Actor headshot by Brett Harkness, Manchester

Actors & performers

Actor headshotsManchester & the North West

Studio and location sessions for actors, performers and creatives — images that read as you, not as a type.

  • Spotlight-ready crops
  • Studio or on location
  • Several looks per session

Casting & performance

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 casting sites — eyes first, expression honest, nothing over-retouched into someone you aren’t.

Sessions run in a controlled studio set-up 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.

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.

Spotlight-ready files

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

Studio or on location

A clean backdrop, or daylight and real surroundings for something with more atmosphere — often both in one session.

Actors & performers

Drama school graduates through to working actors, alongside presenters, musicians, comedians and voice artists.

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.

Sessions

Tailored to suit you

An update to your current headshots, or a full set built around a new look. Studio, environmental, or both in the same session.

Studio actor headshot by Brett Harkness, one hour session

01 One hour · Studio

The Blast

£150

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

Actor headshot with dramatic lighting, two hour session

02 Two hours · Studio

The Slowdown

£250

Time to work through up to four looks, with different lighting set-ups for each.

Environmental actor portrait on location, three hour session

03 Three hours · Studio & location

The Shakedown

£375

Indoors and out, using the environment for portraits with more atmosphere.

Not sure which fits? Tell me what the shots are for and I’ll say which session you actually need.

Get in touch

Let's make you look good.

info@brettharknessphotography.com
Phone 077666 04273
Sessions Studio & location, by appointment
Where Lytham St AnnesManchester · across the UK