Your headshot should look identical to you

Unfortunately, too many actors get called in for castings based on their headshot photo and come in looking entirely different. These are casting directors, agents and producers calling you in folks, based on what you looked like on your 10x8 headshot.

A common complaint from the casting directors is that actors waste their time by sending in photos that make them seem right for a part that clearly they're not right for when they show up in person. This wastes your time too, and could even harm your chances at future meetings with that person. So get a headshot that's an accurate, current representation of you.

Your headshots are your business card

It's your chance to make a first impression, a positive first impression! Use that opportunity to the max.

The competition for performers is immense so make sure you get enough sleep the night before your session, and don't make any major plans before your appointment. This day should be all about having a great headshot session. When considering which shots you need, you will have chosen a variety of outfits to bring to your shoot, so that you can emphasize certain aspects of you. My advice is to keep it simple! 

Black and white or colour headshots?

At the moment casting directors require a 10x8 in black and white as do most agents. In the USA on the other hand, headshots are mostly done in colour. So, if you are popping over LA or New York for a casting, make sure you have a copy of your headshot in colour.

I shoot in colour and then convert to the traditional black and white. Colour is becoming more common for the UK market especially now the spolight link allows performers to have a diverse range of photos posted in both formats. You can have colour or black and white at no extra cost.