Actor Headshots 101
Your headshot is your first audition. It's the three seconds you get to convince casting to keep looking. Headshots are crucially important to get those callbacks!
You should be looking for these qualities in your headshots...
A headshot is a professional photograph designed to represent you for casting submissions. No selfies, no portraits, etc. It has one job: show casting directors that you're the person for the role (and the person in the photo!)
Great qualities for a headshot:
- A current, accurate representation of your appearance
- A marketing tool optimized for casting decisions
- A picture that shows your personality
Stay away from these:
- An artsy photo, just for the sake of it
- A glamour shot or heavily filtered image
- Headshots that don't represent who you are
Commercial vs theatrical
Make sure to get this right depending on the type of work you're going for.
Commercial headshots are warm, friendly, and accessible. Casting wants to see someone relatable. For example, for commercials, most often viewers want to see characters who are relatable, likeable, and similar to them! Bright lighting, genuine smiles, clean styling, and similar traits.
Theatrical headshots are far more creative and emotionally charged. Casting wants to see depth and range, like someone they can imagine in a dramatic role. Some traits of these headshots are directional lighting, subtler expressions, and more character focused styling.
Most working actors need both. For a deeper dive, read Commercial vs Theatrical Headshots.
Framing basics
Standard headshot framing runs from roughly mid chest to just above the head. Your face should be the clear focal point. Outfits are accessories are fine, but they shouldn't be the main focus of the photo.
- Too tight: Just your face, cropped close. Feels claustrophobic and loses context.
- Too wide: Shows too much body. Looks like a portrait, not a headshot.
- Just right: Face dominates, with enough body to show wardrobe choices. Eyes should be roughly in the upper third of the frame.
Lighting that works
Lighting sets the mood of your headshot and signals what type of work you're pursuing.
- Commercial: Bright, even lighting. Fewer shadows. Feels open and approachable.
- Theatrical: More directional lighting. Some shadow for dimension. Creates mood and depth.
Bad lighting, such as harsh shadows in wrong places, unflattering angles, and overexposure, can ruin even a great expression. Work with a photographer who understands actor headshots.
Expression and eyes
Your expression does more work than any other element. The camera captures thought, so think something real.
- Commercial: Genuine warmth. A natural smile that reaches your eyes. Energy and engagement.
- Theatrical: Grounded neutrality. Present, observant, with a sense of inner life. Not blank, but not selling.
Here are some examples of bad expressions: forced smiles, "trying to look intense" faces, and blank stares with nothing behind the eyes. Let your photographer direct you toward something specific. Make sure your expression matches the role and type of vibe you're going for!
Wardrobe essentials
Again, don't make the wardrobe the main focus of the photo. It should support your face, not compete with it.
- Solids over patterns. Busy prints distract from your face.
- Simple necklines. Sweaters work well. Avoid anything too trendy or distracting.
- Minimal accessories. Nothing that catches light or draws attention away from your eyes.
- Colors that flatter. Commercial leans brighter and warmer; theatrical leans muted and earthier.
What makes a headshot good for casting?
A good headshot communicates instantly. In the three seconds casting spends on your photo, they should immediately understand a few qualities
- What you look like
- What type of roles you fit
- Whether you're professional and current
The goal is to look like the best version of the real you, in a format casting understands instantly. If you've gotten that right, that's all that matters!