Headshot Session: How to Shoot for Free
We’re all feeling the economic crunch — and let’s face it. We actors always seem to be in a… ‘less than awesome’ financial state. So when it comes to headshots, some of us literally can’t afford to spend any money getting them. Do we give up, and get Bob across the hall in 4C to use his point and shoot Canon while we grin from the studio kitchen?
No. There are ways to get a headshot session for free.
Free Headshot Tactic #1
Make a deal with a headshot photographer. Construct a personalized email to a half dozen headshot photographers, and make them a deal. If they shoot you for free, you will email your entire class list / college BFA list / actor friend list telling them about how great this photographer is, and how happy you are. If they get one or two paying referrals out of it, shooting you for free is worth it.
Make sure you don’t send out a generic email — but touch upon various things each particular photographer you like does, and compliment them on it. A little flattery can sometimes go a long way.
Free Headshot Tactic #2
Use ModelMayhem.com. I know, I know — we serious actors think the fashion world is the bane of artisic existance, etc. However — you might be able to get a free session out of it, so don’t turn your back on fashion just yet!
ModelMayhem.com is free, and you can set up a profile and get approved within a day or so. Make sure to submit a good photo of yourself (yes, a “pretty” one), get approved, and begin searching for photographers in your area. Approach a dozen of them about doing a TFP shoot.
What is a TFP Shoot?: Time for Prints. Your time = free shoot for you. You get either a CD of images (ask for this), and/or prints — and the photographer gets a free shoot and images he can use for advertising.
Make sure to get a feel for each photographer you approach, see if you can ask other models/actors about their experience, and never shoot with any photographer that asks you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.
That said — there are a TON of photographers on ModelMayhem who are really, really good. Again — send them personalized messages and use honest flattery to get them to open up to the idea of shooting you for free.
Free Headshot Tactic #3:
Get drunk, jump a subway turnstale, and get arrested. They have darn good cameras at the NYPD — and you might get some free press, too!
Please Note: Free Headshot Tactic #3 is a joke.
Happy Shooting!
Want more headshot advice?
– The Bean’s Photographer Resource Page
– Headshot Session: How to Shoot for Free
– Headshot Session: How to Choose an Awesome Headshot Photographer
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