Actor Headshots in Glasgow. For RCS Students & Professional Performers
Your headshot is often the first thing a casting director sees, usually as a small thumbnail on Spotlight, before they've read your CV or watched your showreel. It has to look like you, and it has to make them want to look closer.
I work with actors at every stage, from RCS students having their first set done to people with years of credits. It's a relaxed session, and I'll guide you through it, so you don't need to know how to pose. It's £145 for a 45 to 60 minute session and four retouched images.
What’s Included in Your Actor Headshot Session
Relaxed 45–60 minute session
Time to warm up and try different looks without pressure.Guidance throughout
I’ll help with posing, posture, expression and micro-adjustments so you never feel lost.Multiple looks
Usually 3-4 outfit changes covering commercial, neutral and character-driven styles.A full contact sheet
You’ll receive an online gallery of images to select your favourites. Choose your 4 favourites.Retouched digital files
4 clean, natural edits suitable for Spotlight, agents and casting platforms. Provided in both colour and black and white.Fast turnaround
Retouched finals typically within 5 days
What casting directors want
The advice that comes up most is simple: it has to look like you. Not you five years ago, and not you after heavy retouching. You, on a good day, with a natural expression and nothing distracting behind you.
New York casting director Benton Whitley says the same, and I've written up his advice: make sure your headshot actually looks like you. A good rule is that if your headshots are over two years old, or your look has changed, it's time for new ones.
Commercial and theatrical looks
Most actors need both. A commercial look is brighter, more open and friendly. A theatrical look is more grounded, often with a bit more contrast. We'll shoot both in your session, plus a neutral expression that works well for Spotlight.
What to wear
Keep it simple. Plain, layered pieces in colours that suit you, clean necklines, nothing with a strong pattern or a logo. Bring three or four options, and anything you're unsure about, and we'll decide on the day.
Small changes tell casting your type. A plain tee with a denim jacket reads differently from a tee with a blazer, and a darker top feels more grounded than a light one. There's more in my post on what to wear for your headshot. If you have an agent, have a quick chat with them first.
Headshots for RCS Students & Staff
I regularly work with students and performers connected to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Whether you need headshots for drama school applications, movement modules, agent submissions or upcoming productions, your session will be tailored to the expectations of RCS tutors and the wider casting industry.
You’ll receive a balanced set of commercial and theatrical looks, capturing the subtle emotional range RCS students are trained to express. I’m also familiar with current trends in what agents, casting directors, and RCS faculty prefer: clean lighting, honest expression and images that feel like “you”.
For some more insight into looking like “you”, have a look at this blog piece, which includes wisdom from Casting Director Benton Whitley.
Putting together a first set? See how it went for Elizabeth.
My approach to Actor Headshots
Actor headshots should look natural, expressive and honest. My goal is to create a space where you feel relaxed and confident so your real personality comes through. We’ll shoot a mix of close-up and mid-frame shots with slight variations in expression to cover your full casting range, from friendly and approachable to grounded, intense or characterful.
I use simple lighting setups designed for industry-standard results that work across Spotlight, theatrical directories and talent agencies.
Actor Headshot Package
Standard Session – £145
45–60 minutes
4 retouched images included
Full contact sheet for selection
Additional retouched images £35 each
Where do the sessions happen?
At my home studio, 1 Arnold Avenue, Bishopbriggs, directly across the road from the train station. There's on-street parking nearby. Sessions run Monday to Friday, 6pm to 8pm, and Saturday, 10am to 1pm. I can also come to rehearsal spaces and theatres.
Common questions
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Three or four. A clean neutral look, something commercial, and something more dramatic or character-driven.
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You get an online gallery to choose from, and your retouched finals typically arrive within 5 days of you choosing.
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Yes. Your licence covers personal and professional promotion, including Spotlight, casting platforms, your agent's website, LinkedIn, your own website and press. If you want to use them in a big advertising campaign, tell me, and we'll agree on the usage.
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It isn't included. Most people arrive camera-ready with their usual hair and make-up, or simple grooming. I can point you to local hair and make-up artists in Glasgow if you'd like one.
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Give me as much notice as you can, so I can offer the slot to someone else. Rescheduling is straightforward, and the details are in your confirmation email.
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The studio is in an older house with steps to the door and a narrow doorway, so it isn't suitable for wheelchair users. If that's you, I'm happy to photograph you somewhere that suits you.