Toronto Headshot Photography: The Lost Art of Headshot Photography & Compcards

I think many photographers forget why they are producing headshots. I think many of them just want to produce a cool image; fair enough, but I think it is much more than that.

Compcards are portrait photos that will help Actors land acting jobs. Pretty simple right? So the headshot is a selling tool for the Actor. So we as Photographers must give the Actor all the tools they need to accomplish this goal.

I look at headshots as a sell sheet for the Actor. The headshot may have an awesome face on it but if:

· The Producer cannot reach the actor, it is an opportunity lost for the Actor.
Solution: the headshot should contain the Actor’s contact info

· The image is old and the Producer does not know, s/he will waste the mutual time of the Actor and the Producer
Solution: the headshot should have a date taken

· The headshot should have a head and body shot… preferably showing the Actor’s teeth. If the Actor shows up with the wrong body type to an audition, s/he will waste the mutual time of the Actor and Producer.
Solution: include heads and body images in the headshot

I think most photographers don’t know anything about graphic design, this is why this info is often omitted in the headshot supplied to the Client (Actor). Better for me; because I know graphic design I’m a busier photographer than most others.