“Casting-Approved Actor Headshots for Canada: Look Like You, Book More Auditions”

Optimized for Ottawa, Toronto, and Canadian casting platforms.

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Headshots for Canadian actors are very different than regular business headshots, ACTRA and casting directors have different requirements. Gone are the days of the over retouched black and white glossies. 

Now headshots for film, TV, theatre are usually digital, much more natural and with minimal retouching. Having your name on the front of the images is not as common, always check with your agent to see what they require.

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Did you know...

In 2025, Ottawa's film industry experienced a significant, record-setting year with 30 feature films and Movies of the Week (MOW) filmed in the city. 

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2025 Ottawa Film Industry Key Figures:

• Total Feature Films/MOWs: 30 (including 5 Christmas movies).

• TV Series: 7 series (English and/or French) were filmed in 2025.

• Total Productions: As of mid-July 2025, 24 productions were already filmed, representing a 25% increase over the previous summer.

• Permits Issued: The City of Ottawa issued 171 film permits in 2025. 

  City of Ottawa 

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Headshot Prices and Options

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📌 Table of Contents

1. Why Headshots Matter

2. Casting-Director Standards (Canada)

3. Preparing for Your Session

4. Wardrobe Guide

5. Hair, Makeup & Grooming

6. Expression & Posing

7. Good vs Bad Examples (with images)

8. What to Expect During the Shoot

9. Delivery & Next Steps

   Book Appointment Here

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1️⃣ Why Headshots Matter

Your headshot is your first audition. In Canadian casting, directors and agents need to know instantly:

• Who you are

• Your type and range

• That you are current and ready

“If casting sees you in your headshot and recognizes you in person, you’re doing it right.”

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2️⃣ Casting-Director Standards (Canada)

Casting director approved headshots, ACTRA standards headshots, Canadian actor portfolio

Digital Specs:

• File: JPG, 300 DPI

• Aspect Ratio: 8×10 (vertical)

• Colour preferred, high-quality

• Proper naming: FirstName_LastName_Commercial.jpg / FirstName_LastName_Dramatic.jpg

Framing:

• Head and shoulders (mid-chest to top of head)

• Eyes ⅓ from the top

• Centered, clean composition

Lighting & Expression:

• Soft, even light

• Natural skin tones

• Commercial: approachable, slight smile

• Dramatic: grounded, subtle emotion

Wardrobe:

• Solid neutral colours

• Simple layers, clean necklines

• Avoid logos, busy patterns, trendy pieces

Background:

• Neutral grey, off-white, or subtle texture

• Avoid outdoor scenes, bright colours, or busy textures

Retouching:

• Minor blemish removal only

• Natural skin texture preserved

• No face reshaping or filters

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3️⃣ Preparing for Your Session

• Bring 2–3 wardrobe options for commercial & dramatic looks

• Hair clean, natural, styled to reflect your current appearance

• Minimal jewelry and accessories

• Bring a comb/brush and keep touch-up essentials

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4️⃣ Wardrobe Guide

​Commercial Headshot

Choose Solid colours, casual, professional

Avoid Logos, bright patterns

 

Dramatic Headshot

Choose Muted, layered clothing,

Avoid Overly trendy, extreme fashion

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Both 

Choose Simple necklines, neutral tones

Avoid Distracting elements

Tip: Bring options that match your casting type, not your personal style.

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5️⃣ Hair, Makeup & Grooming

• Hair should be styled naturally

• Subtle, casting-appropriate makeup (if desired)

• Men: facial hair tidy or freshly shaved

• Avoid heavy makeup or extreme looks

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6️⃣ Expression & Posing

Casting-Approved:

• Relaxed and approachable for commercial

• Grounded, subtle emotion for dramatic

• Look like yourself—no over-acting

Common Mistakes:

• Stiff poses

• Over-smiling

• "Model face” or blank stare​

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