I know there are past articles about headshots, but I also know that trends and taste change often, so I thought I would ask again to get a fresh take.
Obviously, electronic submissions of headshots is fairly simple - however, physical headshots in auditions is where I have my questions
I really only have 2 questions:
Is a Landscape/Horizontal Headshot a no-no? Our best headshot is a landscape picture and does not work as well cropped for a good portrait/vertical look. Not sure if this is something colleges frown on.
Border or no Border? Is a border with name necessary? Is a full border, or perhaps a bottom only 'footer' style border the way to go? Forget the border/name thing entirely?
We are using a horizontal picture. Every bit of feedback we’ve gotten is that this is fine. Regarding the border, I think some places care about the border and name and others do not. I ordered our headshots through printheadshots.com and they will add the border and name for free. Super easy.
I think a horizontal headshot is fine. While you might be able to get by without the name on a border for college admissions, it is best to have the name on the border for a headshot.
I don’t think you need the border, but you should have your name on the photo somewhere in case it’s misplaced. Last year several schools separated the headshot from resume in different stacks others kept it all together. We were told at a workshop if the photo is such where it’s easy to clearly add a name a border isn’t needed. If that is not the case add a border with the name. If your college headshot has neither I would suggest writing your name on the back just in case it gets misplaced by an auditor…
Re headshots, does anyone have a recommendation of someone in the general NYC area who does a decent job at a “less than premium cost,” and preferred printer of headshots (anywhere in the USA who will ship them)? Thanks for your advice!
I don’t have a contact for a photographer, but if you have a photo release, I highly recommend Costco. When we were prepping for college auditions a couple of years ago, I did some research on best photo printers. Costco is (or was at the time) one of the top options with mpix being the top choice for quality. Costco’s prices can’t be beat. It cost us $1.50 per 8x10 for a high quality print. Ordering from mpix cost about $0.60 more per print plus shipping. You can pick up your order for free from Costco. NOTE: If your photographer did any color correcting, when you order from Costco, you’ll want to deselect the color correction option which is at the very end of the ordering process.
Absolutely stand by Costco!! Their price is cheaper than several places I have gotten them wholesale and their quality is excellent. I strongly suggest lustre vs. glossy. Depending on lighting in room (which you cannot predict for hotel-based auditions), it will eliminate glare. Also - comment about color corrections is VERY spot on. If you had a professional photographer shoot and edit pics, you MUST turn corrections off – otherwise skin tones may come out greenish or skewed magenta. They have color correction software but it only works well with uncorrected images. I always correct them myself and turn it off. I also include name on photo at bottom corner for the reasons mentioned above. If resume is stapled to back (some preferred format), then they don’t have to flip back and forth to find name to make note of for callback, etc.
We used printheadshots.com and they were great. They added the border and name for free and I paid $45 for 50 headshots. I received them two days after I approved the proof via email.
D is a college junior in NYC and she uses a horizontal headshot. Her background is dark enough that I was able to Photoshop her name in the lower right corner, no border. We actually do reprints at CVS (a drugstore), which is so inexpensive and you can usually pick up same day. We referred to online reviews about fast print quality before using them. Great when you need a stack of 20. She’s only ever gotten good feedback on her headshot, most recently that it “looks like her.” It’s in natural light, and she wore light makeup.