What Does an NYC Talent Agency Look for in Headshots?

I recently spoke with a Talent Coordinator at one of the top agencies in Manhattan about what makes a great headshot. The short answer? You!

The coordinator confirmed what I’ve been telling my clients all along - a great headshot needs to be representative of who you really are. Sure, the photo should be flattering, but actors shouldn’t give in to vanity by submitting a headshot that isn’t a realistic portrayal of themselves. The coordinator said the focus of a headshot should be on the actor, and that a simple background that draws attention to the actor’s facial features works best for headshots. New York casting directors tend to prefer a welcoming, slightly smiling expression as opposed to an overly dramatic look.

I had to ask: “What’s preventing an actor from posing in front of a simple backdrop and having their friend snap a close-up?” The response: “We’d know in a heartbeat. An unprofessional headshot will not fly here in New York. Headshots are too important not to be done right, and you need your headshots to be professionally done by a seasoned pro in order to compete.”

Other rules of thumb he mentioned for acting headshots:  they should be in color, and they should make the subject’s eyes “pop.” There can’t be a shadow on the actor’s face and it needs to be evenly lit.

So just how important are high quality headshots? They’re the actor’s calling card, he told me, and I couldn’t agree more. He added that it’s especially important for actors without representation to have a great headshot, as that’s the only tool they have to “sell” themselves to a casting director or agent.

And for those who already have secured representation? His response – “Well, it’s still important, but they have me out there selling them.”