You can usually tell within the first five minutes whether someone’s comfortable in front of a camera. With Maximo Masefield, a young actor from Ridgewood, it took about thirty seconds. As a Northern NJ actor headshot photographer, I could see right away that he was a natural in front of the lens.

Kid’s been working since he was five. Young Brad Bolitar in Harlan Coben’s Shelter on Prime Video. Roles in Please Don’t Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain and Hunters. Lead in Mouse at age seven. Made his TV debut on The Harry Connick Jr. Show and has been booking national commercials ever since.

When you’ve spent that much time in front of cameras, it shows immediately.

Three Looks, One Hour

We knocked out three distinct looks in about an hour. No overthinking it.

The Approachable Look

Blue hoodie over a light tee. Classic casual headshot. His blue eyes popped against the gray backdrop – relaxed, open, friendly. Perfect for comedy auditions or younger character roles.

The Dramatic Shift

Black zip-up. Same kid, completely different energy. One small adjustment and the whole feeling shifted. These shots hit that serious, dramatic tone casting directors notice. No direction needed from me.

The Polished Finish

Light blue blazer. Sharp, professional, confident. The “I’m a working actor” look. Works for industry profiles, formal submissions, when you need to communicate that you’re ready for the next level.

Kept the lighting simple – always do. Soft key light, clean background, no clutter. Good light and genuine expression beat complicated setups every time.

What Separates Good from Great

Actors who’ve been doing this awhile understand headshots aren’t about posing. They’re about connection through the lens.

Maximo shifted naturally between takes. Tiny changes in his eyes or expression that completely transformed the frame. Most people either freeze up or try too hard. Experienced talent just exists in front of the camera, and your job is capturing those real moments.

We laughed a couple times during the session. Those moments are actually valuable – they break any tension and bring the person back to being real instead of “performing.”

Why Location Matters

If you’re an actor in the NYC metro area, you know the routine. Constant headshot updates. New roles, new look, casting trends shift. That photo from two years ago isn’t cutting it anymore.

Northern NJ has become a solid hub for working talent. Proximity to NYC casting offices without the Manhattan traffic nightmare. My New Milford studio is twenty minutes from Ridgewood, Paramus, most of Bergen County. High-end studio quality without crossing the bridge.

After 30 years shooting in this market, I know what local casting directors want. Not the overly retouched LA aesthetic. Not Instagram filters. Just clean, honest images that look like you on your best day.

What Actually Matters

Your headshot needs to look like you, connect through the eyes, and be technically solid. That’s it.

Casting directors spend maybe three seconds per image. Out of focus? Poorly lit? Over-retouched? They move on immediately.

Good actor headshots don’t need fancy gear. They need sharp focus, accurate color, and real emotion. Maximo’s session nailed all three across every look.

Let’s Work

If you’re an actor looking for professional headshots in Northern New Jersey, Bergen County, or the NYC metro area, my New Milford studio delivers clean, confident portraits that help you stand out. With over 30 years of experience and 590+ five-star reviews, Alex Kaplan Photography has you covered.

We’ll figure out the roles you’re targeting, plan the right looks, shoot efficiently. No hard sell. You either need new headshots or you don’t.

If you do, I’ve got 30 years of experience and 580+ five-star reviews backing up the work.

📞 Call or text: 917-992-9097
🌐 alexkaplanphoto.com
📍 Studio: New Milford, NJ

Serving Northern NJ, Bergen County, NYC, and the Hudson Valley since 1995.