Headshot for NYC and Chicago???

[keyntat]

Hi,

I have a photo shoot with a 9 year old boy for headshots and portfolio pics next week. I know I can capture personality. The mom is concerned with what the people in Chicago and New York expect. She told me that someone told her that bottom teeth are not suppose to show in headshots, and personality is suppose to show and that it should be 3/4.

From what I know he has done local adds for departments, these will be for acting and modeling agencies in NY and Chicago. I can do a good image, but I want to get the techinical requirements correct. PLESE help.

Personality (check)
3/4 from what I know, that is a body term, what is 3/4 in a headshot
From what I see, from a search on NY headshots, most people are smiling with mouths closed if they are smiling no bottom teeth are shown, and their eyes are real expressive

I live in MI, so I'm not hip to what NY and Chi-town are looking for. Can anyone PLESE give some tips, advice, and suggestions. It is GREATLY appreciated!!!! : )

[keyntat]

BUMP : )

[c71clark]

This is one of those things where everyone has their own preference. Agencies have been known to book models from a poloroid. Models who spend a thousand dollars for a headshot get turned down regularly.
If the mother feels she must adhere to the "Standard" for headshots, take one from the neck up, don't cut off the edges of the head, and a pleasantly neutral expression, no teeth.

Or you can just take a good photo that shows the kid's personality, and tell the mother that there is no such thing as a "standard" headshot, as all casting directors will give a different preference.

[keyntat]

Thanks for responding : )