Should Orlando actors have their headshots retouched?
How much retouching is ok for acting headshots?
Simply put? A bit!
Actors should normally retouch their headshots, but only minimally.
You want the photo to be the best possible representation of you, which often involves eliminating distracting visual elements and slightly enhancing your best features. We want your photos to be true to color and appearance. However, acceptable retouching includes smoothing stray hairs, evening out skin tone, eliminating blemishes, and bringing out the light in your eyes. Don't go overboard with Photoshop to the point that you're unrecognizable. Retouching is all about striking the right natural balance.
Los Angeles headshot photographer Marc Cartwright advises actors to keep in mind their realistic age range when retouching: “Skin has texture. Even the smoothest of skin. Skin gets more texture as we age. The first thought that pops up when I see a headshot with overly retouched, plastic-looking skin is, what are they hiding? Something feels off. In overly retouched photos, casting can't trust what the actor will look like, and therefore won't waste time calling that actor in to audition.”
Let’s take a look at some examples of good editing vs. over-editing with actor headshots.
This is what her headshot looks like right out of camera. We have some hot spots on her forehead, distracting hairs, sparkle on her lips, hairs covering her face, and some redness in her lower neck that all need to be corrected to provide casting directors with an accurate look on her best day.
This is an example of a nice medium edit for an acting headshot. We remove the hairs that feel distracting, correct skin tone issues that were from her scratching her neck area during the session, and give the headshot an overall pop of brightness and life. We very minimally even out the skin texture, but still leave plenty of reality!
This is an example of an acting headshot that has been over-edited. The skin is too soft, the color is not natural, and the image is too bright to be believable.
Another thing to keep in mind when having your acting headshots retouched is:
How do your headshots need to read? Your editing should match the role.
You need to retouch as it relates to the type you are trying to represent. Does the character in the headshot need more or less retouching?
If your goal is to get cast in roles that portray criminals or people from challenged backgrounds, you might want to see all the flaws to help with the look (minus temporary blemishes). Of course, you still want to be professional. Your retoucher should work with you on striking a balance between what looks character-driven versus what looks like you don't care. On the other hand, if, for example, you are going for the upscale business look, you may want to clean the shot a bit more to give a feeling of impeccability.
A photographer should be able to photograph you in a way that your image is professionally lit and captured correctly in camera. Editing should be just icing on the cake of an already near-perfect headshot.
Here are some examples of actor headshots that should have less retouching:
(These headshots have had zero retouching, aside from pimple removal. These types need to feel raw, rugged, and street-smart.)
This actor’s headshot is representing a type that is rugged and weathered. His skin needs to appear like his character, which in this case, has likely been outside more often than inside. We wouldn’t want to soften the wrinkles or take away the sun spots in editing.
We also want to make sure his age is showcased accurately, as it’s truly part of the character of this handsome cowboy.
This character is street-smart and has attitude. This headshot has had no editing done, aside from removing pimples. The vein in the temple area, redness near the eyes, and scarring make this look sell much better than if had been softened, brightened, filtered, or photoshopped more.
This girl may want to audition for “tougher” roles like drug addict or other street-smart characters. Therefore, we left in the skin imperfections, emotion and wrinkles in the forehead, and stray hairs to help sell the type.
What things need to be retouched for acting headshots?
There are 5 main things that you will likely want edited in your final actor headshots - in order of importance:
Blemishes
Temporary things, like pimples, scabs, flaky skin will need to be taken out during post-processing. This goes for every actor headshot, no matter what type or role you are representing. If it’s going to be gone in a week or so, it should be removed.
Stray hair that cover the face
If you have an odd hair that is going through your eye, mouth, or nose, these hairs should be removed in the retouching process. Single stray hairs can take away from your headshot and do not need to remain in order to feel natural.
It’s important to note, however (when selecting your final images for editing), that a chunk of hair that is covering your face won’t be able to be edited out. If we tried to, we’d just be painting skin on your face and it would definitely look unnatural. Make sure you style your hair in a way that keeps it out of your eyes.
Overall “pop” and boldness
The camera captures images that are true to the human eye, but sometimes, we need a bit more “pop” in your headshot to make it really stand out. We may feel the need to add a bit of punch an pizzaz to a standard photo if it will enhance the image, and still look natural.
Background distractions should be minimized
If the background was environmental (instead of solid paper, for instance), there may be an element or two that needs to be removed or minimized so that the focus of the headshot remains on your smile and eye contact. Also, sometimes we may catch a touch of the light source in the image, since having the professional studio lighting close to the subject produces the nicest light for acting headshots. If a corner of the lighting makes its way into your image, it will be removed in post productions.
General sharpness
Having a sharp headshot helps make it pop, and helps your eyes truly shine. We may feel the need to add just a hint of sharpness to your acting headshots to help you feel crisp and professional.
What about filters for acting headshots?
Sometimes, photographers add filters to actor’s headshots that can be a problem for agencies. Talent agencies need your headshots to be a true-to-self as possible in order to market you effectively. Casting directors have become sensitive to headshots that appear edited, so it’s best to avoid a “filter” look in your set of images.
Avoid edits that are over-saturated.
These headshots often distort an actor’s hair color, eye color, and skin tone.
This headshot was edited in a way that made this teen actor’s hair look too bright, and her skin too tan. The crispness, expression, lighting, and background are spot on, but the over-saturation makes it unusable. This image, unfortunately, does not look natural, and this teen actress had to have her headshots redone.
Here, we have a more accurate representation of the tone of her hair, eyes, and skin. This photo was accepted by her talent agency and is used for submissions to commercial auditions in Florida.
These days, it is not necessary to edit out all the flyaways around the head, and leaving them can actually enhance the natural feel of your headshots. However, taking them out is also an option if they are distracting (but only if the background is plain).
Be careful of trendy filters that look obviously edited.
Ideally, we want it to appear that your headshots have had no work done on them in post production. Some photographers have signature edits, but we feel these cause casting directors to wonder if your headshot is an accurate reflection of you. It’s normally better to keep your headshots true and avoid presets and filters.
What do you look like on your best day in person? That is what we need to capture with your headshots.
We are starting to see a trend where photographers add an emulsion filter to their images. Sometimes it is strong like this example here, and sometimes it is a bit less, but in general, trendy filters should be avoided altogether.
Her headshot here is true color. She has the appropriate amount of sharpness, accurate hair, skin, and eye color, and an overall sense that this is actually what she looks like in real life. If you look at all different in person than you do in your headshots, you will need to re-take your headshots, or ask for the unedited versions.
So your agency or audition has asked you for “digitals.” What does that mean?
Digitals means images that are very recent and fully unedited. The casting director wants to know what you look like exactly.
You can take these with a cell phone, or, you can have your professional photographer take them with professional lighting and backdrop. We will always advocate for digitals taken professionally, as cell phones distort the composition with their wide-angles, and often photograph too dark, even in natural light.\
Normally, you will be asked for a headshot and a full-body digital. Ask your photographer if they can do a digitals “subscription” that will allow you to more affordably update your digitals (since they like them to be as recent as possible).
Here is an example of full-body digital for the actress above. This image should be relevant for her for several months, and aside from stretching the background, is completely unedited.
If you are an actor in the central Florida area, you will need headshots that are quite friendly, light, and very natural for commercial auditions.
Actors in Orlando, Miami, Tampa, Melbourne, and the general central FL area need a great commercial headshot since the majority of the work here is for commercials. If you also plan to go into film or TV, then you can add on to your portfolio with more specific looks that can be anything from comedic to dramatic, depending on your types.
For commercial headshots, we especially need your images to look completely natural and easy.
Here are some good examples of natural commercial headshots for actors with very-little-to-NO retouching:
A combination of natural light and studio lighting is a wonderful duo for natural commercial headshots for actors. The eye color is true, hair color is warm, and skin tones are accurate. We love the natural light from our studio’s large windows and doors which help even out shadows to create an approachable commercial acting headshot.
This sweet young man’s photo is bright and shining, just like he is as an up-and-coming actor! His skin looks natural, the lighting drawn you in, and the addition of studio lighting helps his dimples steal the show.
Commercial headshots can also be taken fully inside the studio. Using professional lighting gear, we can help you get headshots that are simple enough to please agencies, but have the immediate draw that is needed to make casting directors stop when they come to your headshot.
Are you ready to get started with a more natural, captivating set of actor headshots in the Orlando area?
You can book a session online now to get started with your new set of natural headshots that are designed to captivate casting directors in the Florida market and beyond. Get in touch with questions and we look forward to seeing you soon in our Orland-based acting headshot studio!