THE BLOG

Most actors I photograph did not start with a speaking role. They started on a set somewhere around Newark or the outer boroughs at six in the morning, crossing the same twelve feet of sidewalk for four hours. The question that follows them out of that experience is usually some version of background actor vs […]

Quick Answer To help your child start acting in New Jersey, begin with age-appropriate training or local performance opportunities, then build a simple portfolio with an accurate headshot and resume. Once your child is comfortable performing, you can begin researching legitimate casting calls and talent agencies. Most parents who ask me about child acting in […]

Your child announced they want to be an actor, and now you have to figure out what happens next. Parents ask me a version of this almost every week, with the same mix of excitement and quiet panic. After more than 30 years photographing performers across Northern New Jersey and NYC (more about my studio […]

If you have spent any time on Actors Access, you have probably seen the term slate shot sitting next to one of your photos and wondered whether it was something you were supposed to have. Most actors find out about it sideways. An agent mentions it in passing, or a submission screen asks for one, […]

Quick answer: The best colors to wear for actor headshots are usually solid, medium-to-deep tones that separate from your skin and the background without pulling attention away from your face. Charcoal, navy, olive, burgundy, muted blue, and soft earth tones are reliable starting points, but the final choice should be tested under the actual lighting. […]

Most professionals booking executive headshots in NJ walk in with the same three tells: a dark studio backdrop, a locked jaw, and a jacket chosen mostly to avoid attention. Nothing about them is technically wrong. They simply stopped matching the person sitting in front of me. I’m Alex Kaplan, and across more than 30 years […]