One of the most commonly asked questions the actor or performer in motion picture/television/commercial industry asks himself is, “What do I do about headshots?”
The answer may not be a simple one. The headshot is an important element in the actor’s total presentation of himself to the industry at large.
A headshot can be the first thing that gets you in the door. It can be a last
representation of yourself when you leave an audition.
Casting directors, producers and directors use headshots as a valued tool in the casting of their productions. These photographs “cue-up” a mental image of an actor…and the performance he gave at the audition stage. It separates him from many other faces. The headshot is an important professional tool for the actor. It is, in part, what “sells” him.
My name is Peter Szipál Martin. I’ve taken headshot photographs in Hollywood for over thirty-two years. My clients run the gamut from the very famous to the many working actors whose faces we always see, but who’s names we may not know. Many, many of my clients have found and maintained wonderful careers in Hollywood…and I’d like to think my work had at least something to do with that. But I find it embarrassing to talk about myself. Instead, I’ll leave it to others:
“Peter has taken my photo many times. The reason I keep coming back is the way he’s able to provide a great and friendly working atmosphere, just the way a good film director does. He’s a very warm guy .” — Steven Bauer, Actor (“Scarface,” Traffic”)
“I saw a whole lot of Peter’s work in the composites left behind by actors I was casting in various television and film projects over too many years. Finally, I began recognizing his subtle style and asked an actor, who took this? I met and liked Peter so much we began using him for the production stills on “The Untouchables,” in Chicago.” –– John McPherson, Director, and Director of Photography for Steven Spielberg.
“The beauty of Peter’s work is that he avoids the highly stylized approach we see way too much of lately – that is, the kind of photo that draws more attention to the photographer than the actor I am trying to cast. Peter does highly professional work that sells the artist in a very honest, yet flattering way!” — Christopher Crowe, Writer-Producer-Director, Paramount Pictures