This feels like a major life decision!

I need new headshots. I've felt this way for awhile but wasn't quite ready to do them but knew I wanted to get new ones before the end of the year. As time marched on I felt more and more ready. As I got to know my "type" better, and learn more about how to get great shots I felt more and more ready. Then last week I showed someone my headshots and they said I looked younger in person (even though the pics are three years old!). Yeah. It's time.

I also put it off for two major reasons.

1. I thought I wanted to shoot with a very, very expensive photographer. OK, they're not the most expensive out there but they are on the more pricey side. I met this photographer at an actor event thingy last year and was impressed with their work. And more importantly, I felt like I clicked with them - they got me. It was like talking to someone back home. I also met the makeup artist and clicked with them too. I felt like I would get great headshots with them and if that happened it would be well worth the money. Of course, there was that part of me that said, "just because they take great headshots doesn't mean that you'll get great headshots!" This has happened to me before. A few years ago I saw a friends terrific headshots and asked who the photographer was. I had checked out other photos by this photographer and they were terrific. I know other people who have shot with this photographer and they have great shots. Mine...eh...wasn't so happy with them. My last shoot was better, but I still wasn't 100% thrilled with them. But I think I know how to prep better for a shoot now. Anyway, I also found out I can get a discount with this photographer through a group I belong to, and the makeup artist is included in the price, so taking all that into consideration, it was still a bit pricey, but maybe only $100 or so more than the average price.

2. I wanted to get in better shape before the shoot. If I was going to be paying the big bucks for these headshots I wanted to make sure they were something I could use for awhile! I didn't want to shoot, then lose weight or tone up and have to re-shoot in six or eight months. I'd even like them to last longer than a year. I decided if I got in better shape the new headshots would be my reward!

Then a friend told me about a photographer she knows who will give me a dirt cheap deal because he's a friend. She says people are getting auditions from his photos. Hmm. There's an option - go for the cheaper solution now, and when I get to my goal weight re-shoot with the more expensive photographer. I checked out their website and the pictures were really good, but I couldn't stop thinking about the more pricey photographer. I don't know, I wasn't completely in love with these photos enough to justify spending even a small amount of money on them. I decided to pass on that and save the money to put towards shooting who I really wanted to shoot with.

I decided that the best time for me to shoot the new shots would be in the fall. Preferably in November after I went on vacation in October. I've lost weight and gotten myself into better shape, and although I'm not at my goal weight, I just can't put this off any longer. My old headshots are three years old! I decided to take a break from acting class and use that money for the new headshots. I didn't feel ready for new pics before, but now I do.

Then someone else recommended another dirt cheap photographer. Okay, they're not "dirt" cheap normally but they are very, very inexpensive, and this person claims that if I mention their name they will give me a discount making it dirt cheap. And their photos were AWESOME! Hmm. Hmm. Hmm. This really made me rethink my plan. I was impressed with their photos and they're very, very reasonable even if I don't get the discount. They're so reasonable I could shoot with them now and shoot with the more expensive photographer when I do reach my goal weight. Or maybe I'll love these headshots so much I'll just re-shoot with them! Who knows!

I haven't even called the photographer yet, so nothing is decided but I'm leaning towards that option for now. I'm also thinking my target date to shoot is early November. I'd love to do it before I go out of town in October, and have the new headshots for if I go to ActorFest in November, but I get so stressed before I go out of town it's just not doable. Also due to some unforeseen circumstances my vacation might be canceled and I'll just be taking a trip home instead. I need to know what's going on with that before I do anything. I also need to get my hair cut and my eyebrows done, and do all the necessary "emotional" prep for them! But I can still call the photographer next week, see if this is someone I actually want to shoot with, and get the ball rolling!

BTW, the BEST headshots I even had were FREE! Yep, I found a photographer who had just come out to Los Angeles from a smaller market and was trying to get his business going out here so he shot some people for free and I was one of them! I got called in soooo many times from that headshot (even though the photographer who did my photos after that hated it - but of course they would!) but it got old and looked outdated and I had to get new ones.

Okay, so I have a plan, and I'm sticking to it! My target date is the start of November, no matter which photographer I decide on. Whoo-hooo!!!!!

I'm a sucker! Part deux.

So not too long after I wrote that last post I got an alert from the casting site where I had submitted on that last project. I had a feeling it was for the thing I just submitted on and sure enough it was. The person/people involved with the project wanted me to come in to tape a short piece that supposedly would be used in the project. Okay, cool, it looks like this is a go! Finally this person may actually be following through with something that I'm supposed to be involved in. But then again, this is just the taping...I have to wait and see if it's actually used. Yep. Here we go again.

The shoot was fun and easy. I spent more time driving in traffic and waiting than taping the actual thing. I felt like I rambled on and on but they only did one take so I guess I didn't come off sounding like a complete idiot! They also seemed really happy with what I did and told me someone would let me know when my segment would be used, so now I play the waiting game. There's still the chance this will never see the light of day...sigh.

A week or two ago I went to this free motivational/career/get your act together seminar. It was INCREDIBLE! I left with some great ideas - not just feeling motivated to do more, but actual, concrete things I can do. A lot of it was very, very similar to another group I already belong to, but this seemed to go a little more in depth and got specific about things. For example, one of the things my group talks about it mailing postcards, etc. to producers and directors. This person who I heard speak actually talked about what info to put on a postcard, especially if you have nothing going on at the moment. I also purchased a book and downloaded some free stuff off their website and between the seminar, book, and free downloads I came up with two ideas I want to try to put into action. This stuff also talked about why we procrastinate, etc. and I think a few things that were said really hit home with me and why I can't get anything done. Basically it all comes down to just doing something and not worrying if it's right or wrong, or if it's perfect, etc.

I also decided to go back to the class I was in before...at least temporarily. This is not my old, old, acting class but the one I was in before I started the advanced class. I had sorta worked out a pay as you go situation with the teacher where I wouldn't have to commit to a full session of class. Couldn't make up my mind if I wanted to do it or not, so did nothing. Then had a minor anxiety attack because I wasn't in any type of class, then got a message from my teacher asking what I was doing - they must hate me, this is the second or third time I've done that, not given a straight answer! Am I taking a step backwards? I don't know. I kind of feel like it but I have a specific reason for wanting to do this. I think I had some sort of minor breakthrough from taking these voice over classes and I want to see if any of it is bleeding over into my on-camera stuff. Or I guess a better way to say it is to see if I can apply any of it to my on-camera stuff. So I may go back to class for a month then see where it goes from there.

I have a voice over class later today so I need to go prepare for that. I don't feel like it, which means I just need to sit down and do it!