How to Choose Your Best Headshots: A Professional Selection Guide
Selecting your final headshots from your proof gallery can feel overwhelming when faced with 40-80 professional images. The key is moving beyond simply choosing photos where you "look good" to selecting images that will actually advance your acting career. Here's your comprehensive guide to making strategic, career-focused selections.
The Casting Director's Perspective: What Really Matters
Casting directors don't trust photos. After years of calling actors in based on their headshots, many casting professionals have learned that "the actor who walked into the audition room was NOT the person represented in the photo." This means your selection strategy should prioritize authenticity over perfection.
What Casting Directors Actually Look For:
Authenticity and versatility to accurately gauge potential for various roles
Clear, well-lit photos that showcase emotions and features effectively
Current representation of the actor's look, including accurate age representation
A true representation of what you look like so they can recognize you when you walk in the room
Step 1: Define Your Casting Goals Before You Choose
Get to the heart of what you want your headshot to inspire in the viewer. Think like the casting director, agent/manager, director. Before looking at a single photo, clarify your career objectives:
Identify Your Target Types:
Research the actors who get hired by the networks and projects that speak to you artistically
Be specific about genre: indie film drama, studio film comedy, TV sitcom, TV drama, TV crime procedural, theater, musicals, commercials
Write down adjectives that come to mind and look for commonalities that may exist
Examples of Specific Types:
Crime Show Detective
Quirky Best Friend
Blue Collar Worker
Sexy Leading Man/Woman
Approachable Parent/Authority Figure
Young Professional
Step 2: The Strategic Selection Process
Round 1: Eliminate the Obvious "No's" (Narrow to 15-20)
Go through your entire gallery and immediately eliminate photos where:
Your eyes look dead or glazed over
The focus isn't on the center of your eyes
The expression feels forced or unnatural
The photo doesn't look like the current you
You can't imagine casting directors calling you in based on that image
Round 2: Apply the "Casting Type" Filter (Narrow to 8-10)
Categorize your favorite photos into your type categories:
Which photos scream "Crime Show Detective"?
Which images say "Approachable Commercial Parent"?
Which shots convey "Dramatic Leading Woman"?
Identify the photos that hit several categories - these versatile images often make the strongest selections.
Round 3: The Authenticity Test (Narrow to 5-6)
Pick a photo that captures the "truest" you who will actually walk into the audition room. Ask yourself:
Does this photo represent who I am right now?
Does this headshot display my essence and unique qualities?
Would I feel confident walking into any audition looking exactly like this photo?
Do my eyes look alive and energized with strong inner thoughts?
Step 3: The Professional Feedback Round
Never Select Alone: Personally, I don't think an actor should ever choose his or her own headshot without some outside opinion. We all have a perception of ourselves that may not be accurate.
Who to Ask for Input:
Your Agent/Manager (if you have representation)
Fellow Actors who understand the industry
Acting Coaches who've seen you perform
Industry Professionals (directors, casting directors you know)
Your Photographer for professional perspective
How to Ask for Feedback:
Share your narrowed-down selections (5-6 images)
Tell them your type goals before asking which photos they think generally "look good"
Ask: "Which of these photos would make you want to bring me in for [specific role type]?"
Request specific feedback about what they see in each image
Step 4: Technical and Professional Criteria
Image Quality Checklist:
Good lighting on your face with no strong dramatic shadows
Sharp focus, particularly on the eyes
Blurred background that makes you stand out
Professional composition and framing
Industry Standards:
You should have at least two looks - a more serious theatrical shot and a smiling commercial shot
Four to six headshots are enough - there's such a thing as having too few or too many
For casting websites, consider a tighter crop on the face so that the eyes can be seen easier
Step 5: Final Selection Strategy
The "Variety with Purpose" Approach:
Choose 2-4 final images that show range but maintain consistency
Having variety in headshots demonstrates your versatility as an actor and ability to adapt to various roles
Ensure your selections work together as a cohesive brand
Your portfolio of headshots should have the same feel for quality and vibe across the board
Final Questions to Ask Yourself:
Do these photos accurately represent my current appearance?
Do they align with the types of roles I want to book?
Would I be excited to submit these to casting directors?
Do they show my personality and essence authentically?
Do these photos attract the kind of work I want to be doing?
Common Selection Mistakes to Avoid
Don't Choose Based On:
Just picking the photo that you look so perfect in
Which photos your friends/family think are "pretty"
Images that don't represent your current look
Photos where looks are forced - they will come across as fake
Shots that don't align with your casting goals
Red Flags:
Dead and glazed over eyes
Overly retouched images that don't look like you
Photos that are years old or where you look too young or touched up
Images that feel like fashion photos rather than castable headshots
Working with Your Photographer's Input
Your photographer has professional insight into what works in headshots. They can help you:
Identify technically superior images
Spot subtle differences in expression and energy
Understand which photos best serve your stated goals
Provide industry perspective on current trends and standards
The Bottom Line
Think of your photos as attracting to you the kind of work you want to be doing. Your headshot selection is a strategic business decision that should align with your career goals, authentic self, and industry standards.
Remember: Your happiness should be derived from the feeling that you have a solid marketing tool that accurately describes your physicality and personality as an actor to a person that has never met you.
The goal isn't to choose the most beautiful photo - it's to select images that will get you in the room and help you book the roles you want. Choose wisely, and let your authentic professional self shine through every frame.
