Actor Headshots NYC

Since opening my space in 2006, I’ve photographed thousands of headshot sessions for actors working in theater, film, television, and commercial work.

I work with performers at every stage of their career — from their very first professional headshots to their latest refresh — creating images that feel powerful yet natural, and unmistakably them.

A Warm, Confidence-Building Approach

My priority as a headshot photographer is to create a welcoming environment where you can relax, feel supported, and gradually ease into the work. Feeling intimidated is the last thing I want you to feel heading into your session. After photographing thousands of sessions, I’ve developed a way of working that will help you to loosen up, settle in, and show up naturally on camera.

What Casting Directors Are Looking For

Casting directors and agents want to see the real you in a headshot. That’s true whether you’re an actor, an attorney, or a life coach—but for actors especially, genuine feeling and connection make all the difference in standing out in a crowd of faces.

One of the best ways to achieve a dynamic and honest headshot is to give the process the time it needs. I always make sure to give you the time to warm up, find your rhythm, and experiment — especially with my longer packages. As the session unfolds, comfort slowly builds, self-consciousness fades, and your natural energy breaks through into the image.

Finding the Right Light, Angles, and Expression

Every headshot session begins with exploring the lighting and angles that are going to suit your special and unique face. There’s no single lighting setup that works for everyone that I can simply drop you into. Even small shifts—where you’re standing, how you’re angled, where the light falls—can dramatically change how you come across in a photograph.

We explore a range of options during your session so we can discover not only what’s most flattering but what feels and looks the most like you.

After the first set of images, we pause to review them together on a large screen. We talk through what we like and what isn’t working, then continue shooting, building from there. This review early in the process helps everyone — you, me, and also the makeup artist — move in the right direction together.

I’ve also found that you begin to soften and relax once you see how your expressions are reading on camera. You see what’s coming through and what isn’t, so you can adjust accordingly. Shifts in energy begin to happen organically and the images become more nuanced and alive.

A Collaborative, Guided Session

Headshot sessions are collaborative by nature. I want to know what you’re hoping to achieve, what resonates with you, and what doesn’t. It’s important that you feel a sense of agency throughout the process.

At the same time, if you’re new to professional photo shoots—or simply prefer direction—I’m here to guide you clearly and with empathy every step of the way. I’ll help you relax, adjust, and fine tune your expression.

What to Wear for Headshots

During your Zoom consultation, we’ll talk through your casting and the impression you want your headshots to create. A big part of that comes down to wardrobe. We’ll review your clothing together and put together a range of looks. I’ve also shared some general ideas on what to wear here.

Hair & Make-Up for Headshots

For women, I recommend that you work with my professional makeup artist. For men, it’s less crucial, but it can still really elevate your final images. Besides making you look your best, having a makeup artist adds an extra layer of support during the session, freeing you to relax and focus on connecting with the camera. I’ve shared some additional thoughts on hair and makeup here.

After the Session:

Turnaround Time

To ensure the highest image quality, all headshots are photographed in RAW format. After your session, files are carefully processed and converted to high-resolution JPEGs. This process usually takes 2–3 business days.

Access to All of Your Images

I believe in giving you all of the images from your session—not just a select few. Reviewing the full session is often a valuable learning experience, particularly for actors, and gone are the days when you had just two headshots, a smiling and a dramatic one. Now you submit digitally and having access to all of your images means you can use specific headshots to go after a wider range of roles.

You’ll receive a private gallery link on Dropbox where you can view and download your pictures. The gallery will remain active for 30 days, during which time you’re welcome to share it with agents, mentors, and friends.

Retouching:

Once you’ve chosen your favorites, simply send me the image numbers and your retouched headshots will be ready within approximately 3 business days (longer for larger orders).

Depending on your package, 2–4 images are retouched at no additional charge, with additional retouching available à la carte for $50/image.

Preserving Your Natural Appearance

My retouching style is restrained and natural. Minor distractions—blemishes, stray hairs, under-eye shadows—are addressed while preserving your character and expression. Your headshot should look like you — wrinkles included!

Casting directors are not looking for perfection; they’re looking for personality.

Still have questions? Let’s talk!

You can get in touch with me here.