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CSULB HEADSHOT LECTURE

HEADSHOTS THAT BOOK

How to build a headshot package that tells the industry where you fit.

@LNZYROSEPHOTO

 

THE LNZYROSEPHOTO HEADSHOT TEST

LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #1

WHAT JOB DOES THIS PICTURE DO?

EVERY CHOICE WE MAKE TODAY COMES BACK TO THIS QUESTION.


WHY YOUR HEADSHOT MATTERS

  • BEFORE THE ROOM
    Your photo may be what gets you invited in.

  • IN THE ROOM
    They expect the person they saw in the headshot to walk through the door.

  • AFTER THE ROOM
    You leave. Your picture stays.

YOUR HEADSHOT ISN’T SUPPOSED TO TELL SOMEONE EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.

IT’S SUPPOSED TO MAKE THE RIGHT PERSON WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT YOU.

 

LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #2

HUMAN ←————————→ DANCER

OUR HEADSHOTS PACKAGE IS A SPECTRUM.

 

LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #3

THE FACE WINS.

YOUR FACE IS THE PRODUCT. EVERYTHING ELSE SUPPORTS IT.

Your pose. Your clothes. Your styling. Your movement. Your body.

They can help tell the story.
They shouldn't become the story.


LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #4

YOUR BODY SPEAKS BEFORE YOU DO.

POSING CHANGES WHAT A PHOTOGRAPH SAYS ABOUT YOU.

CONFIDENT · RELAXED · YOUNG · MATURE · OPEN · GUARDED · POWERFUL · APPROACHABLE

NONE OF THEM ARE WRONG.

The question is: what are you trying to say?


POSING FOR COMMERCIAL SHOTS:

ARM PLACEMENTS:

HANDS ON HIPS = CONFIDENT

HANDS TO THE SIDE NOT DOING ANYTHING = DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING / READS CONFIDENT

CROSSED OR CLOSED OFF: TIMID / YOUNGER / SHY

HANDS IN POCKETS: RELAXED/ RELATABLE / HUMAN


THINGS TO NOTICE HERE:

  • MIDDLE PART VS. FLIPPED HAIR -

    MIDDLE PART IS MORE EVERYDAY AND TOSSED OVER THE SIDE IS A LITTLE BIT FLIRTIER OR “GIRLIER” OR EVEN SEXIER IN SOME PHOTOS

  • HAND IN POCKETS AS A “HUMAN POSE” READS VERY “COOL AND EASY”

TRY NOT TO PUT YOUR WHOLE HAND IN YOUR POCKET. IT CUTS OFF LINES. TRY THUMBS IN POCKETS AND FINGERS OUT OR FINGERS IN AND THUMBS OUT FOR A MORE RELAXED VIBE.


CLOSED OF ARMS:

FIRST IMAGE: CLOSED OFF ARMS TEND TO READ YOUNGER OR MORE SHY

SECOND IMAGE: CROSSED ARMS CAN READ THE SAME AS THE FIRST IMAGE, BUT ALSO ADDS CHARACTER. SASSIER, MOODIER, A TAD BIT OLDER, LIKE AN OLDER SISTER

HUMAN, NOT DANCER.

For commercial shots, ask yourself: Would I naturally do this if a friend were taking my picture?


ARM AND ELBOW PLACEMENT

  • HOW THAT CAN DETERMINE FOCAL POINTS AND BODY SHAPE:


FACIALS / AND HOW IT CHANGES A PHOTO

NOTICING THE LEVELS OF FACE:

IMAGE 1: SMILING, WARM, AND RELATABLE. (WORKS AS A PLAIN COMMERCIAL SHOT.) DEMOGRAPHIC: ANY TOWN USA

IMAGE 2 : A LITTLE MORE “MASC” (BASED ON THE WAY THEY ARE SITTING) EASING US INTO A PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL SHOT. DEMOGRAPHIC: BRANDS THAT PROBABLY BE TARGETED TO HER. NEWER BRANDS, MORE AWARE BRANDS, SUSTAINABLE BRANDS, ETC.

IMAGE 3 : GIVING FACE. THEY ARE PLEASANT. BUT ALMOST SHOWING OFF THE STYLE OF THEIR HAIR. THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED MORE “PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL” DEMOGRAPHIC: BRANDS THAT PROBABLY BE TARGETED TO HER. NEWER BRANDS, MORE AWARE BRANDS, SUSTAINABLE BRANDS, ETC.

IMAGE 4: MOODY. MAYBE ANNOYED. EMBRACING THEIR MASC SIDE MORE AND NOT AS RELATABLE TO EVERY BRAND AND EVERY TOWN USA. DEMOGRAPHIC: BRANDS THAT PROBABLY BE TARGETED TO HER. NEWER BRANDS, MORE AWARE BRANDS, SUSTAINABLE BRANDS, ETC.

IMAGE 5 : MORE THEATRICAL. A BIT MORE SERIOUS. CAN BE USED FOR MORE ACTING GIGS RATHER THAN JUST DANCE ROLES. FEELS MORE VAGUE THAN THE LAST FEW. BACK TO A VAGUE COMMERCIAL LOOK.


HANDS NEAR FACE

NOTE: IF YOU HAVE SHORT HAIR, THIS IS WHEN HANDS NEAR FACE LOOKS BEST

TIP: KEEP YOUR HANDS LIGHT AND SLOWLY MOVING TO INSURE A “REAL” HUMAN VIBE


LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #5

YOUR STYLING TELLS A STORY.

WARDROBE, HAIR, LAYERS + DETAILS CHANGE WHAT THE PHOTO SAYS.

DRESS FOR THE JOB YOU WANT.

Ask yourself: What job does this version of me book?


HOW LAYERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

JEN - INDUSTRY / CONCERT


IMAGE 1 : “VAGUE COMMERCIAL” - WE GET AN IDEA OF HER, BUT IN A TONED DOWN WAY. WE STILL CAN’T PUT HER IN A BOX.

IMAGE 2 : GETTING A LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIFIC. BUT SHE CAN STILL PLAY A RANGE OF HUMAN.

IMAGE 3 : “PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL” - WE UNDERSTAND WHO THIS HUMAN IS AS A PERSON.

  • NOTE - JEN ARRIVED IN THIS SHIRT. I ENCOURAGED HER TO WEAR IT. SHE SAYS THIS SHIRT HAS BEEN A STAPLE IN HER LIFE FOR YEARS AND SHE WEARS THIS SHIRT WEEKLY. SHE ALSO FEELS LIKE ITS GOOD ON CAMERA SINCE SHE HAS DONE SUCCESSFUL VIDEO CASTINGS WITH THIS SHIRT ON. SO WE DECIDED THAT IT’S THE PERFECT BUTTON UP TO WEAR FOR HER HEADSHOTS AS WELL, BECAUSE IT’S EXACTLY WHAT HER PERSONAL STYLE IS.


CANYON - INDUSTRY / COMPANY / CONCERT

MICHAEL - INDUSTRY / TOUR


JESS - INDUSTRY

GLASSES VS. NO GLASSES


DANIELLE:

STRAIGHT HAIR VS. CURLY HAIR


SHANIE:

WHITE SHIRT VS. TANK TOP

IMAGE 1 : WHITE T-SHIRT / MORE EVERYDAY / LESS INTIMIDATING OR “SEXY” (PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL)

IMAGE 2 : MORE SKIN / BETTER FOR TOURS OR SPECIFIC ROLLS (SPECIFIC DANCE JOBS / THEATRICAL / OR PERSONAL STYLE TOURS )


RUSSELL

WITH THE SHIRT UNDER: SAFE AND REACHABLE TO A WIDER AUDIENCE

WITHOUT THE SHIRT: STYLIZED AND PERSONAL. DEFINES HIM AS A HUMAN


JOE :

JACKET VS. NO JACKET

IMAGE 1 : CAN FIT IN ANY BOX

IMAGE 2: FEELS MORE SPECIFIC TO CASTING MAYBE IN THE GAP / LEVIS / COOL GUY BRANDS


SCRUFF VS. NO SCRUFF

JACK - INDUSTRY/CONCERT

IMAGE 1 : OLDER

IMAGE 2 : YOUNGER


FITNESS SHOT

JACKET VS. NO JACKET


HAIR UP VS. HAIR DOWN


STANDING VS. SITTING + JACKET VS. NO JACKET + HAIR HALF UP VS. ALL UP


“POP TOUR” (A SUBCATEGORY OF PERSONAL STYLE TOUR LOOKS)

POSING / HOW TO MAKE THE WHOLE “LOOK” WORK

NOTICE HOW EVERYONE IS REALLY IN THEIR OWN STYLES HERE, EVEN IF THEY ARE TECHNICALLY SIMILAR OR GOING OUT FOR SIMILAR ARTISTS.

  • NOTE : FULL BODY SHOTS AREN’T ALWAYS NECESSARY SO A WAY TO CAPTURE THE WHOLE LOOK IS TO SIT ON THE GROUND. THAT WAY YOUR FEET AREN’T TOO FAR FROM YOUR FACE. WHEREAS FULL BODY PUTS YOU AT A SLIGHT DISADVANTAGE BECAUSE YOUR FACE IS VERY FAR FROM THE CAMERA AND ON CASTING SITES, YOU MAY JUST NOT STAND OUT AS MUCH AS SOMEONE WHO HAS THEIR FACE CLOSER TO THE CAMERA.


ADDING LAYERS TO CHANGE UP YOUR TOUR LOOKS:

GRACE - INDUSTRY / LATIN

HAIR DOWN / HAIR UP WITH JACKET / HAIR UP WITHOUT JACKET / ON THE FLOOR


JOSH - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

FULL SUIT / CLOSE UP SUIT / SITTING SUIT / PLAYING WITH JACKET / NO JACKET / NO SHIRT


JACK - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

STANDING WITH JACKET / SITTING ON STOOL WITH JACKET / PLAYING WITH JACKET


POSING / STYLING / TIPS FOR GROWN TOUR LOOKS

THIGH HIGHS AND HOW THEY CAN WORK IN YOUR ADVANTAGE:

2 LOOKS FOR THE PRICE OF ONE:

FULL BODY ADDS THE BOOTS AND LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA. WHILE CLOSE UP GIVES IT A TIMELESS HEELS VIBE


FULL BODY POSING AND WHAT IT SAYS ABOUT YOUR SHOT


SEATED POSING AND HOW TO MAKE THAT WORK FOR YOU AND YOUR OUTFIT:


LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #6

YOUR HEADSHOT PACKAGE IS A TEAM.

EVERY PHOTO SHOULD DO A DIFFERENT JOB.

Your COMMERCIAL shot opens doors.

Your PS/COMMERCIAL shot adds specificity.

Your FITNESS shot shows physique.

Your PS/TOUR shot shows where you belong.

Your GROWN shot shows you on stage.

Your SPECIALTY shots fill in the gaps.

DON'T MAKE THE SAME PHOTO TWO/THREE/FOUR TIMES.

TWO LOOKS = TWO JOBS.

If two photos would be submitted for the exact same job, why do you need both?


EXAMPLES OF ONE PERSON AND THEIR DIFFERENT LOOKS


BRIDGET - INDUSTRY / COMPANY / CONCERT


BRANDON - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / EDGY / EDGY WITH HEELS

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA


HUGH - INDUSTRY / MUSICAL THEATER

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL YOUNG / COMMERCIAL GROWN / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA


MAX - INDUSTRY / CHOREOGRAPHER

3 LOOK PACKAGE - PERSONAL STYLE / TRENDY / BODY SHOT - TOUR

MALE GROOMING: LO - @STYLELVR


COCO WILLIAMS - CONCERT DANCER

2 LOOKS PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS *(FITNESS CAN BE USED FOR BODY SHOTS IF NEEDED)

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA

RUDY - INDUSTRY / CHOREOGRAPHER

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / HIP HOP TOUR / EDGY TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA


LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #7

YOUR HEADSHOTS SHOULD EVOLVE WITH YOU.

YOUR FIRST PACKAGE ISN'T A FINAL ANSWER.

Put yourself into the industry. Pay attention to what responds. Learn what you're getting called in for — and what you're not.

THEN FILL THE GAPS.

Your headshots should grow with your career, not hold you to the person you were when you took them.

THE EVOLUTION OF MADDIE:

5 LOOK PACKAGE - DISNEY / FITNESS / COMMERCIAL / TRENDY COMMERCIAL / GROWN TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


LET’S LOOK AT HOW MADDIE EVOLVED WITH THE INDUSTRY - 3 YEARS LATER -

HONING IN ON WHERE THE INDUSTRY WAS GOING AND WHAT SHE WANTED TO BE BOOKING. * HER OLD PHOTOS ARE STILL BOOKING HER WORK, BUT BECAUSE SHE UNDERSTOOD WHAT AUDITIONS SHE WASN’T GETTING SHE FILLED THE GAPS WITH A MORE HUMAN SIDE OF HER, DEFINING WHO SHE ACTUALLY IS AS A PERSON. WHICH IS WHAT THE COMMERCIAL WORLD IS WANTING RIGHT NOW.

AND 1.5 YEARS AFTER THAT:

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA


FRANK - INDUSTRY / CHOREOGRAPHER

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL W/O FACIAL HAIR / COMMERCIAL WITH FACIAL HAIR AND DENIM LAYER / PERSONAL STYLE / TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA


ANNIE - INDUSTRY/CONCERT

2 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: ASIA - @asiacataldo


ROB RICH - INDUSTRY / TEACHER

ALL COMMERCIAL LOOKS

MAKEUP ARTIST & HAIR STYLIST: @_lizrich

 

B. GOSSE - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE / GROWN - TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE

B.GOSSE: (4YRS LATER):


ASANTE - INDUSTRY

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / GROWN

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


NURI - INDUSTRY/CONCERT/ARTIST’S ARTIST

COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR BUT ALSO WORK FOR PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL BECAUSE OF THE LIGHT MAKEUP / GROWN


FRIDA - BLOC

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / TRENDY COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / PERSONAL STYLE

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


WILL / WILLCONIQUE

COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR / DRAG (SPECIALTY ON RESUME)

LNZYROSEPHOTO RULE #8

YOU ARE THE BRAND.

YOUR JOB ISN'T TO LOOK LIKE EVERY OTHER DANCER.

Your headshots should make it easier for the industry to understand you.

Your style.
Your strengths.
Your specialties.
Your point of view.

INSPIRATION GIVES YOU DIRECTION. COPYING SOMEONE ELSE TAKES YOU AWAY FROM YOUR OWN.

BE RECOGNIZABLE. BE SPECIFIC. BE YOU.

 

THE LNZYROSEPHOTO HEADSHOT TEST

Before you choose a look, a pose, an outfit, or a final image, ask:

WHAT JOB DOES THIS PICTURE DO?

If you know the answer, the picture has a reason to exist.

 

CHLOE - INDUSTRY / FITNESS

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / EDGY GROWN / CLASSIC GROWN


KYLIE - PROFESSIONAL BALLERINA TURNED INDUSTRY

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE / GROWN / SPECIALTY


CANYON - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

COMMERCIAL 1 / COMMERCIAL PERSONAL STYLE / TOUR / GROWN


CARYN - INDUSTRY

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / POP TOUR / EDGY / GROWN


MAILE - ROCKETTE / INDUSTRY

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / POP TOUR / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR / CLASSIC GROWN

LET’S LOOK AT HOW MAILE UPDATED HER HEADSHOTS - 2 YEARS LATER -


CACIA - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL / CONCERT AND TOUR LOOK

CACIA’S HOME POD COMMERCIAL


SIENA - INDUSTRY / CONCERT

SIENA’S HOMEGOODS NATIONAL COMMERCIAL


JACK - INDUSTRY


KATIE - INDUSTRY / MUSICAL THEATER

VIDEO: (BOTH) JACK AND KATIE IN THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL’S 2023 EMMY NOMINATED PERFORMANCE

CHOREOGRAPHER: MARGUERITE DERRIKS

FELICIA - INDUSTRY


CHRISTINA - INDUSTRY

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR / GROWN TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


LEIGHA - INDUSTRY / FITNESS

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR / GROWN

MAKEUP ARTIST: LIZZY @LIZZY_LAWLESS


NICK - INDUSTRY / TV

4 DIFFERENT COMMERCIAL LOOKS (OR PERSONAL STYLE COMMERCIAL LOOKS)


LAINA - NYC INDUSTRY / CONCERT / TV

LAINA’S DUNKIN’ DONUTS COMMERCIAL:

DANI - INDUSTRY / VEGAS

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR / GROWN BODY SHOT / GROWN TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


NATALIE - INDUSTRY / FITNESS

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / TRENDY COMMERCIAL / SPORTY FITNESS/ GROWN

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


HARPER - INDUSTRY

2 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


KLOII - FITNESS / DANCE / ACTING

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / FITNESS ( W/ A JACKET) / GROWN.

MAKEUP ARTIST: ASHANTA - @ashantaartistry

 

CASSIDY - INDUSTRY

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL WITH JACKET / COMMERCIAL WITHOUT JACKET / FITNESS / PERSONAL STYLE TOUR


EFFIE - MSA

3 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / EDGY / GROWN

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


LILY - INDUSTRY

2 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: JADE - @JADEMOANIMUA

 

CRISTI - INDUSTRY / FITNESS

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / FITNESS / EDGY TOUR / GROWN TOUR

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE

 

JOHNNIE - INDUSTRY / STAGE

5 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / EDGY / GROWN TOUR / POP TOUR / WITCHY VIBES

MAKEUP ARTIST: CHRISTINA BARRAS - @CHRISTINABARRAS


RANDI - B/BOY / INDUSTRY

4 LOOK PACKAGE - COMMERCIAL / PERSONAL STYLE (B-BOY MASC) / GROWN TOUR / PERSONAL STYLE (B-BOY FEM)

MAKEUP ARTIST: LARKE - @MAKEUPBYLARKE / @ALOTTALARKE


HOW THE CONCERT / COMPANY & CONTEMPORARY DANCER CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE COMMERCIAL TV WORLD

GAP X CDKCOMPANY

Featuring @troyesivan and @cdkcompany.

Choreographed and directed by @sergiovsreis. “Funny Thing” by @thundercatmusic.

GAP X JUNGLE - BASED ON THE MUSIC VIDEO

Celebrating the moves that unite us with an homage to our “Back on 74” music video re-imagined with

‪@Tylaofficial‬

. Featuring brand new choreo by @shaylatukolan. 

ORIGINAL MUSIC VIDEO FT: CDKCOMPANY

Celebrating the moves that unite us with an homage to our “Back on 74” music video re-imagined with

‪@Tylaofficial‬

. Featuring brand new choreo by @shaylatukolan. 

ANOTHER JUNGLE M/V WITH CONCERT AND COMPANY DANCERS

CDK COMPANY’S CONCEPT VIDEO

CALVIN KLEIN PRIDE CAMPAIGN - WITH COMPANY DANCERS