The 5 Best Headshot Photographers in NYC — An Honest Guide from a Working Headshot Photographer
By Lisa Hancock, Hancock Headshots · Updated July 2026
I’ve been photographing actors in New York for 20 years, creating headshots for everyone from performers booking background work to Tony-nominated actors — and in that time I’ve watched a lot of photographers come and go on the actor headshot scene. I know whose work holds up in a casting director’s thumbnail grid, whose clients arrive at my studio still happy with the experience they had elsewhere, and whose images the agents and coaches I work with repeatedly trust.
So when people ask me “who are the best headshot photographers in New York?” — and they do ask — I have some real answers. What follows is my Top 5 list: my professional, opinionated guide to the top 5 photographers I’d go to for my own headshots, written by someone who does this work every day.
Full disclosure: this article resides on my website and I include my own studio on the list. To be fair, you’d hope that a photographer with twenty years in the field and numerous 5-star reviews would land on the list but, even more important, my work speaks for itself. None of the other photographers paid for placement. They appear here purely on their merits. The reality is that no single photographer is right for every actor so I’ve written this list to tell you honestly which photographer serves who best, so you can find the right fit for you. All photographers have different strengths and talents, depending on where you’re headed and what it is that you need. So here goes!
First, a few thoughts about the elephant in the room… A.I.
If you’re researching headshot photographers, you’re probably wrestling with the question of using AI to bipass the effort and cost.
You’re probably asking yourself, “Can I afford a real headshot photographer?” Sessions with skilled, experienced NYC photographers generally run from around $600 to well over $1,500. That’s a big investment in any economy. It seldom pays though to go with the cheapest photographer you can find. You get what you pay for, as the saying goes and even an inexpensive headshot is money wasted if it doesn’t get the job done. The best way forward is to invest in yourself and your future. It will pay off. And find the photographer whose strengths match what your career needs right now.
“What about AI headshots?” You’ve seen the ads. For $29, an app will generate a “headshot” from your selfies. Please don’t. Casting directors look at thumbnails all day; they can spot a fake photo a mile away — the waxy skin, the not-quite-your-face features, the Stepford Wives eyes. Your headshot has one job — to look like the person who walks into the room — and AI-generated images always have that whiff of artificiality, the kiss of death for an actor whose job is all about truth telling, authenticity and emotional connection.
“But I hate photo shoots! I feel so anxious in front of the camera…” Ah, so now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. AI is so tempting because not only can you save money but you can avoid the photo shoot altogether! So convenient! So many people, even seasoned actors, hate photo shoots. You just need to find a photographer you feel comfortable with — someone who puts you at ease and frees you of the self-consciousness and nerves. A headshot photographer’s most important contribution is in how they direct you and draw you out of your shell — how comfortable and free to experiment you feel during the session. It shows in the final images. Every entry below tells you what the experience in the room is actually like and I hope it will give you an idea of who you are drawn to and who you would feel most at ease with.
How this list is different
Most “best headshot photographers in NYC” lists are compiled by content writers who’ve never sat for headshots, never watched a casting director flick through Actors Access thumbnails, and never had to tell a client their old headshots were working against them. This one is written by someone who does this work every day. My criteria:
The photos actually book roles. The shots aren’t just beautiful. You don’t look like a model, you look like a real human being with a story. The headshot has to grab your attention at thumbnail size but also match the person who shows up at the audition.
The eyes are alive. Every photographer here has a demonstrated knack for capturing expression and inner life, not just creating fancy lighting. The shots are not about the photographer proving their worth as a technician but about the subject — you!
They’re professionals. Reliable, communicative, respectful of your money and what’s at stake for you, and empathetic to your experience in front of the camera. These are all pros in every sense of the word, not just good photographers.
They have a distinct point of view. Each one is genuinely best-in-class at something different, so you can match the photographer to your particular need.
1. Hancock Headshots (Lisa Hancock) — Brooklyn
Best for: actors at every level who want headshots built on casting strategy, not just great lighting — from your very first shots to a working-actor refresh. Also particularly skilled at quieting your anxiety, creating a warm, welcoming set.
I’ve been photographing actors since 2006 — twenty years of watching what actually books work for my clients in New York’s casting rooms. My photographs have appeared in The New York Times, US Weekly, Harpers Bazaar, and Playbill to name just a few. My clients range from performers getting their very first headshots to Tony-nominated veterans, and I come recommended by leading acting coaches, from HB Studio to private salons, as well as agents and managers across the city. Referrals from people who look at thousands of headshots a year are the highest compliment in this business, and they’re the foundation mine is built on.
Before headshots, I worked as a film and television editor — including a feature starring a young Jeremy Renner — where my job was literally to watch an actor’s takes and choose the truest moments. That’s exactly what I do now in a single frame: catch the split second when something real and powerful flickers through your eyes, the shot that makes a casting director stop scrolling because there’s a person in there, not a pose.
I photograph eyes first and foremost. Strong, heart-stopping eye contact. The look of my shots is rich, vibrant and natural all at once — always in the service of your unique face, story, and casting. The sessions are collaborative from the first frame. I show you images as we go, so you can see exactly how each look is reading and adjust hair, wardrobe — or shift expression and energy in real time. I direct actively, but the best frames come out of the back-and-forth: you exploring and experimenting, me catching what’s true. Clients describe the experience the same way again and again — warm, unhurried, with my complete time and attention — which is why camera-shy actors relax in front of my lens and why seasoned pros come back every time they need to sharpen their casting.
Two big advantages I offer that most photographers don’t:
Unlimited looks! I’ve never understood locking you in to two tops only when you just never know for sure what’s going to work the best until you try it. I’ve seen too many headshots ruined by the wrong wardrobe and too many that turned to gold with a small change in color or neckline. Why prevent us from making those discoveries and finding the perfect combination of style and color? Plus, an even bigger bonus is the reset that happens energetically with changing tops — you reconnect with yourself, your body gets recentered, and you get looser and more relaxed and playful with each change. To be honest, it’s sort of my secret sauce — a key part of my process.
A complementary 30-minute Zoom consultation before we even pick up a camera. On Zoom we get a chance to talk about your background, your goals, the types of projects and roles you feel most aligned with, and then dig into your wardrobe together to come up with the looks that are going to advance those intentions. Sometimes we literally rummage through your closet over video, phone in hand. By the time you walk into my Brooklyn studio, the session has a strategy and we’ve already broken the ice. I value these sessions as much as my clients do. Seeing you face to face and learning more about you, the wheels start spinning in my head, I start to visualize how we can show your story, and by the time you walk through my door, I feel like we’re already partners in crime.
See the work at hancockheadshots.com.
2. Jess Osber Photography — Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Best for: actors who want bold, editorial-leaning color work. Jess’s images are vivid and really stand out in the crowd.
A former actor and director, Jess opened her studio in 2015. She shoots radiant, colorful, high-energy images out of a light-filled Crown Heights space. Her studio experiments constantly — custom backdrops made with local artists, evolving editing styles — so her look stays current. Packages by looks (2, 4, or 6) start around $675. She’s top notch. I really admire her work.
3. Curtis & Cort Photography — Long Island City
Best for: classic studio work with professional makeup built in; a strong option for kids and teens.
A husband-and-wife team of Broadway veterans: Curtis has photographed in New York for over fifteen years, and Cort — a longtime Broadway performer — is a trained makeup artist, so hair and makeup expertise comes built into the session. Their style is editorial and timeless: neutral backdrops, classic studio lighting, and a stated mission of keeping the whole thing stress-free and fun. Love the aesthetic they’ve developed — their shots look like those classic Gap ads. Utterly beautiful and tasteful. A few of my clients have also worked with them and I’ve really loved what they’ve captured. They are pros!
4. David Muller Photography — Los Angeles
Best for: actors making the LA move or targeting TV from the West Coast.
Okay, so maybe I’m cheating a little with this one. He’s the one non-New Yorker here, included for anyone heading west. A former actor with decades in the industry, David was voted a favorite LA headshot photographer in the Backstage Readers’ Choice Awards three years running. His images are striking and TV-market sharp — he’s known for making eyes pop — and his large studio lets him move through multiple setups and backdrops in a single session. I’ve been a big fan of his work for a long time. I always suggest him to clients that are making the move to LA.
5. Michael Kushner Photography — Manhattan
Best for: musical theatre and Broadway-track performers.
An actor-photographer multi-hyphenate embedded in the theatre community, Michael has had work featured in People, The New York Times, Vogue, Playbill, and the Tony Awards, and created The Dressing Room Project documenting Broadway performers backstage. I’m such a fan of his behind-the-scenes photos — they capture such an intimate look into this rarefied world. His headshots are rich, saturated, and story-forward. If your lane is musical theatre, he’s fluent in your world. Michael has a great Instagram where he shares his own journey as an actor, and I think no one has more heart as a photographer than this guy. There’s a lot of humanity in his shots. If I had my sights set on Broadway musicals, he’d be my pick.
How to choose from this list
Want a warm, supportive photographer who helps you hone your casting and captures beautiful, high quality headshots that express your true inner life? Hancock Headshots is your photographer.
Chasing bold, rich colorful shots? Jess Osber’s your person.
Want pro makeup included, or shooting a child’s headshots? Curtis & Cort fit the bill.
Heading to LA? David Muller is your guy.
Living in the musical theatre world? Michael Kushner reigns supreme.
Whichever direction you ultimately decide to go: book a real photographer (not AI) and pay attention to how that photographer makes you feel in your first exchange — it’s probably a preview of how you’ll feel in front of their camera.
Get in touch and we’ll figure out what your next headshot needs to do for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (also check out my FAQ page for more on this):
How much do actor headshots cost in NYC? Established NYC headshot photographers generally charge between roughly $600 and $1,500+ depending on the number of looks, retouching, and hair/makeup. Be wary of prices dramatically below that range — and of AI tools promising headshots for the price of lunch.
How often should actors update their headshots? Every one to two years, or immediately after any significant change: new hair, weight change, aging into a new casting bracket, or a shift in the roles you’re targeting.
Are AI-generated headshots okay for actors? No. Casting directors need your headshot to match the person who walks into the room. AI-generated images alter facial features, smooth skin into plastic, and undermine trust the moment you appear in person or on a self-tape.
What’s the difference between theatrical and commercial headshots? Theatrical (film/TV/stage) headshots tend to be more grounded and character-forward; commercial headshots are typically brighter, warmer, and more approachable. Most working actors need both, which is why multi-look sessions are the industry standard.
Lisa Hancock is a Brooklyn-based headshot photographer and the founder of Hancock Headshots. Since 2006 she has photographed New York actors at every career stage, from first timers to Tony-nominated performers, and is a trusted referral for acting coaches, agents, and managers across the city. She has no financial arrangement with any photographer mentioned in this article.