I am getting a headshot but I have braces...?

Question

So, theatre people, I am getting a headshot...
Headshots, as we all know, are to reflect the real you!
Well, the real me only does these little my teeth don't show type of smiles, but when I do those, my braces make my mouth look very odd because the braces are pushing my mouth outward so I look rather monkey-esque...

And a big, happy smile is just not me... it also looks dorky; not because of the braces, but because I just look dorky smiling with teeth...

any suggestions?

A BIG smile isn't the right smile for me...
Remember?
REAL YOU!

AHH! You are all so wonderful...
but, BABY GURL, no headshots is not an option for actors and actresses.

And, here, in our little out-of-the-way town, I only get one headshot style...
So, one shot, six pictures pretty much.

Answer 1

How much longer are you going to have your braces? If it's for a couple years, just go ahead and get headshots with your braces and then when you get them off, you can get new ones (which you should do anyways. As a teenager, your look is going to change quite a bit in even a couple years).

As far as smiling, you should be doing a wide range of expressions in your shoot, from serious to open and happy, so there should be quite a few smiling and non-smiling (or half smiling) shots to pick from. If you're using these for theatre, the traditional theatrical headshot is usually not a big cheesy grin anyway - those are for the commercial headshots when you're trying to land a dentyne gig!

Be sure to note though, if you're currently auditiong for things with your braces, you don't necessarily want to hide that in your picture or else you'll be falsely representing yourself as you are now.

Be sure to find a good photographer that you're comfortable with, s/he should be able to help you as well. Then, just look over your proofs and go with the one you like best! Or, if you have an agent, have them pick the shot.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Just try a few different shots, casting agents dont count everything on the photos and if uve got the rite round-a-bout look they'll give u an audition anyway, then u'll really get a chance to show em the real u. I say doing the little smile, it sounds cute and try a few different ways if the braces are getting in the way [im sure it looks absolutely brilliant!] and if they arent too bad u could even try a closed mouth smile. best of luck and don't worry about the braces, straight teeth are the best teeth for future careers in this businness!

Answer 3

Are headshots for the real you?
Or should they show your possibilities as an actress ?
I'd do one with the braces showing a bit, like you are having a hard time not busting into laughter, and another with a more natural you smile. However, since even the natural you has many sides and only you know the types of parts you want to land, I'd say to let the side of you that best portrays your desired characters shine through.
One of them should show your braces a bit, though, or you may get grief for trying to "hide" them. Some ads/parts will make use of them and some won't.. but if you are speaking, they are just going to show no matter what, and you don't want to waste the nice producer's time if they don't want someone with braces for that particular part- it will piss them off for next time.
Have you considered invisalign type braces instead?
Just a thought.

Oh, and, having been ripped off royally for headshots myself and for my daughter in the past ( we lived in CT, close enough to work in NYC )... I can tell you to be careful what you sign, as sometimes you have to get all your prints through the photog and they charge a major arm and leg. Better to buy copies of the negative if you can, or a digital image you can have printed. This particular cost drove us out of the business.
I'm certain we were just babes-in-woods and got taken advantage of, and there are good photograpers out there. Just a word of advice to read the fine print and ask questions even if they seem like you are annoying them. It's your money, and it's a cut throat business.

Answer 4

A good head-shot photographer should be able to guide your poses and expressions. (S)he sees you through the camera and that is the way that you will appear on the pictures (after the minor retouching). Follow the instructions. The photographer should be able to get the most out of the smile, if any. A bad photographer will be a total waste. See if you can get the rights to the negatives. However, if retouching is done, that is done on a print so the master print and its source negative can be different. You also want to own the master prints. Just as an aside, I was cast directly from a head-shot sitting. We finished earlier than expected and I stated that it was because I take good direction. The photographer agreed and handed me some sides to read with him. By the time that we finished, he got on the phone and told another aspiring actor not to come to the audition as the role had been cast. It turned out that he was also a playwrite and director.

Answer 5

You can practice in the mirror. However, it's the photographer's job to help you relax and feed you some instructions. If you are feeling comfortable, that will come through in the shots. Think of the lens as a friend you are looking at.

I wouldn't worry about big smile/no smile/little smile. You have braces, it's part of your uniqueness.

Honestly, the key to a great shot is a good photographer and confidence on your part.

Answer 6

Okay well if you are getting a real head shot sitting then the photographer will take a series of different shots. Smile in some. Create a different angle with your face and your body. You want to take several different shots then you will be able to pick the one you want to use. You want a head shot that makes people want to know more about you. If braces are a part of the package then show them. Braces aren't forever!

Answer 7

you could just smile lightly so that it shows a little teeth and some of your braces, but not alot if your that uncomfortable with them. that away it's not a big "dorky" teeth showing smile (which by the way isn't dorky if you have the right smile so i happen to disagree with you on that) and it doesn't make you look like a monkey, so that your happy. Just play around with your smiles and see which one works best on your self.

Answer 8

Have you seen any Americas next top model? (this is the best way i can explain it)
Practice your smiles in the mirror, try taking your own head shots before you get your actual ones, try putting intensity into your eyes, ie, close your eyes, then open them quick, snap the photo at that instant. Turning up the corner of your mouth can change the mood that you portray. If you try to face the camera with half of a profile, using the side of your face as the main focus, turning slightly so that you aren't a complete profile, (like how they do covergirl shoots on americas next top model) You may be able to avoid the awkwardness of a straight forward shot.
Hope i helped.

Answer 9

So wait until the braces come off. What's your hurrry? It usually takes years to become an actor. You don't need a headshot until you are ready for an agent. Besides, hiding your braces is not showing the real you, is it? Save your money.

Answer 10

is it your idea about how you like like?.. well, sometimes being beautiful, nice smiles or feeling ugly is not seen of your face,teeth, color but how you see yourself.. i have braces too, i dont have pretty good smiles but i like being me, i appreciate the things that i have and others do not possess..i mean enjoy ur life besides your braces is on process to give good smiles so dont feel bad about yourself...
enjoy your life and be a good person... people will appreciate more than having a good smile.