You paid good money. You got the makeup done. You stood in front of the backdrop, smiled, smized, gave a few “serious” looks. The photographer sent over the gallery, and you picked the best shots.
You uploaded them to Casting Networks. To Actors Access. Maybe even posted them on Instagram with a “new headshots!!” caption.
And then… nothing.
No increase in auditions. No sudden rush of attention. Just crickets.
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. I talk to actors all the time in NYC who feel stuck with headshots that look good on paper but aren’t doing the job.
Let’s break down why.
1. The Over-Retouched Headshot
Let’s start with one of the biggest culprits: over-retouching.
In an effort to look polished, too many headshots in NYC end up looking airbrushed to death. Smooth skin, flat tones, no life behind the eyes. You end up with a photo that might be technically “clean” but feels robotic—and worse, generic.
Casting directors don’t want a model. They want a real person who can act. If your image looks like it belongs in a skincare ad instead of on a casting board, you’re shooting yourself in the foot.
Pro Tip for the ladies: Start with zero to little makeup and work your way up through the photoshoot for best results. As said, CDs want real people and sometimes they just want to see you with no makeup.
A great NYC headshot photographer knows how to strike the right balance. Clean up distractions? Yes. But never at the expense of expression, detail, or you. Your freckles, your texture, your personality—that’s what gets remembered.
2. You’re Showing Just One Look (and It’s Not Branded)
This one’s especially common: you’ve got one “commercial” look and one “theatrical” look. They’re both vague. One’s smiley, one’s serious.
But they don’t say anything.
In NYC—one of the most competitive acting markets in the world—you don’t need headshots that “work.” You need headshots that sell your brand.
What roles are you right for? Are you the sarcastic barista with a bite? The buttoned-up assistant who’s one step away from snapping? The sweet, grounded best friend with an edge? Are you grounded? Dangerous? Quirky? Quietly powerful?
If your headshots aren’t speaking that language, they’re just portraits.
My approach to acting headshots in NYC always starts with branding. What’s your type? What’s your essence? What roles are you actually going to get called in for?
Then we build specific looks to reflect those worlds. Not just generic “vibes.” Real-world energy. You’re not trying to show every role—you’re trying to own your casting lane.
3. There’s No Real Expression in the Eyes
Here’s the deal: you can’t fake presence. If you’re not grounded, connected, and dropped in, it shows.
I don’t care how good the lighting is, how nice the wardrobe looks, or how many angles you try—if you’re not living in the moment, your eyes will glaze over. The image will look like a shell of you. And that’s what most casting directors see all day long.
If you’re looking for a NYC headshot photographer, you need someone who understands acting—not just photography.
I’m an actor myself. I’ve been in front of the camera. I know what it’s like to feel tense, to be in your head, to try to “get it right.” That’s why my sessions are focused on helping you drop the performance and live truthfully in front of the lens.
I talk to you. I coach you. I find the thoughts that light you up and help you forget the camera is even there. That’s when the eyes come alive.
4. You’re Using the Wrong Photos From the Shoot
This one hurts a little. Sometimes, it’s not the photographer—it’s the image selection.
You might pick the one where your jawline looks sharpest. Or the one where your hair is perfect. But you miss the one with the spark. The image that has just a hint of tension. Or a flicker of humor. Or something complicated, human, and true.
I help my clients choose photos that tell a story. Not just photos that look “nice.” Because let’s be honest—nice doesn’t get you called in. Interesting does.
5. You Didn’t Get Enough Variety
Your range matters.
Casting directors in NYC don’t want to guess. They want to see it. Can you do comedy and drama? Are you equally strong in grounded roles and heightened worlds? Does your face read sweet and tough? Warm and edgy?
One headshot can’t do all of that. You need a set of images that collectively show your range—not just facial expressions, but different sides of your essence.
In my sessions, we shoot as many looks as needed to hit the full arc of your brand. We take our time, we explore, we play. I never want you to feel rushed into one mold.
Because casting is about choices. And your headshots should give them choices.
6. You’re Forgetting the Real Point of Headshots
Here’s the thing a lot of actors don’t hear enough: your headshot’s job is just to remind casting directors that you’re alive. That’s it. It’s a visual “hello, remember me?” If your photo doesn’t look like you—or worse, looks like a glamorized version of you—they’ll just keep scrolling.
Casting directors aren’t looking for the most beautiful image. They’re looking for the right person for the role. If your photo is over-styled, overly retouched, or creatively posed to express your “artistic side,” it might be gorgeous… but it won’t get you the audition.
Headshots are not the time to express yourself. Save that for a creative portrait session with your photographer. Don’t overthink the headshot. Don’t try to be clever. Don’t try to impress anyone.
Be simple. Be present. Let your unique self shine. That’s what makes someone stop and look twice.
So—How Do You Fix It?
It starts with awareness. If you’re reading this and realizing your current headshots don’t feel like you—it’s okay. That just means you’re ready to get something that actually works.
Here’s what I recommend:
✅ Work with a photographer who understands actors
✅ Start with your brand first—then plan your looks
✅ Choose images based on expression and energy, not vanity
✅ Avoid over-editing—keep the soul in the shot
✅ Aim for range, not just repetition
If your current photos aren’t doing the job, it’s not a failure—it’s a learning curve. Most actors go through at least one round of “meh” headshots before they find what works. But the sooner you get clarity, the sooner you get traction.
See How I Approach Actor Headshots
I shoot actor headshots with intention, personality, and presence. We laugh. We connect. We capture real moments that translate to real auditions.
👉 Click here to see how I approach actor headshots →
Let’s make images that get you called in. Not just once—but again and again.
