Can I use ERAS headshot I took in 2023? Or should I get a few one?

Idk if these are good or I just lack self esteem (these are for acting, besides the selfie which is there for how I look besides the portraits)

I want to get new headshots-anyone love their photographer?

Had an amateur photographer 📸💃🐱🐾 book a time with me to do this I also love the white background they did

would love thw community to chime in

I've been approached by a couple agencies but never did a deal beyond a booking or two If sign anything I want to know what people are actually getting out there for representation 🧘🌌🧘🏻‍♀️

Peace and love to everybody open to your interpretation / input ✍🏻

I have an agent who is a very nice person, but I keep getting auditions for roles that are completely out of my type and age range. It’s incredibly jarring because during our initial meeting, we explicitly discussed and agreed on my specific casting bracket. I brought this up recently, and they explained that they submit on a wide range to get clients seen no matter what, believing actors can always be aged up or down. I went along with it initially because I’m grateful to have representation, especially with how slow the industry is right now. I even adjusted my headshots and materials based on their suggestions, but the mismatch is still happening. My age range settings on casting sites are correct, but it feels like they are just being ignored.

I’ve even asked for opinions from outsiders who aren’t in the industry, and they completely agree with my visual age range. They are honestly shocked that I’m getting auditions for these specific roles because the physical and visual mismatch is so extreme, especially when looking at my self-tapes. This is starting to take a massive mental and emotional toll on me. It’s draining my passion and drive for acting because every time an audition drops, it’s completely out of left field. I feel like I’m being forced into a lane that doesn't fit my visual demographic at all. When I see who eventually gets these roles, it's discouraging because they look nothing like me, are much older, and look much older.

I’ve heard stuff like age doesn’t matter, to just forget about age and cross it out on the casting breakdown, and that if casting keeps asking you back it’s always a good sign. But I'm starting to wonder if this isn’t true at all and is just bad thinking. I'm trying to be as optimistic as possible, but because the roles don't align with anything I could reasonably book, it just makes me feel completely stagnant. I look at my submission logs, and the vast majority of the roles I’m submitted for are way, way off. Out of almost a year of submissions, only a couple actually suited my look. I worry casting directors are just getting confused about what my actual brand is.

Is this "spray and pray" submission style a normal strategy for agents right now, or is it a sign of a bad fit? I don’t really know what to do and would love some objective advice from other actors because I’m feeling pretty confused and isolated on this.

When editing a professional headshot, do you prefer a brighter, cleaner look or something that keeps more of the natural lighting?
Any thoughts or tips for editing professional headshots are welcome.

I’ve attempted to improve my lighting game for headshots. These are my most recent ones I’ve taken.

Previously, I used two AD200s with small soft boxes and had some really harsh lighting.

I’ve invested in a Godox DP600ii + 150 cm soft box (as my key light) and added a SK400iii with a 60 cm soft box. My results are much better than previous headshots, but I feel like there’s room for improvement, I just don’t know where.

Do I need more lighting under her chin or on her left side? Does she need a hair light?

I had her holding a reflector but she said she didn’t like the way her chin looked so I removed it.

I know there’s hair all over the place and am working on figuring out the best way to remove it in post (I know, I know, easier to remove it in person than in post). Also, this was done for free.

I’d love your feedback and appreciate the feedback from this sub that got me this far!

Lately one of the things I've been wanting to work on more is a slightly overexposed look, balancing very bright while trying not to completely blow out highlights. I took these recently of a local model looking to update her portfolio and was really happy with how they turned out. Not looking for feedback specifically but I'm never opposed to receiving it as long as it's helpful. And no I did not do anything to make her eyes pop they really were that blue.

I’ve been dabbling in headshot photography for actors. I’m pretty good at capturing personality (which I think is the most important part of headshots for actors), but I’d love some technical feedback. Is there anything in these sample shots I could improve upon?

Hello! would love some thoughts I have recently been cast as low as 21 and as high as 39 so im a bit lost lol

Got my first ever professional headshot taken, for ERAS residency applications (medical field), specifically general surgery

Edit: looks like uploading it to Reddit greys out the colors a little bit, so don’t mind that

Hi Reddit,

Can you choose which one of these you like more?

For context I am a sales leader. I naturally lean towads a smiling one, but am I wrong in thinking the other option would project more competence?

Thanks!

First time trying headshots. My strobes come in a couple of days but my friend needed them done sooner. I'm not proficient at photoshop/lightroom yet. I tried to hide the wrinkles and dark spots of the bed sheet. He was standing just outside of his sliding doors and the bed sheet was hanging off the pole of the shades.

Are there any AI programs that are actually good at cleaning up a headshot?

Here are some headshots I took myself until I can afford real headshots. For what they are, how do they look?

Hello!
Do you know people who provide the service of styling headshots personally geared to the person’s appearance, type, and roles they’re submitting for?
I’m helping my boyfriend with his business as an actor / singer / vocalist. He sings opera and MT, and he’s also a voice and guitar teacher. I would love to be pointed in a good direction to get styling tips from someone who will work with both his appearance and the different niches we are marketing him towards.
Thanks so much!!

Heyo everyone - I posted another headshot earlier in the sub wanting some feedback. I got some really good critiques and wanted to get some feedback on another shot. Wanting to put this on my AA profile as my main photo for now. Want to know if this is acceptable and if anything can be improved upon!

Recently had some headshots done. Tried a different place as I moved and wanted to explore some options. Can I get some feedback on this shot? Still relatively new to professional shots so I wanted to see what some opinions are from people that have experience with good photography and acting specific headshots.

Thank you!

Asked a couple days ago and took everyone’s advice. Now I wanna know if this is a good final group. Any advice is welcome!