Why Professional Headshot Retouching Helps Actors, Performers, and Presenters Win More Auditions

Each day, brilliant actors, dynamic performers and charismatic presenters are overlooked for the roles they are right for. Rejection does not occur at audition. It occurs within a split second before you ever get to read a line of dialogue on a casting director's computer screen.

The not-terribly comfortable fact of the commercial world—the one that most talent agencies won't admit to in public—is that you're not only competing for talent, training or even the look of the raw. Your digital thumbnail is your chance to win, or lose, the presentation battle. Don't be surprised to learn that, in this highly saturated casting market, actors are now secretly forfeiting auditions to their competitors who know the value of professional photo editing and retouching services. In this overcrowded casting world, it's no surprise that actors are losing out on auditions to their competition who are aware of the importance of professional photo editing and retouching.

The Truth About "Natural" Headshots: Why Professional Retouching Matters

Let's clear up the biggest misconception in the acting industry today. Acting coaches and agents have been preaching the headshot gospel for years, which is the "purely natural" headshot. They say that actors should "be themselves" with the photographers, as casting directors don't like having their face turned into a plasticized facelift.

It's 100% accurate that your headshot looks like you on your best day, but the definition of the word "natural" has evolved in this industry. The human eye can just ignore them in real life – a speck on the lens, a flash of studio light, a stray hair over the eye-lid. But a digital camera can record them in HD and we see them clearly.

If your competitors get a good photo retouching service, then they're NOT altering their bones or taking ten years off their age. They're just eliminating the digital noise that's blocking your casting director's eyes. Raw, unedited files are like bringing a dull knife to a knife fight.

The 7-Second Rule: How Casting Directors Really Choose Headshots

Put yourself in the shoes of a busy casting director. They send out 3,000 applications in a night for a guest star in a TV series that streams online. They consider these submissions as mini grid thumbnails on industry websites.

They don't have time to review all the profiles. They can rapidly scan the grid and make split-second decisions based on lighting, color pop and eye contact. A natural photo that does not have the dynamic range or adjustments would simply fade into the background. On the other hand, an optimized photo, through specializes photo editing and retouch, jumps off the screen.

The right contrast adjustments, subtle color grading, and spot dodging and burning around the eyes entice the viewer into the print right away. If your headshot doesn't have this professional quality, the casting director will move to the next headshot that catches their eye.

What Professional Photo Retouching Actually Does for Actor Headshots

The difference between putting on any generic smart phone filter and using a photo retouching service is huge. The ultimate goal of headshot editing in how it's done in theater and for commercials is "invisible retouching. You want the casting director to think that you have super skin and you walked into ideal lighting.

Elite photo editing and retouching services do the following in the background to ensure that a performer gets a competitive edge:

• Blemish and Distraction Removal: Eliminating a temporary blemish (pimple, razor burn, or speck of lint) on a jacket. These are things that won't be on your face, or in your clothes, on the day of the shoot and shouldn't live forever in your headshot.
  

• Skin Tone Evening: Under extreme studio strobe lighting, high-definition cameras can render skin to appear unusually red, magenta or mottled. A professional photo retouching service smooths out any skin tone variations, but preserves your natural pores, freckles, and lines of character in your face.
  

• Eye and Teeth Enhancement: They do not make your eyes glimmer or your teeth look like blinding porcelain veneers. They are merely a little bit brighter than whites and bring life and vibrant energy to your expression.
  

• Flyaway Hair Taming: If stray hairs get blown in the backlight, it can create an unprofessional mess. Straightening out the side lines of your silhouette creates a look of being a lot of money, done on purpose and highly produced.
  

Why Skipping Professional Retouching Can Cost You Auditions

Consider the huge amount of money that you have already put into your acting career. You pay for the scene study classes, dialect coaching, headshot photographer and the premium self tap equipment. The cost of a professional photoshoot is $400 to more than $1,500.

You're not quite finishing your best marketing asset when you don't spend the last penny of the budget on a pro photo retouching service. One wouldn't film a dreamy, beautifully lit feature film, and then not grade the colors.One wouldn't film a dreamy, beautifully lit feature film, and then not grade the colors. What would you do that to the one picture that brought you to the audition room?

If your portfolio is being disregarded by talent agencies without them telling you, it may be that the marketing materials you have don't match those of the working series regulars. The agents won't always tell you this, as criticizing the face of your client is a delicate and uncomfortable discussion. Rather, they won't even submit you for the better-paying, high caliber roles.

Also Read: How Professional Headshot Retouching Helps Real Estate Agents Win More Listings

Build a Strong Personal Brand with Professional Headshot Retouching

Time to end the era of photo editing as a frivolous indulgence and recognize it as a business requirement that cannot be compromised. To secure national commercials, network television ads or high dollar presenter opportunities, you need to make your branding appear like a high dollar product.

You can't just go ahead and commit, either. There are many good companies in this arena who know that for an actor to make a change in their entire career he needs to see the results. In fact, you can even try getting a free trial from quality retouchers who are willing to demonstrate to you the quality of their invisible retouching services on one of your photos before paying a single penny. This way, you can ensure that the result will still be you, but on your best day!

With advanced photo editing and retouching, you communicate the story the way you want it to be. You make sure that when someone views your thumbnail they see the character, the emotion, and the undeniable professionalism—and not the flyaway hair or the uneven lighting.

Final Thoughts: Professional Headshot Retouching Is an Investment in Your Career

The acting industry is more competitive and demanding than it's ever been. Each and every advantage counts with fewer roles, and exponentially more submissions. If someone else had a better lit, cleaner, and more vibrant thumbnail, don't miss out on the special booking of your lifetime!

Compare your current headshots with them now! Can you hear them "popping"? Are eyes eye-catching and expressive? Does the skin texture appear even without being over realistic? Otherwise, it's time to get new casting gear! There are several photo editing websites to look at to make your brand the best fit by comparing portfolios, editing style and pricing.

Ultimately, working with the best photo editing and retouching services (or an independent photo retouching service) is one of the best ROI investments you can make in your acting business. Polish your talent's image, and stop them scrolling.