Does your website tell your unique story? Does it reflect who you are in the industry right now, as well as where you want your career to go? Does it make visitors feel like they know you or that they’d like to get to know more? If you’re like a lot of actors, this describes your dream website. The problem, though, is that most actors don’t know how to achieve it.
When I work with a custom client, I let them in on a little secret sauce that adds personality and that special something to their online presence. It’s been so helpful, I’m gonna share it with you. I call it “photo mojo.”
What is “photo mojo”?
You’re an actor, so I know you have a headshot and that’s a great start. But your website is the perfect place to be strategically creative, have fun, add intrigue, and project your career aspirations.
So in addition to your headshot, I invite you to consider getting some editorial shots done. Editorial shots help illuminate a story. They’re often used in magazines for fashion spreads or to accompany feature articles about famous actors.
Since you want to tell your story on your website, editorial shots are a great way to help you accomplish this!
How to Get Your Own Photo Mojo
Now that you know why you need some photo mojo, here are some steps you can take to get your own.
1. Write down one type of role you already play and that you enjoy playing, along with two adjectives that describe it. For example, absent-minded yet effective attorney or goofy and lovable soccer mom.
2. Think of two dream roles you’ve been dying to play, along with two adjectives that describe each of them. Write these down, too.
3. Now that you have three characters, write out descriptions for each as if you were casting them.
4. Think about your characters and where you’ve seen each type before. Make a list of shows or films that have similar characters to yours.
5. Google the shows to find images for reference. Look for publicity photos, movie posters, editorials in magazines, and ads. Save these for reference.
6. Plan your photo shoot wardrobe using your character descriptions and saved images for inspiration.
7. Book your photographer and be specific that you want editorial shots.
8. Bring your saved photos to your shoot for inspiration. But remember, you don’t want to copy them. You just want to use them to help guide you and your photographer to create your own editorial shots!
Last summer, I met a client who was making the transition from theater to film/TV. She had awesome headshots, but the only other photos she had were production shots of her performing on stage. They were cool, but didn’t represent where she was in her career nowand where she wanted to go.
As a result, her website didn’t project the career of a film and TV actress, and she was afraid it was holding her back. She feared people would think she had zero experience on set and write her off before giving her a chance.
I shared my photo mojo process with her. She took my advice and came up with three “characters,” styled her own shoot, and came back to me with some kick-ass photos!
Now, she’s proud of her website and feels it represents her journey into film and TV. She used some photo mojo to shine a light on her goals and aspirations.
Can’t afford a photographer to take extra photos of you right now? Instead of hiring a photographer, enlist a friend who’s good with a camera to help out. Go to the park or get some “candid” shots of you (as your characters) on the street or at a cafe. You don’t need a ton of photos—just three or four good shots to add interest and intrigue to your website.
I hope you have fun creating your own photo mojo!
Read this article on Backstage.com!
Originally published on Backstage.com