I had the opportunity to photograph Dallas-based actress and voice actor Jeannie Tirado for a second actor headshot session just over a year after we had first worked together.
For this session, Jeannie wanted two distinctly different images: a bright, approachable commercial headshot and a more dramatic theatrical headshot.
Creating both looks in one session is a great example of how wardrobe, expression, lighting, hair, and makeup can change the message of an actor’s headshot without changing the person in front of the camera.
Creating Commercial and Theatrical Headshots
Commercial and theatrical headshots serve different purposes, so we approached Jeannie’s two looks differently.
For the theatrical portrait, most of the shirts Jeannie brought were darker in tone, which worked well with the more dramatic direction we wanted.
For her commercial headshot, I wanted something brighter and more approachable. I had a few additional wardrobe options available in the studio, and we found one that gave us the lighter look I wanted.
This is one reason I encourage actors to bring several wardrobe possibilities to a headshot session. Sometimes an option that looks relatively simple on the hanger works perfectly once we see it with the lighting and background.
Hair and Makeup for Actor Headshots
Professional hair and makeup artist Rey Medrano prepared Jeannie for the session using natural makeup in neutral tones and adding a slight wave to her hair for movement and texture.
For the theatrical look, the makeup around Jeannie’s eyes was made slightly smokier, helping create a more dramatic portrait while still keeping her recognizable.
For actor headshots, that’s important. Hair, makeup, wardrobe, and retouching should support the actor rather than overwhelm them.
Lighting the Two Looks
I also changed the photography approach between the commercial and theatrical images.
I photographed Jeannie using natural light to illuminate her face. For the brighter commercial portrait, I added a Profoto B1 with a 2×3 softbox to brighten the background and create a lighter overall feel.
At the time, I photographed the session with a Canon 5D Mark III and an 85mm lens, using an exposure of 1/200 second at f/3.5 and ISO 200.
I like keeping these technical details in some of my older posts because they show how much of a portrait’s final appearance comes from decisions made behind the camera—not simply from changing the background or asking someone to smile.
What Is the Difference Between Commercial and Theatrical Headshots?
Generally, a commercial headshot tends to feel brighter, warmer, and more approachable. It’s often used when an actor needs to communicate an engaging, relatable personality.
A theatrical headshot can have a more serious or dramatic quality, depending on the actor and the types of roles they’re pursuing.
That doesn’t mean every actor needs to fit into one predetermined formula. The goal is to create photographs that look like you while giving you useful options for the kinds of roles and casting opportunities you’re pursuing.
Updating Your Actor Headshots
When I originally photographed Jeannie for this session in 2017, it had been a little more than a year since her previous session with me.
Actors don’t necessarily need new headshots simply because a year has passed. A better reason to update them is when your appearance has changed, your existing photographs no longer represent you accurately, you’re pursuing different types of roles, or your agent or casting needs have changed.
Current, accurate photographs are far more important than following an arbitrary schedule.
About Jeannie Tirado
At the time of the original post, Jeannie was working as an actress and voice actor with credits that included Attack on Titan, One Piece Film: Gold, and Lullaby. At the time of our 2017 session, Jeannie was represented in Dallas by The Campbell Agency.
Actor Headshots in Dallas
Today, my Dallas actor headshot sessions are designed to give actors options for different casting needs.
Depending on the session, we can photograph multiple wardrobe looks and create a range of expressions and images, with guidance throughout the shoot on posing and expression.
Whether you need a straightforward update or want both commercial and theatrical options, we’ll plan the session around the kinds of images you actually need.