Actor Headshot Photographer in Los Angeles

Theatrical vs. commercial – and why you need both

Casting starts with your headshot, and the two main actor looks say very different things. Your theatrical look is grounded and honest – it reads for film and television drama. Your commercial look is brighter and more approachable, built for advertising and comedic casting. Most working actors carry both, and a two- or three-look session captures them in one sitting. For a closer look at the dramatic side, visit our dedicated theatrical headshots page. For the brighter side, see our commercial headshots.

• Theatrical: neutral wardrobe, natural expression, story in the eyes
• Commercial: warmer, more energy, an easy smile
• Character looks: for actors who book a specific type

Coaching is part of every session

Most actors don’t need a better camera – they need direction. With 18 years behind the lens in LA, Joshua guides you through posture, angles, expression, and pacing so the images feel natural, not stiff. We plan your looks before the shoot and adjust in real time so you leave with frames you’ll actually submit. If you’re mapping out your looks, our guide to female character archetypes is a helpful starting point.

Sized and ready for Actors Access, casting, and reps

Your retouched images are delivered sized for both print and web, ready to upload to Actors Access, Casting Networks, and your agency profile. Galleries are delivered within 24 hours via Pixieset so you can submit while your look is current. Browse our celebrity headshot portfolio to see the caliber of images we deliver. If representation is your next goal, our guide to SAG-AFTRA franchised agents explains how to get signed – and professional headshots for actors are the foundation of every strong submission package.

What makes a good actor headshot?

A good actor headshot looks like you on a good day and tells casting what you can play before they read a word of your resume. Casting directors scroll through hundreds of thumbnails for every role, so the image has to work small. That means sharp focus on the eyes, a clear expression with a thought behind it, light that shapes your face without hiding it, and a background that stays out of the way.

It also has to be accurate. If you walk into the room and don’t match your photo, the headshot has failed, no matter how pretty it is. The goal is not a glamour portrait. It is an honest, current image that matches the roles you are right for, whether that is the grounded lead in a drama or the friendly neighbor in a national commercial. You can see side-by-side examples in our headshot examples by type.

How do you choose an actor headshot photographer in Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has more headshot photographers than any city in the world, and prices and styles vary widely. Before you book, look for these things:

• A portfolio of working actors. Look for faces that read as real people, not models, and for range across theatrical and commercial looks. Browse our actor portfolio to compare.
• Direction, not just a camera. Most of a great headshot happens in your expression. Ask whether the photographer coaches you during the session or just tells you to smile.
• Enough looks for your type. One look is a refresh. Most actors need at least a theatrical and a commercial look to submit across film, TV, and commercials.
• Natural retouching. Casting wants to see you. Retouching should remove temporary distractions, not reshape your face.
• Fast proofs and clear pricing. Know exactly what is included, how many retouched images you get, and when you’ll have your gallery.

How does an actor headshot session work?

Every session at Headshots LA follows the same path, so you know what to expect from booking to upload:

• Book online. Choose your package and time at our booking page.
• Plan your looks. We talk through the roles you are going out for and plan wardrobe for each look. Our guide to preparing for headshots covers sleep, skin, and what to bring.
• Hair and makeup (optional). Bring your own artist or book one of the independent hair and makeup artists we work with.
• The shoot. Joshua coaches you through each look in the Downtown LA studio, adjusting light, angle, and expression as you go. You get 300+ photos per look.
• Your proof gallery. Within about 24 hours you receive a private online gallery to choose your selects.
• Retouching and delivery. Your chosen images are retouched and delivered sized for print and web, ready for your casting profiles.

Which actor headshot package is right for you?

The right package depends on how many types you are submitting for. One Look ($200) is for a quick refresh of a single shot you already know works. Two Looks ($349) covers the essentials: one theatrical and one commercial. Three Looks ($425) adds a character look for the type you book most. Four Looks ($500) is the complete actor session, with room for a second theatrical or commercial variation so your agent and manager have the right image for every breakdown. Actors who need even more range can book five looks ($600) or six looks ($700) on the pricing page.

How much retouching should actor headshots have?

Less than most people think. Casting directors need your headshot to match the person who walks into the room. Retouching at Headshots LA removes temporary distractions such as a blemish, stray hairs, or lint, and keeps everything that makes you recognizable: freckles, moles, laugh lines, and the shape of your face. The result looks polished but still looks like you. Learn more about our headshot retouching.

How often should actors update their headshots?

Update your headshots whenever you stop looking like them. A new haircut or color, a change in weight, growing or shaving a beard, or simply a few years passing all count. For most adult actors that means new headshots every one to two years. Young actors change faster and usually need new photos every year. If your agent is asking for new pictures, or you are getting called in for roles that don’t match your current look, it’s time.

Actor headshots for performers across Los Angeles

The studio is in Downtown Los Angeles at 1130 S Flower St, Suite 201, central to most of the city. Actors, comedians, hosts, and other performers come in from Hollywood, Burbank, Santa Monica, and Pasadena. Young performers have their own kids and child actor headshots page. When your headshots are ready, our guide to the best online casting websites shows where to put them to work.