{"id":336065,"date":"2026-06-11T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/?p=336065"},"modified":"2026-06-11T09:27:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T16:27:57","slug":"what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/news\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\/","title":{"rendered":"What Makes a Great Headshot with YellowBelly Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A headshot is often your first audition before you ever step into the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Casting directors may scroll through hundreds\u2014or even thousands\u2014of submissions for a single role, and one image can determine whether they click on your profile or keep moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So what makes a great headshot? It should feel authentic, look like you on your best day, and capture the qualities that make you uniquely castable without trying too hard to sell them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">YellowBelly Photo, founded in 2018 by best friends Ross McLaren and Jackson Bews, is a portrait photography company specializing in honest, cinematic headshots for actors and creatives. With studios across London, New York City and Los Angeles, YellowBelly has become known for creating natural, authentic portraits that genuinely reflect the person in front of the camera.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Built by actors for actors, the company focuses just as much on the experience of the session as the final image itself, creating relaxed, supportive environments where clients can feel comfortable enough to truly be themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We sat down with YellowBelly to talk about everything from what to wear and how to pose, to overcoming nerves and why it&#8217;s imperative to trust the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Insights<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/news\/7-headshot-looks-to-include-in-your-repertoire\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"116396\">great headshot<\/a> doesn\u2019t create a character\u2014it presents an authentic version of you that helps casting directors immediately understand where you fit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The most effective headshots look like you on your best day, not an overly polished version of yourself that won\u2019t match the person who walks into the audition room.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feeling nervous during a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/news\/how-to-brand-yourself-with-headshots\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"3977\">headshot session<\/a> is completely normal; the goal isn\u2019t to perform for the camera but to feel comfortable enough to let your personality come through.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\n    <div class=\"d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center px-lg-5 px-3 pt-1\" style=\"background-color: rgba(10,9,9,0);background-image: url(&#039;https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Mask-group.webp&#039;); background-size: cover; background-position: center;\">\n        <div class=\"banner-left col-4 col-lg-5\">\n            <h2 class=\"text-left\">Get access to thousands <br>of high-quality roles.<\/h2>\n        <\/div>\n        <div class=\"banner-center col-3 col-lg-3 text-center\">\n                            <picture>\n                                            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/PHONE-MOCK-2-mobile.webp\" media=\"(max-width: 768px)\">\n                                                                <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Group-32.webp\" alt=\"Banner Image\" class=\"banner-image-mobile\">\n                                    <\/picture>\n                    <\/div>\n        <div class=\"banner-right col-5 col-lg-4 text-center\">\n                            <a id=\"banner-link\" href=\"https:\/\/app.castingnetworks.com\/login\/signup\/TALENT?_ga=2.43125222.2103773832.1721048373-1030609057.1713483804&#038;_gl=1*1vfcgsy*_gcl_au*MTk4MzczMDgyNy4xNzIxMzA4NzY4*_ga*MTAzMDYwOTA1Ny4xNzEzNDgzODA0*_ga_5V50WCP8LX*MTcyMTMyMTIwOS4zMDYuMS4xNzIxMzIxMjM5LjAuMC4zMTgwMTM3MQ..&#038;post_type=news&#038;p=135120&#038;preview=true\" class=\"btn-article btn-primary btn-dark text-white text-nowrap\" target=\"_blank\">\n                    JOIN FREE TODAY                <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Makes a Great Headshot?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A headshot is so much more than just a good photo of you, and YellowBelly\u2019s aim has never been to create an overly polished or unrealistic version of someone. Headshots should simply look like you on a really good day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe job of the photograph is to get you in the room for roles you genuinely have a chance of getting, and then it\u2019s the casting director\u2019s job to imagine you in the part.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Authenticity is also a key component, and YellowBelly\u2019s vision has always been to create honest, authentic portraits that genuinely capture the person in front of the camera. A headshot should show who you are, not who you think the industry wants you to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Does Your Headshot Matter So Much in the Casting Process?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHeadshots are one of the most important tools an actor has. They\u2019re often the very first thing a casting director, and sometimes even a director or producer, will see. Instantly, people begin imagining whether they can see you as the character on the page, so first impressions really do matter.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A headshot that creates a strong impression means connecting to casting with a photo that actually looks like you, and brings something more that makes you stand out among a large number of submissions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cA strong headshot helps someone immediately connect you to the world of the script and the kinds of roles you genuinely suit. That\u2019s why we always say your headshots should reflect how you actually look day to day.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If your headshot looks vastly different from you, the disconnect can appear at the audition stage. If you\u2019ve changed significantly, YellowBelly recommends getting them updated at least every two to three years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should You Wear to Your Session?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What you are wearing in your headshot can feel like a permanent choice that affects your castability for the next few years. While you might feel pressure to wear your nicest, fanciest outfit, a common mistake is going out and buying brand-new clothes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhile you obviously want to look your best, often those aren\u2019t clothes you naturally wear or feel comfortable in day to day. Even if you love the item, you\u2019re not used to moving, sitting or relaxing in it yet, and that can subtly affect how natural you feel in front of the camera.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bring lots of options so they can see what colors, textures and tones work best with your skin tone and different backdrops. Avoid busy patterns, and distracting jewelry or logos, but make sure to reflect your personality, as that is how you will show up for an audition. \u201cUltimately wear clothes that make you feel like yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Should You Prepare Your Hair, Makeup, and Grooming for a Headshot Session?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Headshots should ultimately look like you, so your hair and makeup should be prepared in a way that models after your daily look. While using a makeup artist is completely subjective, it\u2019s important to trial your look before your session.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cGenerally, we don\u2019t tend to recommend using a makeup artist for headshots, not because they aren\u2019t incredibly talented, but because they naturally won\u2019t do your makeup exactly how you\u2019d normally wear it day to day. In the UK, it\u2019s relatively uncommon, whereas in the States we\u2019ve found around 40% of clients choose to bring one to their session.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whether you choose to use one or not, you can restyle and touch up your look at your session, and clean-shaven looks [are best] for versatility. Concerns about temporary blemishes, or tired eyes can be edited during the retouching process. [Avoid] heavier makeup or intense looks, which can compromise the honest, authentic look that YellowBelly does so well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Expressions and Poses Work Best?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cFor us, this process is all about making somebody feel comfortable and relaxed as quickly as possible. Once you\u2019re in the session, the photographer\u2019s job is to put you at ease, whether that\u2019s putting music on, chatting about life, or simply creating an environment that doesn\u2019t feel overly intense or performative.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While there are specific styles of headshots, it&#8217;s important to connect to the camera overall. For a commercial look: warm, approachable with a slight smile. For a theatrical look: direct, serious and emotionally grounded. The best expressions come naturally through conversation, rather than from overthinking style.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cPeople sometimes connect being uncomfortable in front of the camera with somehow being a bad actor, but the two things really aren\u2019t related at all. Headshots aren\u2019t about performing, and the less somebody feels like they\u2019re performing, the more authentic the photographs become.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s also important to think about what you want out of your session and to express that. \u201cAll of our photographers are highly experienced at recognizing what works well on camera, and naturally we\u2019ll always adjust things throughout the session if a client wants to explore a certain look or feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Many Headshots Do You Need, and How Often Should You Update Them?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Headshots are an investment, and each time you get headshots done you\u2019ll gain confidence, experience and assurance in what you want or don\u2019t want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The standard number is typically between 2-4. More can overwhelm, and less doesn&#8217;t show enough range. They should be updated at least every 2-3 years, factoring age and any drastic changes, including hair or physical appearance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The cost of headshots on average is between $200-$500, but they can reach upwards of $1,000 per session, depending on location, photographer and package type.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Are the Most Common Mistakes to Avoid?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Casting directors want to see an authentic image that represents the person who is going to walk into the audition room. Common mistakes to avoid are headshots that are overly airbrushed or edited strangely by leaving watermarks behind, or by not using the industry standard 8&#215;10.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Avoid clothes that lean too heavily toward character or type, or wearing glasses or using props that not only obstruct your face, but hide your personality. Another major red flag is using group shots, full body shots or selfies instead of a professional headshot photo.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI think one of the most common misconceptions is that if you feel nervous during a headshot session, it means you\u2019re going to do a \u201cbad\u201d job in your photos, and that really isn\u2019t the case. As long as the images look and feel like you, then you\u2019ve achieved what a good headshot is supposed to do.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do You Upload and Optimize Your Headshots on Casting Platforms?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Selecting the right headshot to use can be an overwhelming experience. Once you get your gallery, you spend an unusual amount of time looking at images of yourself, trying to pick your retouched images and eventually choosing which of these will be your primary headshot.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The selection should look like you and represent the roles you\u2019ll be put up for, while showcasing a range so that you can use the right one for specific castings. The photographer will have a selection if you\u2019ve requested this add-on, and you can make your choices from here. It\u2019s ideal to go through the images at first glance and pick your favorites.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Send this list to your agent\/manager and friends and family (especially industry related). Note any overlap between selections, and try to avoid choosing photos that are too simple, or ones that just \u201clook nice.\u201d Try not to spend long agonizing over the choices: you can always select more to be retouched later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When the time comes to upload your selections to casting platforms, make sure to use the correct file format and resolution. Most sites use JPEG images, under 2MB at around 2000&#215;1500 pixels. If you\u2019re unsure, you can ask your photographer for copies in the correct format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Should You Look for When Choosing a Photographer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choose a photographer whose work you connect to. Do your research, peruse their portfolio, ask friends about their experience and if they\u2019re happy with the outcome. For actors of color, you want to identify whether they\u2019ve worked with a client who has a similar skin tone to you, see what light they use and what color backdrops they work with.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What sets YellowBelly apart (and makes the choice that much easier) is their collaborative and supportive approach. They get inundated with emails from actors with concerns about being \u201cbad at headshots,\u201d and they understand that there\u2019s a vulnerable quality to having your headshots taken. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat\u2019s why such a huge part of our job is simply making people feel comfortable. Every photographer works differently, but the thing we pride ourselves on most is creating sessions that feel relaxed, calm, and genuinely enjoyable.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You can find out more about YellowBelly Photography here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yellowbellyphoto.com\/\">https:\/\/www.yellowbellyphoto.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A headshot is often your first audition before you ever step into the room. Casting directors may scroll through hundreds\u2014or even thousands\u2014of submissions for a single role, and one image can determine whether they click on your profile or keep moving. So what makes a great headshot? It should feel authentic, look like you on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":142,"featured_media":336954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cn_email_teaser":"Your headshot is often your first audition, so it needs to capture what makes you uniquely castable without overselling it. YellowBelly Photography breaks down how to create an authentic portrait that actually gets casting directors to click on your profile.","footnotes":""},"categories":[745,756],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-336065","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-acting-advice","category-career-and-craft"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Makes A Great Headshot? 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Expert Advice for Actors\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"YellowBelly Photography shares expert advice on actor headshots, including what to wear, how to prepare, common mistakes to avoid, and what casting directors really want to see.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/news\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Casting Networks\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-11T16:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.castingnetworks.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/YELLOWBELLY-BLOG.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Karen Johal\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Karen Johal\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":[\"Article\",\"BlogPosting\"],\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Karen Johal\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/5579ab4f26236b144564b76b74df0643\"},\"headline\":\"What Makes a Great Headshot with YellowBelly Photography\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-11T16:30:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1795,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/06\\\/YELLOWBELLY-BLOG.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Acting Advice\",\"Career and Craft\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.castingnetworks.com\\\/news\\\/what-makes-a-great-headshot-actor-advice\\\/\",\"name\":\"What Makes A Great Headshot? 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She is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, New York. Most notably known for her role as Nicole Shelley in the award winning Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso starring opposite Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Nick Mohammed. She also played Noreen Khan in the BBC television series Phoenix Rise. In Theatre, Karen starred in Ayad Akhtar&#039;s The Who and the What at The English Theatre of Hamburg in Germany and performed opposite Scottish actor Alan Cumming in the original musical Me and the girls directed by Tony award winner Douglas Carter Beane. She has also played leading roles in regional premieres of David Harrower\u2019s Blackbird and Duncan Macmillan&#039;s People, Places and Things. In 2022 she was directed by Iqbal Khan in Mismatch at The Birmingham Rep as part of the Sky Comedy Rep Festival. 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She is a graduate of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Manhattan, New York. Most notably known for her role as Nicole Shelley in the award winning Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso starring opposite Jason Sudeikis, Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein and Nick Mohammed. She also played Noreen Khan in the BBC television series Phoenix Rise. In Theatre, Karen starred in Ayad Akhtar&#039;s The Who and the What at The English Theatre of Hamburg in Germany and performed opposite Scottish actor Alan Cumming in the original musical Me and the girls directed by Tony award winner Douglas Carter Beane. She has also played leading roles in regional premieres of David Harrower\u2019s Blackbird and Duncan Macmillan&#039;s People, Places and Things. In 2022 she was directed by Iqbal Khan in Mismatch at The Birmingham Rep as part of the Sky Comedy Rep Festival. Her other credits include lead roles in Camel written by Charly Clive, Welcome to Thebes, As you like it, Lysistrata, 4.48 Psychosis, The Tempest, Good Fit, She Kills Monsters, American As, Julius Caesar for The Public Theater at Shakespeare in the Park and Journey to America at the world famous Carnegie Hall, New York. Karen\u2019s selected work on film includes starring in The Waves for MTV Entertainment directed by BAFTA award winner Sindha Agha, Man on the Phone for Red Bear Films and Frank\u2019s Plan for Amazon Prime. 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