What Are Acting Headshots? A Complete Guide for Actors

If you’re pursuing acting—whether in commercials, TV, or film—your headshot is the single most important marketing tool you have. It’s the first impression casting directors, agents, and producers see, so it must communicate exactly who you are and the types of characters you can play.

As a photographer who specializes exclusively in acting headshots—and as an actor with over 20 years of experience—I’ve seen firsthand how the right photo can open doors. So, what exactly are acting headshots, and why are they different from other types of photos?

Acting Headshots Defined

An acting headshot is a professionally shot photograph that captures your unique look, personality, and character type in a natural, authentic way. Unlike a corporate headshot, which presents a polished professional persona, or a portrait that focuses on artistic expression and the overall scene, an acting headshot is all about you—your essence, your casting type, and the characters you naturally embody.

A great acting headshot shows casting directors exactly who will walk into the room. That authenticity matters because they need to know whether your type fits the role they’re trying to fill.

The Purpose of an Acting Headshot

Simply put, the purpose of a professional acting headshot is to grab the attention of a casting director. It should clearly show that your look aligns with the role they’re casting—whether that’s a CEO, a quirky dad, a tough detective, or a playful best friend.

Industry standards for lighting, focal length, posing, and wardrobe all play an important role in achieving this. A proper acting headshot uses techniques specifically designed to highlight your face, eyes, and energy in a way that feels relatable and real.

What Makes a Great Acting Headshot?

Great headshots share a few essential qualities:

  • Clean, flattering lighting

  • Sharp focus on the face—especially the eyes

  • A natural, engaging expression

  • Backgrounds that don’t distract

  • No visual clutter, heavy makeup, or overly stylized looks

The eyes are especially important; they should feel alive and connected to the camera, as if you’re mid-moment with another character.

How I Capture an Actor’s Authentic Personality

My approach is grounded in professionalism and trust. Actors relax when they know they’re in good hands, so I guide them through posing, expression, and wardrobe decisions with confidence and clarity. I keep the session warm, positive, and encouraging so their natural personality can shine.

I also direct expressions based on the type of character we’re targeting.

  • A CEO might need a strong, confident, self-assured look.

  • A playful dad might need warmth, humor, and approachability.

Backgrounds are selected the same way—fun, colorful tones for lively characters, more industrial or neutral settings for business or dramatic types.

Common Mistakes Actors Make

Some things can easily distract from a great headshot:

  • The wrong wardrobe

  • Distracting jewelry

  • Heavy makeup

  • Not looking directly into the lens

  • Showing up “too done up” instead of natural

Casting directors want you to look just like your photo when you walk into the room—same hair length, color, and real-world appearance.

Commercial vs. Theatrical Headshots

Actors should always have at least two types of headshots:

  • Commercial – bright, friendly, relatable

  • Theatrical – grounded, character-driven, subtle

Because actors often book differently across mediums, having both allows you to show your full range.

How Often Should Headshots Be Updated?

At minimum, every couple of years. You should also update them anytime your look changes—hair length, color, age, scars, or other permanent features that affect casting.

Retouching: Keep It Real

Retouching should be minimal and natural. Temporary blemishes, stray hair, and subtle skin smoothing are fine. Enhancing the eyes slightly is also common. But your headshot should always remain you—never an overly edited version.

My Process and What You Receive

A typical session lasts 60 to 90 minutes. I help with wardrobe choices, expression, poses, and looks to match your casting types. You receive all images from the session, with a select number fully edited.

Many of the actors I’ve worked with have booked roles directly from the headshots we created together—and that’s exactly what a professional acting headshot is designed to do.

If you’d like help capturing headshots that truly reflect your casting type and personality, I’d be happy to guide you through the process.