Casting-Ready Headshot Examples
Commercial and theatrical examples to help you understand what works. Each category has its own visual language.
Commercial Examples
Friendly, open, natural. These headshots say "I'm someone you can trust and like."
Friendly Neighbor
Warm, approachable, trustworthy. Books national commercials and corporate work.
Fun Friend
More energy, more personality. Great for comedy commercials and sitcoms.
Professional
Confident and polished. Works for financial services, luxury brands, B2B.
Theatrical Examples
Grounded, neutral, specific. These headshots say "I have depth and range."
Grounded Neutral
Calm, present, specific. The workhorse theatrical headshot for drama and film.
Subtle Intensity
More edge, more weight. For darker dramas, thrillers, and character roles.
Vulnerable Open
Soft but deep. Works for romantic leads and emotionally demanding roles.
By Age Range
Your approach should evolve as you age—not because you're less castable, but because the roles change.
20s
Explore range freely. Both commercial and theatrical options essential.
30s
Types solidifying. Professionals, parents, leads become key categories.
40+
Character work prominent. Specificity and distinctiveness become assets.
Common Mistakes
Small errors that signal "amateur" to casting directors:
- Over-retouched skin that looks plastic
- Forced or fake expressions
- Busy patterns or distracting wardrobe
- Wrong lighting for the type
- Outdated photos that don't match current appearance
Ready to create your own?
Create headshots that follow these standards. No photographer needed for exploration.
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