Why Do All of My Actor Headshots Look So Different From Each Other?
Acting headshot photographers in Orlando Florida all bring a unique point of view to this fun industry.
A photographer may specialize in:
commercial headshots
film/TV
dramatic headshots
theater actor headshots
lifestyle portraits
headshots for young children
headshots for older children and teens
headshots taken with natural light only
bold, studio lighting headshots
OR.. a few of the above options!
Many photographers who work with actors in Orlando (or the Central FL area) have one specific style of lighting, background, and posing - and this can be a good thing in many cases! This way, you know exactly what to expect when you go in for your headshot session, and have a good feel for how your images will turn out. Once in a while, I may even refer clients to other central Florida acting headshot photographers who might “fit the bill” better than me!
For instance, if you need outdoor, vibrant lifestyle images for children or adults (something I don’t do as well as other styles of photography), Marliese Marie Photography is the way to go up in Mt. Dora!
Let’s take a look at why my acting headshots look different from each other, and why that may benefit you and your goals!
There are 4 main reasons that I choose to photograph actors’ headshots in unique ways - often within the very same session.
So that your type is represented as effectively as possible
Headshots must immediately communicate the role/character you need portrayed. For instance, you wouldn’t want a commercial headshot photographed on a dark background with dramatic lighting, or vice versa.
So your personality and unique talents as an actor shine
The goal is to stand out with what you have to offer the role. We will match our shooting scenario to compliment your personality and point of view as an actor.
Each market may demand a certain style of headshot
For instance, for Florida commercial auditions, they like to see a more natural headshot with clean, flat lighting, as opposed to LA markets, which tend to want higher contrast headshots.
To speak to the unique needs and preferences of your agency
They know your market and what type of headshot will help you get more opportunities.
Here are a few examples of headshots and styles that were taken within the very same session to best represent each look and best accomplish each actor’s goals:
Headshot goal: IMDB profile, similar to a celebrity portrait
Headshot breakdown: hard, bold lighting, flat paper backdrop, breathless expression
Headshot goal: Florida Commercial Headshot
Headshot breakdown: a mix of natural and studio lighting to look natural, but still professional, a very simple background (but still with texture), light commercial clothing, and a confident and kind expression (like you have nothing to hide!)
Headshot goal: Friendly Film/TV Headshot
Headshot breakdown: a mixture of natural and studio lighting to keep the friendly feeling, environmental / set type background, neutral and modest shirt “girl next door”
Headshot goal: Florida Commercial Headshot
Headshot breakdown: Mix of natural light and studio light, bright environmental backdrop, bold color in his outfit, and confident, friendly expression
Headshot goal: Dramatic Film for darker character auditions
Headshot breakdown: Fully studio lighting, simple and deep backdrop (but still using light to help define him against the dark background), serious expression with great eye contact.
Headshot goal: Friendly Film/TV Headshot - “guy next door”
Headshot breakdown: Studio lighting, flat backdrop, casual outfit and very approachable expression.
Headshot goal: Film/TV Headshot “Villain”
Headshot breakdown: Dark environmental “set” backround, bold lighting (mix of natural/studio), sinister expression
Headshot goal: LA-style film/TV Headshot
Headshot breakdown: High-contrast studio light (similar to LA industry standards), comfortable expression, simple flat background
Headshot goal: Commercial Headshot for both Florida and LA markets
Headshot breakdown: studio lighting, bright colored shirt, textured background (but not too busy)
Headshot goal: Dramatic modeling Headshot
Headshot breakdown: dramatic studio light, rich flat backdrop, model pose and expression
Headshot goal: Film/TV Headshot Leading Lady
Headshot breakdown: Set/environmental backdrop (but not too light or commercial), fully natural light to compliment her skin tone
Headshot goal: Film/TV Headshot “Hallmark”
Headshot breakdown: friendly set/environment that seems like “life on the farm,” clean, studio lighting (but not too dramatic), professional styling to give a strong hint of the type
Headshot goal: Film/TV Headshot “1800s period piece”
Headshot breakdown: Soft, flattering flat light (studio), simple textured, dreamy background
Headshot goal: Film/TV Headshot “Artist / Creative”
Headshot breakdown: Flat colorful background, harder light (studio), colorful styling with artist’s glasses and spunky expression
I specialize in a few specific styles of acting photography:
Commercial Headshots for adults
I use a mix of natural and studio lighting for my commercial actors. Commercial headshots need a clean, bright feel, but I find that all-natural light isn’t quite as professional or controllable as I would like, so I add in a few well-placed studio lights to enhance the feeling of professionalism and expertise.
Sometimes I will shoot on a plain, colored background, and sometimes I will choose a bright, semi-environmental look which creates more interest (when it’s not too busy!). Often, I will shoot on BOTH types of backgrounds so your agency can choose which style of commercial headshot they prefer.
Headshots for film/TV that are more dramatic or theatrical
These headshots can be with a flat seamless paper backdrop, or a more environmental backdrop that isn’t too bright.
Type-specific headshots, such as comedic, doctor, FBI director, etc.
When you need a specific character represented, we get creative! Actors who have been at this a while, and done their training will need more specific types represented. We will keep everything clean and crisp for doctor/nurse types, use punchy studio lighting for comedic types, dramatize lighting and backdrop for more dramatic types, etc.
Each type is tailored so that the character immediately sells upon first glance. Casting directors are actually very good at imagining what could be, but when they are going through hundreds, if not thousands of submissions for one role, it’s best to keep it easy to imagine and instant.
Specific headshots need tailoring more than almost any other style of actor headshot. Everything will change to best “sell” your type. Notice how vastly different everything is from these three headshots! Every choice for your headshot session is intentional and designed to help you get noticed.
5. Headshots for stage actors (adults)
Normally, New York sets the standard for what a theater actor’s headshot should look like to appear the most professional. We tend to keep it clean and modern with a medium-to-dark gray background, and crisp studio lighting for adult theater actors.
6. I also do a variety of headshots for child actors, whether it be for stage/theater work, commercial, or film/TV auditions.
Here are just a few examples of children’s acting headshots that have unique lighting concepts, backgrounds, posing, and styling:
Leo does modeling and acting for film and TV
Sweet Lydia is a theater actor getting into commercial work. She needed a shot that would work for both.
This young teenage actor does film and TV auditions, and also commercial work (which we shot with a different concept)
Holiday is from the UK and came all the way to Orlando to get modern, clean headshots for her acting career in England! She plays sporty characters with loads of charm.
This child’s headshots are for film auditions where his character needed to appear a bit “tough.” We still kept colors light because he needs to still appear as young as possible.
Our goal with this sweet teenager’s headshots was for use in theater. We keep the lighting brighter because she is young and needs to appear both professional, but still youthful.
So you can see why I would find it difficult to only shoot one style of lighting/backdrop/headshot, when I have so many different client needs!
My acting headshots tend to look different from each other throughout my portfolio for a few, very intentional reasons.
Eric often does TV or film work as the jock. We needed his headshot to reflect this (not commercial), so we dramatized the lighting, but kept the background “outdoorsy” and more environmental to help sell the look).
Abby is a stage actress who was recently cast in a big Disney stage production. Her headshot needed to feel like she just came off the stage of Broadway, so we went with a gray background, kind, but professional expression, and clean lighting because she is still in her early twenties and needs to feel young and fresh!
Should you wear glasses in your headshots? If you are going for a specific type, and already have a commercial headshot and a more neutral theatrical headshot, go for it!
To see if glasses are right for your session, see this related article on whether or not you need glasses for your headshot session.
So, if you feel you would benefit from acting headshots that aren’t too cookie-cutter, book a session online and let’s do this!
I can’t wait to work with you at my Orlando-based acting headshot studio!