Hi All,

Would you always suggest a commercial shot be a full smile so teeth are showing? I would venture to guess if you have nice teeth it would be a benefit. Your thoughts?

Thanks!

In general, yes, a commercial shot is a full smile showing teeth. If you have a great smile, that's going to really help you.

Good luck.

Best,

Ron

Hi phillyhost,

A commercial shot should have a natural smile.

When you are hanging with your friends and having a good time do you think to yourself "I'm going to smile with my toothy smile"?

Smiles should be organic however they come out of you. Not a manufactured movement.

good luck,

rod

Thanks everyone - that makes sense as to what looks more natural and organic.

The definitions of what a "commercial" and "theatrical" headshot is has become very loose these days.

Sure it's good to have some "commericial" headshots where you're smiling and wearing bright and cheery colors and some "theatrical" where you're giving a more serious expression with darker colors.

But in my experience, my headshots have crossed over the boundaries of uses. My commercial agent sometimes submits me with my "theatrical" type shots and I get the auditions. Some theatrical casting directors have preferred my "commercial" looking headshots over my "theatrical."

In interviewing various casting directors, it seems more about the types/roles/essences the headshots suggest. Some commercial casting directors whom I've met said that it's not always the teeth they care about. It's the roles/types/essences that the headshot suggests that gets their interest.

All of the commerical auditions and commerical bookings I have gotten were based off my headshots with no teeth showing and not a typical 'commerical' look. Basically, like Truthteller stated, they are my theatrical headshots and basically work for all venues.

I believe most of it is based on type and a good headshot is a good headshot anyway, regardless of the smile factor.

Thanks for the insight! very helpful