Photo Guide

Your main photo - no matter your age (including babies) – is a smiley head shot, so your face and your eyes should be the main focus.  Background is distracting.  The shot should be taken from mid chest up and not include household clutter, toys and other people - the photo shown here is a perfect example of a good photo - our model is looking at the camera, smiling, the eyes are ëngaged i.e. showing emotion and the background is muted.

Full length photos should be included in your profile but again please ensure there is not too much background. It is important the casting director can see what you look like in all your photos.

One or two profile (side on) photos are useful but no more than two please.

Here is a sample of a "home snap"that works - you can do it if you get down on the same level as the child and take lots of photos.  Sometimes cropping is needed and I am happy to do this for you if you have difficulty.

Lots of young actors and models think the clients and casting directors want to see "sexy" photos.  They do not!!  You are seeking mainstream work not adult entertainment through us. Dress discreetly.  

If you have a great body then a tasteful full length shot of you wearing fitting clothing is the best way to show this. Swimwear is fine provided you know what you are doing.  Successfully modeling swimsuits in photographs is a very specialised skill.

Avoid large or very noticeable or distinctive accessories.

Do not include props in your photos. Props make you look amateurish or the photos old fashioned.

Hands are seldom welcome in a head shot.  Having your hands on your face or under your chin too often looks posed and unnatural. Try to let go and be yourself in front of the lens, and don't put yourself in any positions you don't find yourself in during your daily life. Doing so will make you appear uncomfortable.

However if you have good hands it is useful to include a couple of shots of your hands only (see the shot below). If you do this please also load “hands” into keywords on CastingKey.

Clothing; The golden rule is to wear what you feel good in.  If you feel confident the photo has a far better chance of telling the client or casting director that you are a confident person.

Finally these photos are promoting you for work - they are your most important tool.  Keep them up to date and make sure they reflect who you are.  Friendly smiley photos always work better than serious ones.  Remember one good shot is far more valuable than 12 mediocre ones!

Some points to remember

Photos must:

• Be in JPEG format
• Be portrait - not landscape i.e. tall not long
• Be high resolution (otherwise you may lose quality) - a minimum of 1000 x 800 pixels
• Be a current and an accurate representation of youS
• Show your face clearly (no hats, sunglasses, hands in front of face, etc)
• Be of you only (cropping out your friends isn't the best – leaving them in is worse)
• Include at least one smiling photo
• Be of good quality and a professional nature - you are applying for roles with these!

NB: If a photo is too small the casting service will place a border around the edges. This is to ensure all photos can be printed in a variety of sizes and remain consistent.

Avoid:

• Zooming in too close or being too far out (mid chest up is best)
• Red eye
• Clutter in the background - no visible background is best
• Bad lighting (too bright or too dark, or your face in shadow)
• Taking the photo yourself - ask someone to take some of you
• Photos taken on a cell phone
• Nude or other inappropriate photos

We reserve the right to reject photos which are not suitable.

If you want to be taken seriously as a model or actor then professional photos are essential. Check out our listings for photographers in your area.

CastingKey have designed the online and printable profiles in line with industry requirements worldwide. They want you to be successful and have done everything possible to ensure the profile layout is the best it can be. However the photos and information you add to your profile will make a big difference to your chances of success.