1) The simplest and easiest way to ruin your headshot and make it completely worthless is to make sure that it doesn’t look at all like you. Here’s a couple of quick and easy ways to do that. Make sure the photographer uses strong and dramatic studio lighting. Go for the high fashion look or the ultra-artsy look. Make sure the photographer’s style is more important than your look and you’re well on your way to ruining your headshot. Unnatural lighting is always a surefire way to screw up everything.

2) Focus entirely on “posing” and make sure there’s nothing going on in your head once the shutter starts moving. Make sure your face is at the perfect angle and your body is twisted in an artsy, yet cool, manner. Do everything you can to make sure your shot looks exactly like that shot you saw of Johnny Depp or Mila Kunis on a magazine cover. But, most importantly, never ever think about connecting to the camera or having something going on behind your eyes.

3) Wear really bright colors, big logos and deep, plunging necklines. The point is to make your clothes steal the casting director’s attention from all the other actors on the page. Don’t worry at all if all of the attention goes to your neon Taylor Swift tee-shirt and not your eyes. As long as you get the casting director’s attention that’s all the matters. They don’t care about your eyes anyway.

4) Have your dad, your cousin, your roommate, your spouse or even that guy you know who’s wants to be a photographer take your shots. Or better yet, find a beginner who’s trying to “build their book.” It’s just not worth spending the money on an established photographer. Everything is so small now on Actors Access and LA Casting that casting directors will never know the difference. All they want to see is what you look like.

5) Do some cool, artsy stuff like cut off your forehead or put your head really small all the way down in the right-hand corner of the frame. Again, the point is to be so crazy, weird or different that casting directors will notice your shot above all the others. Crazy stuff always works, right?

6) Make sure you get all the “moods” covered in your headshot session. Acting is all about emotions so get a really good “angry” shot, a nice “happy” shot and don’t forget the “I hate you” shot. Those always work really well. And if you’re extremely courageous, do a crying shot. Because, if they see you crying of course they’re going to think, “What a great actor!” Acting is all about moods.

7) In your next headshot session make sure you get as many “character shots” as you can. Everybody needs a shot in scrubs, fatigues, a swimsuit, a chef’s outfit, a priest robe, an apron, in nerd glasses, a tux or fancy gown, a flannel shirt, overalls and a ton of other things. You get the picture. The more “characterey” the better.

8) Go outside the box and do some funky printing tricks. Print your head shot in “sepia tone.” Or, print it on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of photo paper so it fits perfectly with your 8.5 x 11 resume. Put your name in huge letters right across your chest so they don;t forget it. List your age, weight, height and other important statistics as well. And, don’t forget your contact number. Put that on there too. Again, the point is to stand out in a crowd, remind them who you are. Don’t worry about what’s standard or what casting directors prefer. You are, after all, an artist. You’re supposed to be different and unique.

9) Make sure you change your hair color and style constantly. It doesn’t matter what’s shown on your headshot, all you have to do is write a note saying that your hair is “different now.” Or, if you’re a guy, grow a really awesome Zach Galifianakis beard even though you don’t have it in your headshot. Like they say it’s all about the eyes anyway. It doesn’t matter what’s going on above or below them.

10) Don’t put much work or thought into your headshot. Don;t worry about capturing  your “essence” or your “type,” People think about that crap too much and the whole branding thing is overused. Besides, you’re an actor and actors are chameleons. Actors change with every role they play and a single headshot could never capture your essence. That’s too confining. Like we said before, your headshot is merely to show them what you look like. When they say, “It’s an important part of your marketing plan,” that’s a lie. Just get a couple of shots and put them online and the “Universe” will take care of the rest.

11) Retouch the crap out of your headshot. That’s why they invented Photoshop. Take out every blemish, line, crease and extra pound you can. Headshots, after all, have to look glamourous, like movie stars do. That’s what the Entertainment Industry is all about, glamour! Like we said in number one above, it doesn’t matter if it looks like you or not, it only matters that it looks PERFECT!

12) Once you finally get that one really amazing headshot, a shot you love, keep using it for years and years. All you need to concern yourself with is getting into the casting director’s office and a really good headshot will do the trick. Once you’re in the door it doesn’t matter if you’ve aged a little. All they care about is if you can act. People’s looks really don’t usually change that much anyway, especially after you hit 20. If a headshot works once, it will always work. Casting directors never get tired of a good shot. It doesn’t even matter if it was shot in the black & white days, it only matters that it’s your favorite shot.

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I want to start doing some new things with this blog. Most importantly, I want to make sure that your burning questions and concerns are being addressed. So, I would love it if you would e-mail me with your questions, the one’s that you’ve always wanted an answer to. No question is too crazy. I could go on speaking and blogging forever about the art of acting but I get the most satisfaction by helping people along their way in their own career. So, e-mail any thoughts or questions you might have to:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

I look forward to making this blog an even more personal experience for everyone who reads it. Thanks for taking the time to read my ramblings.

Mark Atteberry

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Mark Atteberry is an award winning actor, teacher and photographer. As an actor his work includes features like Miranda July’s "The Future” and Ang Lee’s "The Hulk.” His recent TV work includes “Rules of Engagement,” “Luck,” "House M.D.," “Justified,” "The Closer," “The Mentalist,” "Dexter" and “Criminal Minds.” Mark is internationally known for his advertising, documentary and headshot photography. His clients include NBC, CBS, A&E, Bravo, CAA, ICM, WME, and Big Lots. Mark regularly teaches and lectures on the topics of "Branding, Marketing and Type" and "How to Succeed in the Entertainment Industry." He has authored or co-authored several books on the business of acting including the best selling, "Working Actor's Guide to LA." For more of Mark’s acting credits go to: www.imdb.com/name/nm0040992. For Mark’s headshot photography go to: www.idyllicphotography.com. And, for Mark’s classes go to: www.beaworkingactor.com