Let’s Burst the Bubble—You Have to Do Some Work!
If you came here hoping for a one-size-fits-all answer to “What should I wear for my headshots?”—I hate to break it to you, but there isn’t one.
Your headshots are your first impression. If they aren’t saying anything, you’re missing opportunities. And if you keep spending money on new headshots without understanding how to make them work for you, you’ll keep getting them wrong.
💡 Headshots aren’t about you—they’re about the characters you can play. They’re a casting tool. They tell the industry where you fit and whether you’re right for a role. When a casting director scrolls through hundreds of actors for a commercial, TV show, or movie, they need to immediately see you as the character.
So grab a pen and paper—or open your Notes app—and let’s get strategic.
👉 How do you dress for the roles you can play? Let’s get into it!
The Importance of Headshots & Why Your Wardrobe Matters
A great headshot isn’t just a pretty picture—it’s your calling card in the industry, the first impression you make before you even step into an audition room.
Headshot checklist:
✔ It needs to look like you. (Yes to makeup but don't overdo it—casting needs to recognize you when you walk in the door.)
✔ It needs to reflect the roles you can play. (Your personal style doesn’t matter—your headshot is about your casting type.)
✔ It needs to make casting say, “Yes, I see it.” (They don’t have time to guess if you fit the role—it should be obvious.)
Your Headshot is Your First Audition
Your talent shines in the audition room—but what if you never get the chance to be in that room? If your headshot doesn’t represent you as someone right for the project, you’re losing opportunities before you even get to prove yourself.
Think about it:
🚫 If you're auditioning for a cop role but your headshot is you in a bright polo with a big, friendly smile, casting will probably overlook you.
🚫 If you typically play the quirky best friend, does an edgy, dark-toned outfit help sell that? Probably not.
Your headshot wardrobe is part of the story you’re telling. It should instantly communicate where you fit in casting.
But how do you figure out what that story is?
👉 Let’s break it down.
Step 1: Know What Headshots You Need
Before you start picking outfits, you need to answer a key question:
Do you need commercial headshots, theatrical headshots, or both?
Commercial and theatrical headshots serve completely different purposes—and if you don’t understand the difference, your headshots will lack focus and won’t market you effectively.
📸 Commercial Headshots → For Commercial Work
(Surprise! Commercial headshots are meant for commercials!)
Commercial actors are hired to represent a brand or company and sell a product or service. Your headshot should tell casting directors:
✔ You’re relatable, friendly, and approachable.
✔ You stand out in a way that makes you memorable.
✔ You look like someone they’d trust to sell a product.
💡 Think of it this way: If you can make an impact in a headshot, casting knows you can make an impact in a short ad.
🎭 Theatrical Headshots → For TV, Film & Stage Roles
Theatrical headshots are character-driven, grounded, and reflect the depth of your casting range. Unlike commercial headshots, which are about selling a product, theatrical headshots are about selling your ability to disappear into a role.
✔ Your wardrobe should match the types of roles you audition for.
✔ Your expressions should be subtle but powerful—casting should feel the emotion behind your eyes.
✔ If you play troubled or intense characters, your shot should reflect that. If you go out for romantic leads, your headshot should exude warmth.
💡 The goal? Casting should instantly see you in a role. They should feel your presence and know exactly what type of characters you play.
ASSIGN YOUR LOOKS ACCORDINGLY
Once you’ve booked a headshot session, it’s important to plan how many looks will be for commercial vs. theatrical—and that number depends on you.
🔹 Example: You’ve booked a four-look headshot session—now, how do you divide your looks?
🎭 If you're just starting out, the best strategy is to split evenly: 2 commercial, 2 theatrical. This gives you a balanced portfolio for different types of auditions.
🎬 If you're a working actor, assess your current headshots and figure out what’s missing.
- Do you already have strong theatrical headshots but lack commercial ones?
- Are your theatrical looks outdated, but your commercial shots still hold up?
Make sure each look serves a clear purpose in your portfolio.
🚨 Pro Tip: Never Try to Make One Look Work for Both
This is a common mistake actors make to cut costs—but it dilutes both headshots.
🚫 A theatrical shot won’t work for a commercial audition.
🚫 A commercial shot won’t sell you for a dramatic TV role.
💡 Sometimes, a commercial look can double as a comedic theatrical character, but never force it just to pinch pennies. Instead, be intentional about each headshot and the role it serves.
If you try to make one shot fit both categories, you’ll end up with a weak, unfocused headshot that doesn’t serve you well in either arena.
Step 2: What’s Your Real Age Range?
This seems simple, but many actors struggle with it.
You need to be honest and accurate about your age range. Trying to "catfish" casting—claiming you can play younger or older than you realistically can—will backfire.
🚫 If you’re 35, you’re most likely not booking teen roles.
🚫 If you’re 22, you’re probably not a "hardened, seasoned detective" yet.
🚫 If you’re a child, tween, or teen actor, don’t try to look more mature—be young as long as you can!
But Aren’t There Exceptions?
Of course! There are always exceptions to the rules.
- I’ve worked with actors in their 40s who still audition for teen roles.
- I’ve shot early 20-somethings whose look and energy skewed more mature.
But exceptions shouldn’t define your strategy. If you focus on what’s most believable for casting, you’ll land more auditions instead of chasing roles that don’t fit.
💡 Look at yourself through casting eyes. Once you lock in your actual age range, everything else—the roles you go out for and how you dress for them—becomes much easier.
Step 3: What Character Types & Roles Do You Go Out For?
This is where a lot of actors get too vague about their casting type.
🚫 “I’m a leading man/woman/person.” (Too general!)
🚫 “I play professionals.” (Okay, but what kind? A lawyer? A startup CEO? A burned-out journalist?)
🚫 “I can play anything.” (No, you can’t. And that’s a good thing. Casting needs specificity!*)
If you want strong, strategic headshots, you need to get specific and define the roles you actually go out for.
For Commercial Headshots: Think Like a Brand
Commercial casting is all about relatability and brand identity. Ask yourself:
✔ What brands do you see yourself representing?
- Are you a TJMaxx shopper or a high-end boutique buyer?
- Are you the boss hiring on Indeed or the eager job seeker?
✔ Are you the consumer or the spokesperson?
- The consumer is the relatable, everyday person (the mom picking up groceries, the young professional using a budgeting app).
- The spokesperson is the confident, likable brand rep (think Flo from Progressive or the quirky Old Spice guy).
👉 Watch commercials and notice where you fit. The ads you naturally align with can guide your wardrobe choices.
For Theatrical Headshots: Define Your Character Type
Ask yourself the basics, then refine it further.
✔ If you see yourself as a protagonist, then
- Are you the lovable underdog, the complex antihero, or the surprising love interest?
✔ Are you an antagonist?
- Are you the ruthless CEO, the jealous best friend, or the brooding villain?
✔ Comedic roles:
- Are you the sarcastic best friend, the quirky genius, or the lovable goofball?
✔ Dramatic roles:
- Are you the dedicated detective on a procedural, the sharp-witted lawyer, or the emotionally complex trauma survivor?
Pro Tip: If You Have Range, Capture It!
If you can be both the relatable consumer and the confident spokesperson, or play both protagonists and antagonists, that’s great!
✔ Just make sure you have separate headshots for each type.
✔ If the types are drastically different, don’t try to merge them into one look.
Age Range & Character Type Go Hand in Hand
This is where your age range shapes what roles you’re realistically going out for and what stories are being told for that demographic.
For example:
If you’re a tween/teen:
- 📸 Commercial: The fun sibling in an Airbnb family vacation ad, back-to-school shopping at Old Navy, or riding in the back of a Subaru with your parents.
- 🎭 Theatrical: Coming-of-age stories—students navigating social challenges, testing boundaries, or excelling as overachieving athletes or scholars.
🎭 If you’re in your late 20s – early 30s:
- 📸 Commercial: Searching for a new home with Zillow, buying a family-friendly car, or hosting a backyard BBQ with Target essentials.
- 🎬 Theatrical: Characters juggling adulthood, relationships, and career growth—balancing personal and professional life or making pivotal life decisions.
Define It, Then Dress for It
✔ Your headshots should instantly communicate what roles you play.
✔ Casting directors don’t have time to guess—make it obvious.
✔ Once you know your types, you can choose wardrobe that reinforces them.
Step 4: Put It All Together and Choose Wardrobe That Matches Your Casting Type
Once you’ve nailed down your headshot types, age range, and character types—write it down. Seriously. Keep it in your notes app, journal, or somewhere visible as you plan your session.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed or veer off-track, but having a clear “casting compass” keeps everything focused.
✔ Example Breakdown:
Actor Profile:
Age Range: Late 30s to Early 40s
Headshots & Character Types:
- Commercial: DIY-savvy, scrappy, funny parent
- Commercial: Reliable, creative office employee
- Theatrical: Comedic sidekick, loyal best friend, quirky neighbor
- Theatrical: Intelligent scientist, sharp medical professional
Now that your looks are defined, it’s time to step into each character’s shoes and dress the part.
🎯 Commercial Headshot Wardrobe Tips
✔ Color Palette: Bright, fun, and energetic—think bold colors, playful pastels, or saturated primaries that feel approachable.
✔ Patterns & Prints: Don’t be afraid of stripes, florals, or graphic tees—(Yes, the “no graphics” rule is outdated. I shoot commercial actors who book all the time in graphic tees.)
✔ Layering: Plaid button-ups, denim jackets, cardigans, or fun zip-ups can enhance personality and help tell a story.
🚫 Avoid: Flat neutrals (like plain black, white, or grey), and anything too plain. Commercials are about energy and relatability—let your personality come through the frame.
🎬 Theatrical Headshot Wardrobe Tips
✔ Color Palette: Stick to earthy tones, warm neutrals, and rich jewel tones—colors that evoke depth and mood.
✔ Fabrics & Details: Elevate the look with pieces that have texture, structure, or small design details like interesting collars, sleeves, or stitching.
✔ Layering: Go for pieces like a structured sweater, blazer, leather or canvas jacket—they add depth without stealing focus.
🚫 Avoid: Plain tank tops or basic t-shirts. Yes, the shot needs to be about your face, but your wardrobe is part of the character’s voice. If your clothing says nothing, you risk being forgettable in a sea of submissions.
👚 Additional Wardrobe Tips
✨ Dress your character—not yourself. Ask, “What would this character wear?” instead of “What would I wear?”
✨ Be specific. The more intentional your wardrobe, the more impactful your headshots.
💡 Your headshot wardrobe is your costume rack.
It’s not about your personal style—it’s about the stories you’re built to tell. Over time, keep a go-to wardrobe capsule that’s dedicated to your casting types. Your everyday clothes and your audition wardrobe? They can (and probably should) be different.
💡 Need extra help pulling looks?
I highly recommend working with Image By Buckley. She's not only an incredible stylist, but also an actor herself—so she knows exactly how to build character-driven looks that speak to casting directors. Her experience on both sides of the camera makes her insight invaluable.
Final Thoughts
If you follow this process, your headshots will speak clearly and confidently to casting. They'll tell decision-makers exactly where you fit—and that means more auditions, more callbacks, and more bookings.
🎯 When your wardrobe, expression, and energy align with your casting, you don’t just look the part—you become the obvious choice.
🎭 Need inspiration?
Check out my Actor Headshots Portfolio to see how strategic wardrobe choices bring characters to life on camera.
📍 Ready to book your headshots? Let’s create a session tailored to your brand, your casting, and your next big role. Book your session today!
