In the acting industry, a headshot is not just an ordinary picture; it’s your calling card, your first impression to directors, producers and everyone in the business. Sometimes, it can be the only material these professionals use to cast you on their projects. Therefore the right headshot can set you apart from all the other actors.

A great headshot should reveal your personality and that you are perfect for a certain job. On the other hand, a bad photo will eliminate you even before you have a chance to audition for a role.

Perfecting an acting headshot strategy is critical in creating a lucrative acting career. Selecting the right photographer to putting together the outfit that best suits your casting type, comes down to nailing even the finest of details. In this article, I will single out the most important dos and don’ts of acting headshots, including how to take the best shots and how to take full advantage of your next photo session. Let’s jump right in!

If you are serious about taking your headshots to the next level, then check out our latest TMA Headshot Guide!

What Makes a Perfect Acting Headshot?

An ideal acting headshot is one which embodies you, conforms with your type and brand and leaves an impression with casting directors. It needs to have something to say about who you are as an actor.

Read More: The Truth About Casting Will Set You Free

Capturing Personality

The main purpose of a good headshot is that it presents an actor as they are naturally. You are being asked to present yourself to casting directors in the way you look, in the manner in which you are capable of moving, the smile you are able to put on your face, in fact the real essence of you as a person. Another potential benefit is the opportunity that a natural, relaxed headshot unveils more about a possible candidate than a heavily staged photo. Your headshot should leave them wondering just how versatile you are for their upcoming projects.

Professional Photography

Choosing a professional photographer with knowledge on the kind of shots that best suits what you’re looking, for should be the ultimate goal. Such photographers know about natural and effective lighting, correct poses and the selection of high-quality equipment that will help to emphasize your individuality to the maximum. A professional understands how one can look polished and natural in a way that would look great to the eyes of the professional market. Bad, or amateur type of photos can quickly kill any interest that people had vested in you.

Wardrobe Choices

The actual thing is getting the shot, but what you wear for your headshot is equally important. A neutral and solid color work well for theatrical/dramatic shots. For commercial looks, simple patterns and vivid colors may very well give the impression of being able to sell a product. Of course purchasing outfits can be fun and actors may be tempted to buy clothing they normally wouldn’t wear, but don’t forget that your wardrobe should match your true essence in the end.

In our Headshot Guide, we created a layout for you to consider your looks and the different outfits and poses that would go with them. You can purchase our guide below! ⬇️

Purchase The TMA Headshot Guide (Ebook PDF)

Do’s for Acting Headshots

The secret on how to get that ideal acting photo is to focus on aspects that sets you apart while at the same time reminding yourself that you need to invite the viewer in. These are the key do’s for making you sure that everything is fine and your headshots are great.

Focus on the Eyes

The eyes should always be the main focus in an acting headshot. They should have emotion and tell a story, so that casting directors and agents are drawn into them. Your eyes are what introduce the viewer to you as a person so try not to blink or have “dead eyes” when making eye contact with the camera. An easy way to avoid “dead eyes” is to think of the character you’re trying to play in your headshot. The character’s persona, whether he/she is confident, warm hearted, or intense, will help your eyes tell the story because they are your window to your soul.

Ensure Natural Expressions

Ideally a head shot must be natural. So keep that in mind for any poses or reactions that you’re trying to capture. Smile in front of the mirror for some time until you can do it naturally. The people who cast you, want to see the real you and not a fake you, so make sure your photos convey a genuine expression.

Keep Hair and Makeup Simple

As far as hair and makeup are concerned they have to be simple as well. You should not use intense or loud make up; it’s important to keep the look natural. In the same way, your hair style should depict how you appear most of the time. Sometimes the hairstyles are too ‘out there’ or too ‘done up’ and this means what you present in the headshot may not reflect your auditions.

Use a Neutral Background

A blank canvas style is good because you don’t want the audience to focus on the location of the shot, but rather who they are looking at. Those pictures which are bustling or have multiple props running through them will distract from both your overall expression and appearance. In the case of shooting on location make sure the background is shot bokeh, or out of focus. If you’re unsure about a background It is best to always consider if the background enhances the look you’re going after or not.

Get Feedback

In the absence of an agent or a headshot consultant, ask acting coaches or others within the field for opinion on your work. They can give helpful feedback about your headshots and how representative they are of your persona as an actor. By sharing your looks to the right people you encourage healthy conversations about your career and marketability that sometimes you can’t see on your own.

By following these do’s you will be capturing perfect acting headshots which represent you and your personality and meet the acting industry requirements.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

A single bad decision in your acting headshot photo shoot could mean losing out on future opportunities audition. As a result, avoiding these mistakes helps to provide photos that are consistent with industry standards and represent you. Here are key pitfalls to steer clear of:

Over-editing or Retouching

You shouldn’t avoid some level of editing but over-editing is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Casting directors choose to work and look for real people so embrace your natural qualities. Extreme makeovers through photo retouching might disappoint casting if they aren’t met with the person in the headshot. A good headshot should brighten one’s appearance but should not change the person’s look entirely.

Distracting Props or Accessories

Your headshot should therefore ensure that all the emphasis remains central on you; this is as far as props or accessories that divert attention to other areas of your body especially your neck and beyond is a no-no. Any accessory that catches the eye can be a disturbance if it has no connection to the roles you are applying for, such as fancy hats, big accessories or bright colored clothes. Don’t complicate things—simply wear clothes that will allow your facial expressions and personality to shine through.

Not Going With a Professional

When it comes down to choosing the photos for your portfolio, don’t opt for selfies or low quality pictures. A selfie or any other relaxed photograph may look more uncomplicated and cheaper than renting a professional photographer and paying them, but it will only decrease your odds in the future. Amateur photos are inadequate because they do not capture the best angles and do not have professional quality necessary for the industry. Selfies are usually taken in poor lighting and are messy and amateur looking and should not be used when casting. Hiring skilled photographers is mandatory if you have to be trusted as an actor.

Ignoring Industry Standards

There are certain types of shots and certain genres and roles—therefore it is possible that one needs headshots of that type. For instance, an actor taking a headshot for a play should have strong theatrical looks in which best depicts intense emotions. While a headshot for a commercial shoot will capture energetic and close to life emotions. Find out what is anticipated in terms of headshots for the kinds of parts you are often going for, and make your shots match that genre.

Skipping Regular Updates

One of the biggest mistakes actors often make is having overused and aged headshots. When your appearance is physically different from before this may include having a new hair style, losing or gaining some weight, or growing older it is time to update your headshot. Having a photo that is taken some time ago distorts one’s appearance. A general tip is to take new headshots every 1-2 years.

Conclusion

Acting headshots are not simple selfies—they are your business cards in show business and one of the best investments you can make in your career. Want to make an impact on casting directors when they glance at your professional headshots? Here is what you need to do: Capture your persona; work with a professional photographer; and keep it simple. Similarly, there are some ‘do not forgets’ to take into consideration such as make sure your eyes are captivating, the facial expressions aren’t unnatural, and that your headshots are updated.

A good headshot can grant you an opportunity, while a bad one can significantly sabotage your chances of even getting auditions. So, you should be very particular with your headshots because this not only helps you make a great first impression but will also demonstrate to your casting directors that you are serious about your career. Always do your best when it comes to taking your headshots – the outcome is definitely worth it!

If you want help coming up with a strategy for your next headshot session you can purchase our guide or coach 1-1 with me!