Posts Tagged ‘professional portrait’

Do I need professional On-Line Dating Photos?

Tuesday, June 14th, 2011

Are you putting yourself out there, in the on-line dating world for the first time? Maybe you have tried on-line dating before and you are coming back to it? It’s so important, in this competitive market, that you stand out on-line.

Professional dating photos are just photos of you without all your friends in them. The photos you have may have been taken late at night, with a flash and they just don’t show you in the best light. I think your on-line dating photos should sparkle and show your personality. There is nothing wrong with getting great photos that represent you well and where you are wearing comfortable, casual clothes that tell someone exactly what kinda person you are.

Make-up for your photos is important too, and it’s not a bad idea to hire a great make-up artist that can help bring out your features without making you look over-done or too glamorous.

Here are some recent dating photos. These are not actors, but they look engaged and their personalities are showing 100% You want to put your best foot forward and stand out in a crowd.

What makes it a “commercial headshot”?

Monday, April 11th, 2011

I will take 2 small blogs to talk about the differences between commercial and theatrical headshots.

Commercial headshots are used by your commercial agents to submit you for… well… commercials. Commercial submissions are done very quickly, so your agent will never send a hardcopy of your headshot to a casting director. They will submit you on-line only. This is really easy for them. In fact, it’s so easy that there are many more submissions for one commercial spot now than ever before. This means your commercial photo has to stand out better than ever.

So… what makes it commercial? Well, commercials are seen nationally and internationally, so your commercial headshot can’t be too edgy or sexy. You have to appeal to a bigger audience than just Los Angeles or New York. It should also be warm, kind, agreeable, sweet, straightforward and accessible.

That sounds easy enough, but trends are changing. A top Los Angeles casting director recently told me they wanted their client’s commercial headshots with NONE of the following:

leaning

turning

hunching

profiling

peeking into the shot

over layering their clothing.

They want their actors to be looking straight ahead, warm and approachable. That’s what makes a great commercial headshot today, in the age of internet submissions with hundreds of other actors competing for one role. Granted, that is only one agency, however, it makes  a lot of sense that the actor needs to clearly come through the headshot and it’s really never about the photographer.

Next, I will talk about what a “Theatrical headshot” is.

So..You are searching for your next headshot photographer.

Saturday, February 26th, 2011

You just have to go for it. Choose the best photographer for YOU. Choose someone that, when you look at their gallery, has shots that you want for yourself. Then prepare. Do your homework on type and clothing and show up to the session with an open spirit and your best a-game. Work with the photographer in collaboration to achieve the shots that best represent who you are and where you see your career going. Stay present and energized during your session.

You should end up with shots that will help lift you to the next level in your career.

That’s how I see it. There is a point where you have to stop shopping and making excuses and just go for it.
Hope that helps with your decision making.
Cheers,
Joanna
www.joannabrooks.com
Headshots LA

What are “looks” and how do I get different ones?

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

It’s really important that you do your homework before we shoot. I want you to get the most out of your shoot and you should know what you are going for. “Looks” are outfit changes. So, when you think of different outfits, they have to stay consistent with who you are. When you audition for a sitcom or commercial it’s going to be way different from your film or dramatic tv audition. Maybe you always go in for the “young mom.” So, if it’s a “soccer mom” you would want to give off a different vibe from a “Desperate Housewives” mom etc. One is dressed to drop off cupcakes and the other is dressed to grab someone else’s husband. These can both be mom’s but have very different feels in a photo.

Dress within your range. What is the youngest “mom” and then who is the most innocent and who has something to prove. We all have these ranges within our own personalities. Figure out what yours is and how a simple neckline can say so much. You should spend time trying on your shirts and take your own photos to see what you think. It will save so much time to focus on what’s most important at your shoot. You.

Happy Shooting!

Look Who’s Booking!

Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

Congrats to my headshot Clients: Bryan Krasner is on “Modern Family” tonight and  Greg Sims is on “Terriers” tonight!! My actor’s are getting lot’s of auditions and sealing the deal!!

Choosing the right Headshot Photographer

Thursday, September 16th, 2010

I think this is pretty simple. If you like a headshot photographer’s style, then you should meet them. You don’t have to be in love with the photographer or need them to be your best friend, but you should feel like it is someone that is not intimidating and that makes you feel comfortable. If you are newer, then your photographer should be able to guide you through the shoot. If this is old hat to you, then the photographer should be able to step back and let you do your thing.

Yeah, that’s right… I am describing ME! I approach it with respect for what works for you and my style can be easily adapted without me feeling like I am losing integrity of what I do. Just look at those testimonials.

Making your Headshots YOU!

Monday, September 13th, 2010

So often people come to their shoot without thinking about who they are. I will look at someone walk in the door wearing a great t-shirt and a bandana around their neck with fabric on their wrist and watch as they pull out a stack of sweaters from Ann Taylor. That’s totally fine, if you can pull off that Suburban Housewife for one of your “looks” just don’t forget the real you. Very often I will love the outfit that someone walked into their photoshoot wearing because it looks so authentically them. Pay attention to your own individual style and find a way to be true to that in one of your headshot looks.

I like to divide the 3 looks up like this:

1. Professional (that can be a CEO of a company or a nursery school teacher, it’s generally on the conservative side)

2. Hip for your age (If you are playing 60 or 20, what is the youngest and hippest that you can realistically play)

3. Authentic YOU (Say you can pitch your show or movie to a network or studio, who are you in that show? How much money does your character make? Is it Half hour or hour?)

Don’t lose yourself in each look.

Happy shooting!

Jo

Headshots for non-actors

Sunday, August 29th, 2010

Almost everyone needs a great headshot. Headshots are not only for actors anymore. More and more people are on-line dating, tweeting, and have profiles or articles on the internet. If you need a great photo, but want to keep it simple, just give me a call.

It’s competitive and you need to look serious. A great, professional photo can really help you. I also recommend a simple, white or light colored background so that if someone is printing out your information then they won’t use all their printer ink. I can resize and retouch your photos so that they look great in any size.

Headshot Packages One-Look

Saturday, August 28th, 2010

Yes, I do offer just one or two look headshot packages. One look is currently $150 and 2 looks are $275. I will also give kids 3 looks for $275 because the shoot takes a lot less time. If you have something else in mind and don’t see it on my website, give me a call and we can figure it out.

Congrats to Headshot Clients…

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Carry Wiita booked a Wendy’s commercial and she did 9 spots!! Way to go Carrie! Bryan Krasner booked “Modern Family!” I just saw a re-run of headshot client Alyssa Preston on “The Office” and headshot client Billy Caraxis booked an Enrique Iglesias music video. So excited for all the success.