Remember my blog article Getting Great Headshots: Commercial vs Theatrical?  Meet Cris, an actor just starting out here in Los Angeles.  Cris approached me in desperate need of having professional headshots, as he was doing scenes with the legendary Betty White for a new series called Off Their Rockers!

Cris opted for getting 3 different looks, to ensure he had a variety to pitch to prospective agencies and casting directors.  Even though he had a nice, albeit straightforward All-American look, we were able to showcase range with a few different looks for his headshots.  Each look was addressed both commercially and theatrically.  Check out how differences in outfits and expression and lighting give visual cues to different roles he might be suited for:

College drama heartthrob, or funny best friend?

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Hip downtown office worker, or shifty racketeer?

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Boy-next-door, or heroic lead?

 As you can see, with variations to clothing choices, facial expressions, and lighting scenarios, one person’s headshot session can incorporate a wide, dynamic range and open up possibilities for getting called for a variety of roles and gigs!

So JGP.com has been on a hiatus of sorts, as I’ve been busy relocating my photography services to Los Angeles!!

I’m currently getting settled in to my new surroundings, but I try to take my camera with me when I can, to help me location scout and document the overall scenery. I’ll maybe post updates in the near future, but here’s a collection of photos loosely narrating my flight from O’Hare, layover in Phoenix, landing in Long Beach, and making my way through Los Angeles and Santa Monica!!

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I’ve decided to addendum my earlier post on Getting Great Headshots to address further details pertaining to the types of headshots you should be going for.
Here I’m going to discuss differences between commercial and theatrical headshots, and the types of roles they’re geared toward.

First, you should have a clear idea about the markets in which you want to work, and strive for headshots that cater to those markets. Are you looking for TV commercial spots or print ads?  Then you need commercial headshots.  Are you the successful office worker? The all-American suburban mom?  Bobby Blue-collar?  One or more of these types should be suggestible in a commercial headshot.  Take a look at the lead-in photo above.  The model is flashing a gorgeous smile, sparkle in her eyes, and a pink sweater for that extra “pop.”  She could probably sell most anything from toothpaste to car insurance.

Bear in mind commercial headshots should have a generally broad, national appeal.  They shouldn’t be too edgy, sexy, or in-your-face.  It has to appeal to a wide spectrum of roles and markets, to ensure your accessibility to all of them.

But how about film, TV shows, and theater roles?  Those call for a theatrical headshot.  A theatrical headshot — also sometimes referred to as a “legit” shot — defines the character and qualities that a person projects.  Are you portraying a flirty seductress love-interest?  Or the trustworthy best friend?  Do you work best as a specific type, like the edgy bad boy, or something more general, like the next-door romantic lead?  Are you a complex jazz musician?  A quirky comic??  The theatrical headshot is mainly to convey nuances that show you’re the best fit for a specific role.  You’re more likely to land gigs when casting directors or potential clients don’t have to stretch their imaginations that you’ll fit the part.

Theatrical (Legit) Headshot

Take a look at the above theatrical headshot.  The expression, location, lighting, angle, colors, and wardrobe all combine cohesively to suggest a cool, edgy, urban role.  Something you might expect from the CSI franchise, college drama series, or similar.

As a general rule, it is best to showcase both with every look, but of course certain looks can lend themselves to being one or the other.  But most importantly, make sure you find a photographer that is able to successfully get you the shots that cater to the specific markets you are after.

Feel free to take a look at my headshot gallery to see the range of commercial and theatrical headshots I can provide!

Sometimes, all you need is a reflector and really good light.

Meet Manchester, a model traveling through Chicago while on tour through the States.  It just so happened that she stopped in on the First Day of Autumn, so we did an outdoor glamour shoot to usher it in.  A few more (NSFW) shots after the cut:

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I love abandoned buildings. There’s nothing more exciting to me than exploring places long forgotten, or unknown, or just plain not allowed.

Actually, there is: Taking photos while doing it. This is an abandoned mental asylum out in the middle of rural Ohio. I took along one of my favorite models — the lovely Sophie King — and we spent the day shooting away.

The photos after the jump are NSFW, in case you even care:

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