I cannot afford getting professional pictures taken for acting resume, what do I do?

Question

I am 15, an aspiring actor and I have been wanting to get professional pictures taken for my acting resume to send to casting agents, and since they have to be professional, I have been begging my parents, but they keep telling me that they cannot afford it, what can I do?

Answer 1

Stop focusing so much on photos that's and instead focus your attention and energy on your craft. Most actor's cannot afford professional photos when they are just starting out. So, they settle for decent ones. A legit casting director will pick talent over looks any time.

Answer 2

I would really recommend trying to barter with an upcoming photographer or photography student in your area.

You really should not "have a friend" snap a photo. Your first impression with the agents in your area should be a favorable one. You do not want to present them with a poor photograph.

Answer 3

First, search the internet for PROFESSIONAL headshot samples.

Then, find someone who is a photography enthusiast (who actually KNOWS what they're doing) ask them to do your headshots.

Talk to a photography teacher at your school, or the local college. I'm sure you will find someone who will do this for the experience.

Show them the photo and say you want something like that.

They will do your photos, then you can take the file to a place like Costco and get prints for around $1.00 each for 8x10's.

Answer 4

You have the right idea. Professional Headshots show the casting agent that you are serious. Many times an agent can look at the headshot and know who took it. It can be another way in. If an agent likes the person you hired for a headshot they may translate this into, "this actor has a good eye for detail." The headshots that are unprofessional will look like it. Yes the cameras are nice but its not the tool thats valuable, its the eye and experience behind it. It is similar to using your home videos for a major film.... Just doesnt work like that.

Now the most inspiring thing you can do. Something that will get your parents on your side, although they may not afford it, they can help you in other ways. You need to make it a bonding experience for you and your parents. dont whine, cry or act unprofessional around them. Treat them like you would an agent, you just may find that one of them really enjoys helping you send your resume/headshot out to auditions. Or even driving you to some.

How can you Afford it!?

Being an actor is like being any sub contractor. You need to hustle for work until work hustles to find you. Since it is largely job to job self employment start working in such a fashion. You need the right mix of ingenuity and business acumen. Something that i would suggest would be to start a small landscaping business. You can goto  your neighbors, offer services such as lawn maintenence, mulch spreading, weeding, planting, of course only offer what you can do. But the money would be better than any job working for someone else. Before you know it, you will be able to get your headshots and even make some extra cash to get extra copies, resumes, pay for postage etc.

Some things you can do before you have any headshots/resume:

Look up the local theaters in your area, start a database of possible auditioners/agents. Be prepared to attach labels to your mailings so you will be set once you have the cash.

Look up other training programs in your area. Once you have stashed enough cash from your business you can take extra classes which will show your profesionalism.

You may even want to wait until you are 18 for your headshots. The chances of you getting a job at 15 are tough because your parents have to sign a waiver. At 18 your headshots might last you 2 years before you need new ones. So in reality you should be thinking training first headshots later. (for pro work) If you are wanting roles to pad your resume (community theater) then a simple point click camera is fine... (many community theaters dont have trained actors so why waste cashe on expensive headshots)

I would go so far as to wait until 24 or senior year in college for headshots. I got mine at around 19 and didnt realize how to use them effectively until i was out of college. By then your young shots are too old to be effective.

You have the right attitude. Remeber, In this business you make the work happen, you go look for the work, be self reliant. Your headshots will mean more to you when you earn the money. You will have a better understanding of your personal finances as well. Good Luck and Go Forth Bravely!!

Answer 5

have a friend with a camera (good mega pixel) and tripod. follow step by step guides check on line and take the picture and its professional. if you want you can always spruce it up with photoshop.... and its better to try and fail than to not try at all cause at least you know that its not gonna work and you need something else.

Answer 6

The photo does not have to BE proffessional, but it has to LOOK proffessional. It is fine to have a friend who is competent with a nice digital camera take the picture for you. In my high school, we had very proffessional looking headshots taken using a normal digital camera, a solid background, a lamp, and a tin cookie sheet to reflect the light back on to our faces and diminish the shadows to make it look more proffessional. Have a couple of friends help you out, take a bunch of pictures, and pick the best and most clean-cut ones. Here are important things to remember about headshots, just in case you are unsure:

-Headshots are supposed to be of your head only. Do not send in full body shots unless they are requested.

-Try to look classy in your head shot. A smile is good... kissy-lips and "pouts" are not so great. The purpose of a headshot is so the director can see you in a role and remember you when he is making a cast list.

-If the lighting is bad, then the purpose of  the headshot is defeated. Try to arrange the light so your features are accented and the shadows don't take over.

-Take the picture in front of a solid background. There should not be a lot of things going on in the picture... it's really just a simple shot of your head.

-Most people accept headshots in both black/white or in color. After you decide which picture you want to use, change it to black/white and see if it looks better and then base your decision off that.

As the other person said, an alternative to this is to get your photos done by a local university photography student. They are often looking to add anything and everything to their portfolios and most will be glad to take you in for a shoot.

Good Luck!! :)

Answer 7

I have to agree with Maroon.

   There are standards to be followed in this situation, expected by anyone you solicit for work, just as is a formal resume.

   Typical is 8 x 10, B&W. HEAD SHOTS

   No real offense to you, but how do you define "Have to be"?

Would you assume that to mean, "I you feel like it?" OR, "Maybe I can get by with an alternative?"

Just my 2 "scents"

Answer 8

Photos don't need to be professional to be good. Nowadays you can get very good results using a normal digital camera and a flat background near a good source of light such as a window (or outside on an overcast day).

You can also approach local school/uni photography departments  and see if they're looking for models for their classes. Also If any of the students are looking to build up their own portfolios they might be happy to take your pictures for free/reduced rate.