Bottom line – without a headshot, you won’t be remembered at an acting audition. The issue of headshots is paramount,  whether you are on casting calls or auditions.

The financial burdens of acting auditions can be great, especially when making your first foray into the business.

So why on earth is the standard 8×10 headshot in black and white? Surely colour would be more advantageous? The history of the headshot is an entirely different beast, and has all sorts of interesting links back to the various heydays of acting (it tends to depend on who you ask).

Essentially, the black and white headshot is a must because of its simplicity and standard format. There’s only so much re-jigging that can be done to a standard headshot, thus its appeal to casting professionals, as it shows a true reflection of what you actually look like.

Some quick tips:

- When posing, be natural and true to your look – a major frustration for casting personnel is when a headshot is only vaguely reminiscent of you.

- Smile! It’s the standard practice, and with the amount of people passing through auditions and casting calls, non-standard headshots tend to be tossed aside.

- Also, make sure that you consult several different photographers to get an idea of what their packages include, and to try and get the best deal.

Remember, you need to be 18 years and over to use our service (£1.50 per text with a maximum of 3 texts per week).