Black and white environmental portrait of a bearded actor, by Brett Harkness, actor headshot photographer in Manchester

Actor headshots · Manchester & the North West

Environmental portrait

Cast as
yourself.

Casting headshots and environmental portraits that read as you, not as a type. Built to work at thumbnail size on the casting sites, and to look like the person who walks into the room.

Book a session
Photographed by Brett Harkness  ·  Casting headshots  ·  Environmental portraits  ·  Studio & location
Two kinds of picture

Casting headshots.
Environmental portraits.

Clean, honest headshots for casting, and portraits with more atmosphere for your website, press and socials, shot in real places. Often both in one session.

Actor casting headshot, studio, Manchester, by Brett Harkness
01For castingClean, eyes first, works small
Environmental portrait of an actor on location, Manchester, by Brett Harkness
02For everything elseReal places, more atmosphere
The thumbnail test

A casting director sees you this big.
Then this big. Then this big.

Actor headshot with dramatic lighting, Manchester, by Brett Harkness
Your agent's pageFull size
Casting searchGrid
ShortlistThumbnail
SocialsAvatar

A headshot is a casting tool before it's a photograph. Eyes first, expression honest, nothing retouched into someone you aren't. If it still works at the smallest size, it works.

Files come in the crops and sizes the casting platforms ask for, plus web-sized versions for your own site, your agent and your socials.

Sessions

Pick your session.
Studio, location, or both.

No. 01 · One hour · Studio

The Blast

A focused hour in the studio, covering two changes of clothes.

£150.00Admit one
No. 02 · Two hours · Studio

The Slowdown

Up to four looks, with a different lighting set-up for each.

£250.00Admit one
No. 03 · Three hours · Studio & location

The Shakedown

Indoors and out, using real surroundings for more atmosphere.

£375.00Admit one
Not sure which? Tell me what the shots are for and I'll say which one you actually need.
About the sessions

Actor headshots in Manchester & the North West

A headshot is a casting tool before it's a photograph. Yours has to work at thumbnail size on Spotlight, Mandy and the casting sites: eyes first, expression honest, nothing retouched into someone you aren't.

Sessions run in the studio or on location across Manchester, Lancashire and the North West, with time for several looks. A clean commercial shot, something with more edge, whatever your agent has asked for. Environmental portraits use daylight and real surroundings for pictures with more atmosphere, for your own site, press and socials.

I've photographed people for twenty-five years: actors, presenters, founders and performers. The job is always the same, get someone comfortable enough to stop performing and be recognisable. Need headshots for work rather than casting? See business headshots.

Final call

Beginners,
please.

The backstage call for the opening scene. Your cue to book.

Call sheet Headshot session
Who
You. Drama school graduates through to working actors, presenters, musicians, comedians and voice artists.
Where
Studio or on location, Manchester & the North West
Bring
Two to four looks, depending on your session
Call
07766 604273
Email
info@brettharknessphotography.com
Book a session
A man with a beard wearing a beige shirt and brown overalls stands against a dark green background.
A portrait of an older man with a gray beard and dark coat, sitting at a table in a dimly lit room.
A man with a beard wearing a bowler hat and overalls, standing in dim lighting.
Black and white portrait of a man wearing a coat and scarf, looking thoughtfully into the distance with a blurred cityscape background.
Man sitting on a leather bench in a dimly lit room with a mirror reflecting his profile.
A man with dark hair and a beard, wearing a black shirt, looking to the side against a dark background.
Man in a mustard yellow hoodie with glasses against a dark background.
Man sitting outdoors on a rooftop, wearing a beanie, scarf, and coat, with a moody sky in the background.
Portrait of a young woman with long blonde hair wearing a black top against a gray background.
Close-up portrait of a man with a beard and dark hair, wearing a black shirt and jacket, against a dark background.
A smiling man with a beard wearing a white t-shirt, photographed in black and white against a neutral background.
A young girl wearing a gray hat and dark overalls, standing with arm resting on a leather chair, smiling slightly.
Young girl with long brown hair wearing a yellow blazer and white shirt, neutral background
Person with arms crossed, wearing a light-colored shirt, against a dark background.
Person with short hair, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, standing against a dark, textured background.
Man with a beard in a light gray suit and black tie, looking contemplative against a textured green and brown wall.
A man in a suit with a white shirt and tie stands in snow or rain.
Portrait of a young person with dark hair, wearing a black tank top, against a dark background.
Pensive middle-aged man with beard looking down, wearing a white shirt and suspenders, standing by a window with natural light.
Man with a beard wearing a wide-brimmed hat and dark clothing against a moody sky backdrop.
Black and white portrait of a man with a beard, sitting and looking pensively to the side, wearing a suit.
Man in a suit holding a smartphone, standing by a wooden wall.
Man with gray beard wearing black jacket in front of bare branches.
Close-up of a person with short hair wearing a dark coat, standing against a textured wall.