"Commercial" and "Theatrical"
As an actor, I officially started my journey in 2000 after graduating from Seattle University. From the beginning (in this region anyhow) industry pros (agents, teachers, seasoned actors) said to me, “Get a theatrical shot and a commercial shot.” For a complete novice, that advice might sound confusing, and from my perspective, it was (and still is) a bit vague. However, to this day, 25 years after getting my first headshots taken, I still hear this direction given to actors. So, today, I am going to share my thoughts on the matter in case it helps you prep for your next headshot session.
What is a Theatrical Headshot?
Let’s chat about this first because it tends to be the most confusing. What does “Theatrical” mean when talking about headshots? To me it means dramatic or serious. Theatrical does not mean, “a headshot for actors who want to get cast in plays,” even though the word, Theatrical, might make you think “Theatre.”
A theatrical headshot is often shot against darker backgrounds, but this is not always the case. Your mood and energy might be “intense,” but that does not mean that you have to have a dark background. Shadows on the subject’s face can also make an image feel more dramatic, so lighting that is a bit off the center axis (or coming from the side) can also help convey a “Theatrical” mood. Shadows on the face are not necessary for drama or a theatrical headshot, but they can work well.
A Theatrical headshot might want to show you off in a serious, thoughtful, grounded, honest, connected, deep, and personal way, but it should not feature a tooth smile, and a bright yellow backdrop (or bright colors in general) might confuse the viewer, since yellow tends to be associated with happiness, optimism, sunshine, etc.
Good Wardrobe Colors: Earth Tones, Shades of Grey.
Vibe Ideas: Confident, Deep, Grounded, etc.
What is a Commercial Headshot?
A commercial headshot is (primarily) used when submitting for… you guessed it, commercial projects, but a commercial headshot could also potentially be used for narrative (film/TV) projects that are comedic, light-hearted, etc. With this shot, you kind of get a 2-for-1.
Commercial energy is upbeat, and tooth smiling is often requested by the Seattle area talent agents that I talk to. In my opinion, a tooth smile is not essential for a commercial headshot, but if you are represented by a talent agent, you should definitely consult with them about what they need from your commercial headshot.
In a commercial headshot the backdrop is almost always bright and colorful (sometimes white, tan, off-white, or light grey), and the lighting on the subject is almost always free from shadows on the face. In most cases, the full face of the subject will also be featured, though a shoulder angle or a bit of your head turned away from the camera is not a deal breaker.
Good Wardrobe Colors: Warmer, Brighter, Jewel Tones.
Vibe Ideas: Engaging, Warm, Fun, Playful, Kind, etc.
Digging Deeper, Getting Specific
As mentioned, the generic and vague advice of, “You need a commercial shot and a theatrical shot” does not give the imagination a lot to work with, nor is it very inspiring. And, if you read the article linked above, you probably caught wind of the “comedic headshot” idea.
Since PNW talent agents submit their talent for a lot of commercial jobs and corporate videos (sometimes called “industrials“), the “comedic” headshot is not really something they might be too familiar with (Sitcoms rarely get produced in the PNW). However, if you do standup comedy in the PNW, or want to be considered for roles that are more on the comedy side, then a Comedic Headshot is definitely something you should consider.
Since I mentioned industrials above, I should probably touch on that a little bit. What is an Industrial/Corporate acting job, and what kind of headshot do I need for that? An industrial is (usually) an in-house video (often a training video) that a corporation or business produces to educate their workforce. In many cases, an actor’s commercial headshot will work well for an industrial audition, but you might want to add another look to your portfolio that speaks to a character type in the corporate environment (doctor, manager, tech worker, blue collar employee, etc). If you are repped by a talent agent in Seattle, you might want to ask them if you need a Corporate Headshot (hint: you probably don’t need one if you are a teenager or are playing college age characters).
Now let’s talk specificity. One of my favorite acting teachers, Jessica Marlow-Goldstein, had a motto: Be Specific, and we can keep that on our mind as we think about adding a few ingredients to the Theatrical Headshot. Let’s start with Character Types, and how dressing the part and playing the role in your headshot can help you sell yourself to the industry (it can also backfire if you are not honest with yourself). As an actor myself, one type that shows up well on me is the “guy in suit” type. Which is not really a type, per se, but it gives you an idea of how I might want to dress in my headshot session to tick that box – me wearing a blazer and possibly a tie, and with a clean appearance and neat hairstyle. I have been cast as politicians, government agents, lawyers, etc., and I absolutely have a few “suited up” headshots in my portfolio. This is the Character Headshot, and this kind of shot is an absolute must in larger markets like Hollywood.
When can dressing the part backfire? Well, if you are going for something edgy in your wardrobe and your expression, but you are super sweet with a kind face and little to no actor training (which, in theory, could help you expand your range emotionally, physically, and vocally), then going for an edgy look might not be advised. If “tough biker” type is not one of your 4 primary casting types and you don’t have a motorcycle endorsement, then I would not advise for something that is quite so targeted.
Final Thoughts
If you are just getting established as an actor, two primary headshots might do the trick – 1 Commercial (or Comedic if you don’t want to go out for commercials) & 1 Theatrical. Hire a professional headshots-for-actors photographer, and purchase their 2-look (or similar) package. I have one of those packages available, and you can click the button below to get your order started. This kind of investment in your business will be well worth the cost, and in the PNW, you should be able to get this kind of service done for under $400. And, a lot of headshot photographers offer specials and many are on IG, so follow those peeps and keep an eye out for opportunities to save a few bucks. I tend to offer discounts around the holidays, so when Black Friday rolls around in 2025 (and beyond), you will certainly find a discount here at Seattle Actor Photos.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to seeing you in my Seattle studio when the timing is right.