What Casting Directors Want in a Headshot:
4 Key Trends Every Actor Should Know

When it comes to booking auditions, your acting headshot is your first impression. The industry continues to shift toward more natural, character-driven, and emotionally resonant photography. If you haven’t updated your headshots recently—or if you’re not booking the way you’d like—it might be time to align your look with current casting trends.

Here are four key headshot trends casting directors and agents are responding to right now:

1. Authenticity Over Glamour

Gone are the days when overly retouched, highly stylized headshots dominated submission packages. Authenticity is the gold standard. Casting directors want to see you—not a polished version of what you think they want.

That means:

• Minimal or no heavy retouching

• Natural lighting that shows true skin tone and features

• Expressions that feel honest and grounded

A great headshot today doesn’t try to “sell” you. It captures who you really are, and what you’re capable of playing. Aim for a shot that could walk right off the page and into an audition room.

2. Multiple Looks That Show Your Range

One headshot doesn’t cut it anymore. Most working actors are now presenting 2–4 distinct looks to show their casting range. That might include:

• A clean, professional look for business roles or network drama

• A casual, friendly version for sitcoms or commercials

• A gritty or edgy vibe for indie film, crime shows, or thrillers

• A warm, trustworthy feel for medical dramas, lawyers, or parents

Each look should still feel like you—it’s not about costume changes, but rather subtle shifts in wardrobe, expression, lighting, and tone. Casting directors want to know you understand the types you play best, and can see you in specific roles just from your photos.

3. Emotional Subtlety and Personality

Headshots are less about “looking good” and more about conveying something real—a moment, a feeling, a glimpse of personality. Whether it's calm confidence, vulnerability, mischief, or quiet strength, casting professionals are looking for depth.

That doesn’t mean overacting in your photo session. In fact, subtle, relaxed expressions are often more powerful. A skilled headshot photographer will guide you to expressions that feel honest, nuanced, and aligned with your casting type.

Great headshots have an energy behind the eyes. They make you feel something—and that’s what makes CDs pause when scanning dozens (or hundreds) of submissions.

4. Wardrobe That Feels Real and Castable

Wardrobe is one of the most overlooked parts of a great acting headshot, the rule is clear: dress the part, but don’t dress in costume.

Casting directors want to imagine you in a role. The best way to help them do that is to wear clothing that feels like what the character would actually wear—without going overboard. That could mean:

• A blazer or button-down for professional types

• A simple tee and hoodie or flannel for casual or blue-collar characters

• Earth tones or muted colors to avoid distracting from your face

• No logos, wild patterns.

The wardrobe should support the story you're telling in the photo, not distract from it. Think: castable, not theatrical.

Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re off track—it just means it’s time to shake things up.

Keep going—your next big break is closer than you think!

Final Thoughts: Is It Time to Update Your Headshots?

If your current headshots don’t reflect these casting trends—or if you’ve changed your look, type, or goals—It might be the perfect time to refresh them.

Make sure your headshots:

• Feel like you in real life

• Show a range of types you can realistically book

• Convey personality and energy

• Look current, professional, and industry-ready

Casting decisions often start with a glance. Make sure your photos give them a reason to keep looking.

Need updated headshots in Los Angeles?
Todd Tyler specializes in capturing authentic, castable headshots that get results.
Learn more at www.LAphotoSpot.com