Your headshot is your audition before the audition. Casting directors spend about three seconds on it, sometimes less. In those three seconds, they decide whether you could plausibly be the character they need. Everything else, your training, your reel, your credits, comes after that snap judgment.

So what actually matters in those three seconds? Not what most actors think.

What Casting Directors Filter On (In Three Seconds or Less)

Talk to any casting director who's been at it for more than a few years and they'll tell you the same thing: they're not looking at your bone structure. They're looking at whether you feel like a real person.

The first filter is authenticity. Does this headshot look like the person who will walk into the room? If your actor headshots are over-retouched, shot five years ago, or styled in a way that doesn't match who you actually are, you've already lost. Casting directors feel deceived when someone walks in looking nothing like their photo, and that frustration gets attached to your name.

The second filter is type. Casting works in types. Best friend. Tough cop. Warm mom. Quirky neighbor. Your headshot needs to communicate your primary casting type within a glance. This doesn't mean mugging or playing a character in your photo. It means your expression, styling, and energy should point casting in the right direction.

The third filter is professionalism. A blurry photo, a distracting background, weird cropping, visible filters: these signal that you don't take your career seriously. Casting directors process hundreds of submissions per role. Anything that looks amateur gets skipped.

For a broader look at what strong headshots look like across industries, check out these professional headshot examples.

Commercial Headshots vs. Theatrical Headshots: They're Not the Same Shot

This is where a lot of newer actors go wrong. They get one headshot and use it for everything. But commercial headshots and theatrical headshots serve completely different purposes, and casting directors can tell when you're using the wrong one.

Commercial headshots are friendly, approachable, and warm. Think: the person selling you insurance on a billboard or the parent in a cereal ad. Commercial casting wants to see a genuine smile, open eyes, and an inviting expression. The lighting tends to be bright and even. The wardrobe is clean and relatable, nothing too edgy or dramatic. You should look like someone the audience would trust and like immediately.

Theatrical headshots are more intense. These are for film, television, and stage work where the roles demand range. A theatrical headshot has more contrast in the lighting, a more neutral or contemplative expression, and a sense of depth. You're not selling friendliness here. You're showing that there's something behind your eyes, that you can carry a scene.

Most working actors need both. If you're submitting for a comedy pilot with your brooding theatrical shot, casting is going to scroll right past you. If you're going out for a gritty crime drama with your toothy commercial smile, same result.

Some actors also keep a third look: something more character-driven for specific types they get called in for repeatedly. But at minimum, you need a commercial and a theatrical option in your arsenal.

The Mistakes That Kill Your Submissions

After years of seeing what works and what doesn't, certain patterns stand out. These are the most common mistakes actors make with their acting headshots, and every single one of them is avoidable.

Too much retouching. Softening skin slightly is fine. Removing every pore, line, and freckle until you look like a video game character is not. Casting directors want to see texture. They want to see a face that looks human. Heavy retouching also creates the authenticity problem mentioned earlier: you won't match your photo in person.

Outdated photos. If you've changed your hair significantly, gained or lost noticeable weight, aged visibly, or altered your look in any meaningful way, your headshots are no longer accurate. Using old photos wastes everyone's time, yours included.

Bad framing. Actor headshots should be cropped from roughly mid-chest up. Not too tight on the face, not too wide. Your eyes should be in the upper third of the frame. Headshots shot too far away lose the connection with the viewer. Headshots shot too tight feel claustrophobic.

Distracting clothing or accessories. Your face is the product. Anything that pulls attention away from it, a loud pattern, oversized jewelry, a hat, is working against you. More on wardrobe below.

Looking away from camera. Unless you have a very specific reason and a photographer who knows how to make it work, your eyes should be directly into the lens. Eye contact is what creates connection in a headshot. Looking off-camera can read as disengaged or evasive.

Over-styling. If your hair and makeup look like you're headed to a gala, you've gone too far. The goal is a polished version of your everyday self. Women especially get pushed toward heavy makeup by well-meaning artists, but casting directors consistently say they prefer a more natural look.

What to Wear for Actor Headshots

Wardrobe is simpler than most people make it. The core principle: your clothes should support your face, not compete with it.

Solid colors work best. Jewel tones (deep blue, emerald, burgundy) tend to photograph well across skin tones. Avoid pure white and pure black, both can cause exposure issues and pull attention from your face. Medium tones are generally your safest bet.

Layers add dimension. A jacket over a simple top, a cardigan, a button-down with a t-shirt underneath. Layers give the photographer options and make the shot feel more complete without being overdressed.

Skip logos, graphics, and busy patterns. Stripes can create a moiré effect on camera. Large prints dominate the frame. Logos make you look like you're doing sponsored content. Keep it clean.

Necklines matter. Crew necks can look boxy. V-necks and scoop necks tend to be more flattering because they elongate the neck and create a visual line toward your face. Collared shirts work well for a more professional or authoritative look.

Bring options. Most photographers will tell you to bring five to eight tops. You'll probably use three or four, but having choices means you can adjust based on what's working on camera.

For commercial headshots, dress the way the "everyday version" of your type would dress. For theatrical headshots, you can go slightly more minimal and moody, darker tones, simpler silhouettes.

Backgrounds: Keep Them Boring

This might be the easiest decision in the entire headshot process, and yet people still overthink it.

The best backgrounds for actor headshots are simple, slightly textured, and muted. Think: a brick wall slightly out of focus, a plain studio backdrop in gray or muted blue, foliage with enough bokeh that it becomes an abstract wash of green.

What you want to avoid:

• Recognizable locations. If the viewer can identify where you are, the background is too specific.
• Bright or saturated colors. Your background should recede, not compete.
• Pure white studio backgrounds. These work for corporate headshots in business settings, but for acting headshots they tend to feel sterile and disconnected. Casting directors generally prefer something with a bit more warmth and texture.
• Outdoor shots with harsh shadows. If you shoot outside, overcast days or open shade give you the most even, flattering light.

The background exists to separate you from the frame and put all the focus on your face and expression. That's it. If it's doing anything more than that, it's doing too much.

How Often Should You Update Your Headshots?

The standard advice is every one to two years, and that's reasonable as a baseline. But the real answer is: update them whenever you no longer look like your photos.

Some specific triggers:

• You changed your hairstyle or color significantly
• You've aged enough that the difference is noticeable (this happens faster than most people admit)
• You've gained or lost weight that changes the shape of your face
• You've shifted your primary casting type and need shots that reflect that
• Your current photos aren't getting you callbacks and you've ruled out other factors

Working actors in major markets like LA and New York often shoot new headshots every year, sometimes more frequently if they're testing different looks or types. That can get expensive. A single session with a reputable headshot photographer runs anywhere from $300 to $1,200, depending on the market and the photographer's reputation.

This cost reality is part of why some actors have started exploring alternatives for certain use cases, which brings us to a newer option.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between commercial and theatrical headshots?

Commercial headshots emphasize warmth and approachability with bright lighting, genuine smiles, and relatable wardrobe for roles like parents or office workers. Theatrical headshots use more contrast, neutral expressions, and intensity for film, TV, and stage. Most actors need both types since casting directors expect specific looks for different audition submissions.

How often should actors update their headshots?

Update your headshots every 1-2 years or whenever your appearance changes significantly: new hairstyle, weight change, aging, or shift in casting type. Working actors in LA and NYC often shoot annually. Using outdated photos wastes everyone's time when you walk into auditions looking different from your submission photo.

Can actors use AI-generated headshots for casting submissions?

Not recommended for primary casting submissions. Casting directors can spot AI tells, and authenticity matters. However, AI headshots work well for social media, personal websites, testing looks before studio sessions, and supplementary marketing materials. Reserve professional photographer sessions for headshots sent directly to agents and casting directors.

What should actors wear in headshots?

Wear solid jewel tones like deep blue, emerald, or burgundy that photograph well. Avoid pure white, pure black, logos, busy patterns, and anything distracting. Layers add dimension. Necklines should elongate, not box you in. Bring 5-8 tops to sessions. Commercial: everyday relatable. Theatrical: minimal and moody. Your face is the product.

How do casting directors evaluate headshots?

Casting directors spend three seconds filtering on authenticity (does the photo match the person), type (can you play this role), and professionalism (quality signals seriousness). Over-retouching, outdated photos, bad framing, distracting clothing, and looking away from camera all lead to instant rejection. Connection through direct eye contact and genuine expression matters most.

AI Headshots for Actors: An Honest Assessment

AI headshot technology has improved dramatically. Tools like Narkis.ai can generate remarkably realistic headshots from reference photos, and the quality keeps climbing. For certain applications, AI-generated headshots make genuine sense for actors.

Where AI headshots work well for actors:

• Social media profiles and personal branding. Your Instagram, your personal website, your LinkedIn. These don't need the same level of scrutiny as a casting submission.
• Preliminary testing of looks and styles. Want to see how you'd photograph with different lighting setups, wardrobe choices, or expressions before committing to an expensive session? AI lets you experiment cheaply.
• Background and supplementary shots. Some actors use AI-generated images for their website galleries or marketing materials alongside their primary professional headshots.
• Between-session updates. If you've made a minor change to your look and want something current while you schedule your next real session, AI can bridge the gap.

If you're curious about what's available, there's a solid overview of AI headshot generators worth looking at.

Where AI headshots still fall short for actors:

Casting submissions. For the foreseeable future, your primary headshots for agents, casting directors, and audition platforms should come from a real photographer in a real session. Here's why:

First, casting directors are getting better at spotting AI-generated images. The technology is good, but experienced eyes notice subtle tells: slightly off skin texture, lighting inconsistencies, backgrounds that don't quite feel real.

Second, a headshot session with a skilled photographer isn't just about the final image. It's a collaborative process where the photographer directs you, catches micro-expressions, and helps you discover looks you didn't know you had. That creative partnership produces results that AI can't replicate yet.

Third, there's a trust element. If a casting director discovers your submitted headshot is AI-generated, it raises questions about authenticity, and authenticity is the first filter they apply. The risk isn't worth it for your primary submissions.

The smart approach is to use both. AI tools like Narkis.ai for your broader visual presence and experimentation, a professional photographer for the shots that go directly to casting. As the technology evolves, this balance will likely shift, but that's where things stand right now.

Choosing the Right Photographer

Since your primary acting headshots still need a real photographer, choosing the right one matters more than most actors realize.

Specialize. You want a photographer who shoots actors specifically, not weddings, not family portraits, not fashion. Headshot photography for actors is its own discipline. The photographer needs to understand type, casting, and how to direct non-models.

Review their portfolio for range. If every headshot in their book looks the same, that's a red flag. Different actors should look different. A good headshot photographer adapts their approach to each person's type and energy.

Ask about direction. The best headshot photographers are essentially acting coaches during the session. They talk to you, help you relax, and guide you toward genuine expressions. If a photographer just says "smile" and clicks, you're going to end up with stiff, lifeless shots.

Check with other actors. Word of mouth is still the most reliable way to find a headshot photographer. Ask actors whose headshots you admire who shot them. Agent recommendations carry weight too.

Consider the session structure. How many looks are included? How many final retouched images? Is wardrobe consultation included? Do they shoot tethered so you can review as you go? These details vary widely and affect both the experience and the results.

The Bottom Line

Your actor headshots are the single most important marketing tool in your career. They determine whether you get seen. Not your reel, not your resume, not your training. Those come later. The headshot comes first.

Get clear on your type. Shoot both commercial and theatrical looks. Keep your photos current. Work with a photographer who specializes in actors. Use solid colors, simple backgrounds, and natural styling. And be honest with yourself about whether your current shots actually look like you.

Three seconds. That's what you get. Make them count.