St. Louis’s dedicated studio for actor headshots, film, TV, theatre & commercial.
Your headshot is your first audition. Casting directors, agents, and theatre companies make decisions in seconds — and the right image opens doors that the wrong one keeps closed. At Actor Headshot Studio in St. Louis, we specialize exclusively in acting headshots built to capture your range, your presence, and your castability. Film. TV. Commercial. Theatre. We do this and nothing else.
📍 5205 Gravois Ave, St. Louis MO · 📞 314-221-2166 · ⭐ 15+ Years Experience · 🕐 Open 7 Days a Week · ✅ Same-Day Image Selection
Who We Photograph
Our St. Louis actor headshot sessions serve performers at every level — from students putting together their first professional package to working actors who need a fresh look that reflects where their career is headed right now.
Film & TV Actors Both emerging talent and working professionals pursuing on-camera roles in Missouri and beyond.
Theatre & Musical Theatre Performers From community productions to the professional stage — The Muny, The Rep, Stray Dog, and every company in between.
Commercial Actors & On-Camera Talent Bright, approachable, relatable images for advertising, brand, and lifestyle casting.
Students & Young Performers High school students, COCA students, and college applicants auditioning for BFA and conservatory programs at Webster and beyond.
Actors Updating Their Look If your current headshot no longer matches your age, casting type, or the roles you want — it’s time. We make the update fast and easy.
Models & Broadcast Talent Agency roster submissions, demo reel support, and casting platform profiles across Actors Access, Casting Networks, and Backstage.
Commercial, Theatrical & Film/TV Headshots — We Know the Difference
Not all acting headshots serve the same purpose. The image that books you a commercial looks nothing like the image that gets you called in for a dramatic lead. We create each type with intention — and we’ll help you figure out exactly what you need before you ever step in front of the camera.
Commercial Headshots
Bright, open, and instantly relatable. Commercial headshots are built for advertising, lifestyle, brand campaigns, and any submission where warmth and approachability are the currency. Your smile, your energy, and your everyday personality are front and center. If you’re pursuing TV commercials, print work, or any kind of lifestyle casting in the St. Louis and Midwest market — commercial headshots are not optional.
Theatrical Headshots
Deeper, more layered, and character-driven. Theatrical headshots show range, emotional complexity, and presence. The expression is more interior, the lighting more dramatic. These are the images that get you called in for principal roles, dramatic leads, and serious stage productions. If you’re submitting to St. Louis theatre companies or regional theatres, casting directors need to see what you’re capable of — not just what you look like.
Film & TV Headshots
Natural, cinematic, and lived-in. Film and television headshots sit between commercial and theatrical — they need to feel real, not posed. Clean but dimensional lighting. An expression that makes a casting director think: I can see this person on screen. If you’re submitting to Missouri film projects, regional productions, or national casting platforms, your film and TV headshots need to meet current industry expectations — not the standard from five years ago.
Teen & Young Performer Headshots
We photograph teenage actors and young performers across St. Louis regularly — students auditioning for COCA, Webster Conservatory applications, high school performing arts programs, and their first professional package. Our approach with younger clients is always relaxed, encouraging, and age-appropriate. A parent or guardian is welcome and required in the studio throughout the session.
What Happens at Your Session
Here is exactly what the experience looks like from the moment you walk in.
Step 1 — Pre-Session Wardrobe Call Before your session, we walk you through exactly what to bring and why. What reads well on camera for your casting type. What to avoid. How to translate who you are into a visual first impression. You show up prepared — not guessing.
Step 2 — Expression & Direction Coaching You will never be left wondering what to do with your face. We coach you through specific emotional states and casting-type expressions — pulling out genuine, authentic looks rather than asking you to hold a smile and hope for the best. The best acting headshots look like a caught moment, not a portrait sitting.
Step 3 — Multiple Looks Most sessions include commercial, theatrical, and at least one character-leaning look depending on your range and goals. Every look we create has a specific submission purpose — we don’t shoot randomly and hope something works.
Step 4 — Same-Day Image Review You review your images on a large monitor before you leave. You choose your favorites. You walk out knowing exactly what’s being retouched and when it arrives — no waiting weeks, no unpleasant surprises.
Step 5 — Natural Retouching, Fast Delivery We retouch every selected image to remove temporary distractions — not to change your face. Casting directors need to recognize you in the room from your headshot. Final images delivered within 24–48 hours, formatted for Actors Access, Casting Networks, Backstage, and print.
Why St. Louis Actors Choose Us
We Only Do Headshots This is not a wedding studio that occasionally photographs actors. Acting headshots — along with corporate and branding portraits — are all we do. That specialization produces better results, a more efficient process, and a photographer who has seen every casting type and coaching challenge imaginable.
We Know What Casting Directors Are Looking For Industry standards shift. What worked five years ago doesn’t necessarily work today. We stay current on what agents and casting directors in the St. Louis and regional market are actually responding to — and we build every session around those expectations.
Direction That Pulls Out Genuine Expressions The difference between a good headshot and a great one is almost always the expression. We are skilled at coaching actors into real, specific emotional states — not generic “look natural” instructions that produce generic results.
Relaxed, Professional Studio Environment Nerves are normal. Our studio at 5205 Gravois Ave in the Bevo Mill District is designed to feel calm and welcoming — not like an intimidating professional set. The more comfortable you feel, the better your images look. That’s not an accident.
Same-Day Selection, 7 Days a Week We work around your rehearsal schedule, performance calendar, and audition deadlines. Weekday, evening, and weekend sessions available. Same-day image selection means you walk out with a decision made — not a two-week wait.
15+ Years Photographing St. Louis Performers Over a decade and a half of working with actors, students, and performers across every level of the St. Louis theatre and film community. You are in experienced, specialized hands.
Serving the St. Louis Acting & Theatre Community
St. Louis has one of the most vibrant regional theatre communities in the country — and Actor Headshot Studio has been photographing the performers who make it run for over 15 years. We work with actors auditioning for and performing with The Muny, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (The Rep), Stray Dog Theatre, Upstream Theater, Slightly Askew Theatre Ensemble, Max & Louie Productions, and many others.
We also regularly photograph actors submitting to St. Louis-based casting agencies and talent firms, performers pursuing regional touring productions, and actors working in the growing Missouri film and television market. Our understanding of what local casting directors and agents are looking for means you’re never getting a generic headshot — you’re getting a submission-ready image built for the specific opportunities you’re pursuing.
Whether you’re a seasoned St. Louis stage professional, a student at Webster Conservatory or COCA, or someone putting together their very first professional package — this studio was built for you.
Acting Headshot Session Pricing
Two session options built around where you are in your career and what you need to submit.
Acting Essentials — $275 Clean, professional, and submission-ready.
- 2 retouched images
- 2 outfit looks
- Expert posing and expression coaching
- Wardrobe guidance
- Same-day image selection
Agency Submission Package — $495 The complete portfolio session for working actors and serious submissions.
- 6 retouched images
- 4 outfit looks
- Full color and B&W set included
- Expert posing and expression coaching
- Pre-session wardrobe consultation call
- Same-day image selection
- Formatted for Actors Access, Casting Networks, and print
All images delivered with unlimited usage rights — agency submissions, casting platforms, personal website, and social media included. View full pricing details
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do actor headshots cost in St. Louis?
Acting headshot sessions at Actor Headshot Studio start at $275 for the Acting Essentials package (2 images, 2 looks) and $495 for the Agency Submission Package (6 images, 4 looks, full color and B&W set). All packages include expert direction, wardrobe guidance, and same-day image selection. No hidden fees.
How long does an acting headshot session take?
Most sessions run between one and two hours depending on the number of looks. We build in time for outfit changes, expression coaching, and same-day image review so the session never feels rushed. You’ll know what you’re getting before you leave.
Do I need both commercial and theatrical headshots?
Most working actors benefit from having both. Commercial headshots target advertising and lifestyle casting — they need to be warm and relatable. Theatrical headshots target stage and dramatic screen roles — they need to show depth and emotional range. We can create both in a single session.
What should I wear to my acting headshot session?
Solid colors photograph better than patterns almost every time. Avoid logos, busy prints, and anything that dates quickly. Wardrobe should feel completely natural on you — if you’re uncomfortable in it, the camera will catch it. We provide a full wardrobe consultation before every session, and you can review our wardrobe guide at actorheadshotstudio.com/headshot-tips/ before you arrive.
Do you photograph teen actors and students?
Yes. We regularly photograph teenage actors, COCA students, Webster Conservatory applicants, and students auditioning for high school performing arts programs across the St. Louis area. Our approach with younger clients is always relaxed and age-appropriate. A parent or guardian is required in the studio for the full session.
Are the images formatted for Actors Access and Casting Networks?
Yes. All delivered images are formatted and sized for professional casting platform submissions including Actors Access, Casting Networks, and Backstage, as well as print materials and agency submissions. High-resolution files included with every package.
Centrally Located for All of Greater St. Louis
Actor Headshot Studio is located at 5205 Gravois Ave in the Bevo Mill District of South St. Louis — an easy drive from every corner of the metro area. Just 15 minutes from downtown St. Louis, Clayton, and Midtown. Straightforward access from Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Chesterfield, Creve Coeur, Affton, Crestwood, south St. Louis County, St. Charles, and across the river from Belleville and Edwardsville, Illinois.
Studio details: 📍 5205 Gravois Ave, St. Louis, MO 63116 📞 314-221-2166 ✉️ contact@shariphotography.com 🕐 Open 7 Days a Week
Your Next Audition Starts with the Right Headshot
Sessions fill quickly — especially during spring and fall audition season. Book online in under two minutes, or call Rez directly to talk through what you need.
Or call: 314-221-2166
