Ask any successful actor what is his most important marketing tool and he’ll tell you it’s a quality professional headshot. 

It’s your calling card. It shows you’re serious about your career. It shows casting directors what you look like and, when done right, tells directors and producers a little bit about who you are. In this first of three articles, we talk about where to start on your journey to creating the perfect headshot.

Go Pro

As New York-based acting coach Matt Newton said in his excellent Backstage.com article on headshots, you should “go to a professional who is trained, understands lighting, and takes headshots for a living, not some friend who happens to have a decent camera who ‘sorta knows a little about photography.’” You wouldn’t ask your dentist to fix your car; don’t ask your barista to do your headshots.

Ask For Recommendations

If you’re signed with an agency, ask them for recommendations. They’ll have a list of photographers they trust. If you’re taking acting classes, ask your coach. Peep your friends headshots and, if you see something you like, ask who took them. 

While talking with your agency or acting coach, ask for guidance on what setting will work best for you. In studio with a bright colored background? On location in a more environmental style? Also ask what kinds and colors of clothing they prefer. Most agencies are happy with a bright, primary color for your commercial look and earth tones for your theatrical look but everyone has their own preferences.

Look At Pictures and Trust Your Instincts

Search the internet for “acting headshots in [your town].” Every reputable photographer in your area should have a portfolio of his or her work for you to review. Look at a lot of pictures and pay attention to how your feel. If you see pictures that energize and excite you, that photographer might be a good choice for you.

Fourth: Know What You’re Buying

Headshot sessions come in all shapes and sizes. When comparing packages and prices, here are some important questions to ask:

How many looks (outfits) will you shoot and in what styles? Most working actors have 2 or 3 looks in their portfolio: a commercial shot, a theatrical shot and, if applicable, a character shot (e.g., the zany sidekick, the grizzly professor, etc.)

How many proofs will I get from which to choose my final images? Unless you have 500 unique facial expressions, you don’t need to see 500 proofing images. Ten to 20 solid images per look is plenty; much more than that and they’ll all start looking the same. 

How many finished images do I get? One or two final images per look, with the option to purchase extras, makes for a solid headshot portfolio.

Will the final images be edited or retouched? There’s a big difference between editing and retouching. Knowing the difference is important. Check out our article on “Editing v. Retouching” here.

Have A Phone Conversation

A good old fashioned phone conversation will tell you a lot about the person with whom you’ll be shooting. Is the photographer upbeat and excited to talk with you? Is she interested in you or just interested in selling some images? Is he connected with the industry or are acting headshots just another product on his menu? Is he willing to answer your questions and give you guidance? Ten minutes on the phone will tell you a lot.

Be Willing To Spend A Little Money

The difference between a $75 headshot (taken by your barista) and a $300 headshot (taken by a professional) is huge. With a professional, you’ll have a better experience, feel more confident, get better images and show the industry you’re a fully invested professional who means business. Mind your budget but don’t cheat yourself.

Check in next month for Part Two of our series where we’ll show you how to prepare for your headshot session.

Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors for more than a decade.