It's one of the most common questions actors ask before booking a session: How many looks do I actually need? The short answer is two to three — but as with most things in this industry, the right answer depends on where you are in your career and what you're submitting for. This post breaks it all down so you book the right session, not the biggest one.

Most actors think their headshot is a picture of them. It isn't — it's a piece of information being scanned by someone making a fast, pattern-based decision under time pressure. Here's what casting directors actually see when they look at your headshot, and why "showing range" is some of the worst advice in the industry.