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Essential Tips for a Better Acting Headshot

By The Up-To-Date Actor, October 03, 2022

And 6 Steps for How to Get There

One of the first steps to building an acting career is having a fantastic headshot. But what is a good headshot? Answering that question is difficult for many actors and makes the process of getting that great shot seem elusive to even the most established of career professionals. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but can you really capture the true essence of your unique talent in a single photograph?

The basic rule of thumb for an acting headshot is to capture the most engaging, attractive, authentic representation of the real you. Recent trends in digital development have resulted in the traditional black-and-white headshots falling to the wayside and being replaced by dynamic color photos. What used to be standard (the shoulder-up portrait shot in a studio) is now old news. These days, headshots are all about range. ¾ to full-length body shots, outdoor environmental scenes, and even tightly cropped color shots have taken over. It’s a world of difference from what it used to be. Knowing how to achieve the ideal acting headshot is not just a “good to have” skill –it’s a necessity!

While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to taking a better acting headshot, there are valuable tips that can help you go from good to great. Up-To-Date Actor is here to help you capture the best version of yourself in photo form. Read the expanded version of this post for industry-tested and verified guidance on how to achieve a better acting headshot.

In addition to our robust database of entertainment industry contact info, the Up-To-Date Actor’s new resource section offers detailed advice and instructions from career coach and UTDA Founder Annie Chadwick. Topics include headshots, resume formatting, cover letters, follow up notes, and more.