The Actor Headshot Guide

Your headshot is your business card. Before anyone reads your resume or watches your reel, they see your face. Here is how to make it count.

Commercial vs Theatrical Headshots

Commercial headshots say "I am approachable and you want to buy from me."

• Commercial: Warm, friendly expression. Slight smile or full smile. Bright, clean look. Think: the person in a car commercial, a cereal box, a bank ad. Wear solid colors that pop on camera: blues, greens, warm earth tones. Avoid logos and heavy patterns.
• Theatrical (Legit): More intense, character-driven. Neutral or serious expression. This is for film, TV drama, and stage. You are showing range and depth, not friendliness. Darker wardrobe, moodier lighting.
• You need both. Most agents and casting directors expect at least one of each. If you can only afford one session, start commercial. It books more work for new actors.

Choosing a Photographer

1. Budget realistically. Expect to spend $250 to $800 for a professional headshot session. Under $250 and you are likely getting someone who does not specialize in actors. Over $800 is luxury tier: nice, but not necessary when starting out.
2. Look at their portfolio first. Not their landscape work, their headshot work specifically. Do their subjects look like real people or over-processed mannequins? You want natural, well-lit, and in-focus.
3. Ask what is included. How many looks (outfit changes)? How many final retouched images? A standard session gives you 2-3 looks and 2-3 final selects. Some photographers give you the full gallery to pick from; others curate for you.
4. Check if they shoot tethered. Tethered shooting (camera connected to a monitor) lets you see shots in real time. This is a huge advantage for adjusting your angles and expressions during the session.
5. Ask other actors. The best referral is from someone whose headshots you admire. Check your local acting community for recommendations in your city.

What to Wear

• Solid colors work best. Jewel tones (deep blue, emerald, burgundy, plum) photograph beautifully. Avoid pure white and pure black. They mess with exposure.
• No logos, no busy patterns. Stripes can create a moire effect on camera. Graphics pull focus from your face.
• Dress for the roles you want. If you are going out for young professional roles, wear a fitted blazer. Going out for blue-collar? A henley or work shirt. Your wardrobe should suggest a character without being a costume.
• Bring 3-5 tops. Neckline matters more than the full outfit since headshots are chest-up. V-necks and scoop necks tend to be the most flattering. Crew necks can make your neck look shorter.
• Iron or steam everything. Wrinkles in your shirt scream amateur.

Makeup and Grooming

• Less is more. The goal is to look like the best version of yourself, not a different person. Casting directors need to recognize you when you walk into the room.
• For women: Natural, polished makeup. Concealer, light foundation, defined brows, mascara, nude or soft lip. Skip heavy contouring, dramatic smoky eyes, or bold lip colors unless that is your specific brand.
• For men: Moisturize. Use concealer on dark circles or blemishes if needed. Matte powder to control shine. Groom facial hair the way you plan to keep it. Do not shave for the shoot if you normally have a beard.
• Hair should be how you normally wear it. Do not get a drastic new haircut the day before. Style it simply, no elaborate updos unless that is your everyday look.
• Consider a makeup artist. Many headshot photographers work with HMU artists who specialize in on-camera looks. Budget an extra $75-$200 if the photographer does not include this.

Retouching: Dos and Don'ts

Do:

• Remove temporary blemishes (pimples, scratches)
• Even out skin tone slightly
• Remove stray hairs
• Brighten eyes subtly
• Clean up flyaway hairs

Do Not:

• Smooth skin so much you look airbrushed or plastic
• Remove moles, scars, or birthmarks that are part of your look
• Slim your face or body. You need to look like you when you walk in
• Whiten teeth to the point of looking unnatural
• Change your eye color or hair color

The golden rule: if a casting director calls you in based on your headshot and you look noticeably different in person, you have wasted everyone's time and hurt your reputation.

Formatting for Submissions

• Digital submissions (99% of the time now): JPEG format, 300 DPI, at least 2400x3000 pixels. File size under 10MB. Name your file: FirstName_LastName_Headshot.jpg
• Traditional 8x10 prints: Still used for some theater auditions and a few old-school agencies. Get them printed at a professional lab (Reproductions, ABC Pictures), not your home printer. Your name should be printed on the front bottom border.
• Aspect ratio: Stick to 4:5 (8x10 ratio) for consistency. Some platforms accept 2:3 but 4:5 is the industry standard.
• Resolution: Always ask your photographer for both high-res (print) and web-optimized versions. You will need the web version for casting platforms, and the high-res for print.
• Landscape vs portrait: Always portrait orientation. Landscape headshots are a red flag that you are not familiar with industry norms.

Backgrounds and Expressions

• Backgrounds: Neutral, out-of-focus backgrounds are standard. Soft gray, muted urban textures, or natural outdoor bokeh all work. Avoid plain white (looks like a passport photo) and anything distracting.
• Eyes are everything. Your eyes should be sharp, engaged, and telling a story. Practice thinking a specific thought rather than "trying to look a certain way." Think about someone you love, or a secret you are keeping. That is what creates an interesting headshot.
• Jaw and angles: Bring your forehead slightly toward the camera and drop your chin a little. This creates definition in your jawline and avoids the "looking down at someone" angle.
• Slight turns: A 3/4 turn (body slightly angled, face toward camera) is more dynamic than straight-on. But straight-on works for a bold, confident commercial look.

Current Trends

• Natural light is king. The trend has moved away from heavy studio lighting. Outdoor or window-lit headshots feel more authentic and are preferred by most casting directors right now.
• Tighter crops. The current standard is tighter than it used to be: mid-chest up, sometimes even closer. Lots of negative space above the head is out.
• Environmental headshots are gaining popularity, shot in real locations (coffee shops, parks, streets) rather than in a studio. This works especially well for commercial.
• Color grading should be minimal. No heavy filters, no desaturation, no vintage looks. Clean and true-to-life is the standard.
• Self-tape lighting matters too. If your headshot looks like it was shot in professional light but your self-tapes are dark and grainy, it creates a disconnect. Invest in a good ring light or LED panel for your self-tape setup.

Pre-Session Checklist

• Researched and booked a photographer who specializes in actor headshots
• Reviewed their portfolio and confirmed the style matches what you need
• Confirmed what is included: number of looks, number of final retouched images
• Selected 3-5 tops in solid colors, all ironed/steamed
• Practiced expressions in a mirror: commercial smile and theatrical intensity
• Scheduled haircut/grooming at least 3 days before (not the day before)
• Confirmed if HMU is included or if you need to book separately
• Got a good night of sleep the night before (puffy eyes ruin headshots)
• Hydrated well the day before and day of (skin looks better hydrated)
• Brought reference photos to show your photographer the vibe you want
• Brought a portable steamer or wrinkle spray for touch-ups on location
• Charged your phone to review tethered shots during the session

Got your headshots ready? Add them to your NeedaCrew profile.