A head shot 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 stylized it might be. Whereas, a portrait will often "portray" the person with elements of his life, such as his work, interest, etc. (Refer to portrait for more information.)
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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.
Theater, film, and television actors, models, singers, and other entertainers often are required to 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 or expressions. Those types of head shots are called "looks". However, this practice is less common in the current market. It is still common for an actor to have different head shots for their sitcom audition as opposed to their film audition, but for the most part these would represent a change in attire. The headshots that include a person’s shoulders are called "three quarter" shots.
Actors' headshots, when printed and not simply uploaded online to an industry database, are done in an 8"×10" format. Other promotional images, e.g., press shots and lobby prints, may be in many different aspect ratios. Acting headshots are usually 8"×10" prints. Acting headshots are often not photographic prints but will be printed via a lithographic process or the laser process.
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 his facial features.
There are a few types of headshots:[1]
Headshots are intended to show a person as they currently are (age, look, style, etc.) and reflect their best qualities. Therefore, if an actor's hair is recently cut or coloured, they might then need a new headshot to reflect the new image of themselves. Additionally, if an actor has a scar of the face or moles, it should be visible on the headshot and not digitally retouched out of the image. Pimples or spots are temporary and therefore these are usually retouched. [2]
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. They are often done in colour, however in some jurisdictions, such as the UK, they may be in black and white. Models often use them for castings and modelling work applications. A close up headshot is often required to show model's skin complexion for beauty work.
Modelling headshots are usually used for:
Model headshots are also often professionally retouched to make sure their close up beauty photograph looks perfect without blemishes or spots.
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 card 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 may have 4 to 5 images on the comp card and at least one of these images will be a headshot.
Corporate headshots similar to those used by actors. In the late twentieth century, executives were usually shown formally, wearing suits and shirts. In the last decade, many executives have selected a more casual, approachable image for their headshots, reflecting a culture that no longer dresses formally in the workplace. These images are most often produced digitally and distributed electronically, though some companies still favor displaying a printed version. Lighting for corporate headshots is simple and nondramatic, but flattering. Traditional headshots are still taken in a studio setting, though shots "on-location" or "in-the-field" continue to increase in popularity. In both cases, backgrounds continue to be simple. Subjects are often shown head-to-midchest, or from head to just above the waist.
Corporate headshots serve a variety of purposes, including: