As someone who has been on both sides of the camera, having spent many years attempting to work as an actor and currently working as a full time photographer there are a few things I have learned about acting headshots. The main one is that just like life, everything changes, as does what casting directors are looking for from a actors headshot.

professional actor headshots

 

Black and White or Color

When I started it was customary to have a black and white headshot with your resume but this has changed since then and now it is standard to use a color headshot for auditions. If you are like me and prefer a black and white, use that as part of an online profile or have it as a thank you card.

Clothing

When doing a headshot go with solid colors over extreme patters. Avoid solid white and bright red. Go with something that compliments your skin tone like browns, light pinks, blues, grays, greens, and in some cases black. Also avoid large jewelry items or other things on your person that take away from your face.

Border or no Border

Should you have a white border around your picture? I say yes. I know it is common for people to have the picture bleed to the edge but there is something professional about a print with a nice white border around the image. If you have an agent, you can place the agent and contact information on a lower area white border. Of course, if you do have an agent, go with their suggestion on a border or no border.

Gloss or Matt

Go matt. Not much more to say on this one. You are not getting a print of your family to frame and hang on the wall, you are trying to look like a professional actor. Print on matt.

dramatic actor headshotPosing and Framing

The purpose of the picture is to express yourself and who you are with just your face. So don’t take a picture that is so close it crops the top of your head. This does emphasize your eyes, but for casting they want to see the top of your head as well to know what your hair looks like. Have your shoulder in the image as well, but not your belly. They can tell your weight pretty well from the head and shoulder. For guys you can cross your arms. I know people think this is standoffish but it also does a nice framing in the image. For women I don’t recommend this, usually I would recommend a hand over to the other arm. Look at the camera as your eyes should be the first thing they see. Guys, if you have a beard in your picture make sure you have that same beard in the audition.

Smile or No Smile

This really comes down to how you want to project yourself. If you are going to smile make it genuine and not fake. If you are not going smile, don’t frown or look angry. Unless that is what you are going for, but it could limit your options.

Landscape or Portrait

Go Portrait. This is my opinion anyway, it does appear that this is slowly changing and I am seeing more and more headshots for actors in a landscape format. During a session at D Studios we will look to you in letting us know the intended use and will most likely use both formats for you to have a selection to pick from. For corporate portraits they tend to be portrait. For actors, check with what your peers are doing, or an agent, or casting director. The acting fields changes from year over year.

Backdrop

For our photos we do a combination of grey, white, and black backdrop to give options. My recommendation is go grey. At no point when looking at the picture should the viewer have a thought of what is behind you.

nicely posed picture

Look Unique Look Natural

With all these rules about framing, format, clothing, how can you stand out? Well that is what makes someone famous. Don’t look at the camera like it is your passport or driver’s license photo. The eyes are the window into the soul so take that face of yours and show them what you have to offer. If you are the wacky guy say that with your smile. If you are the serious cop, let’s see it. But make sure that is you. I know actors want to not get typecast and do a range of things. When you are famous you can branch out, for now pick a look.

Relax

If you can’t relax when getting your picture taken with a single photographer how do you expect to relax on camera or in the audition room full of people staring at you?

Makeup

For women I would suggest to always wear makeup. Don’t go overboard with it, as it should look natural. It should look similar to how you will look walking into the audition. Some guys will also do make up for a photoshoot and there is nothing wrong with that. But if you do, be sure it doesn’t’ look like you are wearing makeup. Don’t try to wear it to make you look younger, just use it to take some shine off your face or cover those giant bags under your eyes because you were out all night before the shoot.

Keep It Up To Date

If you walk into an audition and don’t look like your headshot, that is bad. A headshot should be updated every couple of years or if you change your hair or look in anyway.