What Should Your Acting Headshot Look Like?

Your acting headshot should look like you. Very simple. Stop overthinking what a headshot should be and remember that all it’s supposed to be is a photo that shows your face and who you are. 

Actors tend to get caught up in the glamour of Hollywood whether it’s throwing out a lot of money just to hire a famous photographer or even hiring an entire glam team in order to get what they think will be a “perfect headshot.” 

Sure, you’ll have pretty pictures of yourself, but all those things don’t necessarily guarantee that you’ll get a usable acting headshot. 

Casting Directors and Headshots

All casting directors need to see is a photo of you that shows exactly what you look like. They don’t care who you shot with or who did your hair and makeup or where you got the shots. 

So STOP focusing on the wrong things. Instead, train your eye to learn what to look for in a headshot photographer. When looking at their work, do their actors stand out in their photos? What’s the first thing that catches your eye when looking at the headshot? Is it the background?- if so, no bueno. Is it the clothing?- not good. Is it the eyelashes, messy hair, or blemishes?- also things not good.

If you look a headshot an do not immediately start to analyze what you think their personality is or envision them acting as a particular character because you’re distracted by all of the previously stated things above, then the headshot is not good. Chances are it will be ineffective and not yield good results when sending them out for auditions.

So what are things to look for when hiring a headshot photographer?

Things to Look For When Hiring A Headshot Photographer

When it’s time for you to shop around for a headshot photographer, you can use the following rubric to judge whether or not they will accomplish delivering to you an industry standard headshot. As you read below, a key component that makes a headshot last you a long time is this: TIMELESSNESS. Ensure you approach every piece of the headshot process from the understanding that from hair, to makeup, to clothes, everything should be timeless meaning that the headshot should not look like a “2022 trend.”

1. Lighting 

• Look for equal lighting all over the face

• The lighting should highlight the details of their face like the eyes, the jaw structure, and hair color

• Whether or not it’s studio or natural light, it should direct attention to your face

2. Clothing

• The clothing colors should complement the skin tone and make you pop out

• The clothes should be timeless, not trendy or fashionable

• The clothes should have no weird cuts, patterns, or graphics that draw attention away from your face- examples are ruffles, lace, distressed, etc.

• The clothing should be wrinkle free

• Typically avoid colors like white and black

• Avoid jewelry like bracelets, earrings, necklaces- simple keeps it timeless

• Avoid oversized clothes- the tops you wear should be fitted to your body

3. Backdrops 

• The backdrop should not be distracting

• The backdrop should compliment your skin tone and make you pop

• Depending on the kind of look, the backdrop should enhance the personality of the character or look you’re portraying

• Backgrounds should either be a solid colored or textured backdrop or a really bokeh-ed (blurred) background if on location.

4. Hair and Makeup 

• Males and females should always have on makeup

• Makeup should be natural and not trendy, beauty blogger type makeup- i.e. false eyelashes, matte dark lipstick and heavy heavy contouring. Don’t like like any of the Kardashians in other words.

• Hair should be brushed, styled, and polished

• You should look exactly like your headshot when you walk into an audition, so don’t overdo the makeup

5. Poses 

• The headshot crop will be from the center of your chest up to about an inch over your hair

• Don’t try posing like a model

• Always look into the lens

• Poses should look natural

• Poses should have variation

• Always show 75% percent of your face in a headshot, so don’t move your face too far right or left from the camera

• Usually the best angles are when the photographer is shooting from a slanted down angle at you

• You want to make sure your chin isn’t too high up where we can see the back of your nostrils

• Avoid laughing where your chin is going inward causing a double chin

6. Expression   

• Your expression should always be natural and not forced

• Laughter should feel candid and not like a posed smile

• Serious theatrical expressions should be intentional and be portraying an emotion not just giving a bland look at the camera

• Laughter ALWAYS produces squinty eyes- which I have clients get insecure about sometimes, but don’t be. This is natural and honestly way better because it shows more of your energy and personality

• Avoid forcing a laugh where it ends up looking fake or not genuine

• Avoid looking so serious that you end up looking like a serial killer or creepy (unless that’s the look you’re going for)

7. Retouching 

• Retouching should look natural and clean, not over done

• Retouching shouldn’t remove any unique natural marks you have like scars, moles, freckles, or fine lines

• You should look your age

• Don’t ask the photographer to make you look younger

If you judge a photographer with this headshot rubric, then you’ll be able to know EXACTLY what your headshot should look like.  

If you are an actor or in the entertainment business, I recommend you read some of my other guides on my Actors Resources page HERE.

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Brandon Andre - Headshots Photographer in Los Angeles

If you are in the Los Angeles or Phoenix area, and need acting headshots, please contact me to set up a photo session. I am 5 star rated, and considered on of the best headshot photographers in town. If you want more information on pricing and how to book a session with me click HERE.