5 Tips to Identify Your Casting Type and Range for Actor Headshots
Actor Headshot Advice by Marc Cartwright
There are a lot of opinions about this topic. To me, understanding your “type” isn’t about limitations; it’s about clarity. When actors know the emotional lane, energy, and story they naturally communicate on camera, I find they tend to make stronger and more effective choices with their headshots.
Casting directors make fast decisions. Your type helps them immediately understand who you are and which roles you’re right for. These five tips can help you define that range so your headshots feel intentional, authentic, and castable.
1. Pay Attention to How People Respond to You
The way people react to you in everyday life can offer valuable clues about your type.
Do strangers assume you’re friendly? Serious? Confident? Quirky?
Your natural presence influences:
First impressions
Energy you carry on camera
Characters casting believes you can play
Often, the “you” that shows up in daily interactions is the same essence that books roles.
2. Look at the Roles You Consistently Audition For or Book
Your recent auditions / bookings reveal your casting lane more than anything else.
Ask yourself:
Which characters do I get called in for or book the most?
Are they comedic? Dramatic? Warm? Intense?
Do they share similar backgrounds, ages, tones, or professions?
Patterns in your auditions and bookings are not random; they’re clues about how the industry sees you.
3. Ask Your Team and Coaches for Honest Feedback
Your reps and coaches view you through the lens of professional casting. They see trends you might overlook.
Ask them:
“What roles do you think I’m most castable for right now?”
“How would you describe my presence or energy?”
“Where do you see me fitting in the current market?”
Honest feedback creates clarity—and clarity leads to stronger headshots.
4. Identify Working Actors With a Similar Vibe
Look at actors who consistently book in a similar casting lane; people whose energy, tone, essence, and story lane align with yours. This isn’t about comparing talent; it’s simply observing how the industry visually presents that type of character.
Notice the patterns that appear in their headshots, such as:
Lighting style
Wardrobe choices
Expression and emotional tone
Color palette and overall mood
Use these observations as inspiration, then make them your own. Recognizing these visual trends can help you understand how your lane is communicated on camera and guide you toward intentional, authentic headshot choices.
5. Align Your Type With the Stories You Want to Tell
Your type should connect with your goals.
Ask yourself:
What stories do I want to be a part of?
Which characters feel closest to my truth?
What emotional qualities do I bring naturally?
Your headshots should feel grounded, believable, and aligned with where you want your career to go; not fantasy versions of who you hope to play someday.
Using Your Type When Planning Your Headshots
Once you understand your type, it becomes easier to choose:
Wardrobe that supports the character lane
Expressions that feel emotionally specific
Backgrounds that fit the tone
Lighting that matches your casting energy
When your session is built around clear type and story, your photos feel alive; and casting responds to that honesty.
Read the Full Article on Backstage
You can read the complete version of my original article here:
“5 Tips to Help You Determine Your Type”
(Opens in a new tab.)Ready to Turn Your Type Into Effective Headshots?
I help actors identify their type and translate it into looks that feel truthful and castable.
Explore my actor headshot portfolio or contact me to schedule a session in Los Angeles:
