headshots

[rm]

I've not looked through all 505 shots yet. These are a few that grabbed me from the ones the photog said were his favorite.

Color is EXTREMELY unforgiving and these are unretouched. Just so you know. Comments on what says "me" and "hire me" welcome. Comments on things the retoucher will fix (everything from unevenness in my lipstick to stray hair to clothing wrinkles), while welcome, aren't needed; I pay people for that ;)

I have things to say about all of them and me and the process and what I see about me in them, but I don't want to share until I hear you all as I am a biasing force, although I will admit I'm in that "I'm ugly and weird" phase of this process (totally typical) because of how NOT MODERN my face is no matter what I do.

Also, there will be more posted later as I'll probably bounce around in a few directions in the process of making choices. And yes, I'll be choosing multiple photos for multiple purposes including a couple of headshots, a little special skills card (with dance and fencing photos) and various other things.

I am doing color because, despite kinda everything about me, film loves me and I love film.

Comments

[wcg.livejournal.com]

My top three are 4, 2, and 7, in that order.

I think 2 is the best "hire me" shot, though 4 will work for that too. 4 and 7 are the ones that I think best convey your persona as I've come to understand it.

[teaotter.livejournal.com]

The first one -- I go back and forth between it being the most amazing portrait shot I've ever seen, or a bit too.... sad, maybe? But only in comparison to the other shots. It's easy to read the start of almost any (intense) emotion into that one. It really feels like the moment right before something amazing happens.

[firinel.livejournal.com]

The ones I love aren't always the ones I think are most grabbing in a versatile hire me sort of way, though some are, like #7. I think everyone's thinking #7 is it.

How many do you get to pick to be retouched? Here's the ones I both like, I think make you saleable, and what I think they convey:
#1 is the whole femme fatale thing.
#4 friendly/unassuming/non-threatening main supporting character friend type
#5 romantic lead with brains
(and #7, in case that wasn't obvious)

Though I like #2 better than #1, I feel like you've got smiling with #4. Not that you can't have two smiling, but I think what you're trying to convey or appeal to in #2 would be less clear. The outfit (and Apparent Breasts) suggest a sexy sort of thing, but even though you're smiling, it's not a come hither sort of look, it's a little too direct than is usually considered to be appealing in that situation (where, in contrast, I'd say #7 could be considered direct and sexy, and it is absolutely appealing and appropriate in that situation - I think it's more than a gendering thing, but I think that could easily be a big part of it.)

aand perhaps you didn't want us to give that much thought to it? so I'll leave my thoughts there and hope they've been helpful.

[heartofoshun.livejournal.com]

Like everyone else said: you are beautiful! I liked the very top one and the suit shots.

[miep.livejournal.com]

Ok, first pic in the suit made me say, "oh. it's the Doctor." first reaction and all. ;)

first blue dress shot is super pretty and innocent looking. fragile. Second blue one is very frank and open looking. It says, hire me to be someone straightforward and pleasant. Brick shirt one is AWESOME and looks like I should see it on the wall of some fabulous theater, like the Guthrie, only better. Love the black dress, black and white, and straight-on suit shots. Suit reads as androgynous, but not in a Dietrich/Garbo kinda way.

all in all, really really lovely.

[rhiannonstone.livejournal.com]

The one of you in the infamous brick-colored shirt (and oh wow, it does look great on you) as well as the one directly below it are very much "Hire me for I am competent and beautiful and very versatile" shots.

You in the suit look so much like my ex that even though you're gorgeous in them I can't look at them for very long. This is a compliment; he was compellingly beautiful.

[marchek.livejournal.com]

The first shot (blue shirt, no smile) strikes me as character who feels she's been wronged and willing to do something to rectify that. Great shot but intense and very specific. The first person I thought of when I saw that shot is Juilette Binoche.

The red shirt reads as a the good-natured protagonist, like in a romantic comedy. Really nice sunlight.

The second suit shot definitely says hire me although I think of it as a great shot more for print work than for acting. Maybe it's because I don't feel a specific character in it but maybe that's what a headshot is supposed to be in order for the director to imposed what they need onto you, I don't really know. Fantastic shot of the suit.

My hands down favorite is the black shirt leaning against the wall. This is the photo that shows you as the romantic lead the Australian saw you embodying.

[valkyrwench.livejournal.com]

1 and 5 and OMG SUIT! They're all wonderful, but those four are the ones that drew my eye immediately, and the ones I kept coming back to.

[saomigray.livejournal.com]

I find the first and the last most visually interesting. There is something about the way you're sort of staring down the camera that pulls me in and makes me wonder what it is you're hiding.

You leaning against the wall in the black dress feels sort of sophisticated in a timeless sort of way.

[regyt.livejournal.com]

You're breathtaking in a suit. Of the dress ones, I like the top one best.

[laughingirl.livejournal.com]

I like 5 and 7 the best... with 5 being my very favorite.

[random-girl.livejournal.com]

I love you in the red with the smile. I also love the last picture in the suit with the smile on the edges of your mouth and a sort of strength in your eyes.

[theotoky.livejournal.com]

all are fabulous for all kinds of different reasons but that last one? YOU. it's you. amazing shot.

[melebeth]

The first one says "HIRE ME" to me. It's incredibly strong and striking. It looks like you and, to me, the sort of roles you seem to be cast as. Red shirt is "cast me as a fighter pilot," and holy hell you look hot in the suit, but I can't figure out which one reads better as a headshot. The second one is kind of Hugh Grant, of all things. The first one is very "young professional" but it doesn't have eye contact and for headshots... they always say that's the thing.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Okay, true confession, I had that Hugh Grant moment too. Which makes me scared of both of us.

I think I look so weird in the red shirt one. I'm sorta of freaked out that everyone likes it.

I don't think too sad in that first one?

And yeah, it's almost a heartbreak the suit shot is so good, since I can only use it for certain occasional things, because it's SO GOOD.

[pineapplechild.livejournal.com]

Ooo, lovely.

I would go for the second suit, and the black dress leaning against the wall, foremost. Then the white shirt (and pencil skirt?), and possibly the first blue dress. That first blue dress one is a bit remote feeling, but I rather like it, whereas I find the second blue dress one weirdly off putting. Someone said the first blue one felt "outside of time", which I quite agree with.

[kshandra]

Oh yay - I was beginning to think I was the only one who liked the pencil skirt.

[bluejeans07.livejournal.com]

I think my favorites are 2, 3, and 7 because you seemed the most relaxed and in control in these photos. You do look a bit nervous in few of the other ones but still very striking :D

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

I like the very first one and the one in the red. The very last one is also strong.

And I just realized I'm going to need a headshot soon.

[alabastard.livejournal.com]

I don't know you well enough to offer what these photos say about you, nut they are very well done and striking head shots, they seem to say, quite loudly, that beauty and character are not exclusive.

That is a FINE suit.

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

My first thought, "I wish I could see a portrait of you painted by John Singer Sargent." Your sophistication and intelligence are apparent in these photos in the same manner as many of the women Sargent painted.

My favorites are of you leaning against the wall in the black outfit and the very first.

I could see you cast as a suburban mom, though not the vapid one, the one with brains and a life.

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I'm afraid my only reaction is "Oh, my GOD, she's beautiful."

[lllvis.livejournal.com]

With my limited experience in this area and things I've been told regarding headshots, I offer the following -

First off, it's difficult for me to choose a favorite, much less cull it down to say, two.

As an overall picture, I like the second, and the fourth. The third comes in a very close, well, third!

For headshot material, going off my acting coach's insistence that "it's all in the eyes" were I to pick a single one for a headshot based solely on that advice, I'd have to go with #4. I think the eyes give something that grabs my attention, as well as the other advice of "always have your character have a secret" and that seems to show in the eyes in that photo. Of course, to go with all this, is the advice I've received that the headshot these days should be VERY tight on the face, to the point where they are cropped down so far as to not show the entire head anymore.

I'm VERY interested in your self assessment of these pictures, as well as your reaction to my comment if possible!

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

I don't know how to choose -- they're all wonderful. But I must say the blue in that dress is stunning. Thank you so much for sharing these.

[ravenskye8.livejournal.com]

I love 4, 5, and 7...

7 - Everyone loves the last suit pic for obvious reasons... It has so much presence... and wow, you look hot in a suit...

5 - The leaning against the wall one, even though we've never met, I just feel that it really shows off your personality... it's very candid, even for a posed shot...

4 - the brick shirt is definitely your color, and your makeup shades even complement the shirt... it's a wonderful headshot, IMO...

Oh - and that last photo post? I was so struck, I had no idea what to say, and thought just posting to be the umpteenth person to say "wow" would be a bit silly...

[sihaya09.livejournal.com]

I think you are absolutely, without reservation, completely stunning.

[sihaya09.livejournal.com]

1, 3, 4, 7. Period. The end.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

that 1st pic, your eyes are utterly mesmerizing!
OMG THE SUIT! the suit pics are AWESOME!