How To Get a Perfect Headshot

A lot goes into the making of an actor’s headshot.

I remember feeling overwhelmed and anxious at my first headshot session back in 2019. I was new to the industry, I had no idea what my “type” was and I was only given about 25 minutes with a photographer to get the “perfect” shot. After a few years of training, growth, bookings and endless amounts of research, I’ve finally developed a process that works for me. Here are a few tips I wish someone had given me before my first session:

1. Hire a photographer who specializes in actor headshots. The right photographer should know your market, have a stellar lighting setup and, most importantly, allow you the time and space to create meaningful portraits that bring out your best self. For my fellow Southeast actors, I’d highly recommend booking a session with Tanya Young. She never misses!

Left: This was one of my very first headshots. I had a 25-minute session scheduled with a photographer, and the outdoor session took place in front the entrance to an Office Max in the sweltering summertime heat. Right: Taken at a studio with controlled lighting (and blessed A/C), this image showcases my softer side. I had a full three hours to play around with looks, character types, moods and wardrobe. The comfort and ease of this experience allowed me to feel some agency over the final product.

2. Book a stylist. Sure, a headshot’s focus should be Y-O-U, but the right outfit will help bring your character types to life. If you’re indecisive like me, having someone to take your vision and find a wardrobe to match will alleviate (most of) those pre-shoot jitters. I will always recommend Melissa de Leon Styling to anyone who asks!

Pro Tip: Provide your stylist with specific examples of wardrobe choices that you feel best represent the type of characters you’d like to portray. These are just a few of the options I included in my proposal. Although none of these specific pieces made the final cut, my stylist found clothes that felt uniquely “me,” which is the whole point of a headshot, anyway.

3. Do your research. Talk to your agents to get a feel for the kind of roles casting directors think are a good fit for you. Figure out what shows are taping in your region and think about which of those worlds you’d blend in with. Are you a character actor (like me), or are you more of a drama queen (or king)?

What if I don’t have an agent? No agent, no problem! You can still put together a list of dream roles, shows you’d just die to be a part of, or character types that fit your vibe. Not sure where to start? Post a photo of your current headshot (or just a photo of yourself that you happen to like) on one of your social media profiles and have friends and colleagues reply with three words that describe you in a nutshell. How other people perceive us can go a long way in terms of understanding personal branding and “types.”

If you read all of that, I love you. And, regardless of where you’re at on your creative journey, know that I think you’re a star. We’re all in this together.