When your Headshot Photographer Worry about The Outcome Of Your Shoot Well they should since it is your job they're messing with!
I received this nice comment today from the lady who I photographed yesterday. It's a fairly common testimonial in addition to the previous couple of words - "you cared about the end result too, so thanks" Thanks for yesterday, you've made taking headshots simple and easy , enjoyable! It felt like you thought about the end result too, so thanks.
Wow! that helped me consider my position as a headshot photographer and the results I deliver.
I didn't think I altered my method of this client from any other client, I try to treat everybody exactly the same - and that i do care about the outcomes of my headshot session.
Dallas Headshot PhotographerHowever it made me think. I'm certain there are actors headshots photographers out there with huge ego's, who're very busy or maybe don't need to worry the flow of clients because they think themselves to become 'great headshot photographers' and the clients can come anyway. Possibly there are photographers out there that do not know any different. Admittedly not that many but they're increasing in numbers all of the time due mainly to the availability of fantastic modern cameras which do all of the technical stuff for you personally. Often this "new era" of photographers don't have the complete selection of skills must be a good headshot photographer - they just point and press leaving the camera to complete all the work.
The crux of the matter is this, will we as headshot photographers care about what goes on to our clients after they leave the studio? Should we care if the headshots we give them really do anything for their careers, whether or not our headshots help them get work, hep them get past the first buying process towards the audition stage. I believe we ought to.
Headshots and Auditioning
Admittedly once they arrive at the audition it's as much as them to show their acting skills and ultimately weather they get the part is up to their auditioning skills, however for many clients they will not even get near to that stage with no great headshot to get them beyond the keen eye of a Casting Director.
Out of sheer professional duty we ought to care, but more to the point morally we should care weather or otherwise we gave the customer the right headshot, the best advice and weather it's employed by them being an actors headshot. I'd hate the thought of one of my clients being constantly told that "their headshot was rubbish" or " it isn't showing you very well" or " it's just not you".
Dallas Headshot PhotographersIt is a tough business this acting game and everybody expects to take some knocks, but we are able to cope with those providing there are several ups to go with the downs. If however an actress includes a poor headshot - and they have no idea it - because they've paid a lot of money to some 'professional headshot photographer' - they'll soon get fed up with the rejections and think it's themselves who are at fault. When it's not it is the fact that they have a poor headshot and may well have been given poor advice. The ego's of numerous within this business can be fragile at the better of times lets not add to the difficulties actors face by being sloppy within our attitudes.
I think most of my company ethos would be to give people an excellent headshot along with expert consultancy which i have discovered over the Two decades of employed in this field, in the end most of the clients we shoot are young, or a new comer to this business and like several businesses we should work hard at giving our customers a superior service - if perhaps for the purely selfish reasons of customer loyalties and good testimonials.
I'm sure that basically didn't care bout my work, about the clients needs I am photographing or obtaining the best headshot for your person word would soon spread, and that we all know bad news travels fast.
And lastly remember - it's your career they're messing with!