St. Louis Acting Headshot Photographer | Film, TV & Theatre
Your acting headshot is the first thing a casting director, talent agent, or theatre company sees — and it needs to do a lot of work in a single frame. It has to capture your authentic personality, communicate your casting type, and hold up against hundreds of other submissions. At Shari Photography, we specialize in professional acting headshots in St. Louis designed specifically to get you noticed, get you called in, and get you the opportunities you have been working toward.
Whether you are a working actor building your professional portfolio, a student auditioning for conservatory programs, a newcomer getting your first industry-ready headshots, or an experienced performer whose current photos no longer reflect where you are in your career — we are here to make the process easy, comfortable, and genuinely exciting.
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Who Acting Headshots in St. Louis Are For
Our St. Louis acting headshot sessions serve performers at every level and stage of their career:
Experienced performers updating their look — if your current headshot no longer reflects your age, casting type, or the roles you want to be called in for, it is time for new photos
Film and TV actors — both working professionals and emerging talent pursuing on-camera roles
Theatre and musical theatre performers — from community theatre to professional stage productions across St. Louis
Students and young performers — high school students auditioning for programs, college students applying to conservatories and BFA programs
Models and on-camera talent — commercial, print, and promotional talent needing industry-standard submissions
Voice actors and broadcast talent — for agency rosters, demo reels, and online casting profiles
Types of Acting Headshots We Create at Our St. Louis Studio
Not all acting headshots serve the same purpose — and understanding the difference between headshot types will help you come to your session prepared with a clear plan for what you need.
Commercial Headshots
Commercial headshots are bright, open, and approachable — the kind of image that makes a casting director immediately think of you for advertisements, brand campaigns, and lifestyle productions. The energy is friendly, genuine, and relatable. Your smile, your warmth, and your everyday personality are the hero. If you are pursuing commercial work, TV commercials, or print advertising in the St. Louis and Midwest market, commercial headshots are essential.
Theatrical Headshots
Theatrical headshots are more dramatic, layered, and character-driven. They are designed for stage work, dramatic film and TV roles, and any submission where the casting team needs to see your depth, range, and emotional complexity. Theatrical headshots are typically more serious in expression, with lighting and framing that conveys presence and intensity. These are the headshots that get you seen for principal roles, dramatic leads, and theatrical productions — including the many outstanding theatre companies right here in St. Louis.
Film & TV Headshots
Film and television headshots occupy a middle ground — they need to feel natural and cinematic rather than theatrical or commercial. The expression is real and lived-in. The lighting is clean but dimensional. These headshots are designed to make a casting director think: I can see this person on screen. If you are pursuing film or television roles in the growing Missouri film market or submitting to major casting platforms like Actors Access or Casting Networks, your film and TV headshots need to meet industry-standard expectations.
Teen and Young Performer Headshots
We work regularly with teenage actors and young performers across the St. Louis area who are building their first professional portfolio or auditioning for high school and college performing arts programs. Our approach with younger clients is always relaxed, encouraging, and age-appropriate — designed to capture genuine personality rather than a forced performance. Parents are welcome in the studio throughout the entire session.
What to Expect from Your St. Louis Acting Headshot Session
Our acting headshot sessions are designed from start to finish to get the most out of every minute you are in front of the camera. Here is exactly what the experience looks like:
Natural, industry-standard retouching. We retouch selected images to remove temporary distractions — not to change your face. Casting directors need to recognize you in the room from your headshot. Our retouching is always subtle, realistic, and appropriate for professional industry submissions. Regardless of your age, look, or casting type, it’s time for an update that supports where you’re headed next.
Pre-session wardrobe and styling guidance. Before your session we walk you through exactly what to wear for each type of headshot — what reads well on camera, what to avoid, and how to translate your casting type into a visual first impression. You can also review our dedicated wardrobe tips for acting headshots guide at shariphotography.com/acting-headshots-wardrobe-tips-st-louis/ before you arrive.
Expression and direction coaching. You will never be left wondering what to do with your face. We direct you through specific emotional states, coaching you on how to access genuine expressions rather than performed ones. The best acting headshots look like a caught moment, not a posed photograph.
Multiple looks and casting types. Most sessions include commercial, theatrical, and at least one character-leaning look depending on your range and goals. We discuss your casting priorities before we start shooting so every look we create has a specific submission purpose.
Studio and natural light options. Our South St. Louis studio offers clean, classic studio lighting for timeless submissions. We can also shoot outdoors for a more environmental, natural-light look — depending on your goals and what your agent or casting director prefers.
Same-day image selection. You review and select your favorite frames before you leave the studio. No waiting weeks to find out what you got. You walk out knowing exactly which images are being retouched and delivered.
Serving the St. Louis Acting and Theatre Community
St. Louis has a remarkably vibrant performing arts community — and Shari Photography is proud to be the headshot studio of choice for actors and performers across this city. We work with clients who are auditioning for and performing with some of St. Louis’s finest theatre companies and productions, including The Muny, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep), Stray Dog Theatre, Upstream Theater, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Max & Louie Productions, and many others.
We also regularly photograph actors submitting to St. Louis-based casting agencies and talent management firms, as well as performers auditioning for regional productions, touring companies, and film and television projects shooting in Missouri and the greater Midwest. Our familiarity with what local casting directors and agents are looking for in a submission headshot means we are always current on industry expectations — not working from a formula that is years out of date.
Whether you are a seasoned St. Louis stage veteran, a student at Webster Conservatory, COCA, or a local high school performing arts program, or someone who has just caught the acting bug and is putting together their first professional package — you are in the right place.
Where Your New Acting Headshots Will Work Hard for You
- Casting submissions and online platforms — Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage, and direct submissions to St. Louis casting directors
- Agent and manager submissions — a strong, current headshot is the single most important tool in securing representation
- Theatre company applications and audition materials — for season auditions with St. Louis theatre companies and regional theatre submissions
- Conservatory and BFA program applications — many performing arts programs require a professional headshot as part of the application package
- Personal website, IMDb, and social media — your online presence as a performer should always feature your most current, professional image
- Press releases, programs, and promotional materials — for shows, productions, and events where your image represents the production
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Why St. Louis Actors Choose Shari Photography
- 15+ years of headshot specialization. We are not a general portrait studio that occasionally does acting headshots. Professional headshots — corporate, acting, and branding — are all we do. That focus translates directly into expertise, consistency, and results.
- We understand what casting directors need. A great acting headshot is a specific thing. We stay current on industry standards and what agents and casting directors in the St. Louis and regional market are actually responding to — not working from an outdated formula.
- Direction that pulls out genuine expressions. The difference between a good headshot and a great one is almost always the expression. We are skilled at coaching genuine, authentic expressions — not asking you to hold a smile and hoping for the best.
- Comfortable, relaxed studio environment. Nerves are normal. Our studio is designed to feel calm and welcoming — not like an intimidating professional set. The more relaxed you feel, the better your images look.
- Open 7 days a week, same-day selection. We work around your rehearsal and performance schedule with weekday, evening, and weekend availability. Same-day image selection means you know what you have before you leave.
- Centrally located in South St. Louis. Our studio at 5205 Gravois Ave in the Bevo Mill District is easily accessible from everywhere in the metro area — downtown, Clayton, south county, and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions About Acting Headshots in St. Louis
How much do acting headshots cost in St. Louis?
Acting headshot session pricing at Shari Photography is listed in full on our pricing page. We offer session options for individual actors, students, and young performers at different investment levels. View our current acting headshot rates and package details at the link below.
How long does an acting headshot session take?
Most acting headshot sessions at our St. Louis studio run between one and two hours depending on the number of looks and whether we are shooting studio, outdoor, or both. We build in time for outfit changes, expression coaching, and image review so the session never feels rushed. Same-day image selection is included so you know what you have before you leave.
How many looks should I bring for my acting headshot session?
We recommend bringing three to four complete looks to your session — typically one commercial look, one theatrical look, and one or two character-leaning options depending on your range. Each look should reflect a specific casting type you are actively pursuing. We provide wardrobe guidance before your session to help you choose the right pieces. You can also review our acting headshot wardrobe tips guide at shariphotography.com/acting-headshots-wardrobe-tips-st-louis/ for detailed advice.
Do I need both theatrical and commercial headshots?
Most working actors need both. Commercial headshots target advertising, brand, and lifestyle casting — they need to be warm, bright, and instantly relatable. Theatrical headshots target dramatic stage and screen roles — they need to show depth, presence, and emotional range. If you are actively submitting for both types of work, having separate headshots for each category significantly improves your submission results. We can create both in a single session.
What should I wear for my acting headshots?
Wardrobe for acting headshots should support your casting type without distracting from your face and expression. Solid colors almost always photograph better than patterns. Avoid logos, busy prints, and anything that dates quickly. The most important rule is that your wardrobe should feel completely natural on you — if you are uncomfortable in what you are wearing, it will show. We have a full wardrobe guide specifically for acting headshots at shariphotography.com/acting-headshots-wardrobe-tips-st-louis/
Do you photograph teen actors and young performers?
Yes — we regularly photograph teenage actors and young performers across the St. Louis area, including students auditioning for high school theatre programs, COCA, and college conservatory and BFA programs. Our approach with younger clients is always relaxed, encouraging, and age-appropriate. A parent or guardian is required in the studio for the full duration of the session.
Can I use my acting headshots for online casting platforms like Actors Access?
Absolutely. All images delivered from your session are formatted and sized for professional industry submissions including Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage, and direct agency and casting director submissions. We deliver high-resolution files suitable for both digital submissions and print materials.
Ready to Book Your St. Louis Acting Headshot Session?
Your next audition, your next submission, your next opportunity — it all starts with a headshot that tells the right story. Shari Photography is St. Louis’s dedicated headshot studio, open seven days a week at our South St. Louis studio on Gravois Ave. Sessions fill quickly, especially during spring and fall audition season.
Book online today and walk into your next audition with images you are genuinely proud to submit.
Book Your Acting Headshot Session
OR CALL: 314-221-2166