What Do Casting Directors Look For In Child Headshots?
A great child actor headshot isn't about looking perfect—it's about looking authentic.
Casting directors often make first impressions in just a few seconds, so a headshot should help them quickly imagine a child in the role they're casting.
Here are 4 of the biggest things casting directors look for when reviewing child headshots.
1. An Authentic Expression That Feels Like the Real Child
The best child headshots capture genuine personality rather than a forced smile or exaggerated expression.
Let’s face it - it can be a bit tricky to get littles to give real smiles at times! That’s why I’m always going to recommend that mom or dad (whoever’s more funny :) to join us at the photo shoot and stand behind me to help get those authentic smiles and laughter.
We also always play boppin music that will get their little feet dancing and help them forget they’re even in a photo shoot!
Casting directors want to see what a child truly looks like on their best day. Whether your child is playful, thoughtful, adventurous, or sweet, authentic expressions help tell that story.
One of our tricks to creating captivating child headshot is to avoid over-posing.
Child actors shouldn't look like they're modeling for a clothing catalog. Relaxed body language and real expressions make it much easier for casting directors to picture them in a scene.
That being said, there is definitely a place for child modeling portfolios!
But for acting, we like to keep the movements simple, sweet, and keep the attention on your child’s expression.
2. A Headshot That Looks Like the Child Walking Into the Audition - including their personality!
One of the fastest ways to disappoint a casting director is for a child to look noticeably different in person than they do in their headshot.
• Keep hair, glasses, and appearance current.
If your child gets braces, changes hairstyles, or has another noticeable change in appearance, it's usually time for updated headshots.
• We are also going to skip heavy retouching. Casting directors do not like over-edited photos!
A few temporary blemishes can be cleaned up, but freckles, birthmarks, skin texture, and other permanent features should remain. Casting directors want an honest representation of who they're meeting.
With children under 11, it’s ok to simply come ready-to-go if you don’t want to get the professional hair and makeup artist. Children this age don’t need makeup, but it’s important to make sure their hair looks good. We will ask you to bring hair supplies so we can add braids or pigtails, or shake things up a bit between looks if you’ve purchased a 2-look session.
One of the things we really want to focus on is your child’s unique personality! Whether they are calm and collected, goofy, sweet-as-sugar, or all of the above, we want to capture those qualities in your child’s acting headshots.
3. Clothing That Supports the Child—Not Distracts From Them
Wardrobe plays a VERY important supporting role in a successful headshot.
It’s by far the most common question I get: what should my child wear for headshots? Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
The best advice I can give you is to ask your agency what your child should wear. Agencies all have very different opinions and requirements, so make sure to run your outfits by them before your session.
If you are on your own for deciding, here are a copule of rules that should help point you in the right direction:
• Choose solid colors and simple patterns.
Clothing should complement your child's skin tone and eye color without pulling attention away from their face. Solid colors or subtle textures typically photograph best. Stripes for littles are ok for both boys and girls, but we usually want to pair them with a solid color of some kind to help minimize the strength of the striped look.
Make sure your colors are not too pastel, as those wash out the skin and don’t help your child pop off the page. Rich colors nearly always work better, no matter what your child’s age is.
• Dress with age and casting in mind.
Kids should look like kids - and ideally, a bit younger than they actually are. Clothing should be comfortable while giving a subtle hint toward the types of roles they naturally fit, without looking like a costume.
4. For Orlando Commercial Auditions, Casting Directors Want Kids Who Feel Relatable and NATURAL
The Orlando market is unique because many child auditions are for commercials, tourism campaigns, theme parks, healthcare companies, and family-focused brands. These clients are often looking for children who feel approachable and genuine.
We are going to photograph your child in a natural-looking way, including lighting, posing, and expression.
• Bright, friendly expressions catch the attention of casting directors.
Commercial casting directors frequently look for kids who appear confident, warm, energetic, and like someone audiences would enjoy spending time with. A sincere smile can go a long way for commercial work.
• We will focus on personality over dramatic intensity.
While theatrical headshots may lean into more serious or emotional expressions, Orlando commercial headshots often benefit from showing warmth, curiosity, confidence, and natural joy. Brands want children who feel believable as part of a real family or everyday moment.
The strongest child actor headshots aren't the ones with the fanciest backgrounds or the biggest smiles—they're the ones that honestly represent who the child is.
When casting directors can immediately see personality, authenticity, and confidence, they're much more likely to stop scrolling and imagine that child in the role.
Whether your child is pursuing commercials in Orlando, television, film, or theater, investing in professional headshots that reflect their true personality is one of the most important first steps toward booking auditions.
We also want to capture your child’s eyes - the more they can sparkle and shine, the more captivating your child will be to casting directors.
When your child actor’s eyes captivate, you have a good chance of stopping a casting director’s scroll. We will use lighting techniques (and guide you with what your child should wear for their acting headshots) that will help your child’s eyes stop anyone in their tracks - wanting to know more
Each look includes:
The session time (varies for each child :)
Unique backdrop / scenario per look
2 images, retouched, per look (with 40 to choose from)
Choose between Commercial, Film/TV, or Theater (or a combination if you book more than one look)
For children age 8 - 17
(have a kiddo under 8? Please choose the Under 8 Option (+$25, as these sessions take longer to accomplish our goals :)
TO BOOK A SESSION, CHOOSE AN OPTION BELOW AND COMPLETE CHECKOUT.
I will then be in touch with you via email or text within 48 hours with all of the date options and details!