Meet Your Photographers!
If you don't have much headshot experience (or don't enjoy the process much), you've come to the right place.
See what some of our clients are saying:
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"I had such an amazing experience with City Headshots! I'm new to acting and picture taking and the photographer made me feel right at home! She was able to bring out the exact characters I wanted for my 2 looks in such a comfortable and fun way. My make up artist was also fabulous! She gave me so much confidence and really allowed me to shine in my photos. I have been and will continue to recommend City Headshots to anyone looking for a photographer. Thanks for everything!" - Hunter Corbett |
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"Amazing people work here and they do amazing things. There is truly no place better for your headshots and demo reel footage than here. Exceptional quality and care from exceptional people. I wish I could rate them higher than five stars. My headshot and footage shooting was an experience I will never forget. This is definitely the place to go. Just…phenomenal." - Christian Arden |
"We had a fantastic experience with City Headshots. We were in the city on vacation and I decided to get my son head shots for his college theater applications. The team did a fantastic job in communicating prior to the appointment. The location was easy to find and the photographer did an amazing job taking several hundred pictures. The end product looked great. We would go back 100%."
- Priscilla Morrison
WHY CHOOSE CITY HEADSHOTS?
Never Had Acting Headshots Taken Before? You're in the Right Place.
If you don’t love being on camera, that’s okay. Our specialty is working with people who don’t know what they’re doing on camera and making the process easy, comfortable, and fun. We'll guide you every step of the way so you walk away with headshots you actually love.
We Don’t Just Take Your Headshot. We Teach You How to Use It.
City Headshots founder Martin Bentsen is not just a photographer – he’s an acting career coach whose email list of 30,000+ actors has helped performers book more work, sign with top agents, and get auditions. We provide free career guides, a podcast, and expert advice on how to use your headshot to build momentum in your career.
A Fully Collaborative Experience: No Surprises.
Your headshot should feel authentic and right for you. That’s why we promise to show you your photos throughout the shoot, adjusting as needed. If something’s not working, we'll fix it on the spot, not after it’s too late.
Our Love-It-or-It’s-Free Guarantee.
If you don’t love your headshots, you get a full refund. Simple as that. If there’s anything you’re unhappy with, we’ll either fix it in post, reshoot for free, or refund your entire session (including makeup fees). We want you to leave feeling excited about your photos!
Martin Bentsen (Founder)
Actor Marketing Strategist
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Hey, I'm Martin, and I appreciate that you've taken the time to check out City Headshots! My team is a fun and highly talented group of people who each bring something unique to your headshot experience.
I started City Headshots back in 2009 as a way to not only help actors with high-quality headshots, but to actually help them get more auditions with their photos. We include strategy behind every session – you'll be guided not only during the shoot itself, but also afterwards on how to effectively USE your new headshots to get more audition opportunities. A little about me, I graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 2011 with an honors degree in Film Directing, and I specialize in teaching actors how to get access to higher-level auditions through my newsletter emails, 1-1 coaching, and online courses. I'll finish up by saying how grateful I am to everyone we've had the opportunity to work with. We've been fortunate to have had our headshot work in The New York Times & The Wall Street Journal, we've been featured on the Rachael Ray Show, and my actor marketing articles have been featured in Casting Networks News, the New England Theater Conference, The Actor's Green Room, and even NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. My team has collectively shot over 35,000 clients since 2009, including some sports and TV stars (Serge Ibaka, David Shuster, and Brian Kelly). At least a few times a month an actor we've worked with tell us their headshots helped them get invited to a career-altering audition opportunity. It's amazing to hear about everyone's success, and I hope it continues for each of our clients! |
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"In less than a month of working with Martin, I was offered the role of King Agnarr in Disney's 'Frozen' on Broadway. And two weeks later I got signed by a highly regarded film & television agency in New York!
I've worked with City Headshots twice... once on a "Screener Shoot" where they shot a dramatic scene specifically written for me for my actor reel, and then again on a headshot shoot where they got several great shots of me - specifically a new "legit" headshot. Each time I've worked with City Headshots' photographers, they've been professional and relaxed, which helps me to be at my best - relaxed and focused. They give clear direction and I really feel like they help me to just be myself and get authentic snap shots of who I really am for my headshots. My talent manager loved the pics!" - Tyrone L. Robinson (Broadway) |
Samantha
Head Photographer + Studio Manager
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Hi, I'm Sam! I found a love for photography at age thirteen and haven't put my camera down since. My interest in capturing subjects in photos soon turned into curiosity about short and feature filmmaking, leading to a degree in both film and rhetoric. Having closely studied interpersonal communication with the technical and creative details of cinematography and still imagery, I've learned the fine art of turning visual ideas into realities.
Over the years I have been fortunate enough to shoot for comedy performers for the Edinburgh and Dublin Fringe Festivals and write, produce and edit shorts for actors' reels. From the conception of a project to the styling & branding of a final show or character type, collaboration is my favorite way to work. I have been lucky enough to have had my work featured in Chicago's playbill and Billboard Magazine, and clients of mine include National Geographic, Twitter, Facebook, and American Express. Besides working at City Headshots, I dabble with all things YouTube and am in preproduction for a stop-motion short. I enjoy tea and music and I'd absolutely love the opportunity to work with you! |
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"When I arrived for my shoot, I was met by Sam who not only did a fantastic job, and delivered head shots that were better than I could have hoped for but more importantly, she made me feel like I belonged there.
But not only an all pro experience as far as the photos go but I became acquainted with all of the resources you offer. All the mailings you send out, even if it's just an introduction to a new course, it's always chock full of valuable information on its own. But really one of the greatest things about your mailings and resources (and Sam) is the much needed encouragement to move forward, and to realize the connective tissue we all share as performers." - Dennis Marmon |
Janelle
Photographer + Makeup Artist
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Hey there! My name is Janelle and I've been interested in the art of make-up and photography since I was 13 years old. I have always been fascinated with not only the transformative nature of makeup and lighting but the confidence my use of these brought to the people I work with. Later I learned how to accentuate beauty in a way that brings out the essence in my clients and how to photograph them in a way that made them feel and look confident. I always aim to leave people feeling great about their appearance and ready to tackle whatever’s ahead of them.
I have been working for City Headshots for 2 years and I'm elated everyday to have the opportunity to work with all different types of people. No matter your background, ethnicity, or job description, rest assured that our team will work our hardest to make sure you’re picture perfect! |
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"This past weekend I took my very first acting headshots at your studio with Janelle and it was an amazing experience. I explained to her that I chose City Headshots because I’ve been familiar with the site for tips but also because you offered a comfortable, stress free, friendly, and supportive environment.
Janelle did not disappoint. I was very nervous and Janelle talked me through every step of the process, every pose, facial expression and more. She made me feel comfortable, said I prepared well, and made sure I was happy with the results. I am in love with my headshots and I cannot wait to start submitting them and the rest of my marketing materials to agencies. I also want to thank you Martin for creating a helpful platform for new actors like me to feel confident as I grow in my career. - Amanda Keaton |
Dakota
Our Mascot
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Hey, I'm Dakota! I used to be Martin's awesome husky dog and I loved having pictures taken of me. Unfortunately I passed away in 2021, but I am still with everyone at City Headshots in spirit.
Did you know I starred in a movie as a puppy? Check it out! Dakota: Dedicated to My Best Friend I hope your headshot turns out as good as mine did :) |
