Why Is It Important To Take Actor Headshots?

Your actor headshot is the most important marketing tool for aspiring and experienced actors. Good quality headshots make the difference between getting a role, or never getting a callback. Here’s what makes high quality actor headshots so important.

What is an actor headshot?

The professional acting headshot above is of Jasmine Charmichael who played the role of Gina in Amazon's hit series 'Sneaky Pete.'

Headshots for actors are close-ups of their face. In other words, a well-cropped portrait photo which features an actor’s face. Headshots are used by agents, producers, and casting directors to get the look and feel of an actor for a potential role.

Acting headshots should be professionally taken. A professional actor headshot makes it to look as if the actor just stepped into a scene. Actor’s headshots are generally printed on an 8-inch by 10-inch format.

Selfies and amateur photographs should never, ever be used. Let me repeat that. Never-ever.

Headshots are meant to look like an accurate representation of your face, while at the same time showing expression and personality.

Your headshot is your first point of contact with the film industry. Getting a quality headshot in the right hands can make a career overnight.

Do you need headshots to be an actor?

Long story short, yes! Let’s put it into perspective. If you are shopping for a specific product, would you just randomly choose the item or do the research to see what would be the best fit for your needs?

For a casting director, seeing a headshot is the same way. The foremost element of television, movies, and commercials is the visual aspect.

You will not get scheduled for an audition for a role without an actor headshot. How could they give you a call back if they don’t know what the prospective actor looks like?

Headshots are vital to making it in the acting world. Casting directors will use headshots to identify you before and after meeting you. Think of them like an actor’s business cards, or resumes.

Without professional headshots, it would be nearly impossible to get your foot in the door for auditions.

Having multiple different headshots is important. They should represent your face accurately and in good lighting. The best headshots will convey a sense of the actor’s personality.

An actor’s headshot is the first audition

Above is a headshot of Austin who is interested in scoring roles with more serious and action genre roles. 

As an actor, the first item of business any producer or director is going to see is going to be your headshot.

That will be how you’re thought of until you enter the audition room. In this video, an industry casting director discusses what makes a quality headshot.

The main point is that your headshot should look like you. A headshot is a casting director’s first impression of you; in a way it is your first audition, and it’s crucial that your headshot is an accurate, yet flattering, representation of yourself.

Using glamour shots, photographs with distracting lighting, or poor angles all reduce your chances of making a favorable impression with casting directors. When it comes to auditions, the slightest edge can mean a world of difference.

After your audition, casting directors will use your headshot to discuss you and compare you with fellow actors going out for the same role.

Very often, split decisions will be made between casting directors and producers just by comparing their headshots. Having a headshot that stands out from the crowd; one that shows your character while also give a clear representation of your features.

Using headshots to display variety of acting genres

The above headshots of Ashley are an excellent example of providing a variety of photos for casting calls. 

How many headshots do you need for acting? Simply put, at the very minimum, two. The more variety you can have, the higher chances of getting called back for a casting will be.

Think of an actor like Tom Hanks; in a movie like Castaway, he plays a very intense role as a man lost on an abandoned island, while in a movie like Forrest Gump he plays a lovable simpleton, and in Saving Private Ryan he is a brave and heroic military captain.

If you picture Hanks in each one of these roles, he seems almost like a different person– his energy, confidence, and gravitas vary greatly throughout.

This is called acting range, and it’s a great advantage to be able to display it simply through your headshots.

At the most basic level, aspiring actors should have a smiling commercial shot, as well as a more serious theatrical photo. This will be useful when looking to expand the field of potential roles. If you want to get more advanced, you should consider your goals in the field.

Think about the type of roles you are interested to getting cast for. For a higher chance of getting cast for roles, a prospective actor should have at least 4-6 headshots. A primary headshot along with a few examples of roles they plan on going out for.

For instance, if you are interested in family roles, make sure the headshot and portrait capture that look for you. If you are going for something more edgy like superhero or something in action, it’s important that the headshot portrays that you have what it takes for this role.

Having different headshots for specific roles, as well as portraits that convey different emotions, go a long way with casting directors.

In cases where you might not get one role, having many different headshots in the director’s hands could help you secure a different role entirely.

Acting range is huge in helping actors land roles consistently, and quality acting headshots are a great way to display it.

Quality headshots display professionalism

In essence, an actor's headshot is their resume. Imagine you’re interviewing a candidate for a job, and they show up to the interview with their work experience written on a napkin. How would you view that candidate?

If you were to try and pass off a selfie or an amateur photo as a headshot, a casting director would look at you the same way. They wouldn’t take you seriously.

To be a professional-level actor, you need to present yourself as a professional, and that starts with your headshots.

High quality images that make you stand out as an actor, will turn heads in the industry. On the flip side, even if you have great work history, a low-level acting headshot can shut doors in your face. So, what makes a good headshot? Let’s take a look.

What makes a good headshot for actors?

There are lots of elements that go into a good acting headshot. As we already discussed, the most important element of a good headshot is that it looks like you.

If you show up for an audition and the casting director does not recognize you from your headshot, you can kiss the role goodbye.

It is important to put thought into how you will prepare yourself for your new acting headshot. Makeup is recommended for both males and females, but not so much that you appear unrecognizable.

Getting enough rest is equally as important as having good makeup.

For clothing, pick a style that agrees with the sort of roles you’re going for. It is also important to avoid any complicated patterns or color combinations, as they could distract from your face.

Your headshots are the key to making a good impression and breaking into the entertainment industry; there is no reason to move forward with anything other than headshots you are thrilled with.

How often should actors get new headshots?

Once your headshots get noticed and the ball starts rolling with a growing number of casting calls, you'll need to update your headshots more often depending on the role you are going to try out for. 

We recommend that actors and actresses update their headshots at least once a quarter (every 3 months). The reasons for updating your actor headshots at a regular basis will create even more variety, different looks (we all change after all), and most importantly document you as you grow as an actor.

To help actors get the best value we offer a unique service catered specifically for actors. A monthly 'Actors Headshots Subscription' which includes:

• 1 60 minute headshot session per month

• 2 outfit changes for each session

• 4 fully retouched headshots with each session

Headshots for actors

Ultimately, well done headshots are an absolute necessity for aspiring actors. The headshot is your resume, your first audition, and your business card all in one. Getting auditions is the key to booking roles, but the key to securing auditions in the first place is professional, attention-grabbing headshots. Acting headshots are the most important marketing tool especially for up-and-coming actors.

We can make your acting headshot stand out from the crowds. Contact us today to see how we can help you get noticed.