Quick Answer

Great acting headshots feature a genuine, warm smile that reaches the eyes to exude confidence and approachability. Eyes should be bright, clear, and engaged. Headshots should capture a look that reflects the actor's brand – leading types should display magnetism and personality, while character actors showcase specificity. Framing should be tight on the face and shoulders, and lighting should be even and flattering. The background should be simple and indistinct. Wardrobe should complement skin tone with neutral solids. Some variation in expression adds dimension, but overall, authenticity is key. With quality headshots that truly represent their essence and abilities, actors can make strong first impressions on casting directors and book more jobs.

Introduction

Your acting headshots are quite possibly the most vital marketing materials of your entire career. These carefully crafted photographs are often the very first impression you make on influential industry professionals like agents, managers, and casting directors.

An exceptional headshot that radiates your essence and brand can be the key that lands you your first big audition or role. On the other hand, a poorly executed or outdated headshot can mean missed opportunities and lingering obscurity.

There is a lot of conflicting and downright bad advice out there on what makes for a strong acting headshot. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cut through the noise and break down exactly what your headshots need to include and avoid in order to get you noticed by all the right people.

Whether you’re taking professional headshots for the very first time or looking to update your existing portfolio, the tips contained here will help you create an incredible collection of headshots with serious stopping power. Let’s dive in and make sure your most important actor headshot looks as amazing as your talent!

Choosing the Right Photographer

Choosing the right headshot photographer is crucial. You want someone who specializes in acting headshots and really understands what casting directors are looking for.

Experience Matters

Look for photographers with ample experience photographing actors. They'll know how to pose and direct you to get shots that pop. An experienced headshot photographer will also have a better sense of the current trends and styles that work.

Check Their Acting Headshot Portfolio

Any photographer you're considering should have a robust online portfolio featuring their acting headshot work. Examine it closely paying attention to the lighting, framing, posing, and retouching. Make sure the overall style matches what you're envisioning for your own headshots.

Look for Real Actors as Samples

Some photographers use models or stock photos in their portfolios. Prioritize those who feature actual working actors. You want to see examples of headshots for actors with different looks and ages relevant to your own career.

Expect Editing that Enhances, Not Alters

Good headshot photographers know how to subtly enhance photos through retouching without drastically altering appearances. Make sure the examples in their portfolio look polished yet natural. Extreme airbrushing is not a good sign.

Choosing Your Look

The style and look of your acting headshots can vary quite a bit depending on your brand as a performer. Think about the types of roles you're aiming to book and how you want to be perceived.

Contemporary or Theatrical?

Contemporary headshot styles reflect how you look from day-to-day. Theatrical headshots portray heightened character versions of yourself. Most actors benefit from having one of each. But if you gravitate strongly towards certain genres, you may want to focus on one style.

Commercial Looks

Actors seeking commercial and promotional gigs need bright, polished headshots. Your look should be upbeat and approachable for marketing materials. Go for solid colors over busy patterns and remove dramatic makeup.

Comedic Looks

Actors targeting comedic projects need approachable yet expressive headshots. You can show more personality and humor compared to a classic commercial look. Have some shots where you're smiling or laughing.

Dramatic Looks

Dramatics headshots have a more intense, moody vibe reflective of heavy character roles. You can be more theatrical with your clothing, hair, makeup and poses. But don't overdo it to the point of appearing silly.

Realistic Age Appropriate Looks

Casting directors need to know what you really look like now. Having overly retouched headshots that shave years off your appearance will hurt, not help. Make sure your maturity level is apparent.

Clothing Choices

Clothing is an important factor in achieving a look that reflects your personal brand. Follow these tips for selecting attire for your acting headshots.

Solids Over Patterns

Solid colored tops or dresses photograph much better than busy prints or stripes that can be distracting. Darker tones also create a more slimming effect.

Conservative Necklines

Deep v-necks and plunging necklines pull focus away from your face which is the main priority. Opt for conservative to modest necklines instead.

Neutral Jackets and Blazers

Layering with a jacket or blazer adds dimension to your look. Neutral colors like black, gray, navy or olive photograph well.

Avoid Distracting Jewelry

The focus should be on you rather than loud jewelry pieces. Opt for simple stud earrings and minimal accessories.

Style It Like Your Characters

If you regularly play business professional roles, dress the part. Same goes for blue-collar looks or anything else reflective of your casting.

Different Outfits and Looks

Capture an array of different looks by changing up your clothing, hair and makeup. Variety gives you options for promotional materials.

Posing and Expression

Work closely with your photographer on posing and facial expressions. This will greatly impact how you come across.

Relax Your Shoulders and Jaw

Tight, hunched shoulders and a clenched jaw transmit tension. Relax your body and let your expression be natural.

Chin Down, Eyes Up

Lifting your chin distorts your face. Drop it slightly and lift your eyes instead. This creates a flattering, engaged look.

Modify Your Smile

A huge grin isn't ideal for a headshot. Go for a softer, closed-mouth smile instead. Or try a smirk or serious expression.

Look Right Into the Camera

Direct eye contact makes a strong connection with the viewer. Keep your gaze focused right on the camera lens.

Try Different Intensities

Capture a range of expressions from subtle to dramatic. Varied emotional intensities show your acting range.

Body Angles and Head Positions

Vary your physicality - turn your body slightly, tilt your head, lean forward. Minor changes make a big impact.

Listen and Collaborate With the Photographer

They'll direct you on adjusting your poses and expressions. Work together to find what flatters you most.

Hair, Makeup and Grooming

Your overall grooming needs to be camera ready for your headshot session. Pay attention to these details:

Style Your Hair Like Your Roles

If you frequently play business execs, wear your hair accordingly. Or if you're often cast as edgier types, style it that way.

Go Easy on Styling Products

You want some hold but nothing overly stiff or wet looking. Use styling creams sparingly as they photograph shiny.

Soft, Neutral Makeup

Bold lips, heavy eye makeup or dark contours don't photograph well. Stick to neutral, earthy tones applied lightly.

If Wearing Glasses, Clean the Lenses

Smudges and dust on eyeglasses will be very obvious. Make sure lenses are sparkling clean.

Neatly Trim and Groom Facial Hair

Any beards, mustaches or heavy stubble need to look freshly trimmed and tidy. Avoid 5 o'clock shadow.

Lightly Fill in Sparse Eyebrows

Use a brow pencil that matches your natural hair color to fill in over-tweezed spots. Don't go overboard.

Hydrate Your Skin

Drink extra water leading up to the shoot and prep your complexion with moisturizer to avoid dry flakes.

Limit Piercings and Cover Tattoos

Remove facial piercings and cover neck, hand or arm tattoos unless they fit the character you're portraying.

Backdrops and Props

Keep backgrounds and props simple so they don't distract from you.

Solid Backdrops

Single color backdrops like black, white and gray minimize visual clutter. Textured canvas also photographs nicely.

Minimal Props

Limit props to small handheld items like eyeglasses, a watch or cup of coffee. Only use them if they're 100% in character.

No Bold Patterns or Colors

Avoid headshots against backgrounds with bold wallpaper, artwork or painted sets that compete for attention.

Focus Entirely on the Face

Cropping out some of your hairline and neckline keeps the emphasis on your features. Don't chop off top of head though.

No Hokey Gimmicks

Things like holding a clapboard or sitting on a director's chair come off as corny. Keep it simple and elegant.

Getting the Right File Types

You'll need high resolution digital files of your headshots for submitting online. Discuss file formats with your photographer.

Full Resolution JPEGS

You need uncompressed JPEGS at 300 dpi and at least 3500 pixels on the long edge. Anything less won't hold up to image sizing.

Include sRGB Color Space JPEGS

Many online casting systems require JPEGS formatted to sRGB color space. Ask your photographer to provide some.

Print Ready TIFFs

For professional headshot prints, get unflattened TIFF files in CMYK color space, 300 dpi.

Request Both Color and B&W

Having black and white versions gives you more options for print materials and artsy social media pics.

Organize Digitals Clearly

Your final digital download should have files named/numbered clearly to distinguish poses and looks.

Handling Small Imperfections

Minor skin imperfections, blemishes, under eye circles, etc. can be subtly improved via post processing. But don't eliminate character from your face.

Enhance Don't Alter

Ask your photographer to enhance your best features and downplay flaws. But headshots shouldn't look obviously airbrushed.

Conceal Pimples and Blemishes

Spot editing to minimize a breakout or blemish is reasonable. But don't overdo it to where your skin is blurry.

Smooth Undereye Bags/Circles

Reducing undereye discoloration is okay. But leave subtle creases, wrinkles and skin texture intact for realism.

Remove Hairs and Distractions

It's fine to edit out stray hairs, chipped nail polish or bits of dandruff. But don't overly manipulate.

Your Essence Should Shine Through

Overall your essence, life experience, maturity etc. should still show in your eyes, expression and "imperfections".

Avoiding Gimmicks that Can Backfire

Some acting headshot trends might seem cool in theory but come off as foolish and can hurt your career.

Heavy-Handed Photo Filters

Heavily filtered headshots that make you look animated, illustrated, pixelated etc. are way too gimmicky.

Overly Dramatic Poses

Attempting overly fierce poses generally backfires. You end up looking silly instead of impressive.

Props That Upstage You

Guitars, pets, motorcycles etc. distract rather than enhance. Keep the focus on you.

Wacky Facial Expressions

Attempting "wacky" wide-eyed, big-toothed expressions makes you look immature, even unstable.

Severely Morphing Your Appearance

Hair, makeup and wardrobe changes are fine. But drastic plastic surgery-level altering of your features goes too far.

More Tips for Getting Great Headshots

Your acting headshots are one of the most vital marketing materials for your career. Putting in the effort to get exceptional headshots that stand out will maximize your chances of getting called in for auditions. Here are some additional tips for getting the best shots possible.

Research Posing and Expression

Study resources like posing guides for actors to get ideas for flattering poses and facial expressions. Bring sample photos of poses you'd like to try to your shoot. Share these with the photographer as examples.

Practice different positions in the mirror at home. Experiment with adjusting the angles of your head, lowering or lifting your chin, and shifting your eye gaze. Notice what feels most natural and what seems to capture your essence best.

Book Enough Time

Most professional acting headshot sessions take at least an hour or longer. You’ll want time to collaborate on finding ideal setups and lighting. Changing into multiple outfits and re-doing your hair/makeup between looks takes time too.

Rushing through a session means you’ll have fewer quality options to choose from for your final selects. Booking 90 minutes to 2 hours ensures you’ll get a lot of diverse, useable shots.

Get Outside the Studio

Most headshot photographers have studio spaces, but also shoot on location. Consider doing an outdoor session or at least part of your session outside the studio.

Natural lighting often flatters subjects and lends itself to a contemporary look. Shadows and sunbeams filtering through trees can add dramatic interest. Urban alleyways, brick walls, and graffiti backdrops provide cool grungy settings.

If choosing an outdoor location, make sure the background isn't distracting and there's adequate shade to avoid squinting.

Mix Up Your Perspective

The standard headshot photo is captured from the chest up framing your face. Getting some shots from different perspectives adds diversity to your portfolio.

Wider shots revealing your full body help casting directors see your build and physicality. More pulled back shots place you within an environment. Tight close up portraits highlight your eyes, skin tones and emotions.

Unique angles like shooting from below, above, or the side create visual interest. A few profiles can reveal your striking side profile.

Show Your Personality

It’s important to look friendly and approachable in your headshots. But you also want to convey your unique essence, brand and personality.

Think about the characters you get cast as frequently and how you can incorporate that into your look and expression. If you often play quirky roles, have some shots that showcase your playful spirit.

If you get cast as the wise sage, capture shots that reveal your warmth and intelligence. Consider any stand-out physical and personality traits you can emphasize.

Market Yourself Smartly

Once you get your incredible headshots back, put them to work immediately. Update any outdated shots on your acting profiles and websites right away.

Print new headshot postcards through a professional printer. Bring stacks to any workshops, auditions, or industry events. Hand them out freely and make connections.

Promote your shiny new headshots heavily on social media. Do photo carousels showing behind the scenes images from your session. Share the new photos proudly and gather positive feedback.

Continually Update Your Looks

You'll want to update your acting headshots every year or two as your look evolves. Hairstyle and hair color changes, facial hair growth, weight fluctuations and aging can gradually render old headshots outdated.

Check in on your existing headshot portfolio every 6 months. If you notice your appearance shifting significantly, schedule a fresh session. You want to keep looks current so you get called in.

Key Takeaways

To recap, your acting headshots should:

• Accurately reflect your mature, real-world look

• Match your common casting types

• Capture your essence and personality

• Appear polished yet natural

• Draw attention with your eyes and expression

• Minimize wardrobe and background distractions

• Be professionally retouched but not overly altered

• Research poses and practice facial expressions beforehand

• Book ample time for outfit changes and shot variety

• Consider shooting part of your session outdoors

• Mix in full body shots and creative angles/framing

• Show off your essence, brand and personality

• Immediately put new headshots to use promoting yourself

• Update your portfolio routinely as your look changes

• Keep these tips in mind to maximize your headshot session and get photos that grab attention. Putting thought and effort into your acting headshots gives them serious stopping power.

Stick to classic, elegant headshot looks and avoid gimmicky trends. Getting the right shots is well worth the time and investment. Outstanding headshots get you noticed by industry professionals.

Conclusion

Your acting headshots are your most vital marketing tool for getting noticed and scoring auditions with industry professionals. In this highly visual world, your headshot is often the very first impression a director or casting agent will have of you.

An incredible headshot that radiates your essence and abilities can launch your career to new heights. On the flip side, outdated, amateurish or misrepresentative headshots can derail opportunities before you ever step foot in the audition room.

By taking the time to carefully craft your headshots, you greatly increase your chances of landing your dream roles. Choose an experienced headshot photographer who can expertly capture and retouch shots to look polished, yet natural. Collaborate on finding poses, expressions, outfits and lighting that highlight your best features and convey your personal brand.

Once you have phenomenal headshots in hand, put them immediately to work promoting yourself online and off. Attach them proudly to your acting profiles, print them on postcards and share them on social media. Refresh your look every year or two as needed.

Your talent may have already landed you some success. But next-level headshots will make sure influential industry professionals stop scrolling when they see your photo. You'll start racking up auditions for bigger projects. The most important #actorheadshot you'll ever take is the next one.