CHICAGO

ACTOR

HEADSHOTS

Casting / Character Types

Before we start your photoshoot, we need to understand your archetype(s). Your "type" dictates your headshot.

Frequently asked questions about actor headshots

What is an actor headshot?

A casting-ready portrait built to do one job: tell casting who walks into the room. It's not a portrait for your wall — it's a working tool, sized for casting platforms and printed 8x10s, that reads your type at thumbnail size. Most working actors carry at least two: a theatrical look and a commercial look.

What is a normal price for headshots?

It's complicated — there's a photographer at every price point from $99 to well over $1,000, usually depending on how many final images you're buying. Honestly, it might be the wrong question. A headshot is one of the few purchases where the price tag tells you less than the booking rate. Here the model is simple: a $500 session fee covers the directed shoot and a private online gallery, and images are $250 each, fully retouched and licensed, so you buy exactly the ones you want.

How many different headshots do I actually need?

In the Chicago market, two: one true headshot, and a second shot that shows your body type clearly. Beyond that it depends entirely on your range — if you're going out for multiple archetypes, you'll want current shots that represent each of them. This is why the archetype conversation happens before the camera comes out.

What is a "look" in headshot terms?

A look is a complete visual statement — wardrobe, styling, lighting, and background working together to point at a casting direction. Change the look, change the story. A session is structured around looks rather than outfits, because swapping a shirt without changing the intent isn't a new look. It's the same look in a different shirt. There's no limit on looks in a session — most people naturally run out of steam around four, but that ceiling is yours, not mine.

Should my headshot be in color or black and white?

Color. Here's the history: black and white was the standard back when color printing was cost-prohibitive — that's the only reason it was the standard. The economics changed, and color became the convention. That said, some shots just work better in black and white, so anytime we shoot something that sings in B&W, you get the color version too.

What not to wear for acting headshots?

Skip anything shiny, bold prints, logos, and statement jewelry — anything the eye lands on before your face. Studs beat hoops; the best necklace is usually no necklace. Skip false eyelashes entirely. Otherwise, wear the colors you look best in and clothes that fit well — simple beats loud, and a black turtleneck or well-pressed dress shirt never misses. No fresh haircuts inside of two weeks.

Can you smile in your acting headshot?

Yes — your commercial headshot usually wants a genuine, open smile, while your theatrical look is typically more contained: engaged eyes, relaxed mouth, a reading of presence rather than performance. That's why working actors carry both frames.

How long does a session take, and how many outfit changes should I bring?

Plan on two to two and a half hours, with about 90 minutes of actual shooting — that's where most people's energy runs out, and energy shows up on camera. The first look takes the longest because you're warming up; everything after moves faster. Most people comfortably get through about four outfits, so bring more options than that and we'll choose the best ones together.

How many final images will I receive, and how do I choose?

Sessions are à la carte — you review everything on-screen before you leave, choose the images you love, and purchase only those. Most actors land somewhere between 4 and 10. You'll have my opinion on the strongest frames, but the final call is always yours, and people's picks surprise me all the time. That's how it should be.

How soon will I receive my photos after the shoot?

Retouched files arrive a week after you make your picks: web-sized versions matching Actors Access and Casting Networks upload specs, plus print-resolution 8x10 crops. If you need one shot fast, say so — that can happen at no extra charge.

Can I bring reference images to my shoot?

Please do. Text me images you like, build a Pinterest board, screenshot a magazine spread — the more prepared you arrive, the more productive the session. Some of my favorite shoots of all time started with someone else's mood board.

How often should I update my headshots?

Your headshot should look like you — that's the whole rule. For most actors that means every 18 to 24 months, sooner if you've changed your look. New haircut, new color, grew the beard, shaved the beard: casting needs to see the person who's showing up, so the shots follow the face.

What are the most common headshot mistakes to avoid?

The biggest one happens before the camera comes out: choosing a photographer you don't feel comfortable being vulnerable with. If you're not connecting with your photographer, it shows in every frame. After that: shots that no longer look like you, retouching that crosses the likeness line, and chasing trends that date the image inside a year.

Do you offer free consultations?

Yes — book a free consultation here. It's the easiest way to figure out whether we're the right fit before any money changes hands.

What is the best headshot for actors?

The one with the right expression. A headshot lives or dies by the expression — it's what reads your type, holds attention at thumbnail size, and tells casting who walks into the room. Everything else is supporting cast: sharp eyes, clean light, a background that doesn't compete, current hair, honest retouching. Strategically, you want a theatrical frame and a commercial frame, so every submission speaks the right visual language.