Commercial Headshots in LA
Your commercial headshot is the one that says "I'd buy that from you." It's the shot that gets you into the room for a national spot, and it works on a completely different setting to your theatrical shot.
Theatrical says this is who I am under pressure. Commercial says this is who I am on a good day. Warmer, brighter, more open. If you only shoot one, you're cutting yourself out of the auditions that pay residuals.
What a commercial headshot actually needs
Color, always. Commercial headshots in Los Angeles are shot in color, without exception.
Wardrobe that disappears. No stripes, no denim, no leather, no logos, minimal jewelry. Anything with a pattern fights the camera and dates the shot. You want casting looking at your face.
Contrast with the background. Make sure your hair color isn't sitting too close to the backdrop, or you'll blend into it.
Four to five looks. Aim for a spread that covers the ways you'll actually get cast:
Blue collar
Neutral
Business
Evening wear
Edgy / grungy
Five questions to ask before you book
This is where most actors lose money. Ask all five before you pay a deposit.
1. How many looks are included, and what does an extra one cost? Pricing in LA is almost always per look. Some photographers include three; others charge $90–$100 for each one after the first.
2. How many retouched images do I get? This is the hidden cost. Some sessions include one free retouch total — not one per look — and charge around $40 for each extra.
3. Do you shoot commercial and theatrical differently? A photographer who can't answer this clearly is shooting portraits, not headshots. You want someone who understands the difference in energy, not just lighting.
4. When do I see the gallery, and in what format? Good studios turn a gallery around same-day or next business day. If someone's vague about this, ask again.
5. Is hair and makeup included? Usually it isn't. Budget $150–$275 on top if you want it, and decide honestly whether you need it.
What it actually costs in LA
Commercial headshots in Los Angeles run from roughly $165 to $700+. That's a four-times spread for the same category of photograph.
The cheap end gets you a competent, well-lit shot and a fast turnaround. The top end gets you a photographer who directs you, understands casting types, and produces images your reps will actually push. Neither is wrong. What's wrong is paying $600 without asking the five questions above, then reshooting in eight months because the looks didn't work.
One rule: the cheapest option stops being cheap the moment you have to reshoot.
Commercial headshot photographers in Los Angeles
We don't take a cut from anyone on this list. Every photographer below was verified as actively working in August 2026. Prices are shown only where the photographer publishes them — a blank means ask, not expensive.
Michael Roud — Hollywood. Cinematic commercial and theatrical work; by far the most reviewed headshot photographer in LA.
Cathryn Farnsworth — Toluca Lake. From $700 for 3 looks and 2 retouched images. Holds a Child Performer Services Permit, so she can shoot minors.
Joanna DeGeneres — North Hollywood. $375 for one look up to $775 for five. A former actor, and one of the few with separate theatrical and commercial galleries.
David Muller — Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. A former actor with a state-of-the-art studio and a wide range of lighting setups.
The Light Committee — Glendale. From $165, premium sessions $295. 50–75 frames per look and light retouching on every delivered image.
Nicolas Sage — Culver City. From $300 for up to three looks and three retouched images. Natural light, with discounted rates for young performers.
Maya Adrabi — Mid City. A working casting director who also shoots headshots, and teaches headshot workshops. Rare perspective: she books from these images herself.
Robert Kazandjian — Burbank. Separate men's, women's and youth portfolios.
Brian Parillo — Los Angeles.
Rob Mainord — Los Angeles.
Clay Larsen — Los Angeles.
Alan Weissman — Los Angeles. Long-established, and openly coaches actors to shoot both commercial and theatrical looks.
Matt Marcheski — Downtown LA Arts District. Sessions booked by look or by time with unlimited looks; sends a wardrobe and makeup prep guide beforehand.
Marc Cartwright — Studio City. Backstage contributor; publishes a useful guide on commercial vs theatrical vs character vs comedic looks.
Vanie Poyey — North Hollywood. Argues most looks are crossover and the real difference is emotional arc. Minimum four looks.
Mikel Healey — Santa Monica, 3009 Ocean Park Blvd. Still shooting; no current website, so call ahead.
Before you book anything
Your headshot is one piece of a marketing package that also includes your reel, your resume and how you show up in the room. Secret Actor Society has casting directors reacting to real headshots — telling actors, on camera, which shot they'd bring in and why.
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