Having a good headshot is an industry essential. An actor’s headshot is like their business card – it’s a vital tool that you need when applying for auditions or representation, and, just like your CV, needs to be kept updated and professional.

What Is A Headshot?

A headshot is a professional portrait. The industry standard is a 8 x 10 black and white photograph of you, taken from the top of the shoulders up. In the U.S colour is more common but currently in the UK black and white is more required.  These photographs are normally printed on matte or pearl finish photographic paper, usually with your CV printed on the back although CV can be printed on paper and attached to the back. This photo needs to capture your look and most importantly, must show your most up-to-date and current ‘look’. There’s no point sending your CV to casting directors when you don’t look like your picture! For example, why would you send a casting director an old headshot if you recently cut your hair short? Actors that turn up to auditions and don’t look like their headshots is a recurring nuisance to casting directors.

Headshots are not glamour shots. Flaws shouldn’t be hidden but embraced! Your headshot must clearly portray your best characteristics and any district features such as strong eyes or a full mouth, because these features may bag you a job, as well as show off your personality.

Click play on the above video from our YouTube Channel - Alice was getting headshots so I thought I’d add some helpful tips alongside it! Just a fun video that I hope you find useful.

Do I Need A Professional Headshot?

Whilst you’re still in education and not actively looking for auditions, no you don’t need to spend ridiculous amounts of money on professional headshots! Getting a session with a professional headshots photographer is expensive, and it would be a waste of money to buy headshots that won’t be current with your look by the time you will want to use them.

If you do find yourself in need of a picture to send to a casting director, simply grab a friend to take a snapshot of you. Take the picture outside where there is natural lighting, and stand in front of a neutral background – be sure that you are lit clearly and that all of your face can be seen! No Facebook or Myspace pictures, just a natural snapshot ensuring your face is clear of hair.

“Can I Use a Photo My Friend Took as a Headshot, At Least Until I Get ‘Real’ Headshots? Unless your friend happens to be a professional headshot photographer, no. If you want to be considered for real jobs, you need a real headshot. Research local photographers and compare their portfolios and prices. You’re sure to find a few whose work and rates appeal.” Jackie Apodaca – Backstage Questions

This is very true when you are trying to get work professionally as an adult performer. But if you are starting out it is not expected that you should have a professional headshot until you have an agent.

Finding A Photographer

There are hundreds of professional photographers that specilize in headshots for actors, especially in the major cities like London. Finding the right one for you depends entirely on whether you like their services, and, of course, price! So what will a professional headshots photographer cost? Depending on whose services you hire and what package you ask for anything from £100 to £400. A lot of money.

Firstly, saving up for a professional headshots photographer is really worth it, as long as you’ve chosen someone whose style you know you will get what you’re asking for. When choosing a professional, make sure you go through their portfolio of work thoroughly to see if you like their style – a good photographer will have worked with many different actors before, and they should know how to get the best out of you. Most photographers have websites where you can easily view lots of online portfolios. And as American photograher Zero Dean says;

“The fact that a photographer charges so little for their services is a sure sign that they don’t really value their own work and experience highly enough to charge a reasonably rate for it.” Zero Dean – Headshots

As to finding a good photographer, everyone’s been there before and you can easily find out first hand experiences by asking around.

“Getting referrals should be your first order of business. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s bound to be a long line of other actors who’ve already sought the same service. Their detective work and experiences can be your road map, complete with flashing Do Not Enter signs. Ask your colleagues and teachers, search the Internet, and scan actor message boards.” Jackie Apodaca – Backstage Questions

The best investment to make when finding a photographer is to buy Spotlight’s Contacts. Contacts has a full section listing photographers all around the UK linking to online portfolios. It’s a must! Or you can check out The Stage newspaper for even more classified listed photographers. Be sure to interview your photographers and don’t put all your eggs in one basket – headshots being as expensive as they are you want to get it right!

Can’t Afford A Professional?

Needn’t worry if you can’t afford a professional photographer just yet. There are plenty of up and coming photographers graduating from photography and art courses around the UK that need to build up their portfolio of portraits. They will charge much less and as they are only starting out perhaps will only charge for the prints. Students on good BA Hons Photography courses have access to full equipment and studios to make your experience more professional. You never know, some students might even need a model for a portrait project, and you could get some free prints out of it.

It’s definitely worth a try finding out whether a university or college near you has students that would be interested. Try emailing the head of Photography or Commercial Photography courses asking whether one of their students would be willing to help you out.

Getting a Good Picture

There are different types of headshots that you should look out for, as each picture can portray you as a different character, or make you appear more suitable for a different type of job. For the most part there are two main types for actors, being;

  • Theatrical: A theatrical headshot is generally more ‘serious’ as it is used to put you up for plays, TV and film, so this photo must show your true character.
  • Commercial: A commercial headshot is much more warm and friendly, and generally much brighter than your theatrical headshot (check out Headshots 101 for more info on theatrical vs. commercial!).

Prepare before the session by talking to your photographer about what headshots you’d like so they are aware of what looks you want to achieve in the session. Talk about what clothes and make up to wear – the general rule is to keep it simple, as you don’t want your clothes or accessories drawing the eye of the viewer away from your face. Block colour, no-slogan, v-neck shirts are perfect. With make up, the key is to keep it to a minimum as again, the natural details of your face is what should be the focus.

Headshots are also all about the eyes and how you connect to the camera. Personality can really come through in a photo and this is through your eyes (as Tyra Banks would say!) so try acting for the camera during the session to really give off your personality and attitude. Think about how giving off a great vibe through your eyes is how you can stop and get the casting director to look a little longer at your picture.

Further Links

If you’d like to know more, take a look at these links which are great sources of information and can explain any more .

Good and Bad Examples of Headshots
Headshot Session Preperation Video
Obtaining an Actors’ Headshot
Actors’ Perfect Headshot
Headshot Advice
What an Actor should look for in a Headshot Retoucher by Backstage