Headshot Guidelines

A headshot is an actor's biggest sales tool. It should be a photo of the head —not the body. CDs need to clearly see your face. A theatrical headshot is used for television and film work. The look can be dramatic, intriguing or sly. A commercial headshot is used for commercials or print work. The look can be happy and smiling, showing teeth or not.

  • Wear clothes that compliment your skin tone and eyes.

  • Solid colored shirts work best. Avoid turtlenecks, logos, stripes, or busy print patterns.

  • No jewelry, hats, or hair accessories. Nothing should compete with your eyes.

  • If you wear glasses and do not have contacts, you must wear your glasses in the headshot.

  • Headshots must be in color and free of shadows on your face or neck.

  • Avoid cropping too tight on the shoulders or cutting off the top of your head.

  • Portrait (vertical) orientation is preferred over landscape (horizontal) orientation.

  • Avoid lots of artistic space on the side of the photo.

  • Choose an interesting, well-lit background, not just a solid wall.

  • Background can be indoors or outdoors, but nothing too busy.

  • Avoid a dark background that swallows your hair color or competes with your skin tone.

Headshot Printing

These companies offer mass production of headshots. You should order at least fifty 8x10 copies and neatly staple your résumé, trimmed to 8x10 to the back of your headshot with the readable side facing out. Have your headshots with résumés available in your bag or car when you attend auditions, callbacks, or run into Spielberg at your local Starbucks. Headshots can be reproduced on photograph or lithograph paper. We recommend that you order your headshots in a matte finish, instead of gloss. A matte finish makes your headshot easier to look at. Headshots with borders are most common, however headshots without borders, called “full bleed” are also acceptable. Sol is not affiliated with any of the recommended service providers listed below.