ELDORADO59 replied: "NO! Walmart photography and HEADSHOT photography are two different things! For each cheap actor, there are a 100 other actors seriously investing in their acting career. You NEED PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOT photographers. Photographers that specialize in headshots, not some model photographer that dabbles. If you're in the NY/LA areas, go to http:.//reproductions.com. Find photographers that photograph people like you well ie. Skin tone, hair color, eye color, ethnicity, age range, physical structure, etc. Choose your top 5 and meet with ALL of them! You want to get their philosophies and their personalities. You certainly don't want to work with someone whose personality sucks for you. -COLOR IS STANDARD!Black and white is OUTDATED. If you go to major markets like LA or NY with B/W headshots, you'll get laughed out. They will think you're lazy because you're not up to date. -For commercial headshots, they want to see your smile and brighter colors. For theatrical (film/tv) they want a more serious/intense look and muted colors. -It's important that your head and upper torso is clear so agents and casting directors can fairly judge you physically. -8X10 is standard size. Anything bigger or smaller will be filed in the circular file cabinet(garbage can). -You should ONLY have your name printed on the front below your photo. Left, center, or right is subjective. -NEVER print your agency logo on the headshot UNLESS your agency is paying for it. What if you leave or the agency goes under and you printed a bunch with an agency logo? MONEY DOWN THE DRAIN! -NOTHING should be printed on the back. You should have your resume (that has your email and CELL phone number printed on it) neatly cut to fit your 8X10 headshot and stapled to the back. -Have either a white or black border surround your photo. The full bleed (no border) is outdated and tacky. -NO GLOSSY. Get matte finish (non glossy). Glossy photos can get easily ruined by UV lights and can be difficult for someone to see when florescent lights reflect off of it. -No busy patterns or jewelry that will take away from your face. -With regards to looks, you DON'T want character shots ie. literally dressing like a cop, doctor, etc. NO PROPS EITHER! This is an insult to the casting directors and will get you laughed out of this business. You want 3-4 GENERAL LOOKS! For example, a business suit look can suggest FBI, detective, secretary, business person,etc. A casual look (jeans and t-shirt) can suggest high school, college, blue collar. An upscale j-crew/Banana Republic look can suggest young parent, preppy, white collar, etc. Tell your photographer to avoid: -Landscape cropping. When a landscape photo is posted online on LA Casting or Actors access, it's appears very tiny compared to a photo that was cropped portrait. CDs get submissions as really tiny thumbnails. They might miss your photo if it's smaller than the majority of photos that are cropped portrait. -Chopping off the top of the head. When too much of your head is chopped off, it makes it a little difficult as to what your really look like. Cropping off a small part of the top of your head is forgivable, but not to the extent where you look like Hannibal Lecter or Sylar from Heroes' victims. -Too close. Don't get it cropped too close to where people can't see your body. At least your upper torso should be visible in your shots so CDs/Agents have a fair idea of what you look like physically. -Silly poses. Headshots are supposed to be as natural as rain. Making stupid poses will just make you look stupider. Such common poses include, but not limited to: 1. Sitting on the toilet. This is where you're sitting down but leaning forward. 2. My head is too heavy. Don't do a headshot where your hand is under your chin or even touching your head. 3. Look at me, I have a sexy back! I've seen some headshots where people are in contorted poses, looking over his or her shoulder. It's not natural. 4. I'm a mermaid! This is where you're laying on your stomach with your feet up. 5. Leading with my shoulder 6. I got sexy legs! This where you're sitting down and your knees are visible"