Your acting headshot is your calling card. It’s the first thing casting directors see when considering you for a role, and in Los Angeles, where thousands of actors compete for the same opportunities, a professional headshot can be the difference between landing an audition and getting passed over.
Think of your headshot like a movie poster for yourself, it needs to grab attention immediately while accurately representing who you are. This guide covers everything you need to know about preparing for acting headshots, from choosing the right outfit to finding the best photo studios in LA.
An acting headshot is a tightly cropped professional photograph focusing on your face, typically from the shoulders up. Unlike fashion photography or artistic portraits, headshots serve one specific purpose: showing casting directors exactly what you look like and the types of roles you can play.
Casting directors review hundreds of headshots daily. Your photo needs to stand out while maintaining professionalism and authenticity. The best headshots capture your personality without distracting elements or heavy editing that misrepresents your actual appearance.
A successful headshot combines technical quality with genuine expression. It should be sharp, well-lit, and properly cropped. Most importantly, it must look like you. Casting directors expect you to walk into the audition room looking exactly like your photo.
Achieve similar results at the Daylight Photo Studio F
Studio F: Sunny daylight photo studio with downtown skyline views in Los Angeles. This 450-square-foot studio is famously known among photographers as a “light box” due to nice natural light at any period of day. The studio has both wooden and white floor zones with abundant afternoon light from north and west-facing windows. Choose a seamless backdrop color from studio selection. Basic strobe lights, light modifiers and grip equipment are available inside the studio for now extra cost.
Best for commercial headshots and bright contemporary looks
Before your headshot photoshoot, spend time identifying which roles you’re most likely to book. Are you the girl next door? The tough street cop? The lovable nerd? Your wardrobe, styling, and expression should reflect the characters casting directors will envision you playing.
Consider bringing 2-4 different looks that showcase your range as an actor. You don’t need to transform completely between looks. Small changes in clothing and expression can make a big difference. The goal is showing variety while staying true to who you are.
@trevorbell photographed by @j.paschalphoto at Studio Art 1
Art 1: Beautiful white loft studio with white piano, steps, and daylight in Los Angeles. This 1,600-square-foot studio features northwest and southwest-facing windows with a concrete textured wall, grey wood wall, and white grand piano.
Best for theatrical headshots and artistic backdrops
Your outfit choices can make or break your headshots. Here’s what works best:
Busy patterns, stripes, and logos distract from your face. Patterns can also create digital artifacts called moire in photos, which look distracting and unprofessional. Keep the focus on your eyes and expression by sticking to solid-colored clothing.
Commercial headshots benefit from bright, cheerful colors like blues, pinks, greens, and oranges. These vibrant hues help your thumbnail image pop when casting directors scroll through hundreds of submissions. Theatrical headshots work better with earth tones, burgundy, navy, or darker shades that convey depth and dramatic range.
Clothes should flatter your body shape without being too tight or baggy. Well-fitted clothing photographs better and looks more professional than oversized items. You want casting directors focusing on your face, not wondering why your shirt doesn’t fit properly.
Bring multiple clothing options to create different character looks during your session. A simple colored t-shirt can transform into a tougher character with the addition of a leather jacket. An open collared shirt over a different colored undershirt creates visual interest without being distracting.
@tobias.icasatti photographed by achan24photography at Studio Loft 5
Loft 5: Daylight sunny loft photo studio in Los Angeles. This 2,178-square-foot studio has great natural light and generous room to experiment with different setups. The large size allows photographers to work with various angles and lighting configurations, making it perfect for shoots where you need space to move and try multiple approaches.
Best for full-length shots and multiple look sessions
Keep hair and makeup natural and close to how you typically appear at auditions. Casting directors need to recognize you when you walk through the door. Heavy makeup or dramatically styled hair defeats the purpose of an authentic headshot.
If you normally wear minimal makeup, stick to that for your shoots. If you usually style your hair a certain way for auditions, do the same for your headshots.
Professional photographers debate whether studio or outdoor locations create better headshots. Both have advantages, but studio environments offer specific benefits for acting headshots.
Studio lighting provides precision that natural outdoor light cannot match. Professional equipment creates specific moods, from bright commercial looks to dramatic theatrical shots, all within the same shoot.
Weather doesn’t affect your shoot indoors. No wind messing up your hair, no harsh midday sun creating unflattering shadows and no sudden clouds changing lighting conditions.
Studio environments provide dedicated changing areas and makeup stations. You can prepare properly for each look without worrying about curious onlookers or finding private space to touch up your appearance.
Professional studios offer various backdrop colors and textures to complement different wardrobe choices. This versatility means achieving multiple distinct looks in a single shoot without moving locations.
@leo.suter photographed by 📸 @smiggi at studio A
Studio A: Sunrise loft with white concrete walls and large windows for natural daylight in Downtown Los Angeles. This stunning 720-square-foot studio has spacious east and south-facing windows that capture as much natural daylight as possible. The minimalist interior puts your art in the spotlight with bold, bright lighting with plain white masonry and concrete floors.
Best for commercial headshots and bright natural light shoots.
Casting professionals consistently emphasize several key points about headshots:
Your headshot must look like you. It should represent your current appearance accurately. Changed your hair? Gained or lost weight? Time for new headshots. Casting directors want zero surprises when you enter the audition room.
Eyes matter most. Your eyes communicate emotion and depth. A compelling headshot highlights your capacity to express story through your gaze. Keep your eyes in sharp focus and filled with life.
Show range. You need at minimum one commercial headshot and one theatrical headshot. Having variety helps casting directors envision you in multiple roles.
Update regularly. Refresh your headshots every 1-2 years or whenever your appearance changes noticeably.
Photographed by @zacharyismith at Studio D
Studio D: Daylight photo studio with bookshelves and custom shelving in Los Angeles. This 900-square-foot space has natural light from north and west-facing windows with dark brown shelving, books, and textured walls.
Best for theatrical headshots and character looks
Los Angeles actors choose FD Photo Studio for headshots because of professional-grade equipment, diverse studio options, and affordable pricing. The flexible hourly rental system means paying only for needed time without expensive all-day commitments.
Pricing:
With multiple locations throughout Downtown LA and numerous studios at each location, FD Photo Studio provides variety actors need for creating distinct headshot looks in one day. Included equipment and amenities mean photographers focus on capturing great images rather than worrying about gear.
Whether you’re a working actor updating materials or starting your LA career, FD Photo Studio offers the professional environment for casting-ready headshots that book more auditions.
1. Browse Available Studios: Visit our studio rental page to explore all 62+ locations
2. Check Equipment Lists: Review our comprehensive equipment offerings
3. Book Your Session: Use our 24/7 online booking system to secure your preferred date and time
4. Receive Your Check-In Code: Get your self-check-in code to access your studio seamlessly
Call us at +1 (323) 454-2323, or email us at info@fdphotostudio.com. We also have a live support chat on our website where you can get directions, request help, or ask questions.