You never  want to hear  that from an agent,  let alone  a casting director—especially  on an audition. It could really  rattle  you…

Just as important  it is for your reel to be your calling card  in voice-overs, so  is your head shot for anything on-camera. I can’t tell you how  essential  it is to look like your photo, and vice versa. Some actors come in, and It’s clear they  haven’t  updated their  head shot in years! Styles change, and so do our faces. This, my dear New York Acting readers, is vital imformation.  Keep your photo fresh, updated, and HONEST!

Another  thing I get is a lovely current picture,  but the person’s face is SO re-touched, he/she  looks  ten years younger, and sooooooooo  pretty! If you want  to look as beautiful as your VERY re-touched photo,  go out  and  get the work done to match your photo! Some re-touching  is fine. When walking  into  a New York Audition,  you want  the Casting Director  to know  how  nice  you CAN look. You know  the expression, “ya clean up well!”. Well, show ‘em how  well  you can clean up, but LOOK LIKE YOUR DARN PHOTO!!!!

When agents  submit  a dishonest  photo,  we  Casting Directors  are very disappointed.  Upon seeing the actor, we’re like “uh…is this…YOU?” or “when exactly was this taken?” You don’t want  a strike against  you before you even slate your name…

The Person who took my photo for this blog is Timothi  Jane Graham. She happens  to write the blog for the Headshot section on this site. I am NOT an actor,  and asked that she keep my photo natural.  Bags  and all. No re-touching.  I now  have sent several students  of mine  to her, and the photos have  been  fabulous. AMAZING. Check  out her site. Yes, she does some re-touching  here  and there, but minimal,  and sooooo  respectful to the actor’s face. She gets it. She’s not for the all-out  beauty shot when  it comes  to head shots. She actually  scopes  out locations  for each  individual  actor. Cool, NY places she KNOWS  where  the actor will shine  and stand out all on his or her own.

For me,  as a New York Casting Director,  I want  to  feel  something when I look at someone’s photo. And when I meet  that actor  face-to-face,  I want  to know  that  that photo is true  to who he/she is, and equally  important,  that the photo  more than resembles  the face.

Don’t make the agents and casting directors  wonder  if it’s really you, or wonder  when  the photo was taken. Stay updated,  stay fresh, and keep it real.

Til next week!!!