In general terms, a headshot is a photograph taken of a person from the shoulders upwards. The headshot is designed to give a good perspective, or provide a good idea, of what a person really looks like. An actor's headshot must clearly and accurately present that person's facial features and show clear detail that would otherwise not be present in a full body photo.


In more detailed terms, an actor's headshot is a photo which is used to provide a casting director, and perhaps a talent agent, a good idea of what that person presently looks like. Usually accompanied by a resume, the headshot gives a good outline of that person's personality, looks, features and abilities and helps casting directors and talent agents to conclude whether the actor is right for a certain part, or not, as the case may well be.

Distributed to a potential employer, just one headshot can be your entire career – it could get you that all-important role above somebody else, or it could certainly be the end-all of your future acting career. Your headshot forms a very important part of your resume so it is vital that it is professional, of good quality and honest. Honest is key here – don't use a glamour photographer whose use of dramatic lighting and makeup make you look different. Your headshot should be a representation of how you really look. Also, your potential employer needs to know what you look like right now, not two years ago. You'll need to get new headshots every couple of years if not sooner if you are still growing, developing, or have changed in appearance in some way.

Up until recently black and white was the only way to go. Now, color photos have become acceptable, too. You might want to try both B&W and color prints. The casting director is looking for personality to shine in the headshot, not what color your eyes or hair are (these can be changed). Color photos give a different view and shows your eyes and hair in correct light, but B&W photos still allow the casting director to see you deeply and in some situations can make you look deeper and more theatrical.

In recent years ¾ shots have been taken, from the waist up, and have gained in popularity. These type of photos show your shape and provides a better overall view of your look. If a casting director can make up time by auditioning a few preferable candidates then that's great, your shape might just turn out to be exactly what they need.

Some have dared supply photos with the side or top of the head or face cut off – I guess to give a potential employer a bit of curiousness about their possible casting, but even so this is still quite unusual so decide what you want your future to be before jumping in with a headshot like this.

Ask the person advertising for the audition exactly what photo they will require before you send your headshot and resume to them. For open casting calls and movie extra work, quite often they will only require a 3” x 5” photograph. For all other professional casting calls and auditions, the industry standard is 8 x 10 inch.

By following the industry guidelines and getting a high quality and accurate looking headshot, you are essentially telling the casting director and/or talent agent that you are professional and your image will tell them exactly who you are. So make your headshot a good one, even if you are just starting out.

At the end of the day, you are putting yourself into a 'market' - you are trying to sell yourself. So, you aren't going to be considered if your headshot is completely wrong. Any future casting directors who may be determining who he wants to cast right when he opens your envelope might not call you to audition if your headshot is poor. So, make it good!

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Aimee Mitchell is an acting coach, short story author, community theater director and playwright. She has spent the better part of her adult life working with young actors and actresses.

Copyright © Aimee Mitchell. Used with permission of the author. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or distributed.

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