I see people advertising actor headshots all the time and showing pictures that I wouldn't recommend to any actor. As someone who's serious about giving actors their best chance, it kinda frosts my Cheerios when I see someone taking their money and not really knowing what that actor needs. The best of these are actually pretty good shots but are more of a beauty shot or portrait. (For that matter, a lot of actors I talk to don't know the difference.)

I had someone ask me what the difference is once. Lets talk about it.

Actor headshots and beauty shots are two types of photographs that serve different purposes. While both types of photos focus on the subject's face, there are some key differences between the two.

Actor Headshots

Actor headshots are photographs that showcase an actor's unique look and personality. These photos are used as marketing tools to promote the actor to casting directors, agents, and producers. The goal of an actor headshot is to capture the actor's natural looks and personality in a way that is professional, engaging and matches the roles that actor would be appropriate for.

In terms of composition, actor headshots should be clean and uncluttered, with the actor's face taking center stage. The background should be neutral and not distract from the actor's image. The photo should be well-lit, with no harsh shadows or unflattering angles.

When it comes to expression, actor headshots should capture the actor's natural personality and convey the type of roles they are best suited for. The actor's wardrobe, hair, and makeup should be simple and not distract from their face. The goal is to showcase the actor's natural beauty and personality in a way that is professional and engaging.

Beauty Shots

Beauty shots, on the other hand, are photographs that focus on the subject's physical beauty. These photos are often used in the fashion and beauty industries to promote products or showcase a particular makeup or hairstyle. While beauty shots can also be used in the entertainment industry, they are not typically used as marketing tools for actors.

In terms of composition, beauty shots are often more stylized than actor headshots, with the subject's face and makeup taking center stage. The background and lighting may be more dramatic or artistic, and the photo may include more of the subject's body or clothing.

When it comes to expression, beauty shots are often more posed and stylized than actor headshots. The goal is to showcase the subject's physical beauty in a way that is glamorous and aspirational. The subject's wardrobe, hair, and makeup may be more dramatic or trendy, depending on the purpose of the photo.

Key Differences

The key differences between actor headshots and beauty shots are the purpose of the photo and the focus of the composition and expression. Actor headshots are marketing tools that showcase an actor's unique look and personality, while beauty shots are often used to promote products or showcase physical beauty.

In terms of composition, actor headshots are typically clean and uncluttered, with the focus on the actor's face. Beauty shots, on the other hand, may include more of the subject's body or clothing, and the background and lighting may be more dramatic or artistic.

When it comes to expression, actor headshots should capture the actor's natural personality and convey the type of roles they are best suited for. Beauty shots, on the other hand, are often more posed and stylized, with the focus on showcasing the subject's physical beauty in a glamorous and aspirational way.

In conclusion, while both actor headshots and beauty shots focus on the subject's face, they serve different purposes. Actor headshots are marketing tools that showcase an actor's unique look and personality, while beauty shots are often used to promote products or showcase physical beauty. Understanding the differences between the two can help actors and photographers create photos that are appropriate for their intended purpose.

Next, we're going to talk about business/professional headshots.