— THE BUSINESS · GUIDE

Headshots & Industry Standards

What casting directors look for, when you actually need professional photos, and how to get the most out of your session.

When do you actually need professional headshots?

Not as soon as you might think. When you're just getting started — auditioning for community theater, Children's Theater, or even student films — a clean iPhone photo against a neutral outdoor backdrop works perfectly fine. We did exactly that for years and it opened plenty of doors.

Professional headshots become necessary when you're ready to pursue agency representation or are submitting for professional paid work. That's the moment to invest.

A young girl with long brown hair and gray eyes standing outdoors near a body of water with trees in the background, wearing a cream-colored floral shirt.

We used iPhone photos for years before investing in professional headshots. They worked. Start with what you have.

The bottom line
Don't pay for professional headshots before you need them. A clean iPhone photo against a neutral outdoor background gets the job done for early stage auditions — and saves your money for when it really matters.

The two headshots you actually need

To start, you only need two types. As your career grows stylized headshots become more common — creative and editorial — but they're an add-on, not a necessity at the beginning.

Close-up portrait of a young woman with long wavy brown hair and green eyes, smiling slightly, wearing a teal top, against a dark background.

Theatrical - focused and present, ready to carry a scene.

Close-up of a young woman with long brown hair, blue eyes, wearing a denim jacket and a teal top, smiling against a pink background.

Commercial - warm, friendly, approachable.

*Photos taken by Val Tanuzzi Photography

Commercial
Warm, friendly, approachable. Brighter colors are fine. This is the headshot that says "I'm likeable and trustworthy." Think commercials, print work, anything where you're selling something or playing the relatable everyday person.
Theatrical
More serious and focused. This is the headshot that says "I can carry a scene." Think film, TV, and dramatic roles. The expression is present and intentional — not smiling, not frowning, just there.

Choosing the right photographer

Acting headshots are a highly specialized genre of photography. Not every photographer who says they do headshots understands what casting directors actually need.

Makeup and hair add-ons offered by a reputable photographer are often worth it

Especially if you're not confident styling for camera yourself.

Check with your agent before booking

If you’re represented, your agent may have strong opinions and useful recommendations

Look for a large portfolio of actors headshots specifically

Not corporate, not senior portraits, not weddings. If their portfolio looks like acting headshots, they know what they're doing. If it looks like anything else, it's not their expertise.

$150–$500 is a reasonable price range.

Sometimes you can get a discount by going with a fellow actor — photographers occasionally offer group rates.

Red flag
If a photographer says they do acting headshots but their portfolio shows corporate or senior style photos — that is not their expertise. Move on.

Preparing for the shoot

Sessions run anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on how many outfit and hairstyle changes are in your package. The photographer will guide you — but the more prepared you are, the better the results.

Wardrobe
Bring layers so you can add or remove clothing on the day. No logos or brand names. Jewel tones — deep blues, greens, burgundies, purples — are universally flattering across skin tones. Keep it simple. The focus should be your face, not your outfit.
Hair
Keep it simple and natural — how you'd actually show up to an audition. Think about consistency: your headshots should look like you in your self-tapes. If you have naturally curly hair, consider getting headshots with both your natural texture and a straight style so you have options.
Makeup
Little to no makeup for younger performers. Kids being cast are supposed to look like kids. Heavy makeup or styled hair that makes them look older isn't helpful — it works against you. Basic skin smoothing and blemish removal in post is fine. Heavy retouching is not.
Timing
If your child is getting braces off soon, growing out a haircut, or going through a significant physical change — consider waiting. Headshots should look like you right now, today. If they'll look noticeably different in three months, the photos will feel dated quickly.

Choosing your final photos

The photo your mom loves the most is not always the one a casting director wants. Get multiple perspectives before deciding — your agent if you have one, a trusted acting coach, a fellow performer whose judgment you trust.

Casting directors are looking for authenticity, presence, and someone who looks like they could actually play the role. Not perfection.

Adult vs youth headshots
Adult headshots tend to last longer and a bigger investment is often worth it once you're booking regular work. For younger performers, plan to update them more frequently as they grow and change.

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