If anyone has any good headshot tips, post them here, please.

I've met with agents like CESD, KSR, Commercial Talent (All Top 5 Commerical Agents), and many other top L.A. agents. I've also met with some of the biggest CDs as well. A lot of the common things they hate were:

-Character/Specific looks/Props. This is an insult to CDs who are paid to imagine you playing different roles based on one general headshot. It is good to have multiple GENERAL looks. For example a business suit look should say lawyer, young professional, detective, FBI, etc. A more casual look can say college, high school.

-Landscape cropping. When a landscape photo is posted online on LA Casting or Actors access, it's appears very tiny compared to a photo that was cropped portrait. CDs get submissions as really tiny thumbnails. They might miss your photo if it's smaller than the majority of photos that are cropped portrait.

-Chopping off the top of the head. When too much of your head is chopped off, it makes it a little difficult as to what your really look like. Cropping off a small part of the top of your head is forgivable, but not to the extent where you look like Hannibal Lecter or Sylar from Heroes' victims.

-Too close. Don't get it cropped too close to where people can't see your body. At least your upper torso should be visible in your shots so CDs/Agents have a fair idea of what you look like physically.

-Silly poses. Headshots are supposed to be as natural as rain. Making stupid poses will just make you look stupider. Such common poses include, but not limited to:
1. Sitting on the toilet. This is where you're sitting down but leaning a little forward.
2. My head is too heavy. Don't do a headshot where your hand is under your chin or even touching your head.
3. Look at me, I have a sexy back! I've seen some headshots where people are in contorted poses, looking over his or her shoulder. It's not natural.
4. I'm a mermaid! This is where you're laying on your stomach with your feet up.
5. Leading with my shoulder

-Kevyn Major Howard. This overrated and overcharging photographer does all of the things above in his work and thus is not that well liked by CDs/Agents. They know it's his stuff because he also sneaks in his signature in the bottom right or hides it within your photo. You can't remove it because he can technically sue you. I just hate it when fellow actors get ripped off by people who overcharge and under deliver!

My advice is-

- very natural makeup- nothing over the top or stripper-esque

- a good foundation that covers blemishes (it won't look heavy in the pics)

- in regards to clothing- solid, soft, muted colors, nothing revealing, patterned, striped, spotted etc. Sweaters are a really good choice. Just make sure the colors compliment your skin tone. You can get your colors done by image consultants if not sure what works for you

- make sure your hairstyle is at least somewhat up to date and flatters you. Again, seek help for this if not sure. The worst mistakes I see are boofy over the top and bouffant styles and older women with waist length hair and full bangs like they would have sported in 7th grade-they look like witches. Gotta keep with the trends. Make sure your hairstyle works FOR you and not against you. Read Cosmo every now and then!!

- NO b and w, NO composite headshots- these are four different looks on the one headshot. Goofy and not in at all. It's important to show you keep up with the industry.

- NO heavy airbrushing. Just blemish removal, eye brightening and smooth the loose hairs. This isn't Playboy after all!

- Have an expression on your face. No dead stares out into space. CONNECT with something so there is at least any sort of spark to your headshot. It's all in the EYES.

- Echoing what Eldorado said NO NO NO NO chessy prop/costume photos. They SUCK and industry hate them.

- Get plenty of rest and drink a shit load of water the night before. You should do that every day anyway if you are serious about maintaining your looks and being successful in this business. Treat your body with respect and it will reward you.

- Do not ask inexperienced people you know to critique your photos. They do not know and will not think like a casting director/agent/experienced actor would. They will lean towards different looks that may not be suitable and will not understand why a photo is not appropriate.

- above all, make sure it looks like YOU. Be honest with yourself. What age could you realistically play? Ladies, I know- this can hurt. But remember, it's about getting WORK not about fooling yourself or a flattery game. An important thing to note is lately the trend lately IS towards casting very young actors even for older parts. So even though you may be 25, for example, if you REALLY do not look younger, it may be appropriate to make sure you have that young mom photo up your sleeve.

- two photos are needed- commercial and theatrical.

- For God's sake if the teeth are a little yellow BLEACH THEM! I don't give a rat's ass if you don't believe in it. This is show business. You will look yellow when you show up at auditions or to shoot next to everyone who HAS done their teeth. So important.

All of these lengthy posts can be easily be summed up in one sentence.

Find a headshot photographer who knows what he's doing.

I read some advice in Brian O'Neil(l)'s book.
Pretend you are about to tell a happy secret like "Your daughter is alive" or "you won the case".
Is this valid?