Actor Headshots Sydney

An editorial approach to Actor Headshots created with the experience of a photographer who has spent 25+ years working internationally with actors, celebrities and leading fashion magazines.

Authentic actor portraits. Intelligent direction. Images that look like you—not a generic headshot.

Kiren’s Portraits

Kiren has worked extensively in the film, theatre and television industry. His portrait list includes Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Judy Davis, Julie Delpy, Baz Luhmann, Olivia Newton John, Billy Connolly, Dame Darcey Bussell, David Wenham, Miranda Otto, Greta Scacchi, Richard Roxburgh, Mark Cole Smith, Claudia Karvan, Bojana Novakovic, Alyssa Sutherland and Naomi Watts.

Kiren’s Clients

Kiren’s work has been commissioned around the world. His clients include The BBC (London), Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, SBS Television, Channel 10, Channel 7, Foxtel, ICM Actor’s Management (Los Angels), CED (New York), Beyond Films International, Fox Searchlight, Ford Models (New York), Opera Australia, Belvoir St Theatre.

Pricing Guide

CASTING

A focused update for your casting profile

Ideal for when you need a quick update or for agency submissions.

• 25-minute studio session

• one look

• Professional strobe lighting or natural light

• Professional direction

• A curated selection of graded images

• One hand-retouched final image

• Fast 48-hour turnaround

A concise session designed to give you a fresh, professional image without overcomplicating the process.

$395 includes gst

ACTOR

Your essential actor headshot session

Most Popular

• 60-minute studio session

• Up to three looks

• professional editorial-style lighting

• Professional direction

• A curated selection of graded images

• Three hand-retouched final image

• Fast 48-hour turnaround

• Private on-line gallery

The aim is simple: to create a small collection of exceptional images that give casting directors and agents a genuine sense of who you are.

$790 includes gst

EDITORIAL

More than a headshot

For established or emerging actors who want a broader collection of portraits for their portfolio, publicity, press and personal branding.

Drawing on my background in editorial and fashion photography, these sessions allow more time to explore character, atmosphere and visual narrative.

The session includes:

• 90-minute studio or location session

• Up to four looks

• Multiple lighting approaches

• Headshots, three-quarter and full-length portraits

• Extensive creative and on-camera direction

• A larger selection of professionally graded images

• Five professionally retouched final images

• Private online gallery

• 72-hour delivery

Rather than producing a series of variations of the same headshot, we create a more distinctive body of work — images with personality, atmosphere and a distinct editorial feel.

$1,190 includes gst

SIGNATURE

A bespoke portrait experience

For actors seeking a highly personalised portrait session with the time and creative freedom to explore a broader range of characters and visual possibilities.

This is my most comprehensive portrait experience, combining the precision of an actor headshot session with the creative freedom of an editorial shoot.

The session includes:

• Up to two hours

• Wardrobe and styling guidance

• Multiple looks and wardrobe changes

• Can include BOTH studio & location

• Headshots and editorial portraits

• Studio and/or selected location options

• Extensive creative direction

• A comprehensive selection of professionally graded images

• Eight professionally retouched final images

• Private online gallery

• Priority delivery

The result is a versatile collection of portraits that can evolve with your career - from casting and agency submissions to publicity, press and editorial use.

$1,690

Hand retouching

Additional hand retouching is available

Set of 3 images - $84

Need something more specific?

If you're preparing for a particular role, agency submission, publicity campaign or production, I’m happy to tailor a session around your requirements.

Every session is different

There is no single formula for photographing an actor.

Some people arrive knowing exactly what they need. Others need time to discover what works in front of the camera. My role is to create an environment where you can relax, trust the process and allow something authentic to emerge.

With a background spanning editorial portraiture, fashion, film and celebrity photography, my approach is less about imposing a particular style and more about finding your individual presence in front of the camera.

The photographs should still look like you. Just the most compelling version of you.

Kiren, what is it you love about working with actors?

Working with actors is very much a collaboration. When I work with very experienced actors, I find they have so much to bring to the table. It’s a matter of harnessing their ideas and their energy and transforming it into a visual format - however most actors relate to working with moving images, so there in itself is a challenge. There’s never a dull moment!

While I’ve spent my entire career photographing actors for magazine editorials, film posters and television productions, I still get an enormous buzz out of discovering new talent and creating headshots for aspiring acting students. There's something about being there at the beginning of someone’s career, capturing that raw energy. For this reason I alway try to set aside time each week to help promote new talent.

Is it true that most actors hate having their photo taken?

Absolutely, haha. When it comes to headshot photography, even experienced actors can be somewhat reluctant. Suddenly you're not in-character, it's just you; completely raw and unscripted. The good news is that if you find headshots a challenge, you can rest assured - I’ll provide lots of on-camera direction, together with some bad Dad jokes to get you through it.

Can you describe the method in which you work?

To me, good actor headshot photography is about giving the actor the space to be present and play with ideas. When I work with actors I like to let the photography session develop organically. I find this method more conducive in terms of creating spontaneity, which of course is where you do your best work.

Have you any hair & make up tips?

It’s important to keep in mind that although you may be used to applying make up for film, video and stage productions, make up for photography shoots can differ in a number of ways. Firstly, it only requires a very light application. Secondly, photography images are often produced with retouching in mind. This means that issues such as skin blemishes are less of a concern as they can easily be fixed in post production, where as with film this would be a lengthy and expensive process. 

For men, a make up artist is not necessary. Instead I recommend bringing along hair product and lip balm. It's also important that you're well hydrated and that you moisturise your skin ahead of time. 

For women, make up comes down to personal choice. If your focus is film then I suggest keeping it quite natural and real. Consider using little to no foundation on your skin while slightly enhancing your eyes and lips. If musical stage is more your thing then you can afford to go stronger. The important thing to keep in mind for actors is that make up for stills photography is much lighting in terms of application than it is for video, film and stage. If you have even skin you may not even need foundation. Small blemishes or spots don't really need to be covered as they can be retouched afterwards.

 Consider using things like freckles to your advantage, as these can be very much a part of your personal appeal. If you are worried about skin blemishes it's better to have them retouched later rather than trying to cover them up with copious amounts of concealer.

What should I wear for my actor headshots?

As a working actor you'll probably want at least two different looks in your repertoire. A commercial look to cover TV commercials and presenting roles (if that's your thing) and a natural look to cover dramas and feature films. Consider bringing clothing along that you think will be appropriate for these roles. If possible avoid wearing white clothing as it can sometimes blow out and lose details in the picture (a white shirt under a dark jacket is fine). White also has a tendency to dominate the tonality of the picture and make the subject wearing it look larger. Another things to avoid are shirts with busy designs and logos. You want the person viewing your actor headshots to be drawn to your face not your clothing.

If you're concerned that your arms are not as toned or as slim as you would like them to be it may be worth avoiding sleeveless tops and short sleeves. In general, avoid tops with shoe string or spaghetti straps. Because actor headshots often get cropped at the collar bones it can look a bit odd having 2 strings left floating in space.

Consider layering your clothing with jackets and scarves. With others accessories like jewellery, it's best to keep things quite minimal. Often a great headshot can be spoiled by the wrong choice of earrings or neck chain. If you're unsure of something, leave it out. In some ways it's better to be a 'blank canvas'.  

Book your new headshots today

Drop me a line to organise a shoot date.