Many mothers and fathers who take their children to auditions never think about having their own actor headshots. That is a big mistake, specially for commercials. When I met Diane and her son Lance in Los Angeles, they were planning to make the move from San Francisco.
Diane was very confident that Lance could make it as an actor. She was willing to move and give it a chance. By the way, Lance is very fortunate to have that kind of support. In my many years photographing young actors, I have found that the ones that have an upper hand are the ones that have the approval and encouragement of their parents.
During that first visit we only photographed Lance for his actor headshots but I mentioned to Diane that she should also get her actor headshots done. At first she thought that I was joking, she didn’t need actor headshots, she was in marketing. That soon proved to be wrong. I told her that in commercial auditions they are looking for real types. They are also looking for what is called the “hero mom” or “hero dad.” This is when an actor looks really good but is still in the realm of looking real and attainable. Some one that the viewer will believe and look up to. Diane was just that, beautiful and in great shape. At an age when many women have begun to spread a little wide she looked fantastic. So she left the studio thinking about it.
A year later she came back because Lance had a huge growing spurt and several times while she accompanied him to commercial auditions she was asked for a headshot. So we made an appointment for both to get their actor headshtos.
Parents, listen up. Until your child is 18 years old you or a guardian is going to have to go with him/her to auditions and to the job if they book it. So why not have your own actor headshots? I’m not saying that you can always crash an audition and pester casting directors, but just be ready. Casting directors and their assistance are known to ask people to audition for them while they were in the waiting area.
After Diane had her actor headshots done she not only kept taking them with her to Lance’s auditions but she started booking commercials and industrial films! She has also used her actor headshots successfully in the business world as a corporate portrait.
