We are a Charleston actor headshot photographer studio who knows how to bring the most personality out of everyone. The opportunities now are better than they’ve ever been. To get started, you’ll need a series of actor headshots. Professional actor headshots are necessary for talent agents and casting directors as they choose actors to fill specific roles in film and television.
Charleston has long been a sought-after filming location for projects featuring the South (“The Patriot,” “The Notebook”). But recent popular shows such as Netflix’s “Outer Banks“ and HBO’s “The Righteous Gemstones” have put Charleston on the map in a huge way. The escalating number of film projects here has introduced a need for more actors. Thus, Charleston has become a big opportunity for locals who are ready to try their hand in the film industry, or seasoned veterans working on projects here who need updated photos.
It all starts with effective actor headshots that not only show what you look like, but show the different personalities and expressions you can bring to a role. Whether you’re just starting out and looking for an agent, or need updated headshots that reflect your current age, capabilities and target roles, we’re here for you.
We know what casting agents need in order to recommend you for auditions, and we can help guide you toward the right clothing, hair and makeup, and Charleston photo locations. We can even guide you through different expressions and cues to bring out all the unique aspects of your talent. Before we even turn our cameras on, we will have a conversation with you to discover your strengths, who you are, and what types of roles you’d like to pursue.
“I just want you to know that since you took these photos and I submitted them only a few days ago, I have signed with two agencies and I have received a role in season three of Sweet Magnolias. And I received a feature role in a new movie, with a scene alone with Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman. And today I submitted an audition for a role in a Chris Evans and Emily Blunt movie. Your photos were a game changer! I will forever love and respect you and your work!” – Charleston actor Lindsay Spurgeon
It’s Important to Be Yourself
We want your portrait to stand out among the hundreds, maybe even thousands of people the casting director sees for a given project. Our goal is to show that you are already a professional actor, as opposed to an amateur. Your headshot should portray your natural self, your age, your personality, some emotions, and more. Actor headshots are not about looking like a model. They are about showcasing YOU with all of your unique character details – your freckles, wrinkles, laugh lines, shape, size, exactly who you are right now. And your headshots must be current. Casting agents will be frustrated when the person who walks in the room is 10 years older than they are in their headshots.
If you are new to acting, your headshots should be very natural and basic (i.e. no need to portray specific types or characters). Often, your true self and type will determine the roles for which you are cast. But they should always be taken by a professional. Casting directors want to see that you are a professional actor taking this casting call seriously.
What to Wear for your Actor Headshots
Simple and solid – that’s all you need to remember. Your actor headshots are all about your face, your eyes, your expressions. Choose simple clothing in solid colors, and wear little to no jewelry. When we talk with you before your shoot, we’ll determine how many looks you’d like photographed, and we’ll recommend clothing based on that. For example, if you will be pursuing roles as a lawyer, we’ll do photos in a suit. If you feel like you might be going out for athlete roles, we might photograph you in a jersey. If you’re more interested in pursuing rough, street-criminal roles, that’s a whole other look that we can help you with. But it’s also important to remember that casting directors already have an idea of the types of people they need to find. If they like your face and they see something special in your eyes, they will know how to tailor your look to a specific role.
Same goes for hair and makeup. Keep it natural and basic – nothing dramatic that will obscure your natural look.
How to Submit Your Actor Headshot
Casting directors will ask for either a printed or a digital headshot, or possibly both. Below are the standard requirements for actor headshot submissions. We can handle the printing and digital formatting so you don’t have to worry about that part!
Printed headshots:
- In color
- 8 x 10 inches
- Your name printed on the front
- Printed vertically
Digital headshots:
- Compressed (in the right format so the website can process it)
- High resolution (at least 300 dpi)
- Without your name
Lastly, it is important to hire a photographer who makes you feel comfortable and brings out the best in you. We will already be familiar with each other after our phone call. Our studio is a fun, relaxed environment with a room for you to change clothes and freshen up between shots. We’ll put on some music and guide you through each look and photograph. It will be a fun day that you will always remember! And if all goes well, the results will bring you work that will launch, or further enrich, your acting career.
CHRISMAN STUDIOS IS A PROFESSIONAL ACTOR HEADSHOT PHOTOGRAPHY STUDIO SERVING THE SOUTHEAST, INCLUDING CHARLESTON, SC, DANIEL ISLAND, MT. PLEASANT, SC, WEST ASHLEY, SC, NORTH CHARLESTON, SC AND SUMMERVILLE, SC.
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