Headshot Tips

Overview:

A good headshot will communicate your essence–or type–while making you look professional. You are trying to show casting directors exactly which roles to call you in for. This makes your own preparation extremely important to the success of your shoot.

Actors should generally have 3-5 headshots, each with a different character look. Update your headshots around every 18 months, or when your look changes. Be cautious about trying to shoot them yourself—this is your professional calling card. And don’t try to look better than you do in everyday life; look like the best version of you.

Preparation:

• Find character types that you think you could portray well. 
  • You have your appearance, personality, and emotions to communicate the character.
  • Think of occupations, life roles, relationships, and hobbies. 
  • Examples: (pick all that apply) white collar professional, blue collar laborer, military personnel, law enforcement, high status, low status, middle status, strict teacher, cool mom, wise mentor, nasty bully, gentle giant, cocky competitor, contentious know-it-all, overconfident narcissist with a god-complex, untroubled jokester, heart throb, girl-next-door, dangerous seductress (femme fatale), dumb jock, masculine warrior, religious martyr, humble hero, greedy villain, problematic anti-hero (does the right thing in a questionable way), misguided anti-villain (does the wrong thing with good motives), loud activist, jaded pessimist, pompous elite, nerdy intellectual, dangerous thug, awkward apprentice, clumsy doofus, wild party-goer, laid-back stoner, cunning assassin, mad scientist, buffoonish husband/father, corrupt politician, conscientious idealist, alpha male, slick agent, lone wolf, life-of-the-party, social butterfly, wallflower, homeless person, drug user, rough biker, LGBTQ+ identifiers, selfish manipulator, pretty airhead, intelligent professional, cool dude, tough guy, adrenaline junkie, pretty boy, annoying tag-along, charismatic star athlete, swaggering rock star, refined royalty, rebellious teenager, computer genius, hyper-aware detective, creepy cult leader, lazy mooch, bossy shrew, resistant hero, timid pushover, hopeful underdog, washed-up has-been with something to prove, insecure naysayer, protective parent, closed off and hardened, traumatized victim, teased friend with no game, irresponsible addict, overeager newbie, sarcastic friend, lovesick schoolgirl, conniving liar, greedy executive, demanding Karen, rowdy frat boy, sleazy womanizer, intimidating bouncer
  • Come up with five adjectives to describe your brand. Example: Approachable, sweet, girl next-door, friendly, cute
  • Also think of moods. Examples: Bright and cheerful. Dark and mysterious.
• Look up the headshots of actors who play those roles. 
• Model your wardrobe off of what they wear.
• Study their facial expressions and body language.

Wardrobe

• Dress to suggest the parts you want. 
  • Wearing a costume could limit the roles you will be considered for. 
• Having variety will add to your shoot. 
  • Your pants and shoes will not be seen.
• Bring as many looks as the session allows, but keep in mind how long it takes to change.
  • Have your outfits planned to avoid wasting shoot time. 
  • If outdoors, bring only what you can carry (unless there is a place to store it close by).
• Minimal accessories are needed, but a few may add to the shoot.
• Your clothes should be clean and wrinkle-free.
• Textures and layers add interest.
• Avoid anything that will distract from your face, such as:
  •     Overly bright colors.
  •     Logos, graphic tees, and excessive patterns.
• Avoid wearing black and white. 
• Avoid clothing that looks and feels inexpensive.
• Avoid ripped clothing, unless it is intentional for the role.
• If you have long hair, avoid tops that blend with your hair.
• Polos and jean jackets are popular, but many casting directors are sick of seeing them.
• Heels may boost confidence, even if they are unseen.

Makeup

• This should be an everyday look (no glamor shots).
• Men will need little to no makeup, but consider using chapstick and correcting skin tone issues. 
• Have just enough makeup to highlight your features while still looking natural.
• Not all makeup works well on camera; do your research or hire someone.
  • It is generally recommended for women to hire someone for hair and makeup when doing professional headshots.

Facial Expressions

• Your facial expressions should be a natural overflow of what you are thinking and feeling (not an artificial look). 
• Communicate with your eyes.
  • Come up with something you want to say, and communicate it non-verbally. Examples:
    “I know something you don’t know.”
    “You think you can beat me?”
    “I have a crush on you.”
    “I have a witness you don’t know about.”
    “Isn’t life great?”
    “I just earned 3 million dollars.”
    “That guy/girl just hit on me.”
• Have a sparkle in your eyes.
• Demonstrate your acting skills. 
  • Put yourself in imaginary scenarios to evoke different emotions. Example: Think of something that brings joy to create an authentic smile.
• Communicate confidence, not neediness. Focus on expressing “You want to meet me” instead of “I want you to meet me.”
• Technical notes
  • Practice different smiles and expressions in the mirror to find what you like. In general, avoid smiling too big. 
  • Try relaxing the jaw enough to slightly part the lips. Don’t communicate seduction, but openness.

Posing 

• Minimize movement to avoid motion blur or going out of focus. If you want to switch poses, do it after you hear the camera click.
• An acting headshot should be simple:
  • Keep your face/eyes straight to the camera.
  • Keep your head level, not tilted.
  • No model poses.
  • No hands in the shot. 

Selecting your favorite shots

• Look for shots that convey your essence/personality/brand.
• Look for shots that are memorable. But don’t try to get attention by looking ridiculous.
• If you are adding a small headshot to the top of your resume, make sure it is different from your main printed headshot.

Final note:
These are guidelines. You can break the rules, but do so intentionally—not by accident.

View these headshots as examples: https://michaelroud.com/portfolio/headshots/