How Many Headshots Does An Actor Need?
At my headshot studio here in Los Angeles, CA one of the most common questions I get when I am consulting with new actors is, "How many headshots does an actor need?"
When starting out I would suggest at least 3 headshot looks. These 3 different headshot looks can be made up of either 1 commercial look and 2 theatrical looks or 1 theatrical look and 2 commercial looks. It really depends on which direction you're leading towards in your acting career. Are you planning to submit yourself more for commercials and print work or are you seeking to audition for character driven productions on networks, streaming services, and big movie studio productions? Once you've figured that out, you can coordinate the 3 looks to get you headshot images that very simply show you, your personality, and your essence.
“When starting out I would suggest at least 3 headshot looks.”
Headshot Looks
Once you have been going out to auditions with casting directors, getting callbacks, and receiving more feedback on your look and your energy, you can then take newer headshots that cater around a certain "look" that you have!
An example of that "look" can be this: Joe is getting sent out or receiving more responses for characters that have more of a bad guy, dangerous look to them. Joe having learned this now goes to get new acting headshots that include a character look where he tailors the image to reflect a more "bad guy" appearance. Sometimes people have more than 1 look that they can pull off which is what I like to call: range and versatility.
What is the minimum amount of headshots an actor needs?
I think a professional actor may be able to get away with 2 headshot looks; 1 commercial and 1 theatrical especially when starting out and when trying to save money, but eventually they're going to learn that the more you have, the more things you'll be able to be submitted to. Each headshot is a different character you can play and shows the ranges of characters you can play, especially if you have an agency these images can help them have more options to send you out for.
At the same time, there are actors who consistently get work having only used 1 headshot for a couple of years because that headshot just happens to continuously work really well for them, so it's important to understand that while there are general answers to these questions that everyone has a different experience because everyone has a different look, age, range, and experience.
Keep Your Headshots Current
What you always want to ensure, at minimum, is that your headshots are always up to date and reflect what you look like now. Unless you are blessed with looking the same age for a while, I usually recommend actors get new headshot updates yearly. You'd be surprised how much a person can change in a year's time. Sometimes professional actors change up their hair, lose weight, gain weight, grow out a beard, color their hair, or get older looking or have had a glow up. It's important that when you go to an audition you're giving the casting director a photo of yourself that is current and reflective of who you are now.
“What you always want to ensure, at minimum, is that your headshots are always up to date and reflect what you look like now.”
Is It Better To Have More Acting Headshots?
Yes, if you think about how many places that will be using your images from online casting network sites, to your agents or managers, to social media, to IMDB, to production sets it is very likely that they all won't be using the same one image.
Range of Headshots
Sometimes in the process of getting new acting headshots you can even learn about your own range as an actor and what characters you could potentially tap into which can unlock so many more possibilities. Plus, most professional actors who you meet will have at least 3-5 different different images to show you. My suggestion is to aim for at least 4 in the beginning of the first year.
Types of Acting Headshots You Need
Commercial Headshots
A commercial headshot is a photo of a professional actor showing their truest self and personality. It's generally bright, vibrant, and has energy. Actors can be seen generally smiling or candidly laugh-smiling in these types of images.
Commercial Headshot Examples
Theatrical Headshots
A theatrical headshot still captures a professional actor's essence, but it's not as vibrant or colorful as a commercial headshot. Instead, this is where actors tend to look serious or show some sort of emotion in their eyes. It's meant to be used for more character driven work on TV, Films, and Theater.
Why Theatrical Headshots Are Important?
A theatrical headshot is an incredibly important headshot to have in your arsenal as a beginning actor since it will allow you to be taken more seriously as a professional. If your goal is to get more character roles, then theatrical headshots are the tool you need in order to do that.
Theatrical Headshot Examples
If you would like more information on the difference between Commercial Headshots and Theatrical Headshots please read my in depth guide HERE
All in all, if you’re just starting out I would highly recommend having 3 headshot looks to begin your acting career. Over time you will eventually be asked to get new looks, learn which shots worked and didn’t work for you, and maybe even get more specific shots after you learn which types of looks you’re getting more work from. Expect to have a photographer’s contact, like mine, at your disposal because you’re going to want to find someone that will make the headshot process easy and efficient for you.
Brandon Andre - Headshots Los Angeles Photographer
If you are in the Los Angeles or Phoenix are and need professional actor headshots, contact me for a photoshoot. I am considered one of the best acting headshots photographers in LA. After working with me, my clients always report an increase in auditions and bookings with casting directors.