Commercial Headshots
in NYC.

What a commercial headshot is — and who it's for

A commercial headshot is the warm, current, approachable image casting sends out for on-camera commercials, industrials, hosting, and the everyday "relatable person" roles — the friendly neighbor, the nurse, the small-business owner, the parent in the kitchen. It reads as likeable and trustworthy at a glance. If you're auditioning for national and regional spots, building an on-camera or hosting reel, or you simply need a personal-brand image that feels genuine, this is the look you lead with. It's one half of a working actor's kit; see how it fits alongside the rest on the actor headshots overview.

The expression: a genuine smile and alive eyes

A commercial headshot works when the person in it looks like someone you'd want to talk to. That doesn't mean a fixed, toothpaste grin — it means an expression that's genuinely open: a real smile that reaches the eyes, a relaxed jaw, a look that says the person is present and listening. Casting directors for commercials and on-camera hosting are hiring warmth and trust, so the photo has to read as approachable in a quarter of a second. The way you get there isn't by holding a pose; it's by actually feeling something. I'll talk with you between frames, give you a person to react to, and catch the moment your face softens into a real reaction. The best commercial frame usually happens a beat after you stop trying to make it happen.

Wardrobe: brighter, clean, and current

Commercial wardrobe skews lighter and friendlier than dramatic work. Think clean, current, mostly solid colors in the range that suits your skin — jewel tones, soft blues, warm neutrals — in relaxed but tidy shapes: a crew tee under an open casual shirt, a simple knit, a bright blouse. Avoid heavy logos, busy patterns, and anything that dates fast. Bring three or four options and we'll build looks that feel like you on a good, easy day rather than a costume. Because every session includes multiple looks, you leave with more than one commercial-ready option.

Soft, bright lighting — shot in the East Village

Commercial frames want soft, bright, even light that keeps skin healthy and eyes lit, so the whole image feels open — no heavy shadow or moody contrast — finished with the same cinematic color grade I use across my hand-painted canvas backdrops. Sessions run from my private studio at 203 2nd Avenue in the East Village, with direction and expression coaching built in so you never have to guess what your face is doing. Afterward you get a private gallery of your unedited frames within a few business days and retouched selects soon after — hi-res and ready for castings, IMDb, and social. Browse a range of finished frames in the headshot portfolio.

Commercial or theatrical?

Where a theatrical headshot leans into character, story, and dramatic edge, a commercial headshot stays warm, open, and easy to like — if you're deciding between them, the theatrical headshots page and the guide to theatrical vs commercial headshots lay out when each one earns its place in your kit.

When you're ready, see the current session tiers and what's included, check the frequently asked questions, and Book a session.