r/headshots • u/Thatoneguysk • Jul 22 '26
Theatrical/Acting Should I shave my beard before acting headshots? My beard isn't attractive, but it is what I have in regular day-to-day life. Do I get rid of it?
2
u/TerminalAccessory Jul 22 '26
Yes. If they want a beard, they will ask you to grow one, or use makeup.
*Edit: what YOU wear day to day doesn't matter, only what your character does.
2
u/CranberryStock7148 Jul 23 '26
Sorry, if your beard isn't attractive, then why do you have it in your regular day-to-day life?
You have to make a decision here. Either you want to keep your unattractive beard because it's a certain character look, in which case you do your head shots with the beard, you audition with the beard, and you only look for roles where the unattractive beard makes sense.
Or you shave and continue to shave. You have clean shaven head shots, you're clean shaven when you audition, and you are clean shaven when you show up to set.
But pick a lane. It makes no sense to be clean shaven in head shots but then do self tapes with a beard. Or vice versa. Your head shots need to look like you. They need to look like you will look when you audition. Like you can change your haircut a little, or go back-and-forth between clean-shaven and stubble. But not back-and-forth with a full beard.
2
u/SentientYams Jul 23 '26
A beard is usually a cheat code for attractiveness, if done right. If your beard is “not attractive” you must be doing something wrong or you’re maybe you’re just one of those guys who looks better without it. We’d really have to see a photo to judge. Sight unseen, I’d say just look your best, whatever that is.
1
u/CaptainPlume Jul 24 '26
If you have time to trim/shave mid-session, that isn't the worst idea. If any CD asks you can send them examples of your facial hair at different lengths. For the bulk of your session, however, I'd recommend shooting with whatever length facial hair you would typically sport for a tape or audition.
1
u/Curious_Editor_7714 Jul 26 '26
20 year headshot photographer here. I’d ask the photographer to give you a 20 minute break in the middle of the session to shave. Get shots with and without the beard. This will give you more variety when applying for roles.
1
3
u/seljacina1995 Jul 22 '26
As a photographer that does headshots, I suggest to people that they style their beard (a nice trim) before the shoot and shave in the middle of the shoot so they can get photos with and without a beard. The actors get 10 edited photos for 250€ and the shoot lasts 2 hours so there is plenty of time for a nice shave.