Top AgentโSecrets To Great Headshots!
Sep 22, 2024
We've been getting headshot questions from our clients around the world again.
Because our client base is international, we're not recommending anyone here—just giving you the goods on what we believe works.
As far as Donna-Marie Manning and I are concerned... this is the law for headshots. I found a couple of examples of clients who are doing the "smize" thing with their eyes to illustrate.
We were very lucky to get one of the best and most ethical agents on our little blue planet to give her wisdom on headshots.Thanks so much, Elena Kir! We've edited this a bit for screen reading. All the bolding and emojis are ours, but the wisdom is Elena's.
KC & Donna-Marie
Hi folks. With Kirsten’s blessings, I thought I would weigh in on this thread.For those of you who don’t know, I am an agent and partner at RED Talent Management. I have been in this business for more than 25 years. I can’t comment, nor would I want to, as to what your own agents may have told you about what they look for in headshots. If their opinion is different than mine, definitely take their advice as you are working in partnership with them.
I can only share with you what I look for in my experience representing actors at a leading level, globally.
What I Look for in a Headshot:It is not a character. It is not an editorial shot. It is a headshot.
I want to see an appealing picture of you, on a good day. You slept well, you are hydrated, and you are wearing garments that make you feel fantastic because it translates into the shot.
Wear the clothes that make you want to throw finger guns at yourself in the mirror 
I want to see that level of energy and self-love in the shot. I want a head-and-shoulders frame.
Why?
Your headshot will be transmitted to casting directors and producers digitally and often in thumbnail size. If I use a shot that is framed as ¾ or full-body shots, when reduced to thumbnail size, your head is the size of the tip of my pinky, and we lose all intensity in the shot. Casting can’t see what you look like.
The Essentials:Your shot must look like you, and be achievable by you.
A shot that has been overly touched up, or in which your makeup has totally altered the shape of your face in a way that you cannot duplicate in real life, is not useful.
Most actors will have two shots.
A smiling shot showing your teeth for commercial work, and a more serious and intense shot for theatrical work.
Smize!
For your ‘serious’ shot, I suggest that actors practice the Tyra Banks Smize—look it up. It is the moment of a smile, where it starts to engage your eyes but has not quite engaged your mouth yet. It is a surprisingly alluring moment and makes people want to click on your shot.
If you take a shot that is serious in the face without that little engagement in your eyes, it can come across as flat or even annoyed.
What Not to Do:I want to see your face clearly—both eyes directed at the camera, no moody lighting or shadows, no Beatles Revolver half faces, no profiles.
Simple clothes.
If I notice your jewelry or your shirt, you have failed. What I want is to be magnetically attracted to your eyes and your face.
Saturated colors that pop your skin and eyes. Again, you’ll know the right colors when you see them—they are probably the colors in your favorite clothes.
Clothes should be newer, not faded, not covered in cat hair 
, and not overly bulky.
, and not overly bulky.Avoid too much skin.
A slightly open crewneck neckline can be perfect to show a little bit of your body shape without distracting from the face. So right around your collarbone—not super tight to your neck, but not a deep scoop either.
Headshot vs. Editorial:We also use more artistic, full-body frame, super fancy outfit shots—but those are not headshots. We use them for editorials and publicity, but they are not what we use to market and push you to casting and producers. They’re for publicists and reporters writing about you—not necessary in the early stages of your career.
Editorial Sessions:A good editorial session is very expensive. It utilizes many different looks, body poses, outfits, and styling and can be saved for when you’re promoting a really cool, big job.
Casting Wants You, Not a Costume:A headshot session can be quite simple.
We’re really just looking for that one shot. I do not tend to use multiple shots to promote an actor.
Casting knows that someone can play a mom, a doctor, a dad, a lawyer, and still be the same person. They don’t need to see a depiction of a character—they’re looking for the actor.
In Conclusion:Hopefully, that makes a little sense, and that is my 50 cent opinion. I wish you all the best of luck and apologize for any weird grammatical things that happened here as I talked to text.
Blame Siri 
Elena
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