Guidelines

Overview:

The most important aspect of your headshot is that it looks like YOU.
You MUST keep your headshot up to date so that it matches your age and look.
Your headshot is the most important tools to market yourself. It is the first thing a casting director sees when you're pitched for a project!
If you are not a well-established actor, you should try to fit into a specific type for each shot you have (see: "Example Character Types" below)
We use outdoor natural light for all of our headshot shoots. This approach, along with top-level digital photography, yields very interesting, crisp images that really get you noticed!

COMMERCIAL: to submit commercially; has tons of energy and shows off your teeth; this type of shot tends to be tighter. Generally, it should look like you on a good day.
THEATRICAL: for television and film submissions; normally more on the serious (not angry) side, with the focus being on the eyes.
COMPOSITE / ZED CARD: what models use for print and modeling work. Normally, there is one picture on one side of the card and three or more smaller photographs on the other side. The photographs should be different and showing off the range of looks you have. These will also incorporate full-length body shots.
ONLINE ONLY: with the creation of online casting, now actors should use the online casting websites to upload more pictures. They should include a body shot, a good commercial shot, a good theatrical shot, a shot of you doing a skill or sport, and examples of "types" that you can play. There is no need to print all these pictures, but it will help you get more auditions if you supply yourself with these tools online.

Update pictures every 3-6 months. Babies grow fast!
Only print 4x6s, no 8x10 necessary.
Only 1 or 2 pictures are needed, but you may shoot 100-200.
DON'T TEACH YOUR CHILD TO FAKE A SMILE. Many parents have their child mimic them when they smile. All this does is teach the child to fake it. We want to see a genuine smile that comes from the child actually being happy.
Do anything you can to make your child happy during the shoot: bring favorite toys, blanket, stuffed animal etc.
No Jewelry

Print 8x10 headshots for auditions and mailings.
3-5 pictures should go online.
Makeup only for blemishes or bags under eyes.
Girls should only wear revealing clothes for a specific look, but not the whole shoot.
Try look your age or younger
Choose your top 3-4 types from the Character Types list.
Possibly hire a hair/makeup artist depending on your skin quality, and type of hair.

Shoot headshots as your look changes.
Print 8x10 headshots for auditions and mailings.
3-6 pictures should go online.
Makeup only for blemishes or bags under eyes.
Girls should only wear revealing clothes for a specific look, but not the whole shoot.
Look your age
Choose your top 3-4 types from the Character Types list.
Consult with your agent or manager.
Possibly hire a hair/makeup artist depending on your skin quality, and type of hair.

Bring 15-20 different outfits.
Iron your clothes and BRING THEM ON HANGERS!
Make sure your clothes aren't faded and don't have stains.
Choose brighter colors like kelly green, bright pink, and royal blue for you commercial shot.
Choose darker colors like maroon and forest green for your theatrical shot.
Clothes should compliment your skin tone; not all colors look good in all skin tones.
Be careful with blacks, whites, busy patterns, and small stripes... but if you like the shirt, still bring it.
Ideally, bring:
- Solid-color T-shirts
- Graphic tees
- Hoodies and jackets
- Collared shirts, sweaters, dresses, and accessories that fit the type you are going for.
It's always a good idea to bring colors that compliment the eyes (i.e. blue shirt, with blue eyes, green shirt with green eyes etc.).
Try layering your clothes: Hoodies, Denim Jackets, Long sleeve shirts, coats-anything that would look good over a T-shirt.

GET A GOOD NIGHT'S REST. You don't want to look tired in your headshots.
DO NOT WEAR SUNGLASSES PRIOR TO THE SHOOT. It will make you squint.
KEEP HAIR SIMPLE. Prepare the night before with a curling iron (in case we need it), a wide variety of hair clips and bands, special gels or hair sprays you may want to use.
HAIR: Come with your hair ready to shoot. Avoid products that make it look greasy. The less you have in your hair, the better. Bring a curling iron (for girls- if you intend to go with a different look). A lot of times we may not even want to do this, but on occasion switching up the hairstyle is a good thing. The natural look is in!
EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST.
PLEASE SHOW UP ON TIME! We all understand that there are circumstances that are beyond our control (especially living in Los Angeles), but if you and the photographer are unrushed, the product will inevitably be better.

ALLOW APPROXIMATELY 1.5 HOURS TO COMPLETE THE SHOOT. This gives us some flexibility when it comes to working with you or your child. Often, the photographer likes to give a child a break and a change of scenery before continuing the shoot. This method tends to be very successful in getting exactly what we need.
SIGN IN. AND FILL OUT PAPERWORK.
HANG YOUR CLOTHES ON THE WARDROBE RACK.
WAIT AND BE PATIENT
PARENTS STAY CLOSE BY in case the photographer needs assistance with your child
DON'T PUSH TOO HARD. The actor must be relaxed while shooting. Have fun, be confident, and don't worry. We can always re-shoot if we don't get it right the first time, so don't put pressure on yourself or your child.

After your photo shoot is complete, we will burn a CD with all of the raw photos taken that day.
The CD will then be placed in the "Client Pick-up box" (in our office's lobby) within 10 business days of the photo shoot date.
Your copy of the CD is not crucial to the selection or reproduction process; however, we recommend that you pick up your CD within two weeks of your shoot.
We will also send a copy of the CD to Argentum Photo Lab. Argentum will create an online proof sheet, which will allow both you and your agent or manager to view the images online. (No cost to you)
Often, we will select our favorites to have 4x6 prints made to help us decide which ones will make the best headshots. Or we will have a physical proof sheet printed if your agent has requested it. Then we will decide which images to make into headshots or postcard size for babies.
Upon the completion of the order, Argentum will send the photos to us at no charge to you.