Headshot Size & Dimensions: A Guide to Cropping

This guide is for both actors and business professionals, and will help you format your headshots properly.

​Actor Headshot Size & Cropping

The simple answer for how to crop an actor headshot is generally 8 inches by 10 inches.

But it gets a bit more complex than that because technically, the size of the actual paper you get your headshot printed on should be 8"x10". That does NOT mean the actual headshot size needs to be 8"x10".

​For instance, take a look at the three images below:

All of them are on 8"x10" paper, yet some of the headshots are full crop, meaning 8"x12" (or 4"x6"), as the camera shot the image. But the image on the right was actually cropped in to 8"x10".

When an actor headshot print is full bleed (like the image at the right), it has to be cropped to 8x10".

The takeaway here is that you generally don't want an actor headshot to be cropped to 8"x10" until you decide how you're going to print the images because if you do, you won't be able to use the photo with a white or black border anymore.

One other important note with printing: A lot of people ask me the question of should headshots be glossy or matte, and the answer is somewhere in between. You want to print headshots on what's called "semi-gloss" paper. Regular gloss is too shiny and matte isn't shiny enough. Go figure!

Now that you understand how a general actor headshot crop works, scroll down a bit to learn how to crop your headshot to capture the attention of casting directors and others who might be looking at it.
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Corporate Headshot Size & Cropping

For business headshots, the rules are much more relaxed than for actor headshots. This is because your headshot can be posted all over the place – from LinkedIn to company websites and even to your own business card.

And each of these places is going to need slightly different formatting.

So what format is best?

In general, we recommend keeping your photo as wide out as possible (chest or waist up) until the last possible minute before it's used.

In other words, don't crop your headshot to a smaller format until you're ready to use it, and when you do, make sure you don't save over the original file so you still have access to the un-cropped version.

​If you save over the original file, you'll severely limit your options for the future!

Now scroll down to continue reading about good cropping practices for once you're ready to start using your photo.

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How to Crop a Headshot to Make the Right First Impression

​Have you ever taken a photo and thought your body looked way too big for your head?

Or that your arm was drawing too much attention to itself because you wore a sleeveless top?

Well no need to fear, that's where cropping comes in to save the day!

Depending on how you're going to use your image, you might need it formatted as a square, rectangle, or other shape (like a circle), so the exact headshot size and dimensions can change.

But this guide will show you  general cropping and sizing suggestions so you look your best in the shot.

​Let's get started!
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1. You Head Should Be in the Upper Third of the Image

​If you are cropping close, you can use an imaginary grid sectioned into thirds and align your eye line with the upper third of the grid.

​If you are cropping wider, be sure that your head is positioned within the top third of the image.

Note that this rule applies regardless of whether your headshot is for business or acting purposes.

Tight Crop

Wider Crop

​2. Should Your Head Be Centered?

Business Headshots: Be sure your face is completely centered (unless you're doing a stylized portrait, in which there are no rules).

Actor Headshots: Centering your head is not necessary. In fact, it can often create a more interesting image to have your head off to one side or the other. See below:

Off-center business headshot (you don't want this)

Centered and standard actor headshot.

Uncentered actor headshot = edgier.

3. Cropping the Tip of the Hair?

Business Headshots: You should never crop off the top of your hair unless the photo is being taken extremely close and you can hardly see any of your outfit (which isn't something we'd recommend anyway). Make sure that you don't have too much headroom above you though, or there will be unnecessary dead space. See the photo below.

Actor Headshots: Cropping the top of the hair is common and can actually create more energy in the image, especially if the shot is taken very close. However, if you have an interesting or unique hairstyle that needs to be shown, don't crop off your hair. For more info, take a look at this article, called Why Crop the Top of the Hair?

Too Close & Too Much Headroom

​4. Don't Lose Your Neck and Shoulders

Business Headshots: Cropping slightly above the chest for a standard headshot size is a good rule of thumb. If the image is too far out, it can't be called a headshot, but instead might be called a half-body or full-body shot. And if it's too close, it will just look awkward. If you were wearing a suit, cropping slightly above where the tie would meet the jacket is a good rule of thumb. Further out than that and your shoulders will start to look too big compared to your face.

Actor Headshots: Casting directors like to know what you look like, and with headshots, you're usually only showing your face. In order to give them some idea of what you look like, you should show at least some of your neck and shoulders in the photo so they can get a general idea of your body type.

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​How to Crop Headshots Using Your Computer:

Now that we've covered cropping guidelines, on to the tech stuff! 

If you are on a Mac, the standard photo viewing application is called Preview, which usually comes with your computer.

If you're on Windows, the standard photo viewing application is called Paint, and it also usually comes with your computer.

​How to Crop a Headshot in Apple's Preview:

1. First, ensure your selection tool is set to “rectangular selection.”
2. When you scroll your cursor over the image you should see a cross. 
3. Then click and drag your cursor across the image to select the portion you would like to crop (the dimensions of your crop should display at the bottom right corner). 
4. With your crop selected, you can use the “Tools” dropdown menu at the top of your screen to select “crop,” or use the shortcut “command+K.” 
5. Be sure to select “Save As…” when you save the image to create a new file­ so as not to overwrite the original file ­– you may need it for a different crop in the future! ​

​​How to Crop a Headshot in Microsoft's Paint:

1. Open your image, and then under the home tab in the “Image” group, you will see the option to “Select” and the option to “Crop.”
2. Select the section of the image you would like to keep and choose the “Crop” option.
3. Voila, your image has been cropped!
4. Be sure to select “Save As…” when you save the image to create a new file­ so as not to overwrite the original file­ – you may need it for a different crop in the future! ​

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The Takeaway

As an overall takeaway, the right headshot size and crop is essential to making sure your image is engaging. If you don't crop, you'll be missing out because your photo could look much less professional and might not give off the right first impression!

​Cropping properly matters, so don't skip it!

Have any cropping or editing questions? Email us at info@cityheadshots.com or leave a comment below!

​Further Reading:

If you enjoyed this article, here are a few other ones I recommend:

• What to Wear for Acting Headshots
• How to Select the Best Headshot from Your Shoot
• Branding for Actors