[Professional Headshots by Vanie]
The answer may seem obvious…
… but I sometimes hear actors talking about which photographer to choose based on whether or not the photographer is a commercial photographer or a theatrical one.
Cindy Varon: Theatrical Mom / Sitcom Office
And that always makes me think, don’t you want BOTH commercial and theatrical headshots out of ONE session? 😳
Here’s the question you should be asking: Can the photographer bring out both my commercial essences AND my theatrical essences?
Brennan Feonix: Theatrical Hero / Commercial Office Guy
Rishi Adduri: Commercial Kids Headshots
Because here’s the thing, the line between commercial and theatrical has blurred over the years.
Traditionally, commercial meant, smiley and theatrical meant, non-smiley. You can always take that to the next level with the choice of colors for both wardrobe and backgrounds with brighter colors being more commercial, and darker colors being more theatrical.
Aaaand you can take that to the next level with lighting. Brighter lighting for commercial and edgier lighting for theatrical.
Anissa Borrego: Theatrical or Commercial Hipster / Commercial Gamer
Eva Garcia Luna: Theatrical Detective / Vincent Chimato: Theatrical Blue Collar
Dylan Silver: Theatrical Love Interest / Commercial Hipster / Theatrical Hero / Comedic Office
BUT… most looks cross-over from commercial to theatrical.
In other words, if you can play a Suburban Mom in a one hour drama, wouldn’t you also play a Suburban Mom in a commercial? Makes sense right?
Jonathan Wilson: Theatrical Bully / Theatrical Mischievous Student
What are YOUR experiences when it comes to commercial vs. theatrical? Let’s talk in the comments below!
Lola Rae: Theatrical Creative Commercial / Jenaha McLearn: Commercial Girl Next Door
Diane Sargent: Theatrical Country Club Wife / Commercial Upscale Business
Shannen Wilson and her brother Jonathan: Kids Headshots
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Yes, actors say this because of the style of the photos a photographer tends to have. And it seems to me a photographer might develop a particular style because that particular look/style is something they like and are good at. In general in life people tend to lean into what they are good at or what they may feel more of affinity towards. And just as not all actors can do both comedy and drama well, not all photographers can do both commercial or theatrical shots well. This is why actors sometimes label them as one or the other.