What is a Headshot?

Everything You Need to Know About Acting Headshots

As an actor, one of the most important things you can do is get a professional acting headshot. A good headshot should capture your personality and accurately portray your look and type. It’s essentially the best way for casting directors to know who you are without actually meeting you in person. Let’s take a look at what makes a good acting headshot and how to get one.

What Makes a Good Acting Headshot?

A great acting headshot should be simple and uncluttered. Avoid busy backgrounds or props that will distract from your face. The focus should be on you – the actor – not anything else in the photo. Also, match your clothes to the role you have in mind. If you audition for lawyer roles, wear something that reads as lawyer attire!

Your expression should match the roles you want to play. Chasing action-hero parts? Show some confidence in your shot! If you lean more toward the quiet, introspective type, keep it serious. Above all, make sure the photo looks like the real you; no heavy makeup, no facade.

How Do I Get One?

Getting an acting headshot is not hard, but it does take some legwork on your part. First, find an experienced photographer who specializes in this type of photography. Ask around or read reviews online before you pick someone; a little research now saves time and money later. Once you have a photographer, decide where and when the shoot will take place. Afterward, choose which photos you want printed or sent digitally (most photographers offer both). Lastly, get all of these details into a written contract so everything runs smoothly during and after the shoot!

A professional acting headshot is essential for any aspiring actor hoping to get a foot in the door. It gives casting directors an accurate picture of what you look like in real life. It also shows agents that you take your craft seriously. With these tips in mind, you’re ready to create a headshot that works as hard as you do. Good luck!

Acting Headshot FAQs

An acting headshot is a professional, tightly framed photo of your face and shoulders. Actors use it to submit for roles, auditions, and representation. Unlike a casual portrait, it captures your authentic look and type so casting directors instantly see who you are.

Wear solid, mid-tone colors that complement your skin and eyes. Keep necklines simple, and skip patterns or logos that pull focus from your face. Choose clothing that reflects the roles you book, and keep makeup natural so you look like your everyday, castable self.

Most actors update their headshots every one to two years. Update sooner if your look changes, like a new hair color, a weight change, or a new casting type. Current headshots ensure you always look like you do when you walk into the audition room.

Today the industry standard is color. Casting directors want to see your true coloring, including skin tone, hair, and eye color. Black-and-white headshots can still work for theatrical or artistic submissions, but film, television, and commercial casting all call for color.

Most actors benefit from two to four distinct looks. Think a commercial smile, a serious theatrical look, and an outfit change or two. Each look should map to the types you audition for. That gives you versatile options for different roles without needing a new session.

Ready to Book Your Session?

Los Angeles Theatre
Check out the great line up of musicals and plays at the Los Angeles Theatre this season! Los Angeles Theatre

When you are ready to shoot, see my theatrical headshots in Los Angeles sessions, built for actors submitting to casting.

Most actors need two looks. Alongside theatrical, book commercial headshots in Los Angeles for commercial, comedic, and lifestyle submissions.