my thoughts on the previously posted pics -- don't read if you haven't looked yet

[rm]

I keep going back and forth on the first one. Tragic or alien? Tragic and alien? I need to shut up before I write myself a TV show. Oh, wait.... Anyway.... tragic/alien -- are either of those things good? I should also note that this photo was literally the first shot of the day. It might be the one. I don't know. It's a strange photo.

The second one -- it's a great pic, right? I feel like it says, "I should be a cabaret singer." I am NOT a singer.

Third one -- not a headshot, was never meant to be, but I do like it. Will wind up on my website in some form.

The brick fucking shirt -- god, I hate my hair there. I've found a few others in the set that I like a lot though. It's a good shot and represents me pretty well and are more accessible. But I don't know... they don't wow. But the wow me is so scary (see photo 1 again), that maybe gentler is a good way to go?

Black top, leaning against the wall -- I have no idea who that woman is. NONE. I want to like it more. I don't like it AT ALL.

The suit pics -- EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM IS FANTASTIC. Actually there's a bunch that blow, but all the ones where I'm STANDING ON A TABLE ON A ROOF are awesome. It's both unsurprising and a little confronting to me to see. It's also sort of hilarious: "Here, stand on this wobbly fucking table, on the edge of this really windy fucking roof in sub-zero temperatures, and pretend that doesn't make you feel like you're about to die."

Comments

[demotu.livejournal.com]

I love both the blue ones hardcore. I love the first one more, because the lack of a smile makes the overt emotion in the eyes so powerful. I want to know who she is and what her story is. And the blue makes your skin look so beautifully clear!

The red shirt one I find sweet and inviting, like I'd want to come over for dinner, but not powerful.

It's funny you said the black one is unfamiliar, because it is sort of an outlier. It's gentler than the "power" shots, but unlike the red shirt or the third shot, it's sultry rather than warm. To me, she's saying "I know what you're looking for, are you ready for it yet?"

The suits are, of course, wonderful. The first one's more boyish, though, and the second more manly, and I think I prefer it for that reason. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of those, though, because I actually find them less interesting in terms of lighting and setting. Your face does well with some obvious light and shadow, and it isn't in those shots.

[kel-reiley.livejournal.com]

I love both the blue ones hardcore. I love the first one more, because the lack of a smile makes the overt emotion in the eyes so powerful. I want to know who she is and what her story is. And the blue makes your skin look so beautifully clear!

oh, this, yes ::nods::
srsly, i kept going back up to look at that one, it just kept drawing my attention and, like i said before, the eyes were sort of mesmerizing

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

I may be weird (let me rephrase that--I've been called weird too many times for "maybe"), but the top picture in the blue dress looks vulnerable to me, not scary-alien. And of the two suit photos, I like the first one better.

If only

[newwaytowrite.livejournal.com]

your analysis of your photos were part of the deal when the photos were presented. Then it would be beyond obvious how insightful, thoughtful, amazing and brazenly qualified you are no matter what part they may offer you up for an audition.

Sometimes casting people need to be taken through their own thought process by the actor who they are judging.

[elionwyr.livejournal.com]

Wow - I like the one of you in black, in part because it is so..foreign? That's not quite the word.

I've had that experience of seeing myself in a photo and not knowing who that person is. It's a very strange feeling.

[tsarina.livejournal.com]

I love the intensity of that first one. I think it is one of your super powers.

The one in the black top makes me think of epic Merchant Ivory period pieces for some reason.

[ladypeculiar.livejournal.com]

The first one is your legit headshot-- without a doubt. I'd send that as your default, if you're only sending one. Though the brick shirt one is going to get you the boring work . . like the house insurance commercial work.

LOVE the suit pics . . that's your side jacket photo, dude.

[rm.livejournal.com]

THe suit photo is TOTALLY my book photo (honestly, that's a big part of what it's for, you know, when I need such a thing).

Okay, I trust you about that first one. I worry about the sad thing, but it keeps dragging my eyes back for reasons other than my own vanity, so that must be something.

[ladypeculiar.livejournal.com]

No . . trust me, that's the one. It gets a second look, and that's all you need.

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

I feel you on the sad thing; I've got a "sad" face too, and it's annoying sometimes, and I'm not even in a business where I need a face. But there's a lot more to that one than just sad.

[imaginarycircus.livejournal.com]

But it is sad in the very best way--like you have a secret that is horrible, but also an amazing story.

[trifles.livejournal.com]

like you have a secret that is horrible

Very good line. That's it exactly. Much as I love the second, direct suit shot, that very first photo is the one that I keep flashing back to.

[kargashina.livejournal.com]

The first blue one holds the eye

[kirby-crow.livejournal.com]

Tragic and alien kind of describes "ethereal". It works, regardless.

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

Aww, man, I liked the one with the black shirt. I think it makes your eyes stand out because they're not drawn to color like they are in the blue shirt pics. :D

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

The first blue one is decidedly evocative, and thus shows that you can project emotion even in a still shot - which means you can act. Plenty of cute typical little things can do "accessible"; go with your strengths. Even, and especially when, they're scary. Cute typical little things can't do scary either.

My OCD about the shirt sticking out a bit made it hard to judge #3, but it's good and seems to sum you up well in a Rachel Maddow-esque way.

Black top - it doesn't look like "you" you, but it does speak, and I like the pairing it with the suit pics because it's their opposite in a lot of ways. Which may be a lot of why it isn't you. But I think you could play that part.

Can't wait for roof pics.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Those suit shots are the roof pics. Which is why it's hilarious that I look all strong and powerful, since I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO PLUMMET TO MY DEATH.

[ravenskye8.livejournal.com]

...and thus is proven that you have great acting skills...

[feyandstrange.livejournal.com]

Triple awesome.

[genmaicha.livejournal.com]

The first one draws. There's something that captures.

[orlacarey.livejournal.com]

I love the first one - but I think my favorite is the black dress leaning against the wall. I like the first suit one more than the second, but they're both good - actually I like them all so I'm no help.

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

I love the first photo, I do. I dunno. I'm a "don't pull punches" kind of gal, but what do I know? But I like it.

[ravenskye8.livejournal.com]

I still like the black leaning against the wall one... It makes me think of what your facial expression/body language might be if we went for a chat over coffee... without the whole leaning against the wall thing...

IMO, it's a very stereotypically feminine pose though... (Imagine a guy standing in back of you with his hand protectively on your shoulder...)

The brick shirt pose is a good casual shot - In terms of resumes, I was thinking sitcom or commercial auditions with it... It also is very androgynous...

One does not need to comment further on the suit of awesome pic... :)

[bunnybutt.livejournal.com]

I loved the first one, and the last one.

I know nothing about the industry, or books, or headshots, or what constitutes a "good" one. But those were my favorites.

[newsbean.livejournal.com]

Looking at them all again (and I will in the morning, too) the one that I can't turn away from is the first.

It's the one. It is.

[editrx.livejournal.com]

Having had the luck (unluck?) to have the job of looking at hundreds of headshots a day for casting back when God was young, my first gut reaction is #1 and #5 for "hire me" shots. Granted, these aren't many choices here, but out of that bunch, those two stand out to my eye.

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

The first one is extremely evocative, your eyes are haunting - in the second one where you smile it feels as though you want to say something, but are not sure how to phrase it.

Your hair in those shots are awesome!

The one of you in black is very elegant, you're thinking Deep Thoughts!

Dude, red brick is your colour!

The one of you in white is pretty, but doesn't do much else for me.

Suits, omg, the suits! The one of you looking out into the distance, that is super-hero worthy, really, really. The second one, looking into the camera, "oh yeah, motherfucker, this is ME!".

Those are my thoughts.

[jackolantern.livejournal.com]

Tragic or alien? Tragic and alien?

Loving the alien.

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

"Here, stand on this wobbly fucking table, on the edge of this really windy fucking roof in sub-zero temperatures, and pretend that doesn't make you feel like you're about to die."

For the record, you're doing a phenomenal job of that. Now that I know about the table on a roof, though, they're even better.

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

Given that you hate the wall pic, I'd pick the first one. It's the best contrast to the suit shots, outside of the wall picture. And both have implied story to them. :)

[schpahky.livejournal.com]

I liked the first photo more than the second one, because it seemed more like you - malleable, alert, unconcerned with making people comfortable. I know the smile is perhaps important for marketing but...well, is it?

The second suit photo is my favorite.

And yeah, the black top...that was confusing. A good photo, but dang, that 1/64 of a second plays tricks.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

The thing about the black shirt post? Every show I've worked on, one of the actors has had that pose in their headshot.

I don't know if that makes it a better idea or a worse one, but it's at least a common and successful enough trope that I've seen it a lot.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, totally. I mean, I KNOW. I actually know why I hate it, other than I don't like my hair in it. It's the submissive dog pose. If I tilt my head, will you like me?

[gement.livejournal.com]

Hence showing variety, I'm afraid.

[popfiend.livejournal.com]

I love them all, but in #'s 3 & 4 you look like you're trying to smile rather than just smiling. It doesn't seem to meet your eyes and it's less "scary alien" than "sad". It creates a response contrary to the content if that makes any sense.

The suit pictures made me think, "OMG It's the Doctor!" Can I ride in your TARDIS?

Have to agree with the suit pics...

[the-ogre.livejournal.com]

...at least for the two you posted. They really are fantastic.

[nicoli-dominn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I got the same vibe from the black-top picture. I've seen that pose with a lot of celebrity headshots and for some reason, they all make me think of Jennifer Aniston or Carrie Underwood or someone like that. ::shudder:: The second blue-top picture does also give me that vibe of not being you at all.

I think you should go ahead and wow people...acting and theatre is all about drama. If you can't somehow impress people, one way or another, it might be hard to get the parts you like. Or maybe not. I don't know a lot about this business from the acting perspective...

my opinions; let me show you them

[elynne.livejournal.com]

The red shirt shot is one I'd pick for a book jacket photo; out of all of them, that one seems to have the most - closest-to-surface personality, least mask, but it's much more personal and less fronty. WORDS ARE NOT MY FRIENDS RIGHT NOW I HAVE NOT HAD COFFEE but yeah.

Black shirt woman is Meryl Streep. That's who I think of when I see that picture.

The last picture, where you're in the suit looking straight at the camera, is sex. That and the first blue picture. Both gorgeous.

I have to admit, I was really hoping for a picture of you laughing, or a generally more "candid" photo - but I suspect that's very much not what headshots are for, so.

[placate-me.livejournal.com]

The first shot (with the blue top) is definitely your strongest legit shot. It looks like you are a committed actor, and shows depth and intelligence behind your eyes. I do think that your should have the retoucher colour correct your ears to be closer to your facial skintone--same with your decollete, as it looks lighter and more blown out. Over all, I think it is very strong headshot. I think you would get the most calls with this one, and it will stand out in the piles of headshots that CDs receive. Go with the wow. Seriously. I work with a celebrity portrait photographer, and wow is what makes you money and gets you the work that makes you happy.

Did you take any commercial shots, or are you not really interested in submitting for stuff like that?

[better-late24.livejournal.com]

The first one was the one I just kept coming back to.