What to Wear, How to Prepare & What to Expect
If you’re an actor, your headshot has a pretty big job to do.
Before you walk into an audition, your headshot may be the first thing a casting director, agent or manager sees. It needs to get their attention, give them a sense of who you are and, most importantly, look like the person who is going to walk through the door.
That sounds simple. But if you’ve started researching actor headshots, you’ve probably discovered there are a lot of questions.
I photograph actors at various stages of their careers, from kids getting their very first professional headshots to experienced performers who know exactly what their agent wants. While every actor is different, many of their questions are the same.
So I’ve put the answers in one place.
This guide offers guidance on how to prepare for your session – your optimal wardrobe, what makeup to wear and what looks or expressions you’ll need to practice.
What to Wear.
The type of clothing you wear to your actor headshot session makes a big difference. There are industry standards for color and style. If you vary from those standards, you run the risk of looking unprofessional or “minor league.” Here are a few guidelines for what to wear for your headshot:
- Solid colors only, no patterns
- All items should be in good condition and fit well
- Long sleeved shirts only, or layer a jacket or shirt over a camisole or tank top
- Bright, medium hued colors are best
- No graphics or decals on t-shirts
- V-neck style t-shirts are preferred
- No jewelry, or only minimal jewelry
- No ruffles, sequins, or sparkles
- No obvious buttons, zippers or trim
- Clothes should be pressed and unwrinkled
For full body shots, make sure the clothes you bring have a flattering fit. You may look great in skinny jeans in real life, but in photographs they emphasize any bulges or creases, especially around the knees or if you have “saddlebags” at the thigh.
Full body shots are supposed to show casting directors your body type. Your attire should not be too loose, too baggy or too fussy. We should be able to see your build and body structure easily. What looks good in real life often does not photograph well. Avoid the urge to bring your favorite outfits just because you like them. You should be dressing for the parts you want to be hired for.
Select your clothing well in advance of your photoshoot. Pick out the items you think work best for your character. Take pictures of them with your phone and send them to me! I will be able to tell you right away if they will work. If you (or your character) wear glasses, ask to be photographed with and without them.
Visit my Actor Headshot gallery to see examples of head and shoulder, three-quarter, and full body actor headshots.
Makeup:
For an actor headshot photo session, you want your makeup to enhance your features without being overpowering. Here are some tips:
Foundation: Use a lightweight foundation that matches your skin tone. Avoid heavy foundation or tinted moisturizer. SHINE IS YOUR ENEMY, make sure your foundation has a matte finish. I have translucent powder that you can apply if needed when you come to the studio.
Concealer: Apply concealer to cover any blemishes or uneven skin tones. Don’t overdo it — these are easily removed in retouching.
Blush: Opt for a subtle blush to add a healthy glow to your cheeks. A cream blush offers the best finish. Avoid contouring.
Eyes:
- Brows: Fill in and/or groom your brows, but keep them natural.
- Eyeshadow: Use neutral shades that complement your skin tone. Matte finish is preferred.
- Eyeliner: I prefer that you avoid eyeliner. You can bring your eyeliner to the studio if you like and we can discuss how best to apply it.
- Mascara: Apply a few thin coats of mascara. Avoid false lashes unless they are a key part of your persona.
Lips: Choose a lip color that enhances your natural lip shade. Avoid overly glossy or dark shades.
Overall, avoid frosted or highlighted products.
I have a wide variety of makeup artists who specialize in makeup for actor headshots. I’m happy to arrange for them to come to the studio to apply your makeup for the session.
Looking for a deep dive into your headshot makeup? Visit this excellent article on Backstage.com: https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/makeup-for-headshots-tips-70557/
Expressions Guide
Your actor headshots need to show the range of emotions for the characters you are portraying. But remember — what looks great to you may not be what casting directors are looking for. During your photo session we will focus on five essential poses that belong in every actor’s headshot portfolio.
- Natural or everyday pose: A relaxed, natural look that represents your baseline.
- Smile WITH TEETH: A warm, genuine smile that conveys happiness. Depending on the role you’re seeking we might also do a laughing pose. YOU WILL NEED AT LEAST ONE HEADSHOT THAT SHOWS YOUR TEETH. I’ve had clients return for additional photos because their agent specifically asked for a headshot showing teeth.
- Serious or thoughtful: Slightly raised eyebrows, subtle smile. Sometimes these can be a little snarky if you’re seeking roles as a cynic or skeptic.
- Confident stance: Strong, bold, direct expression. It can also look challenging.
- Personality pose: This can be playful, sassy or silly, perfect for class clown or kid next door roles.
Casting directors often request full-body poses. I’m less concerned about your expression in these, as they are primarily intended to show your body type and build.
When you come to the studio I’ll review your wardrobe options as well, to make sure your attire aligns with the roles and expressions you want to convey.
Check out From Confident to Quirky for a few fun examples of effective expressions for actors:
How to print actor headshots:
There are a number of companies that print headshots and model comp cards. The vendor that had the most templates and options, however, was Zazzle.com. They have a ton of templates for comp cards and headshots.
https://www.zazzle.com/model_actor_modern_pro_4_photo_comp_card-256248794546145827
You can order both digital downloads and prints. You have lots of paper options but if you’re not sure I’d default to the “most popular” selected.
For print headshots, again I’d keep it simple, and in the same style as the comp card:
https://www.zazzle.com/headshots_for_casting_calls_8x10_acting_prints-256036260344941323
Dimensions are typically 8×10, which is the crop size I use for headshots. Some agents want a white border and your name printed at the bottom. There are plenty of options to choose from.
I’d get digital versions of everything since other agents might require them.
Book your session or schedule a free consultation
Want to learn more? Here’s a case study of actor David Keltz and our Edgar Allan Poe session:
