As part of ENCORE: In Our Own Words, our Scholars share their experiences of the programme, offering an insight into the sessions and opportunities from their perspective.
As a Year 12 Drama Scholar at AKS Sixth Form, I am always looking for opportunities to develop my skills and learn more about the performing arts industry. The Art of the Headshot ENCORE workshop, led by professional photographer Kelly Akers, gave us the chance to explore a different side of being a performer and understand the importance of presenting ourselves professionally.
Before the session, I had never fully appreciated how much thought goes into creating a professional headshot. I had always seen them as photographs used for auditions and applications, but I learnt that they are much more than this. A headshot is often one of the first things a casting director sees, making it important to capture a performer's personality and create a genuine first impression.
During the workshop, Kelly shared her professional knowledge of what makes a successful headshot, including the importance of lighting, clothing and facial expression. One of the key things I learnt was that a good headshot isn't about looking perfect or finding the best pose; it's about being yourself! Capturing your personality through your eyes and expression, while showing your individuality and authenticity, is what really matters. We also learnt why it is important for performers to look like their headshots so that casting directors can recognise them at auditions.
We also discovered how much of a collaborative process taking a professional headshot can be. Working with a photographer involves listening to guidance and experimenting with different expressions to find an image that feels natural. Even small details, such as clothing and lighting, can make a difference, helping to keep the focus on the performer.
Having our own headshots taken was an exciting part of the experience. It gave us the opportunity to put what we had learnt into practice and helped me feel more comfortable in front of the camera. It was also interesting to watch other Drama Scholars having their photographs taken and see how everyone could express their individuality in different ways.
One of my favourite things about the session was exploring a professional side of the performing arts that we don't always get to experience in the classroom. It reminded me that pursuing a career in the industry involves much more than acting; it also requires an understanding of how to present yourself professionally and prepare for future opportunities.
As part of the workshop, each Drama Scholar was offered up to three free professional headshots, with the cost covered by the school. This is such a fantastic opportunity, as professional headshots can be expensive, particularly for young performers who are just starting to build their portfolios. We are incredibly lucky to have access to experiences like this at AKS, where the school actively invests in helping us develop our skills and prepare for the future. Having these photographs available for auditions, interviews, casting opportunities and university applications is something I am extremely grateful for.
Overall, the workshop gave me valuable industry insight, practical experience and greater confidence as a young performer. I would like to thank Kelly Akers for sharing her expertise and AKS for providing us with such an incredible opportunity through the ENCORE Scholars programme. Having the chance to work with a professional photographer and receive three professional headshots at no cost to ourselves is something we should never take for granted. I'm excited to use my headshots in the future and look forward to the next ENCORE opportunity!