actors I’ve worked with over the last decade, many of whom have kindly written back to let me know how many more auditions they’ve been getting since they booked an Aimee Spinks headshot!

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Original blog post from 2013 follows below the break.

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Seeing as Valentine’s Day is coming up, I thought I would give you all a little gift! Up until the 14^th February, save up to £50 on your headshot photography session by booking in with a friend!

Place a booking for two people and I will offer you a two hour actors headshot session for just £125 per person! For under 18s or those with a valid student ID card, book in together for just £95 each!

Too busy performing to book in with a headshot photographer any time soon? Simply pay your booking fee before the 14^th February to make the most of our Valentine’s Day offer and choose any date you like in 2014 to come in for your headshots!

With each booking, you’ll get a two hour joint session with myself, plus your three favourite images EACH, fully retouched, in colour as well as black and white. Photos come as high resolution images on CD with full rights for you to print them as many times as you like.

[blockquote indent=”yes” ]An hour of photography plus 6 fully retouched photos EACH for just £125 (£95 for under 18s or students) per person![/blockquote]

Don’t have a colleague to help you take advantage of this headshot offer? Share the love by leaving a comment below or on my facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/AimeeSpinksPhotography and I’ll help you find someone to share the session with! Alternatively, if you prefer to go solo, CONTACT ME with the promo code ‘SINGLE’  to get 10% off your next individual session!

The post Actor Headshot Photography Offer appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

Johndeep More was fantastic to work with. An experienced performer, Johndeep not only has extensive acting experience on stage and screen, but was also a live finalist in BBC 2’s ‘Any Dream Will Do.’ He was extremely professional but fun to shoot and I must admit that this photo is one of my favourite’s from this year! Johndeep wasn’t sure whether to go for the stubbled or clean shaven look so we arranged to do both with a quick shave half way through the session. This allowed us to get an even greater range of looks for him to take to casting directors!

Sandra Marie Lees is a full time actress with extensive experience both on the stage and on screen. With a background in professional modelling, Sandra looked absolutely stunning throughout the shoot and had an affinity with the camera which meant she needed very little direction! With hair that gorgeous, I simple couldn’t resist getting the fan out for a few wind-swept shots!

Reese Burke is a drama student and this was his first actor headshot photography session. Reese was a fab character to work with and despite it being his first time, he took direction extremely well and quickly became at home with the camera! I look forward to working with him again in the future!

Robby Khela is a multi-talented performer. After having great success in the music industry, Robby now focuses on acting and writing and so wanted some professional headshots to move forward with. Being no stranger to the camera from his musical career, Robby was brilliant to work with and took direction extremely well.

Jason Burden is  a young actor from Leicester and a kindred spirit when it comes to our mutual love of martial arts. This was Jason’s first headshot photography session but he very quickly relaxed into the shoot and took direction fantastically. Normally cast as softer, younger roles, we wanted to give his look a bit of an edge so that casting directors could see him in a new light!

Sonny was fabulous to work with, and despite being fairly inexperienced when it comes to actor headshots, he was able to take direction extremely well. He very quickly learned how to engage the camera with every shot to produce a selection of striking images for his portfolio.

Mark Theobald is a mature actor who wanted his images to reflect his strength of character. Being the first headshot session he had taken part in, he took to the camera extremely well. Alongside the fresh and brightly lit shot above, we also shot a number of darker shots to help promote his Shakespearian work.

Finally we have Catherine! After a frantic call, I managed to arrange Catherine’s shoot the very same day in order to meet a deadline for spotlight! The images were turned round in under 24 hours so that she could submit her final photos in time! Catherine was an absolute pleasure to work with and took direction extremely well throughout her headshot session.

I wish all of my clients, including those not showcased above, the very best for their careers going into 2014! In thanks for all the wonderful people I have photographed over the last 12 months, I am offering clients the opportunity to book a session for just £100 instead of £120 – great for returning clients who want to try their next session outdoors to give their portfolio a different feel!

Anyone wishing to take up this offer should email aimee@aimeespinks.com with the code, XMAS12 before the end of January 2013.

Click on the links below to find out more about my actors headshot photography:

In the meantime, I hope you all have an amazing Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

The post Best Actor Headshots of 2013 appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

I must admit I am a fan of both, though they each have their pros and cons.

Outdoor Headshot Photography:

Shooting outdoors has the advantage of making photos, particularly headshots, look more natural than their studio counterparts. This is largely because a studio backdrop is a contrived space, so no matter how natural an actor’s expression might be, we are instantly aware they have deliberately posed for a camera. A good photographer knows how to put an actor at their ease to achieve a great result no matter what the space however there’s just something instantly more natural about seeing a shot taken in the great outdoors.

Outdoor Headshot Photography: The Pros

• A world of backdrops to choose from…
  • Whether you’re a fan of the brick wall, leafy haze or sky; there are so many different locations you can use as a backdrop to your headshot.

• Bring the photographer to you…
  • Are you an actor living in London but absolutely love the work of a Birmingham headshot photographer? By having your headshot photography session outdoors, the photographer can come to you without having to worry about additional studio hire charges.

• Flattering light…
  • If you’ve got yourself an overcast sky, you’ve got yourself some instantly soft and flattering light to work with without having to spend ages working out a complex lighting setup – giving you more time to work on your perfect headshot look.

• Save money…
  • A lot of headshot photographers will charge less for outdoor photoshoots as there are no studio costs to take care off. It’s also a great way for photographers without studio access to create great images.

• Bokeh
  • You know that nice out of focus haze you get on headshots taken outside? Gorgeous isn’t it? Good luck matching it in the studio.

Outdoor Headshot Photography: The Cons

• Rain!
  • Arranging a headshot photoshoot outdoors leaves you to the mercy of the unpredictable British weather. Even in summer you never know when it might rain: that’s why all of my outdoor headshot photoshoots have a backup plan so that you’re shoot can go ahead uninterrupted and without your images suffering in quality!

• Lack of privacy…
  • Most outdoor locations are often public spaces so there’s never a guarantee that you won’t have an audience or find that the area you wanted to shoot in isn’t occupied by happy picnic-ers. Again, always have a back-up plan! A good location is one that has many opportunities for a range of backgrounds should one not be ideal or available.
  • Want to have a change of outfits? Need a full length mirror to check your hair or touch up your make-up? This is another consideration to be aware of when booking your headshot photography outdoors. Make sure your photographer has an area where you can make all your necessary adjustments!

• Background Distractions…
  • If you’re lucky enough to not be distracted by others during an outdoor photoshoot, you need to make sure your image has no visual distractions. A good actor headshot is all about showcasing the actor and not letting the viewer be distracted by a rogue leaf, conflicting colours or that annoying strand of hair the wind blew across your face. To help prevent these problems, I always recommend what clothing options to consider so that a cut or colour doesn’t prove distracting as well as reviewing each image as I shoot to check for other tiny distractions.

• Fewer lighting options…
  • Though I have my own flash lighting I can take out on location, most photographers’ kits don’t have anything powerful enough to overpower the sun. So if you want something dark and dramatic and are only free to shoot around midday, you’re probably best having a studio headshot photography session.

• Limited working hours…
  • Once the sun goes down, unless you want a dramatic night shoot (probably not the most ideal for a Spotlight-ready actors headshot) you’re pretty stuffed. Especially if you need your headshot session to fit around your crazy schedule during the Autumn/Winter months!

Studio Headshot Photography:

Many headshot photographers favour the studio over using an outdoor location as it provides them with a secure, tried and tested space that is within their full control. Though this is the case, a good studio headshot requires much more technical understanding by the photographer in order to achieve a great look as they are responsible for moulding the light from scratch for every set-up.

Studio Headshot Photography: The Pros:

• Privacy…
  • Unlike shooting outdoors, a headshot session within a photography studio provides full privacy; great for the more camera shy subject!

• Make-up and changing areas…
  • Following on from the privacy point, by having you headshot taken in a studio, you also have access to changing areas and make-up rooms to make preparing for your session nice and easy.

• Lighting control…
  • Based in a fully equipped photography studio, I have access to all the lighting equipment I could need to create a vast range of looks. From dark and dramatic to bright and cheery, no matter what your preferences, chances are I can create the right look for you.

• Review your images on a big screen…
  • It’s all well and good checking out your headshots on the back of a camera, but why do that when you can take a seat with a cup of tea and have a proper look at your photos on a big screen?

• Full Control…
  • Once you book a studio headshot photography session, it’s booked. No having to worry about the weather or if the area you want to shoot in is available – by shooting in the studio you are guaranteed a fully professional working space without any distractions (including freezing temperatures)!

• Any time…
  • Do you have a busy schedule to fit your headshot session within? Though we may not have much sunlight in the wee hours of the morning or late at night, the studio can provide all the light you need any time; day or night.

• Background choices…
  • Though most headshot photographers only offer one or two (usually just black and white) coloramas to have your headshot against, book your headshot session with me and you’ll have access to a studio containing almost every colour backdrop you can think of as well as wallpapered room sets should you want to mix up your headshots with some more contemporary portraits.

Studio Headshot Photography: the Cons

• Price…
  • Studio photography sessions are often more expensive than their outdoors counterparts due to studio rental costs. If you want the best of both worlds however, I offer up to 90 minutes of photography both in a fully equipped photography studio as well as outdoors for just £175. This includes your 5 favourite images fully edited and supplied as full res JPGS in colour as well as black and white.

To be honest, I’m struggling to find more cons about studio headshot photography. Of course a lot of it comes down to your choice of photographer – I have seen many studio headshots over the years shot by photographers who just don’t know how to use lights creatively. They often shoot completely flat images against a plain black or white background or go for a completely blown-out high key shot usually used for catalogue or product photography.

A good studio photographer knows how to craft their lighting to create an intimate looking headshot that makes the actor stand out. But in this regard, it’s not just about the lighting. You know that sharp-eyed focused look you find in some actors headshots that just make them jump out from the page? I have several tricks, tips and exercises I often get actors and models to try in order to make their headshot appear much more striking than their competitors and make their eyes really speak out.

Since I’m deviating slightly from the original topic of outdoor photography vs studio headshot photography, I will call it a day on this blog entry and look forward to your thoughts on your own preferences.

So, let me know – do you prefer your headshots taken outside in natural light or done in a photography studio?

The post Actor Headshots: Studio Photography vs. Natural Light appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.

Looking for the latest offers on my headshot sessions? Did Google bring you to this page? Great! Except, unfortunately, this is a blog article from 2013 and my headshot sessions have come a long way since then!

If you want to find out more about how I run my acting headshot photography sessions today, head on over to the headshots info page, or check out the latest reviews from the hundreds of actors I’ve worked with over the last decade, many of whom have kindly written back to let me know how many more auditions they’ve been getting since they booked an Aimee Spinks headshot!

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Original blog post from 2013 follows below the break.

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Well it’s a nice shiny new year (academically speaking of course!) and that often comes with new haircuts or an entirely new look altogether! The students aren’t alone in their new look either – I’ve popped a new page up specifically for those looking to show off their new image with an updated actors headshot!

If you haven’t already, you can check it out here: https://www.aimeespinks.com/headshots/

The new page gives you all the information you need about booking an actors headshot session with me however the one thing it doesn’t say is that I am currently running a great offer!

Book a headshot photography session by the end of September 2013 and get 3 extra images FREE!

That’s right – on top of the 3 images you will already receive as part of your booking, I will provide 3 more, fully retouched and supplied in both colour and black and white versions! Claim your free images and SAVE £45 by booking by the end of September!

“Aimee made the effort from the second I booked my actors headshot session to understand what I was wanting from my pictures. I wasn’t made to feel like just another number like other headshot photographers have done in the past. The session itself was easy going and I felt at ease, yet I knew I was in professional hands. I got more from my pictures than I had expected and for a lot less than I would have paid a photographer in London!”

-Reynah Oppall

“I was extremely happy with the shoot. If I had known about Aimee’s actors headshot photography prior to this shoot I would not have spent money on previous photographers. The shoot was very well organized, I was happy with the easy flowing direction and ideas from Aimee and it was the best photoshoot I have been part of. I highly recommend Aimee to everyone looking for high quality actors headshots photography!”

-Sunny J

“I had an actors headshot photography session with Aimee Spinks and I was delighted with my experience and photos. Aimee guided me through the shoot and firstly asked if there was any particular style of photo I wanted, which I believe is important to make sure you attract the right audience. Throughout the shoot, Aimee was friendly, professional and offered plenty of advice and things to try in order to make me feel comfortable and achieve the best images possible. From looking at Amiee’s past work I didn’t expect anything less. I was extremely happy with the final selections and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for professional headshots.”

-Enzo Iantosca

The post Actors Headshots Offer appeared first on Aimee Spinks Photography.