Headshot Posing Tips for Actors! » Kirstin Reddington Photography- London Actors Headshots

Headshot Posing Tips for Actors!

Headshot Posing Tips for Actors!

18/02/2014 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Alasdair Shanks- Imperium Management
Alasdair Shanks of “Imperium Management”
When telling actors how to pose, I just to remind them to be as natural as possible. This isn’t a modeling gig; you are an actor playing yourself! Changing from pose to pose in between snaps of the camera’s shutter is not essential and often looks awkward. Headshots are about subtle changes in your face and not about flashy poses. The photographer will tell you what to do but just focus on being as natural as possible. If you know you will be nervous, it is helpful to prepare before and give yourself a range of roles that you want shining through in your photos.
If an actor is really struggling with being natural in front of the camera, I always mention New York photographer, Peter Hurley’s trick that emphasizes getting that classic headshot pose. In his workshops, he instructs actors to pull their “forehead out and down”. He jokes that you may look like a turkey but it really works! Pulling your forehead out and down helps build definition in your jawline so you don’t get those dreaded double chin pictures!
When I work with an actor who cannot loosen up and be natural in front of the camera, I try to think of various words or roles for them to portray. Giving you
a part to play in the session is helpful!
So prepare some roles or key words/emotions in your head that you would like to portray during your session. Therefore, you won’t be stuck like a deer in headlights, refusing to move or show emotion.
Words like: contemplation, serious, edgy, quizzical, intelligent, coy, happy, warm, seductive, smoldering, excited, eager, shy, fierce, carefree, snobby, cute, twee, innocent will get you doing what you are comfortable with: acting!

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