Head shot
 | This article possibly contains original research. (July 2008) |
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| This article may contain excessive or inappropriate references to self-published sources. (July 2008) |
A headshot is a photographic technique where the focus of the photograph is a person's face. Headshot is essentially the same as portrait. However, headshot is an image that portrays people as they are and is more of a 'mug shot', however simple or stylised it might be. Whereas, a portrait will often 'portray' the person with elements of their life, such as their work, interest, etc. (please refer to portrait page for more information)
Identification
As a form of identification, a head shot is a front-on (facing straight at the camera) photograph, with the face being the centre of the picture and containing minimal or no surroundings. The facial expression is usually neutral. These head shots are usually used as a form of identification. They are used as passport photos, mug shots and on other forms of photo identification and often require the temporary removal of facial accessories such as glasses.
Entertainment industry
Actors or models and other entertainers often include a head shot, along with their resume, when applying for a job. These head shots are usually more artistic, intended to portray the subject in the best possible light. They often have the subject facing off-centre. A performer will often have head shots expressing different poses and expressions to give a potential employer an idea of the subject's range of appearances. The headshots that include a person’s shoulders are called ‘three quarter’ shots.
Actors headshots are normally printed in an 8×10" format. Other promotional images e.g. press shots and lobby prints, may be in many different aspect ratios. Also becoming popular in the industry are comp cards and Z-Cards a single print consisting of several different images.
For acting headshots the 8×10" prints . Acting, not modeling, headshots are often not photographic prints but will be printed via a lithographic process or the laser process. These will be handed out during a casting, to agencies and to photographers.
The main purpose of an actor's head shot is identification. Therefore the most important feature of an actor's headshot is that it looks like the subject. Actors head shots should be clear, Theatrical headshots are usually very neutral looking shots of the actor clearly showing their facial features.
Types of Headshots:
- Commercial – typically (not always) has the person smiling and projects warmth and friendliness.
- Theatrical – usually serious, focused and actors are not smiling.
headshots are intended show a person as they are (age, look, style, etc.) and reflect their best qualities. Therefore, for example, if an actor's hair is cut or coloured, he or she would then need a new headshot.
Modelling industry
Modelling headshots are more like a beauty shots designed purely to be either artistic or flattering and are often used on comp cards for marketing purposes.
The 9×12" model prints will be photographic "wet" prints (meaning they are from a chemical process) or ink jet prints and the model will put these into their portfolio. The portfolio will not be just headshots but headshots are very important. Better models will have several identical portfolios.
Comp cards are one of the cornerstones of a model’s “Marketing Materials”. They will be about 5½×8” and printed on both sides. Almost all of the comp cards are in color but may have black and white images. A model can have 4 to 5 images on the comp card and at least one of these images will be a headshot. Models can also have folding comp cards.
Corporate and Business industry
Many business professionals and business companies use photographic services to produce corporate headshots for
- Annual reports
- Corporate catalogues and advertising
- Company publications and websites
- Corporate PR
- Press Releases
- Online catalogue/shop/website
- Corporate brochures
- Mail Order Catalogues
- Marketing Literature and advertisements
- Product Packaging