Our D got by on her senior photos (taken summer after junior year of HS) through her senior year of college, and although her hair was ~1’ shorter in those old photos they didn’t seem to hold her back. Agents seem to say they want new head shots every year, because “what’s behind the eyes changes”, but I’m not sure most self-supporting actors choose to update them that often, or if older head shots significantly impact casting.
My kid had an audition a couple of days often having the braces removed. The first comment the auditor made was “You have braces in your headshot.” We immediately used retouch.
I speak only from the professional side of this, but understand that there is little worse than a bad headshot. Bad headshots can include ones that you took with an iPhone, a cropped prom photo, a senior picture, and worst of all - A PICTURE THAT DOESN’T LOOK LIKE YOU!
I know professionals who keep their headshot for a decade, and others who get new ones every year. Your agent/manager will eventually tell you when to get one, and who to go to, but don’t underestimate the need for a quality HS.
(Also
Just this morning I had a few dozen headshots spread out, with video clips, and notes from Open Calls spread out.
I was revisiting actor’s websites, and trying to nuance them and separate the razor thin margins. (I have offers going out in the next few days for some roles, with SETC coming up next week.)
My choreographer and MD were looking with me (we are offering four major ensemble roles and about six leads before SETC), and my choreographer was getting INCREDIBLY frustrated with headshots that didn’t accurately reflect the performer.
I tell my students “You are beautiful and your type is useful, accurately reflect those things with your headshot.”
Most common comment my kid has gotten about the headshot is “GREAT headshot. And, it REALLY looks like you!”