Remember:
Relax
When you feel comfortable, your photo will come across as more natural. Try to have a friend talk to you while the photos are being taken so you can relax or play some music. Have you ever noticed how candid photos are always better…
Don’t be shy
It is important to highlight your best features. Directors want to see who you are and that you have confidence for the stage.
Example: If you have striking broad shoulders, consider wearing clothing that accentuates them, such as a halterneck top or leotard. This not only shows off your best features, but it also demonstrates confidence and self-assurance.
Use a recent photo!
It is always best to use a more recent photo. Why? Simple… because that way when you show up to the audition you don’t look too different from your photo. This gives the director a much clearer idea of what you look like.
Keep the focus on your face
It is important to keep both the literal and metaphorical meaning of the word “focus” in mind. In terms of photography, your face should be the focal point of the image. Sharp, clear and in focus. Avoid submitting a photo that is blurry.
To keep the attention on your face, it’s best to avoid having your hair covering it, take off your glasses, and avoid wearing large pieces of jewelry that might be distracting. A headshot should be simple, with the emphasis on you as the subject, not on your surroundings or what you’re wearing.
Pick a well lit photo
Your photo should be lit well, bright enough to see but also nice to look at.
Don’t use an overexposed (too bright) or an underexposed (too dark) image.
Quality vs Size
When submitting photographs, it’s important to consider the quality and file size of the images. In a nutshell, higher quality images will have larger file sizes. It is important to ensure that the images are of high enough quality to be clearly visible. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a maximum file size of 2mb per photo. There are a few ways to achieve this is, adding the images to a word document or using an online image size reduction software (like www.reduceimages.com) or just by using Preview on a mac or Picture tools on Windows (click on the links to find out how).
