Acting : Actor Headshot Tips by Tammy Hunt

Tammy Hunt

Actor Headshot Tips

- Don’t overdo your makeup. You want to look like yourself on your best day and not look like you tried too hard. Be yourself. Do your hair the way you would for every audition.

- Don’t go quirky with clothing and props.

Let’s not get nuts here. Keep it simple and classy, and follow the standard format. Professionalism gets you noticed. A simple, solid shirt with a little texture that fits you well and matches your eyes should do the trick. No whites and no graphics or anything that might distract from your face, and no props.

- Consider natural light vs. studio.

Some photographers do both, as they offer a different look and feel. Natural light gives a very real look. Studio lighting tends to be a little more polished, with a more neutral backdrop. If you are more of a sitcom actor, perhaps a well-lit studio headshot is best for you. If you want to look like you are on the Fargo series go for the outdoor look.

- Pay attention to framing, lighting, and background.

Generally a good headshot is chest-up with good lighting on your face, and no strong dramatic shadows.

- Choose personality over glamour.

Make sure it looks like you with easy airbrushing. Casting directors expect you to look just like your headshot and will not be happy when you show up looking totally different or 10 years older. It’s not about looking pretty, it’s about representing your type, wrinkles included.

- Go pro.

Spend money—it’s worth it. Go to a professional who is trained, understands lighting, and takes headshots for a living, not a friend who happens to have a decent camera who has a hobby of taking photos. Save those pics for Instagram and leave the headshots to the pros.

#actor #headshot

Gloire Martins

Thanks for sharing!

Maurice Vaughan

Great tips, Tammy Hunt!

Sam Sokolow

Great tips here for actors at all stages! Thanks, Tammy Hunt!

Ashley Renee Smith

Fantastic advice, Tammy Hunt!

Suzanne Bronson

This is great for the newcomers! Thanks Tammy Hunt

Oma Stanescu

Impressive!

Candina Ann

Clear and concise. Makes a lot of sense. Thank you for sharing Tammy Hunt

David Foy Bauer

I think so many actors get paralyzed in the headshot photographer choosing area, so thank you for sharing this!

Oma Stanescu

Thanks for sharing!

Emily Burrage

Thank you for sharing Tammy Hunt

Sam Rivera

Great tips Tammy Hunt

Matthew Cornwell

The other nuance that contributes to "not looking like your headshot" is that actors don't know how they're TRULY perceived by casting, and are going after a headshot that is Leading Man or they're trying to get their "Last of Us" headshot, and so they're trying to approximate a version of themselves that is not really part of their "look". Oftentimes with poor results. It can become a caricature of yourself.

The headshot should be a "preview" of the experience of you in-person. So if you're trying to project some perfect image of what you want your career to be in your headshot, but you walk in with a TOTALLY different vibe, the Casting Director will be angry that (a) you don't look like your headshot, and (b) you've wasted a precious slot on their schedule.

Sarika Singh

Choose personality over glamour. I Like ur thought's . Tammy Hunt ❤️

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