One of the keys to getting more jobs from your casting director is having standardized pictures. Casting Directors for Background jobs do not need to see professional photos. Rather, they want something that shows what you truly look like.
We ask that you provide 4 pictures:
- Portrait (Chest and up)
- Full Body - Casual wear
- Full Body - Business attire
- Full Body - Swimwear / Gym wear / Uniform / Formal wear
How to take a great headshot photo for your main profile pic"
- Use Good Lighting: Natural light from a window is best, as it brings out your features clearly. You should face the window, but stay away from any direct sunlight to avoid harsh shadows and overexposure.
- Keep It Simple: Wear neutral clothing without distracting patterns or logos. Avoid accessories like hats and sunglasses & if you have long hair, leave it down! Sometimes hair length matters and it is the best way for casting directors to see your hair color when matching people for potential Stand In roles.
- Choose a Plain Background: A blank wall or a simple background works best so that all focus is on you. Cropping a photo to focus on you is ideal to avoid any background distractions.
- Smile Naturally: A natural expression makes you look approachable and genuine.
- Framing: For a main profile/headshot, the bottom of the frame should be the middle of your chest. The top should be slightly above your head.
- Avoid Heavy Filters: Casting directors want to see your authentic look. Avoid heavy edits or filters that drastically change your appearance. Casting Directors can tell when photos are edited.
How to take a full body picture:
- Have your friend/photographer take a few steps back. We found that standing 5 feet away from the subject worked well, holding the phone at chest height.
- Frame the picture from the ankles to the top of the head but before uploading, be sure to crop out anything that could be distracting in the background.