Tips for Talent: Look Like Your Headshot!

by Jenny O'Haver

OK actors, I think I speak for most Casting Directors when I say that bad headshots are just about our biggest pet peeve.  Now, I don't mean poor quality shots - I can see past that.... I'm talking about headshots that don't honestly represent what you look like. Young or old. Thin or fat.  Keep it real folks or you're wasting your time and mine!

Here's an example:  I just finished casting a very big budget, national network commercial.  A lot of the heavy hitters were submitted on it.  You'd recognize them... those great, dependable actors we've all come to know and love from our favorite episodic television shows and soap operas.  These are actors with real chops.  Wonderful resumes, wonderful talent.  Yet a surprising number of them had headshots that were airbrushed, purposely over lit or decades old...all with the seeming intention of making them look years younger than they really are.  The women's pictures were the biggest offenders.  In this culture of "youth equals beauty" we women feel compelled to misrepresent ourselves.  I do it myself. (Yikes! Did I just say that out loud?) I have to admit that the picture I use for this blog is a shot I think blurs my wrinkles. But ladies (and gentleman) I suggest we embrace our age with pride.  Not only have we grown wiser and hopefully kinder through the years, the current trend in casting has opened up more roles for the over 40 and over 50 crowd.  (Read more about that in Casting Trends: Over 40.)

In my opinion airbrushing should be saved for those blemishes or dark circles that aren't usually there.   Sure, touching up your headshot makes for a pretty picture but let's face it, if you don't look like that picture anymore when you walk through the casting studio door, you're doing yourself a disservice.  And you may be missing out on auditions that you are right for. 

Another thing to keep in mind is that commercials often call for a more natural look in talent.  More 'real'.  Rather than having a picture of you totally 'done' with perfect hair and makeup, I'd rather see an honest looking headshot that has captured you with a thought going through your mind.  A picture that shows me you have a personality.  That's much more interesting.

My suggestion, make sure your picture really looks like you and that your agent is submitting you for the proper age ranges and character types.  Actors are not usually a good judge of their own headshots.  They are often too attached to their looks.  When picking headshots, try to get a second or third opinion.   Good luck!

Photo by Stuart Miles