Career & Industry · 3 min read
Headshots 101 for Actors
Choosing a photographer, choosing a look, choosing a type - and budgeting your first headshot session.
Published August 31, 2025
A headshot is not a portrait. It’s a casting tool.
Most beginner headshots look like passport photos or wedding portraits. Casting wants a specific working tool.
The work, step by step
- Pick a photographer who shoots actors. Not a wedding photographer. Look at their actor portfolio.
- Bring 3 looks. Theatrical, commercial, character. Three wardrobes covering your range.
- Eyes alive. A great headshot has eyes you can't look away from. Practice the alive look.
- Avoid heavy retouching. Casting hates surprise when you walk in.
- Reshoot every 18 months. You change. The headshot has to keep up.
Common pitfalls
- Cheap "deals" that produce unusable images.
- Over-retouched skin.
- Single look only.
How Actry fits in
Actry has nothing to do with photography. But the auditions you book off the headshot are what you’ll use Actry for.
Frequently asked questions
Cost?
$300–$1500 for working photographers. Higher in major markets.
Color?
Yes. Black and white is rarely used now.
How many shots?
3–6 looks selected from a session of hundreds.
Filed under Career & Industry. Tagged: headshots, gear, career.