Actor Headshot Standard (UK Casting-Ready)

At Studio 24 London, actor headshots are created as professional casting tools. They are designed to be honest, current, and immediately usable by UK casting directors. This document explains the standard we work to on every actor headshot session.

Studio 24 London does not chase trends or over-polish images. Our focus is on clarity, honesty, and producing headshots that work in the real casting world.

Purpose & Representation

Your headshots must accurately reflect how you appear today. They should match your Spotlight profile and represent you as you would walk into an audition. If you arrive looking noticeably different from your headshot, the image has failed its purpose.

Framing & Composition

All headshots are shot in portrait orientation with a clean head-and-shoulders crop. Eyes are positioned in the upper third of the frame, with the camera set at eye level. Creative angles, distortion, or extreme crops are avoided.

Lighting

Lighting is kept soft, directional, and natural. The aim is to reveal your features clearly while maintaining realistic skin tone. Overly dramatic or overly flat lighting is not used.

Backgrounds

We use neutral, low-contrast backgrounds such as grey or soft off-white. Backgrounds are intentionally quiet so that attention remains on your face at all times.

Colour Policy

Colour headshots are the primary standard. Black and white images may be included as a secondary option where appropriate. No stylised colour grading is applied.

Wardrobe

Clothing should be solid in colour, free of logos or text, and appropriate to your casting type. Busy patterns, heavy textures, pure white, and pure black are avoided. Wardrobe choices should support believable roles rather than fashion trends.

Hair, Makeup & Grooming

Hair and makeup should reflect how you would normally appear for an audition. Makeup is kept natural and camera-appropriate. Skin texture remains visible and grooming is clean but not over-styled.

Expression & Direction

We prioritise relaxed, natural expressions that feel open and approachable. Headshots should feel alive and present, not posed or performative.

Retouching Policy

Retouching is minimal and realistic. Temporary blemishes may be removed and minor colour balance applied. Skin smoothing, facial reshaping, eye whitening, or age manipulation are not used.