Your headshot is the first audition you will ever be seen for. Before a casting director reads a word of your CV, they have already formed an impression from one photograph — so it is worth getting right.
This guide covers what casting directors and agents look for in an actress headshot, how to prepare for your session, and what to expect when you book with Neil Taylor Photography in London or Kent.
What casting directors look for
A strong actress headshot does three jobs at once:
- It looks like you on a normal day, not you in heavy makeup or dramatic lighting.
- It is clear enough to read at thumbnail size, which is how most casting decisions are made now.
- It suggests the kinds of roles you are right for, without locking you into one.
Casting directors are not looking for glamour. They are looking for a recognisable, warm, current likeness they can match to a brief.
Spotlight, agents and getting the format right
Most agents and casting platforms ask for a plain, well-lit headshot with no distracting background or heavy retouching. Requirements do change from time to time, so always check the current specification on Spotlight or with your agent before you book, and bring it along — we will shoot to match it.
If you are applying to drama school or joining an agency for the first time, mention it when you book. A graduate headshot and an established actor’s headshot are not always the same picture.
Studio or on location
Both work, and the choice usually comes down to the casting you are going for.
A studio session gives you clean, repeatable light and a neutral background — ideal if you need something that will sit comfortably alongside other actors’ photos on a casting site. An on-location session in natural light can feel warmer and more relaxed, and often suits screen and commercial casting.
We shoot in both settings across London and Kent, so you can pick whichever feels more like you.
Wardrobe, hair and makeup
- Bring two or three tops in colours you actually wear. Plain, unfussy necklines read best.
- Avoid large logos, busy patterns and anything that pulls attention away from your face.
- Keep makeup close to what you would wear to an audition — groomed, not transformed.
- Come with your hair the way you would normally style it, and bring whatever you need to touch it up.
- If you have long hair, it is worth having an option with it tied back as well as down.
How many looks should you shoot?
For most actors, one session gives you a genuinely useful set: a neutral headshot, a warmer smiling version, and one slightly more characterful frame. That covers commercial, screen and theatre submissions without spreading you too thin.
If you are changing your casting range — moving from musical theatre into screen, for example — it is usually worth shooting the two looks in separate sessions so each one is properly directed.
What happens in the session
Sessions are relaxed and unhurried. We will talk through the casting you are going for, set the light, and shoot until you have something you are happy to send out. There is no clock-watching and no pressure to perform — most people settle in within the first ten minutes.
You will see the images as we go, so we can adjust direction straight away rather than hoping for the best afterwards.
What actress headshots cost
Packages start at £65, with headshots from £95, covering the session, direction and your chosen edited images. If you need a set for Spotlight, your agent and a commercial profile, tell us when you enquire and we will put together the right package for you.
Booking in London or Kent
Whether you are a drama school graduate, a jobbing actor or returning to the industry after a break, we can fit a session around your schedule. Get in touch with the casting you are targeting and we will recommend the right session, background and look for it.
FAQs
Do I need acting experience to book? Not at all. Many clients come to us for their first professional headshot before applying to drama school or an agent.
Can I bring my own clothes? Yes — bring a few options and we will help you choose once you are in front of the camera.
Will my photos be retouched? Light, natural retouching is included so the photograph still looks like you.
How soon will I see my images? You will see them during the session, and your edited selection follows shortly afterwards.