<p>Another question (omigosh, not ANOTHER one??!!) from the inquisitive NMR:</p>
<p>How much should students expect to spend on headshots for college audition (and college) use? Did most of your kids get one solid headshot or several different ones? Color or b&w? </p>
<p>I wish the real Mama Rose was around to ask. I bet she knew all of this stuff going in ....</p>
<p>NMR :)</p>
<p>I'm asking a friend of mine to do my headshots. She's in some crazy level photography class and agreed to do it for cookies. (: She's going to take a bunch of different ones, in color and B&W, and I'll get them printed out at CVS or someplace.</p>
<p>You don't need headshots specifically for auditions. What I would suggest is to go to a photographer for your senior pictures. Most schools that I know of give you the option of doing senior pictures with the school or outside of it. What I did a couple weeks ago was I went to the photographer to get my portraits and she let me do 3 outfits, including the tux. We're able to choose 4 of our favorites to get prints of those. One is going to be my audition headshot and the others are going to go up on my wall. This headshot is in color.</p>
<p>I also have another headshot from about 1 1/2 years ago by a different photographer (I got a free print when I got my braces off :D). That one is B&W.</p>
<p>I would suggest color if you want to show off your hair color, complexion and eye color. You can also cheat and do some photo editing to bring out these colors too :P. Remember, though: color is going to be more expensive to make copies of.</p>
<p>Oh, another <em>practically</em> free way to get nice headshots done is to ask people in your high school's photography class. Generally you may just need to pay for the photo paper and probably a tip for the photographer's time. The photography teacher should be able to give you a price, but it will be very minimal. Make sure it's someone who is good at photography, can do photo editing, and has (or can get) the right equipment to make a nice photograph. If you can find someone who plans on majoring in photography, that would be a big bonus. My boyfriend did headshots for my friend who is an acting major at Virginia Commonwealth U. and they turned out great. I mean, if the picture is good enough, who's going to know if you've spent big bucks on a pro or not?</p>
<p>Another question (don't really mean to hijack your thread): Should headshots for resume's be printed on photo paper or is regular paper fine?</p>
<p>NMR, while professional headshots for college auditions are not required, it makes sense to get them if you can afford them because your child will need a headshot during college for auditions both at the college and if auditioning for summer work, etc. So, this headshot you have taken now can be used for a couple of years. What we did, since for our school's yearbook, senior portraits are done on one's own with private photographers (and ain't cheap either!), we didn't get regular senior portraits made for our BFA applicant daughter like we did for our other D, but we did get professional headshots for auditions and then used these as senior portraits for both yearbook and family and even had wallets made up with the digital shot through a local place (not where the headshot reprints in 8 x 10 were made). So, two birds with one stone. Still expensive. </p>
<p>My D had been getting headshots about every two years or so in NYC for some time and so we had them done for college auditions there again with the same headshot photographer, as she was due for new ones at that juncture anyway. She lucked out in the sense that his rates for children 15 and under are less (sitting is $300) than the adult rate and her headshots were taken that September of her college audition year and alas, she was still fifteen and got the child rate, which she no longer does now! Because it was so hard to pick just one headshot from so many proofs, we let our D pick two every time we do this....one smiling, one not....two different looks and the cost of the second shot is rather minimal on top of the cost of the sitting with proofs and one 8 x10 which is costly. Then, we use a reprint place in NYC that the headshot photographer recommends and we are able to order those online or by snail mail as well and have them shipped to us. We get 100 of each shot (the cost of 100 is really about the minimum as very similar in price to printing less there). At the time my D had hers done for college admissions, it was Sept. 2004 and she had black and white ones done as she had always had done and was the industry standard at the time. The photographer also shot in color and we could get them either way and we got color for senior portraits/family purposes, but black and white for the headshots. Fast forward to this past Dec., more than two years later, she was ready for new headshots and this time she has color headshots, one smiling, one not. Color is the new trend in headshots and what you will be seeing primarily in NYC auditions, unlike in the past when Black and White was the standard. So, either will do but truly color is what is the thing these days. </p>
<p>We have been using the same headshot photographer since our D was a child and he was recommended by her agent in NYC, who is a top agent in NYC. This photographer deals with theatrical headshots a lot and with well known actors. I very much recommend using a photographer familiar with theatrical headshots as opposed to a typical portrait photographer you might go to for senior photos and such. It is a different approach. </p>
<p>A sitting fee with this particular photographer if 16 and over would run $600 plus tax for the photo session. The session is edited to the best 105 images which you receive on proof sheets and includes two retouched 8 X 10 prints or images on CD. Over 100 images are shot, you get your proof sheets and two 8 X 10 prints or images on CD. I know I told you I had paid extra for the second 8 x10 but that was with the child package which only included one 8 x 10. This last time, it was just the session fee as it included two images. Digital sessions are stored in both "black and white" and color and so you can order your images either way. If you want the name of our headshot photographer, drop me a note. I'm sure there are some closer to where you live. We don't live in NYC, as you know, but as good of photographers that we have here, they do not normally deal with theatrical headshots and thus we had them done in NYC.</p>
<p>However, there is the cost of reprints and I forget the total now for 100 per shot and the name on it, etc. You can look up those rates at Reproductions.com.</p>
<p>Wow 600. is a lot of money to spend on head shots. We have a professional
photographer (head shots are ALL she does) here in Los Angeles, 250. for a shoot that takes about 45 minutes. If you want a stylist to touch up your hair and makeup --thats another 50.cash. She specialises in film, commercial ,tv and classical music work.The next day she sends a contact sheet and two copies of the photo cd. My D is always getting great compliments on the photos she submits and she ends up sending our photographer plenty of business.</p>
<p>Every location costs differently. Also, as i said, when my D was starting her application year, she was only 15 and got the child rate of $300, but also we paid the reprint company for the reproductions on top of that. Now that she is in college and older, she has to pay the adult rate. The cost of a make up and hair artist is extra ($175)...she did not have that in high school but she did this last time as as soph in college but the entire thing was a birthday present from grandparents. My D goes to school in NYC and uses these headshots for a couple of years. If you are familiar with headshot photographers in NYC, this is a common rate. These are for theater. I'm sure you can get good shots elsewhere. I'm just sharing with regard to a NYC headshot photographer that many actors use, as well as is recommended by well known agents. Reproductions is well known for a reprint company for headshots as well. </p>
<p>As with anything, rates differ according to locale and according to the expertise and reputation. </p>
<p>Even my other child's senior portraits in our rural state were not cheap....with a professional photographer.</p>
<p>The rate we get is for children or adults. For portraits, she charges more.
Granted, its a good rate, but even in New York we were able to find a headshot artist for a flate rate of 375.. We found him thru a friend who is a photo editor for a major fashion mag. I mentioned this because I wanted to point out that with a little shopping around you can find professional headshot photographers at a better rate</p>
<p>As with anything, you need to find out what it includes (this varies a bunch) and compare their work. </p>
<p>I know headshots can be had for less. The rate of the person I quoted is in line with others that include what he includes and are of his level. I just checked several in NYC like him and their rates were similar for similar level and similar things it included. As with anything, you can find a service at a wide range of rates.</p>
<p>I SHOULD have known better than to question that rate. Ive been involved in the entertainment industry in California (and for two years as a casting director) and Ive seen a lot of young people taken to the cleaners by headshot photographers and when your scraping along without parents to shell out the moola----you need to know that you DO NOT NEED to spend 600 for a highly professional job. Im looking at Natalieyoungla.com as we speak and she has a "starving artist" package for 250.. She is as professional as they come. Now I am not implying that you were taken atvantage of. On the contrary....</p>
<p>While there ARE scams.....I can assure you this is NOT that sort of thing. If you look at the well known headshot photographers in NYC for THEATER headshots, and those that include many looks in the sitting, over 100 digital prints on the proofs, and two retouched photos, and both indoor and outdoor shots, the going rate is in the ballpark of $500. </p>
<p>Not only were we not taken to the cleaners....and have gone back now for at least four sets of heashots over the past 8 years, this person was recommended by my child's agent in NYC who is a top agent and I can tell you of multiple well known actors who use this headshot photographer and in fact, I recognized many of the photos on display in his studio. Those in the theater industry in NYC who have well known theatrical agents, use headshot photographers such as the person we use. Of course, you can find headshot for less. You do NOT need to spend $600 for a session with a headshot photographer to get into college! My D's heashots are used for other purposes including professional. I'm sure there are good photographers out there doing good work who charge less. We chose to go with the recommendation when our child was ten or eleven of her theater agent who is well respected in the industry with multiple clients on Broadway, many whom use this photographer ,among others. That doesn't mean a college applicant needs to do this. A snapshot can even be used. My child was cast in NYC for a professional job that took her around the country, including a booking at Lincoln Center and at the Kennedy Center, using a "headshot" taken by her Daddy! (before she had REAL headshots)She was up against kids with Broadway credits with professional shots. However, since that time, she has had professional headshots taken in NYC and used them for two year stints at a time. Actually, I recall in one sitting, (not this past year), the photographer told me he was asked by CMU to do all their senior BFA headshots for showcase....they brought him to CMU. This is the level of his work. I am SURE you can find, as with any service, something for less. </p>
<p>But I am responding just to be clear that this example of our headshot photographer is NOT one of the "scams" in the industry that takes clients or parents "to the cleaners." I know that exists. This person is not of that vein and is well known and respected in the theater industry in NYC and as I said, recommended by a top agent, as well. We do not live in NYC and so went by her recommendation. We have since recommended our headshot photographer to many others.</p>
<p>PS...I posted before looking at your link to a photographer in LA. This is a great example of my point of comparing apples to apples and not apples to oranges in terms of what it includes. Natalie's starving artist package for $250 includes basic retouching for one image and just ONE Look. Her package for TWO looks and retouching TWO images costs $500 which is the rate I said was in the ballpark in NYC for this sort of service. My D had way more than two looks.....had over 100 edited proofs on the contact sheets she could keep, had indoor and outdoor shots, had retouching on two images, and a CD of the images. I venture to say that was more in line with Ms. Young's second package for $500 though my D's session doesn't include the stylist for make up and hair. Also Ms. Young says her private sessions start at $1000. My D's session was private and nobody else was in the studio at that time. And of course these are different city markets.</p>
<p>If you can get a decent headshot out of your senior picture package, or from a friend or classmate, or schoolmate in a photography class, I would highly recommend that. Several schools will want you to get one in your freshman year from "their" people -- no sense in shelling out big bucks during the already expensive audition process that you don't need to!</p>
<p>Four years ago, b/w vertical was pretty much still the standard for theatre (as opposed to camera work) headshots. Now, color and horizontal are much more common - I'd say maybe close to 50-50, especially if your coloring is something that would be enhanced by color photos.</p>
<p>:confused:
I (who am not a photographer) took several pictures of my daughter on her digital camera. I then uploaded the pictures, bought Kodak glossy and non-glossy paper to print 8x10's and VOILA! Not only were they good enough for college auditions, but they were beautiful!! It wasn't about the $ more about saving precious time.
Now at college it's a different story. :)</p>
<p>I have to back up soozievt on the headshot price: my daughter recently had hers done in NYC for about the same price. However, the session was not the bare minimum: it included 3 8 x 10 prints of different poses, retouching, a makeup artist (who spent almost an hour doing her hair and makeup), a CD, and over 100 exposures. The whole thing took over 3 hours. If you plan to get pictures done again in a year or so, it makes sense to go with the "starving artist" rate. But we expect these headshots to last for a few years, so we went with the more complete package.</p>
<p>onstage....right...as I also indicated, my D's headshots were not only for college auditions but are used for at least two years each time. It is not necessary to spend this kind of money for the sole purpose of college auditions....not at all. But most of you have kids going into this field and they will need theatrical headshots. So, we got them for THAT purpose AND for college auditions AND to get copies as senior portraits for family and yearbook. My D has already used her headshots many times for auditions beyond the college admissions process....at school, professionally, summer stock, etc.</p>
<p>I know that MusThCC mentions colleges wanting you to get headshots from "their" people but I have not run into any of that at my D's school so far and she is a junior. Her school has nothing to do with her headshots. Perhaps they will when it comes time for senior showcase; I don't know. By then, my D will be ready for NEW headshots. She gets them after about 2 years or so. So, the ones she had for college admissions were not going to take her through to senior showcase. They were taken at age 15 which was her age when she started the application process. She had new ones taken mid soph year at 18 (in color which is newer and one is vertical and one is horizontal) and my guess is she might again mid senior year at 20. I don't feel the shots taken at 15 are suitable for what she auditions for now. Then again, she was just cast as a 12 year old, so what do I know? LOL</p>
<p>Just to throw this out there - Remember that at most (if not all) schools, professional headshots are not required for audition. I did not have them; You can have a friend take your picture (in a 'headshot' setting) and use that. I did this and still was accepted to a few top programs.</p>
<p>However, I have never had prof. headshots done -- it would have been nice! It was kind of intimidating/a little jealousy seeing the other kids' prof. headshots. If you have the money to spare - go for it. If not, don't fret.</p>
<p>Last idea -- at least at Baldwin-Wallace, the MTs are taken to Cleveland to get prof. headshots taken in the fall of their sophomore year, and I believe to Chicago to get them in the fall of senior year. I'm not sure what other schools offer for this?</p>
<p>I'm getting my headshots done up in Cleveland from a photographer by the name of Eric Mull. He is by far one of the best photographers to get headshots from and it isn't overly expensive. My headshots are just going to be my senior pictures. I decided since i'm going to need senior pics why not just get different headshots done so I can use them for college. Speaking of headshots, is it better to have them done in color or black and white?</p>
<p>NATE...color or black and white are fine. It so happens that color is the current trend for theatrical headshots in NYC. If you plan to use these professionally or for auditions in NYC, you may wish to consider color if you are using these for a few years.</p>
<p>Kyle....agreed that you don't need professional headshots to get into college. The thing is, you need a headshot past these few months for other auditions and so you might just want to get them done now to use later, and maybe double up to also use as your senior graduation portraits. I don't think my D's BFA program takes anyone to get headshots. But she goes to NYU in NYC and students can readily pick from many headshot photographers while in school. All of my D's peers have professional headshots. I don't know what is done senior year for showcase but I am GUESSING that they discuss headshots and tips for them and maybe suggest ones but I just know before senior year, headshots are necessary to have for many auditions at college and for theatrical jobs outside of college, including summer work. If you plan to audition at things like StrawHats, you will be up against those who are already out of college as well as in college who usually will present a professional headshot. Even for college auditions while in school, my observation is the kids are using professional headshots as well. You can get these at a range of rates. It is likely cheaper outside of NYC as well. It is not crucial for college admissions to have these. But a good headshot is your calling card for auditions outside of college admissions, for casting purposes. For college admissions, it is more like they need to remember who each student is and their type, etc.</p>
<p>Headshots are not necessary for auditioning for programs. Like Soozievt said, her daughter gets new ones every 2 years, so getting them done youre senior year of HS seems like a waste of money. For example, at BW we don't start to really audition professionally until our Sophomore year (with a few exceptions) that is why Sophomores get headshots. Not sure if it's the same at other programs, but why go to a big open call like strawhats as a freshmen when you're not ready? just my opinion. Also, get color. Black and White is no longer the standard, and may be looked at as green (this doesn't apply for program auditions). </p>
<p>Nate, Eric Mull does a great job for how much he charges. I recomend him to anyone within 2-3 hours of Cleveland.</p>
<p>My d. had headshots and 2 looks for a comp card for $395.00. That included the hair and make-up artist. She got a cd of proofs. We were able to take it to digitec for senior pictures at a very reasonable cost. We ordered headshots online for her college audition. 25 8x10 for 44.00. They should be coming in a few days. She had the pictures done through an agency. Since then she did a "hair show" and made back more than what the photo session cost. I am thrilled to have the CD. I plan to have a few more pictures made and framed for relatives. Some kids at her school are paying $700.00 for a senior photo session and no cd. I'm glad we went with the agency and got the cd. Hopefully she can use it for the next 2 years.</p>
<p>BWMT...getting them done in early fall of senior year in HS and again in early soph year of college and again for senior showcase in college is not unreasonable at all. The headshots taken to get into college surely have been used by my kid and her peers beyond college admissions. They are used for auditions AT school. But I don't understand your point about why go to StrawHats as a freshman when you "are not ready"? My D went to StrawHats in spring of freshman year of college and was cast at a small Equity Theater. MANY of her friends worked that summer at professional summer stock....either through StrawHats, other regional auditions such as NETC, specific auditions by theaters held in NYC or places like MUNY, and so on and many worked. My own daughter has attended professional auditions but many of her classmates have as well. Even being in NYC, she is sometimes cast in something outside of school and/or in summers. She's not unusual that way at all. Most of the BFA students I know are using their headshots periodically throughout the school year and in summers. In just the last few weeks, I can think of about five times my D has used her headshot. The ones taken for admissions can be used for two or three years and then new ones taken again for college senior showcases. Most of her peers, including herself, had headshots before applying to college as well.....for casting purposes. Most of the students I am working with have had headshots prior to college auditions and if not, surely have them taken for college auditions, with hopes of using them beyond that short period of time. My D has needed a headshot for years when auditioning in theater. I suppose if you only do high school shows, then you don't need headshots. In college, at the very least, they are used for production auditions at school.</p>