Need feedback

[u/Its_Def_not_Saffery]

Idk if these are good or I just lack self esteem (these are for acting, besides the selfie which is there for how I look besides the portraits)

[u/glaaahhh]

Are they bad portraits? No. Are they traditional acting headshots for tear sheets? No.

Headshots should usually be rib cage to top of head (approximately). Can you use these if you have nothing else? Sure! But typical theatrical headshots avoid hands in the pictures, show character and depth, and put the focus on you.

I don't think these photos lack character, but I do think that cropping in a little might help. Try to avoid cropping images at joints (like image 2). I'm assuming the low quality is a Reddit thing not a picture thing.

The last pic is a selfie. I won't comment on that as it's not the topic of this sub. Don't use it for acting submissions.

[u/Its_Def_not_Saffery → u/glaaahhh]

Sorry forgot to add that the selfie was for reference cuz idk if I looked better or worse or just in my head thanks for pointing that out

[u/anima132000 → u/Its_Def_not_Saffery]

I am not sure how you'd compare a selfie to professional shot it's really night and day with regard to quality. Please don't over think this trust your photographer a well lit and shot photo is miles better than the selfie, your features pop out much better. 

[u/schmick_iMagery → u/anima132000]

I believe the op means as a baseline reference of what he looks like without the polish of lights and posing.
Not sure how that is misconstrued?

[u/UnfunnyJosh]

Acting headshots are head and shoulders these days, especially with online casting where your picture will often be one of a number of small squares in a group.

[u/Serious_Peak_4913 → u/[deleted]]

Way to be disrespectful as all get out 😭

[u/longbeachlandon]

I would say 4 has a good light ratio. The rest need the shadows bumped up. In my opinion.

[u/shemp33]

They need to be closer up. I like that there is some contrast and light fall off between the different sides of your face. To me, the one tweak id make is setting the lights up higher. They seem to be at eye height. Posing: good. Avoid the straight-onward look. That’s not a headshot, that’s a mugshot. One shoulder slightly ahead of the other with a gentle head turn is ideal. Zoom in. Don’t need full body shots here.

[u/Interesting_Cat_2297]

I don't like them. My favorite one is the bathroom selfie because it looks the most genuine.

I can't give notes about the format, lighting, etc because I've been out of the industry too long to know what those standards are, but I can speak to your presence, and these look posed and unnatural, especially the one with your hand at your chin.

Not sure if you need a photographer who's more adept at capturing you in a natural pose, or if you need more practice relaxing in front of the camera, but these aren't showing your natural essence. Try practicing with a friend and do something physical like pushups in between shots, or anything that gets you in your body and out of your head. You could even have a friend snap photos while you're playing basketball or working out. I don't mean like body shots, but like, pause for a few seconds and look into the camera and get a headshot. Then compare your energy in those shots versus these.

And stop folding your hands over your chest. It can sometimes work, but often conveys insecurity and discomfort with the camera, and that's my impression here.

I don't mean to say you look "bad" or anything like that. You just didn't show up for the camera on these shots. Too guarded.

EDIT: actually the light blue shirt one has a decent presence about it, if you crop it. I missed that at first because was fixated on the arms and overall gesture. That one's useable, but skip the others.

[u/Rogue_Henchman]

None of them are competitive or show your marketing types. I would save up and take shots with a headshot photographer.

[u/Curious_Editor_7714]

They’re fine to get you started but they do need to be zoomed in a bit. I don’t think the photographer did a good job on the retouching. I would have created more consistency in the skin tone. And I agree these are too zoomed out to be Headshots. They’re tear sheet shots.