The opportunity to present yourself to the business world with a modern, fresh, and professional business headshot will give you a competitive edge over others in your industry. In the marketing world, images have taken over and are heavily relied on to sell products and services. When putting yourself out into a professional space, you are literally marketing yourself, what you can do, and what you bring to the table.

Images appeal to us because they quickly tell our story and help us build familiarity with people and even things. This familiarity and sense of recognition translates into relatability, trust, and serves as your digital passport, which sparks a very cerebral relationship between you and your audience. A professional headshot also communicates an elite level of polish and skill to colleagues and employers. 

A solid headshot is a career investment that is always well worth it, and headshots should always be kept up to date and can be refreshed when you want to give your personal brand a new look. Keeping a few best practices in mind for your photoshoot will provide you with stunning photos that will work for you and not against.

Once you decide to book a photoshoot, you'll want to think about hair and makeup, if applicable. You will need to plan or book your hair appointment at least 30 days before your shoot if you are looking to get your hair freshly cut or colored. It's wise to plan far enough in advance so that if something does go wrong with your cut or color, you'll have time to schedule a redo or grow your hair out slightly. A photoshoot is not the time to experiment with new cuts or colors. Neutral cuts and colors are recommended, and if you want to do something a little more bold, try to test it out at least a couple of months before your photoshoot. Shaving and waxing could also pose problems, so again make sure to stick with what works, and have a backup plan if things don't go your way.

Learn about City Headshots' Hair & Makeup Services.

Never wait until the day of your photoshoot to plan your wardrobe. Try on what you would like to wear at least two days before and make sure that everything that you intend to use still fits, and there are no rips or stains. Also, pick out a few different looks or at the very least various accessories, and jackets that you can alternate to make the most of your photoshoot.
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It's vital that you choose a wardrobe that's appropriate for your profession and the type of career position that you ultimately want. At the same time, you should feel free to add your own personal flair and branding. Solid bright colors tend to work better than patterns in photos, but layering a solid colored jacket over a patterned shirt might work as well. When in doubt, consulting a professional stylist is a smart move.

Here's a great guide on what to wear for camera.

When looking for a professional photographer, the most important thing to do is to make sure that you look at their portfolio before committing to any services. If you like what you see, then ask them about their process. Studio portraits do give the photographer more control over lighting and also provides you with a place to shoot even in inclement weather. Some photographers are moving to outdoor shoots because of COVID-19 conditions and the opportunity for epic backdrops that enhance stunning portraits.

Learn more about how to choose a photographer.

The key to great posing is to simply relax, be yourself, and be authentic. A photographer that is accustomed to coaching can help you find the right pose for you and your body type. Although it may feel awkward, doing a mock photoshoot with a regular camera or in front of a mirror will help you find the best angle that will make you look exceptional. Small movements such as holding your chin higher, a turn to the side, and a straight back can make a big difference. Find someone that you trust to give you some gentle criticism if you feel that you can't decide on the right pose.

Here's a great guide on how to look your best on camera.

Studios are operating under unforeseen conditions caused by the coronavirus pandemic and are now having to increase social distancing, deep clean studios, and book fewer appointments. Temperature checks and sanitation are also a new protocol to be expected. It's highly advised that you arrive at your shoot as prepared and dressed as possible, and utilize a face mask or covering between shots.

With the current global health crisis in full swing, you may have to leave your entourage at home and attend by yourself for social distancing purposes. If you feel safer shooting outside, let your photographer know and find someone that is comfortable doing a shoot on the move. Getting your headshot taken should be a fun process. Do your best to just have fun and enjoy the process. Don't be afraid to show your true colors, and the camera will capture your energy and best self! 

I get emails every day from the actors on my mailing list.

Many of them are focused on challenges and questions – actors looking to move to the next level in their careers who want a new perspective on how to reach their goals.

I LOVE these emails because it gives me insight into how I can help actors at deeper and deeper levels.

But every once in a while I get an email focused on a creative project an actor is doing, and some of them are really awesome!

In fact, I recently received this email from an actress named Annie-Sage Whitehurst (I shortened the message a bit for length):

I was so floored by this idea and creative project that I just HAD to repost it and promote it for her.

So that's why it's here!

​If you're an actor or filmmaker and interested in being a part of this, take a look below at some of the benefits, and then head on over to their website to check it out :)
​

I just so happened to be watching an episode of the show Supernatural (Season 1, Episode 14) when I saw Beth Broderick. I absolutely LOVED the way she played the character and decided to reach out to her for an interview.

I wanted to find out how she made her way as an actress and what she specifically did to get herself into so many television shows and films over the past 36 years of her career (she started acting professionally in 1983).

Here are some of the topics we discuss in the interview:

• How to earn more money as an actor in a world where just the top 1% seem to make it all.
• The importance of finding specific TV networks you can fit into, and how you can use that knowledge to book more consistent work.
• How to use your "X" Factor to stand out and be memorable to casting directors to command higher rates.
• And much more...

​
You can reach Beth through her management company at www.mavrickartists.com.

Josselyne has spent the past 17 years as a personal manager for actors, writers, directors and recording artists.

Her clients can be seen in Mysteries of Laura, Hostages, Blacklist, Birdman, Orange is the New Black, the Twilight series, Us & Them, Blue Bloods, The Big C, Boardwalk Empire, Homeland, The Newsroom, Spiderman, The Following, The Americans, Brooklyn's Finest, Sex and The City, Precious, Ugly Betty, Mercy, Gossip Girl, Kings, Cashmere Mafia, Lipstick Jungle, Rescue Me, all the Law and Orders, All My Children, As The World Turns, Guiding Light, and One Life To Live.

They've also been in hundreds of films, commercials and Broadway shows. 

​There are many talent managers out there, but in my opinion Josselyne is one of the best because she truly goes above and beyond the call of duty to help her clients reach their goals.

In this interview, we discuss specific things actors can do to help their managers be more effective for them. After all, you should be doing 80% of the work if your manager only gets 20% of the check.

Here are some of the topics we discussed:

• What can an actor do to make it easier for a manager to grow their career?
• What are some things actors have done that made your job more difficult or rubbed you the wrong way?
• Describe one of your ideal clients. What do you like most about working with them?
• If there was any general advice you could give to actors looking for managers (or who have managers they feel are not being effective), what would it be?

​
You can reach Josselyne at www.jhamanagement.com.

Also, if you want to see her Ted-X talk, check out the video below!

Figuring out what to wear for headshots can feel quite stressful.

​You probably know you look good in certain things, but how do you know if they'll be OK for camera or work for your brand?

In this article, we'll be discussing 4 keys for wearing great clothing on-camera.
​

​"I wonder if that houndstooth jacket I have will look good in pictures..." 

​
"Will wearing a black suit jacket look too formal?"

​​
We've worked with people wearing ripped, dirty T-shirts (yes, really) all the way to full tuxedos (which we don't usually recommend).

​Since we've seen so much, we decided to put together a simple guide to help you out!
​
If you like video feel free to watch our "What to Wear for Headshots video below and then you can scroll down to read the 4 keys to looking great on-camera!

​It's something few actors will say out loud, but many are thinking deep down, especially if they've been in the industry a few years.

​
It makes sense though!

​Once you graduate and you're out in the real world, it's not just performance and living a character anymore.

Now you have to market yourself. You have to find your brand and type, and you need to figure out how to network.

But that's not the part that makes it so difficult - it's what all of that means and feels like.

​Someone once told me that in order to book more work, it felt like he had to "whore himself out."

Excusing the language, I think what he said makes perfect sense.

Who in their right mind wants to "sell" themselves? You didn't get into acting because you wanted to feel like some used car salesman, did you?

And on top of that, the industry keeps telling you to "figure out your type and brand."

So not only do you have to sell yourself and network, but you can't even play the roles you want anymore because the industry keeps boxing you into only one specific character type!

It's no wonder so many actors choose to perform in student films and community theater for free - in those projects, they get to make character choices they believe in and they can often run with a role however they want.

Well, if there's one thing I want you to take away from this article, it's this:

There IS another way.

There is a way to love acting again, while also getting booked solid with paid roles that you love.

How, you ask?

By finding a brand you're truly proud of. A brand that - rather than boxing you in, opens up more opportunities to you.

Read on to find out how actor Tyrone L. Robinson went through this process and reached his ultimate goal of becoming a Broadway actor... in less than four weeks.

How Tyrone L. Robinson Made His Broadway Debut
​
Tyrone L. Robinson was working as a professional actor for almost 20 years. He had a long list of credits but felt stuck because he was always being offered the same, 1-2 line roles in film, TV, and theater.

At the time however, he believed he had a clear grasp on his brand because he was being called in for police officer and detective roles frequently. He told me an acting coach said his brand was: strong, burly detective.

I took him through a series of very specific questions, and after about thirty minutes we came up with this:

African American strength, compassion, and pride.

And that's when everything changed.

Well I guess you probably expected a statement like that coming from a headshot photographer.

But I mean it seriously, and I can explain!

You see, years ago when I first started City Headshots, I was afraid to show my face.

Oops, did I really just admit that?

Yes, I did.

Why was I afraid? Well, because I looked like I was 15 years old (I was actually 20 at the time – though ten years later I'm now 30 and I STILL look 15).

This is the photo I used for the first few years of running City Headshots:

Even though I used that picture, people DID still book with me for photos, but day after day I was always greeted by the same confused look:

"Wait, how old are you?"

Awkward, I know.

There was always a certain level of distrust people had because they thought I was too young to be experienced enough to take their professional headshots.

They kept saying they thought I would be older, or that I "sounded a lot older on the phone."

I always had to work hard to gain back their trust during the shoot, and even after a great session, I still had some people who felt like I did a "bait and switch" on them (probably also because I was shooting out of my apartment at the time).

It was definitely awkward, and every once in a while someone would ask why I didn't just show my picture on the website?

Well, eventually I saw the "light" so to speak, and I posted a professional headshot where you could see my face clearly:

Well, at first bookings went down.

What the heck? DOWN?

Yes, bookings dropped for the first couple of weeks. But I noticed something interesting:

The questions about how old I was stopped completely.

In fact, my clients suddenly seemed way more trusting of me, and a few people even complimented me on my headshot!

And after a few weeks, I noticed the number of referral bookings I was getting began to increase!

And guess what? After a few months, I was shooting WAY more people than I had been originally.
​

Well simply put, I learned I should take my own medicine and use a pro headshot myself.

It's truly embarrassing to admit that I was afraid to use a professional headshot and yet I constantly recommended them to my clients each day!

But that story really showed me how important it is to have a high-quality photo that shows your face clearly and lets people get a sense of who you are.

Not having a photo or using one where you don't look approachable (or can't see your face clearly) will decrease people's trust in you (even if in the short run it feels good to hide your youth, imperfections, or anything else you're self-conscious about).

But we still need to go a step further: What's the difference between using simple photos taken by a friend (where you can see yourself clearly) and modern, high-quality professional headshots taken by a professional headshot photographer?

​Does it really make that big of a difference, and if so, why?

We're excited to have the opportunity to take your new headshots!

In this guide we'll outline what you can expect and how to prepare.

Resolution:

​The first and most important thing to be aware of is that there are limitations to image resolution and quality with these types of shoots.

If you want the highest possible image quality, we highly recommend that you use a smartphone camera to take your pictures. Below we've outlined the three ways to take your picture virtually and the quality limitations with each:

1. Highest Possible Quality: If you have access to someone who can take your photo with your smartphone, this is ideal. Please make sure you have them available to help out during the shoot (or at least available afterwards so they can re-take your photo and then you can send it to us for retouching).
2. Second Best Possible Quality: If you don't have someone but have a smartphone with a decent front-facing camera, you can tape your phone to your window and use it to take your photo.
3. LinkedIn-Only Quality: If you only need to use your photo on LinkedIn and aren't worried about getting higher resolution, we can take your photo through your laptop camera. Be aware that your shot might look a bit blurry depending on what kind of laptop and internet connection you have, but when shrunk down to the tiny LinkedIn size, your image should look fine.

Keep in mind that the brighter the light on your face (bright windows), the sharper your final image will be. If you're in dim lighting, the photos won't be as crisp.

​Related: Headshot Size & Cropping Rules

​
Retouching:

In order to make your final image look professional, we will be retouching your favorite shot.

In retouching, we'll change or blur the backdrop, adjust the brightness and color in the photo, and fix blemishes and flyaway hairs, plus whiten teeth.

Be aware that you'll be seeing unmodified photos at first, which will look unprofessional. This is because they have not yet been fixed up, so try to ignore the unprofessional background, etc., and choose the one you like best based on your own body position and expression.

Then we will finalize it and send it back for your approval.

​Take a look at the before and after image below so you know what can be done. As you can see, we can put any backdrop behind you and customize the lighting to ensure it looks realistic.

It's important to position yourself properly and ensure your phone is taking photos at the highest quality setting possible.


Positioning:

1. Position yourself facing towards a bright window, about 6 feet away. Make sure the window does not have direct sunlight shining on you.
2. Your friend should be standing with his/her back to the window, holding your smartphone. Make sure the smartphone is about 2-3 inches above your eye height. They should zoom in a bit by pinching so that you fill up most of the frame – but are NOT cropping off the sides of your body.
3. Tilt the smartphone down so your head is towards the top of the frame. We want to see some of your body in the shot (while also making sure your hair is not cut off). The image can be cropped at about your waist.

Take a look at the image below to get an idea of what the setup looks like:

Technical Setup:

Now that you've positioned yourself, you need to make sure that we are able to see you properly to guide both you and your friend during the shoot.

1. Set up your laptop somewhere off to the side so we can see both of you (similar to the position of the person who took the picture of the photographer and client above). You should have a place in mind to leave your laptop before the start of the photoshoot because sometimes it can take a few minutes to figure out where to put it. Note: putting it on the floor is usually OK!
2. Install Zoom by using the link that was provided to you or clicking here. You should definitely do this before the start of the photoshoot because sometimes it can take a few minutes.
3. Make sure your Zoom link is working properly. Try joining the meeting link that was sent to you. It might say "Waiting for the host to start the meeting." If that's the case, you know you have the right link. You should also try creating a new meeting to test and make sure your video and audio are functioning properly.
4. Try taking a test photo with your camera. To be sure that your smartphone is working properly and the image looks OK, try having your friend take a couple quick test shots so you can see what they look like. We'll guide you through the process when the shoot begins, but over-preparing is always helpful!

If you have trouble with any of these steps, feel free to email us at info@cityheadshots.com and we'll help you out.

After the shoot is finished, you'll email your favorite photo to us to retouch!

Scroll down to the bottom of this article for info on what to wear.

It's important to position yourself properly and ensure your phone is recording video at the highest quality setting possible (you can usually change your camera settings by going into your phones "Settings" app).


Positioning:

1. Tape a small ball of tissue or paper towel to the back of your smartphone, about 3/4 of the way up. Make sure the tissue is about half an inch in diameter, because you'll be using this to tilt your camera down from the window.
2. Tape your phone to your window about 3-6 inches higher than eye-level, with the screen facing you. You should be able to see yourself in the camera (by using selfie-mode).
3. Turn your camera onto video mode. You will be recording a video of yourself, rather than doing timed-exposures. It's possible to do timed-exposures, but most people find they are too restrictive and difficult (you're welcome to try them if you want though). Video mode set to HD should be plenty-high resolution for us to take screenshots of the best moments and send them to you for review.
4. Position yourself facing towards the window, about 4-6 feet away. Make sure the window does not have direct sunlight shining on you. Your phone should be positioned so your head is near the top of the frame and we see down to about your waist.

​
Take a look at the images below to get an idea of what the setup looks like (you'll be standing about 4-6 feet away from the phone).

​
Technical Setup:

Now that you've positioned yourself and your phone, you need to make sure that we are able to see you properly to guide you during the shoot.

1. Set up your laptop somewhere off to the side so we can see both you AND your phone. You should have a place in mind to leave your laptop before the start of the photoshoot because sometimes it can take a few minutes to figure out where to put it.
2. Install Zoom by using the link that was provided to you or clicking here. You should definitely do this before the start of the photoshoot because sometimes it can take a few minutes.
3. Make sure your Zoom link is working properly. Try joining the meeting link that was sent to you. It might say "Waiting for the host to start the meeting." If that's the case, you know you have the right link. You should also try creating a new meeting to test and make sure your video and audio are functioning properly.
4. Try taking a test photo or video with your camera. To be sure that your smartphone is working properly and the image looks OK, try doing a couple quick test shots so you can see what they look like. We'll guide you through the process when the shoot begins, but over-preparing is always helpful!

If you have  trouble with any of these steps, feel free to email us at info@cityheadshots.com and we'll help you out.

​After your shoot is finished, you'll email the video file to us (you can use a free file-sharing service like WeTransfer if the video is too big to email), and we'll take screenshots for you to choose from!

Scroll down to the bottom of this article for info on what to wear.

It's important to position yourself properly and ensure your video chat service is set for "HD" if possible.


Positioning:

Note: Ideally, you'll need a laptop for best results – an iPad or smartphone is more difficult to hold in place (unless you're very creative).

1. Find a table and chair and position them in front of a bright window. Make sure the window does not have direct sunlight shining on you.
2. Find some books and pile them up. Balance your laptop on top of them so the laptop is about three inches higher than eye level. If you don't have books, you can use a cardboard box or anything else you find.
3. Tilt the laptop down so your head is towards the top of the frame. We want to see some of your body in the shot (while also making sure your hair is not cut off).

Take a look at the image below to get an idea of what the setup looks like (note - the laptop should have been a few inches higher):

Technical Setup:

Now that you've positioned yourself, you need to make sure that your computer is ready for our video chat, on the highest possible video quality setting.

1. Install Zoom by using the link that was provided to you or clicking here. You should definitely do this before the start of the photoshoot because sometimes it can take a few minutes.
2. Make sure everything is working properly. Try joining the meeting link that was sent to you. It might say "Waiting for the host to start the meeting." If that's the case, you know you have the right link. You should also try creating a new meeting to test and make sure your video and audio are functioning properly.
3. Ensure HD video is enabled. If your computer can do HD, you should because it will allow us to take higher quality pictures of you. Open up Zoom settings (towards the top of the screen), go to the "Video" tab, and check "Enable HD."

If you have  trouble with any of these steps, feel free to email us at info@cityheadshots.com and we'll help you out.

The only other thing to think about is what you'll be wearing for the shoot.

Here is a great guide on what colors and clothing work best for headshots.

​We're looking forward to your shoot, and feel free to email us if you have further questions!

Strength...

Compassion...

Pride...

These three simple (but powerful) words helped my client Tyrone L. Robinson book his first ever Broadway role as King Agnarr in Disney's Frozen.

Imagine getting booked solid with acting work, and loving every character you played.

What if you no longer felt pigeonholed in the industry – but instead had a brand that opened up MORE opportunities to you?

​That's what Pride Words are all about.

For years, actors would email me asking how to find their brand without getting boxed in or typecast.

I was always at a loss because the more specific you are, the fewer roles you'd be able to play, right?

Well, whenever I would cast my own films, I noticed HUGE differences in performance level between actors who LOVED the characters they were auditioning for and ones who DISLIKED their characters.

I realized that the only way to do well in an audition was to love your character.

But how do you do that when the industry sometimes forces you to play characters you don't enjoy?

Well, in 2019 I finally discovered a process that could do just that: help actors LOVE the characters they were auditioning for, even if there were playing a character they'd normally dislike.

The process worked repeatedly for every actor I took through it.

So what was it that made the biggest difference?

​Adding three Pride Words into their brand.

We'll get into how to find your Pride Words in a bit, but first...

Want to know how to get acting work when it seems like no one is hiring actors? There are a few key strategies to use, and they all involve being more effective online.

​Scroll down to continue reading.

​
A couple weeks ago I got tested for Coronavirus at a drive-through site.

And it was definitely an experience.

I remember driving to the testing site and it felt like a war zone. There were huge signs everywhere warning you to keep your windows closed, military people coming up to your car and yelling to keep moving...

I actually had to show my phone screen to someone when they were taking down my information because it was so hard to hear with the car windows closed.

Finally we got to the place where they were going to do the test and these people in full hazmat gear came up to the window and allowed me to open it just a crack.

She reached her arm in and shoved something up my nose – WAY up there – and it hurt pretty bad.

I'm not 100% sure because I've been unable to get tested, but I believe both of my parents – plus my sister and I – have all had Coronavirus.
 
A couple weeks ago, my father had many of the symptoms - high fever, horrible cough, and he was struggling to breath.
 
My mom also had a cough and lost her sense of smell and taste. My sister had similar symptoms.
 
I myself had a light cough for about a week, and then suddenly I got a really high fever and horrible headache. This was about two weeks ago.
 
After a few days, I started feeling worse. My entire body was starting to feel tingly, kind of like I had been holding my breath too long.
 
No matter how many big breaths I took, I still felt lightheaded, almost like I was about to pass out.
 
Honestly, it was terrifying.
 
I remember deciding to lay down, hoping it would make me feel a bit better.
 
After about ten minutes, I still felt the same. I had to use the restroom, and when I stood up, I suddenly felt extremely dizzy.
 
It was like no matter how many breaths I took, I just couldn't get enough oxygen into my body.
​
Suddenly, remembered something I had learned from a health book a while back – that fresh air is crucial to the body being able to heal itself from diseases (especially respiratory ones).

Well, it was quite chilly that week, so instead of opening up a window, I decided to turn on some air filters I had in my apartment.

I set them to HIGH, and after a few hours, I started feeling a little better.

I called my parents and told them to try turning on their air filters as well.

My sister helped bring the air filters into my parents' bedroom and, just as with me, within a few hours my dad's breathing started to return to normal and my mom's fever went down a bit.

But as the day wore on and evening approached, all our symptoms just started getting worse again – especially the coughing and inability to get enough oxygen.
​
I was really scared I might suffocate in my sleep, so I decided to try leaving my apartment windows open that night.
​
Even though it was cold out, I didn't care – I left the heater on to keep my apartment warm since it was only 45 degrees outside.

"Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes.

"Here's to the ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules, and they have no respect for the status quo.

"You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify and vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things. They push the human race forward.

"And while some may see them as crazy, we see genius.

"Why? Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the only ones who do."


That was from a 2007 Apple commercial. I've attached it below, and I definitely recommend watching it before reading the rest of this post:

I love it.

Steve Jobs, love him or hate him, was a genius. Why? Because he challenged his industry.

He was the first person to figure out how to make technology FUN!

He challenged an entire industry, and that's what made the difference. He thought about things from a different perspective.

Technology shouldn't just be some boring, corporate system designed to help make things more efficient. Technology should help make people's lives fun, creative, and artistic!

So today, I will be sharing seven ways Steve Jobs can help YOU as an actor "think different."

​Coronavirus is here.
 
Some are saying that people are overreacting. Others are saying we're not doing enough.
 
Just this morning, I was walking through Grand Central and it was EMPTY. Here's a photo I took at 9:30am:

This post was originally written for actors but anyone can use it!

​
​A couple weeks ago I was waiting in a busy subway station during rush hour.

The 4/5 trains were taking forever to arrive and since I was at Fulton Center (a super busy stop), there were exactly 473 new people joining us on the platform every minute (but who's counting?).

​Eventually, the 5 train arrived.

We all crammed in like sardines.

My knee had been hurting because of not doing squats at the gym properly, so I REALLY wanted to sit down.

You can probably guess how many seats were available.

I searched for a moment and noticed two angry-looking people sitting on either side of an empty seat. The only part of the seat left was a thin sliver in the middle.

Should I sit there?

I thought about it for a moment, and then my mind immediately went, "Yes."

I steeled myself for all the negative energy about to be sent my way, and to the astonished looks of everyone around me, I went for it.

I squeezed down into the seat... and pulled out my laptop to start working.

The challenge is real (or reel?). There are zillions of actors out there all vying for the same small number of roles.

It’s common knowledge that not having a reel can hurt your chances of getting into auditions, but what do you do when you don’t have a reel and creating one is just not an option right now?

Are you destined to just do background roles and free student films, having to wait YEARS to get your footage back?

You can VASTLY increase your chances of being called in just by making some minor tweaks to your submissions process and even shooting your own footage for a reel for free!

In this guide, I'll lay out a few key things you can do to start booking more auditions right away, without having to wait for a professional reel.
​
It’s really not as hard as you might think!

​I remember last Tuesday my wife asked if I'd be open to cooking us dinner on Thursday night.

I said, "Sure, sounds good!"

Can you guess what happened?

Well, Thursday came around, and I got really busy. She asked if I'd still be able to cook dinner, and I thought about how huge the task would be with the limited time I had.

​I asked if we could order takeout instead.

Do you know your best side? And do you know how light can work to flatter your face?

A lot of photographers find it challenging to figure out the best sides and angles for their clients, which is one of the reasons headshot photography is so challenging.

If you knew your best side and could explain to your photographer right off the bat which angles you like the best and where the light should be positioned to look more flattering for you, you’d save time and start getting great shots right away!

Too many people waste the first hour of their shoot with inexperienced photographers by trying to figure out what angles and expressions look best, and by the time they start capturing their best stuff, the shoot is over.

90% of people look better on one side than the other. Why? Because our faces are not perfectly even. If we were to take a photo of someone and cut it in half and flip it over so both sides match perfectly, the photo would look really weird.

Take a look at the two photos below:

Technical jargon can be confusing, so I put together this short post to explain the difference between Low and High-Resolution images.

First, take a look at the following images.

Hard to tell the difference?

When images are small on a computer screen, a low-res and high-res image look pretty similar.

But not when you start zooming in.

Take a look at the difference now, when it comes to fine detail:

As you can tell, a high-res image has a lot more detail stored within. It's perfect if you need to crop in on the photo or print it out really big for a poster, flyer, etc.

​​When we shoot, we always send you the High-Resolution versions of your shots so that you can use them wherever you need.
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But in order to make our website load faster, we only display Low-Res photos on it.

If we used high-res photos, the file sizes would be so large that you'd have to wait 5-10 seconds for each picture to load - and on a page with 20 images, that could take a while!

Hopefully this clears things up, but if you have further questions, feel free to leave a comment below.

Related Article: Headshot Size & Cropping Rules

After reading this article, you'll not only know where to find legitimate commercial auditions, but also what to do to book significantly more of them.

I've also included some bonus tips from experts in the industry (casting directors, agents, and even some actors who've booked national commercials). You can see their advice towards the bottom of the article.​

The fastest way to get commercial acting opportunities is to get a commercial agent. Luckily these types of agents are generally easier to sign with than legit agents (who find you acting auditions for movies) and you can get one without much experience or footage!

Follow these steps to get a commercial agent quickly:

1. You can use this resource to find the contact info for a wide range of agencies, both in NY and LA (though most have mailing addresses in LA). Use the search bar at the top ands type "commercial" so it only shows the agencies that do commercial work.
2. Visit the websites for each of the agencies you're interested in. Take note of any specific submissions guidelines and be sure to follow them when you start to submit.
3. Write out a very short and simple cover letter. Here's a great video that will show you how to write a cover letter. Remember, the shorter it is and the more it shows why they should work with YOU (as opposed to just any actor), the higher your chances of hearing back. ALWAYS include at least 1-2 sentences that are customized to that specific agency, referencing some of the projects they've been involved in or the type of work they do. It's extremely important that your cover letter not be more than six sentences, broken up into at least 2-3 paragraphs.
4. Be sure your headshot, resume, and footage are prepared. It's important that they are up to date and concise, easy for the agency to look at. Ideally, they should all be very professional and meet industry standards. Here's are three videos if you're interested that go into detail on your headshot, resume, and footage.
5. Send your cover letter out to just five of the agencies on your list. Start with five that you don't care as much about just in case they don't respond. Wait three days and if you don't hear back, send a follow up email to inquire as to the status. It's a good idea to include at least one question so that hopefully someone responds with "Yes, we received it," etc.
   1. Example: Hi, just wanted to shoot a quick follow up email to my submission a few days ago. I understand you're probably extremely busy, so no rush, but I just want to make sure you received it. Did it come through? Thanks!
6. If they no one responds, email out to the next five agencies on your list and continue repeating this process over a few weeks. Again, be sure to customize at least 1-2 sentences in each email so they're tailored to the agency you're contacting. Each time you email out to five agencies, modify your cover letter slightly based on what you think could be better or different to capture their attention.
7. After a few weeks, chances are high that you'll have received a few positive responses. As long as you do a good job and be yourself during your meetings/auditions, you'll probably get signed with someone soon!

As you can see, the process of getting an agent is based on YOU reaching out to THEM, not them reaching out to you.

Most actors are afraid to reach out to agencies, and that's what keeps them stuck! Remember, no risk no reward!

​Now, if you want to dive deeper and really give yourself the best shot at booking consistent commercial work and getting signed by a great agency, I invite you to check out the rest of this in-depth article.

​​"There's no other job where you’re asked to prepare so much - working unpaid - to go in for something that will most likely result in nothing."

"I shouldn't be going out tonight because I could be using that money for my acting career."

Have you ever felt like that?

What would it feel like if suddenly you had some extra cash?

And not just $20 or $50. How about $1,000?

Earning an extra $1,000 per month from freelancing would be a welcome addition to almost anyone's income, and it's easier than you think to achieve.

In this post I'll outline a simple, step by step plan to figure out what you'll do, show you how to find clients, and then what to do to turn them into raving fans who refer you to their friends!

Learn how I built City Headshots from nothing to over 100 clients per month by using these same strategies.

Scroll down to get started.

​Most blog articles begin with a long introduction. Well not today! Let's just get started.

​In this article, we will discuss how to:
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• Get Genuine Smiles from Everyone: Do people ever fake-smile in the pictures you take with your phone? Well you'll learn exactly how to avoid that and get everyone looking genuinely happy with a simple trick.
• Make Your Smartphone Pictures Look More Professional: Learn a super easy way to get rid of tourists and other distractions from your pictures so they look much better.
• Take More Memorable Pictures: Learn how to make your photos more memorable simply by adjusting the way people are standing and what they're doing with their hands.

Toni has been doing amazing things since I shot her headshots back in 2012. She was actually one of my first clients when I was just getting started as a headshot photographer! Anyway, I love this interview because we talk at length about a number of great strategies she used to help her book over 36 commercials for numerous well-known companies! 

In this post I'll share five ways most actors have their hard-earned money taken away from them - so the same doesn't happen to you!

1. ​Just 41% of actors are employed during pilot season and only 87% of actors are typically unemployed.
2. The median annual earnings for a union actor is just $8,448.00 per year.
3. A yearly income of at least $50,000 a year is recommended to be financially stable in NY or LA.

You definitely DON'T want to lose your hard-earned money to this expensive industry. Below, I've compiled a list of the top five ways actors can save up to $3,450 per year!

If you want a really great photo, it's important to remember that the photographer is only half of the equation.

The other half is you!

The goal of today's article is to help you prepare for your session so you get fantastic shots.

​What is it that separates those who look natural and relaxed on-camera from those who have fake smiles and "deer-in-the-headlights" expressions?

Confidence.

And how do you get confidence?

By being aware of a few, simple things: