Glamorized Actor Headshots: The Fastest Way Out the Casting Door!

By Byron Vasquez Jr

It is often said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” So true is this adage when applied to the acting industry. If a still image can convey the essence of meaning more effectively than a verbal description; then it stands to reason why a single photo (or acting headshot) can be the key to getting in the door for a casting audition...or not.

Every one who embarks on a career into acting knows the first thing to do is get your actor headshot. Why? Those pictures are your calling card! It’s the first thing that is requested by everyone from an agent to a casting director. Your headshot is matched up against the breakdown of a project and if you look the part you will be brought in for a casting to showcase your talent.

Acting Headshot Questions

So, fresh-faced actors arrive onto the scene and quickly seek out a photographer to take their photos and make their dreams come true. But how exactly are you supposed to take your headshots? What is your ultimate goal during your headshot photography session? What is the role of your headshot photographer and how much input should they have? These are important questions that I myself as an actor didn’t have the answers to when I was newly starting out. In fact, the answers to these questions revealed themselves not when I was in the role of an actor...but while I was a producer and holding my first casting session for a short film I produced in Los Angeles. It’s from a producer/casting perspective that I’ll give you my experience to help you be prepared when you book your actor headshot photo shoot.

How Casting Directors Use Headshots

While in pre-production for my short film I released a breakdown onto Actors Access for different roles I was casting. Each with their respective character descriptions. It was based on those descriptions that actors would submit their professional acting headshots and resumes and my team and I would sift through the hundreds of submissions: small thumbnails of each actor that had thrown their hat in for a casting audition. With the numerous amounts of people who submitted there was no time to go through every actors’ profile in depth... So, we selected the first round of actors immediately off the headshots of those we thought their physical look was closest to our vision for the character.

Importance of Accurate Acting Headshots for Casting

When we started bringing in actors and actresses to read during a casting I began to notice a pattern; their acting headshots looked promising but when they walked in the room it was a different essence I was seeing. Their headshot personalities didn’t match their real life personalities. This was the same for both male and female actors.

For example, a character we had was a confident, successful, attorney, who grew up being most popular, and had that air of confidence about him. Well, many actors submitted their confident looking acting headshots but when they walked into the room it was very meager, subdued personalities that were being presented. They looked nothing like their headshots. So, this caused their auditions to get past on and forgotten rather quickly.

Headshots That Casting Directors Want to See

The lesson here is that many times actors book their professional actor headshots sessions with the intentions of showcasing their BEST SELVES in the photograph. But actors are not here to be models ; rather basic every day people. So, it’s important to KNOW YOUR TYPE. The purpose of an actors headshot is not to showcase your BEST self, but to reveal your TRUE self... or your essence. Who you are in your everyday life. THAT’S WHO CASTING WANTS TO SEE: YOU!!! Know what roles you typically go out for, or how people would describe you. Do friends and family know you as the sporty, girl next door? Then that’s the essence your headshot photographer needs to capture. Many actors believe they need to accentuate their beauty in their acting headshots so they can stand out and be seen.. but if every actor does this then you’re just another one in hundreds of submissions. What will capture the eye of those who will bring you in is something quirky and unique about you! When you’re showcasing YOU, no one else will have your look.

Things to Think About For Your Headshot

So when you book your actor headshot session, have the professional headshot photographer capture your type. If you’re using make-up allow the make up to accent you naturally and not glamorize you. The headshot session should be collaborative. Know what you want to capture and trust that the headshot photographer has enough experience to use the best lights and angles to capture what you want. Remember, the headshot photographer will deliver dozens of options from which you can choose from. Choose one of the top headshot photographers that makes you feel safe and allows you to be vulnerable during your photography session. Capturing your essence is only possible if you’re willing to go to that vulnerable place and let yourself be truly seen.

“A picture is with a thousand words...” and if you get it just right those words can be the ones on a script!! Break a leg everyone!

Brandon Andre - Headshots Los Angeles

If you are in the Los Angeles, Phoenix, or Washington DC area and need professional actor headshots with an experienced top headshots photographer, contact Brandon Andre HERE. There is a reason why Brandon Andre is considered one of the best headshot photographers in Los Angeles and the headshot industry today. He delivers quality headshots that will get you booked!