When I used to run a theater, you wouldn't believe what kind of headshots people were submitting. Overexposed, underexposed, overairbrushed, out of focus...you name it. My faves were the 'artsy' ones, where you only say one eye and half a nose.
Bottom line: With so many people auditioning, it is most helpful to have a good headshot that represents who you are at that moment, not from 3 years ago, or when you had long hair, or a beard, or frosted tips, etc. Unless you are a model, or using them for other things, keep your head shot simple and make sure it is current!
Born2c...as a little girl (or looking like one) there's going to be more forgivness. When a young girl dresses like Cosette it's "aww cute..." but when a twenty something girl dressed up like Eponine it might be trying a little too hard.
Rosencrantz: "Be happy - if you're not even HAPPY what's so good about surviving? We'll be all right. I suppose we just go on."
- from Tom Stoppard's Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
I did see a girls headshot today that seriously made me laugh. I mean she looked like a deer in headlights or that she was about to burst into tears. She also said that she didn't want to spend money on a professional one, so I imagine a friend took it. Then she went on about how smiling pictures always look stupid. Right. But crying pictures look soooo good!
I was taught to always dress for an acting audition as I would for a job interview. Why? Because an audition IS a job interview.
It seems that a few people here disagree with that statement, and hey, you should always do what you're comfortable with. Dressing in a classy, not casual manner helps me to focus in the audition. If it doesn't work, then don't do it.
if you suck you suck, if you cant sing you cant sing, deal with it, callbacks is another topic but a lot of people shouldnt even be at auditions! you cant learn talent.
you can scratch whatever you want to scratch if you are talented and look the part