Ya know, it’s a funny thing about photographing headshots.  I shoot probably more smiling faces than non-smiling faces, but when it comes time to choose my favorites, the ones I post on MY website, I lean toward the non-smiling ones.   I don’t know what it is….

So what’s right or wrong, when it comes to choosing your headshot?  I really can’t tell you because there seems to be a difference of opinion in the industry.

Not that long ago, I photographed the headshot for a drama professor from the University of Pittsburgh.  His theory was that an actor’s headshot should be a non-smiling, close in shot.  And to prove his point, he took me to many famous actor’s web pages and showed me their headshots, and he was right, most of them were not smiling.  His reasoning is that the casting agent is more likely to read into the headshot, the type of actor he is looking for…  It’s all to deep for me…

Then, I talked to a local Talent Agency owner and he much preferred shots where the talent was smiling for their headshot.  His reasoning was that it shows that the actor (or model) actually had teeth, and a nice smile.  I can see his point, but on the other hand, there’s something about a serious expression that seems, to me at least, to let you into the soul of the actor.  This just can’t be said about smiling shots.

So, what’ the answer?  There is no clear-cut answer, and that’s why I shoot both and let you pick! )

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