Actor Headshots in Los Angeles
Entertainment Tonight called Dolin "the go-to guy for great headshots." In this industry, your headshot is your audition before the audition. Casting directors make decisions in seconds, and the actors who get called in are the ones whose headshots feel alive — like a real person walked into the room. Kenneth Dolin's Los Angeles actor headshot sessions are built to deliver exactly that: images that capture who you actually are, get you noticed in a sea of thumbnails, and get you in the room.
A Luxury Studio Experience
Kenneth's studio at 5700 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles — in the heart of Hollywood, minutes from the major studios and casting offices — is purpose-built for high-end portrait photography. State-of-the-art professional lighting, multiple backdrop options, a private changing area, and a client lounge create an environment that is both comfortable and conducive to great work. This is not an assembly-line headshot mill churning through actors on the hour — every session is a private, one-on-one experience tailored entirely to you and the roles you're going out for.
The lighting Kenneth uses is magazine-caliber — and it matters even more for actors than for anyone else. Casting directors scroll through hundreds of thumbnails on Actors Access and Casting Networks. The headshots that stop the scroll are the ones where the lighting brings the eyes to life. That is what Kenneth's studio is built around.
Who Gets Actor Headshots
Actor headshot sessions are ideal for working actors updating their looks for the new casting season, actors new to Los Angeles who need a competitive package to start submitting, actors whose current headshots no longer look like the person who walks into the room, performers expanding their range with new commercial, theatrical, or character looks, and actors whose agents or managers have asked for stronger, more castable images.
Kenneth understands the difference between a commercial look and a theatrical look, between the shot that books co-star roles and the shot that reads series regular. Your session is planned around your type, your castability, and the roles you're actually going out for — not a generic formula.
The Kenneth Dolin Difference
Here is the problem with most actor headshots: they look like actor headshots. Posed, polished, and empty. Casting directors see thousands of them, and they can spot a performance in a still photograph instantly.
A headshot session with Kenneth is not just about the equipment or the backdrop. It's about what happens in front of the camera. As a TEDx speaker on authenticity and human connection, Kenneth's approach produces images that look genuinely like you — the person who shows up to the audition — not a stiff, retouched stranger. His process creates a relaxed, collaborative environment where something real happens in front of the lens.
Most photographers ask you to pose. Kenneth's job is to get you to stop posing. The result is a headshot with actual life behind the eyes — the quality casting directors describe as "someone I want to meet." That is what gets you in the room, and it's what makes sure the person who walks in matches the photo that got you there.
Located in Hollywood, Convenient to All of LA
Kenneth's studio is at 5700 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038 — in the middle of the industry, easily accessible from Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Silver Lake, Studio City, and Downtown Los Angeles. Private parking is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in an actor headshot session? Every session includes private studio time with Kenneth, professional lighting and multiple backdrop options, guidance on wardrobe and looks for your type, and a gallery of images to select from. Retouching is available separately.
How many looks can I get in one session? Most sessions run one to two hours, which comfortably allows for multiple looks — for example, a commercial look, a theatrical look, and a character look — with wardrobe changes between them.
What should I wear? Bring several options that reflect the roles you go out for. Solid colors and simple textures photograph best; avoid busy patterns and logos. Kenneth will help you choose on the day, and it's always better to bring too much than too little.
Do you shoot both commercial and theatrical headshots? Yes. Your session can be structured around whichever looks you need — bright, approachable commercial shots, grounded theatrical shots, or specific character looks — based on your type and your representation's guidance.
Will my headshots work for online casting platforms? Yes. Images are delivered in formats suitable for Actors Access, Casting Networks, IMDbPro, agency websites, and print.
How do I book an actor headshot session? Contact Kenneth at info@kennethdolin.com or call (310) 429-2876. Studio sessions are available Monday through Friday at 5700 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038.