Vanie Poyey Photography

Vanie Poyey Photography The Los Angeles headshot photographer for actors who don't like to pose! Photography coach. I do what I do because I want to help you succeed.
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I want to empower you with the tools you need to market yourself. My goal is not to give you the most beautiful LA headshots or business headshots you’ve ever taken, my goal is to give you headshots with life instead of vacant stares. Whether you’re an actor, a business person or looking for social media + dating headshots, my goal is to give you headshot photos that specifically showcase your ran

ge without pushing you against type. My goal is to figure out your stereotype, your essence and to capitalize on it. I do this by consulting with you, by directing you every step of the way and by producing specific marketing looks that will help get you in the door. I am the LA headshot photographer for people who refuse to pose. Click here for more info and ask me how I can help you!

All you need to know about acting headshot rules👇Rules are created because somebody somewhere messed up.We’ve heard it a...
09/01/2026

All you need to know about acting headshot rules👇

Rules are created because somebody somewhere messed up.

We’ve heard it all!

⚡️Don’t wear jewelry in headshots

⚡️No scarfs

⚡️No graphics

⚡️No patterns

⚡️No red lipstic

⚡️No hands

The list is long.

BUT no casting director ever said, “Don’t bring that actor in because they’re wearing jewelry in their headshots.””

In fact, no agent or manager ever asked my actors for a re-shoot because we “broke the rules.”

Why?

Because rules don’t matter.

The only thing that matters is that you EFFECTIVELY convey the character you’re going for in your headshot. That’s it.

This is where newbie photographers don’t know how to guide you and make costly mistakes.

Ask yourself this ONE quesion and you’ll be able to decide if you should do something or if you shouldn’t.

💁🏼‍♀️Does this help clarify my look?

✅ If the answer is yes, then go for it.

If the answer is “I don’t know but I really want to wear it” then you’re doing something to satisfy your own desires and not to clarify the character.

❌ In that case, the answer is no, don’t do it.

Let me know if you’ve every had a re-shoot request because of one of these rules. ⏬

08/24/2026

Here’s how to pick your specific looks👇

Comment with the word ✨looks✨ and I’ll send The Ultimate Look Guide for Actors straight to your DM.

THEN...

✨ Simply pick out the headshot looks that resonate with you as an actor.

❌ Don’t over complicate this process.

Ask yourself these two questions...

✅ What roles can I believably play based on how I look?

AND

✅ What roles can I believably play based on my essence?

🔃 Share this with actor friends who could use the look guide too!

Featured here: Actress Alexa Rose 🎬
💄Makeup by: Julie Hirji | makeup + hair

08/21/2026

If you want to be a working actor 👇

This is the mindset shift you need about headshots.

❌ Headshots are not just “nice” pictures of you.

✅ Headshots are about giving your reps the marketing tools they need to get you auditions.

So they should showcase the specific roles you’d auditon for.

✨ Invest in a pro headshot photographer who understands how to market you.

Hi 👋 I’m Vanie, the headshot photographer for actors who don’t like to post.

👣 Follow for more headshot tips like this one!

🎬 Featuring actress Alexa Rose
💄Makeup by Julie Hirji | makeup + hair

08/18/2026

“Perfect” headshots don’t book acting jobs.🚫

✅ Character does.

So many actors try to hide the very things that make them unique and castable.

But what you might see as a “flaw” is what an agent and casting director sees as your unique differentiation.

Like this post if it helped you with more acceptance!🫶

08/16/2026

❌ In theory, that works. In reality, it fails.

Why? Because headshots are not “Real Life.”

✨ On TV, there’s CONTEXT. You have a set, a location, other actors, music, and dialogue to tell us who the character is.

✨ In an acting headshot, there’s NO CONTEXT. It’s just a close-up of your face and wardrobe. That’s it.

If your headshot wardrobe is too subtle or “realistic,” the Casting Director has to guess who you are.

And a confused mind says no.

✅ This is why you should embrace the STEREOTYPE.

Since we don’t have a set, your clothes have to do the heavy lifting. You need to be “On-The-Nose.”

The “Real” Gamer wears whatever they want.

✅ The Headshot Gamer wears a graphic tee.

The “Real” Lawyer might wear a polo.

✅ The Headshot Lawyer wears a suit or sharp blazer.

Don’t dress for the reality. Dress for the Quick Read.

❤️ Comment with the word ✨wardrobe✨to get my Ultimate Wardrobe Guide ($4.97) with visual samples describing what to wear for each look in your category. $4.97 or complimentary when you book a headshot session!

08/04/2026

Useful info like this usually lives behind closed doors.👇

A private client list, a paid coaching room, a casting office that actors can’t just email.

😱 This month, a group of us are propping those doors open.

Casting directors, coaches, agents, working actors, basically the people actors are usually trying to get ten minutes with, all in one place for the month.

✅ Each of us is giving away something we’d normally keep for the actors who pay us.

Mine is The Ultimate Look Guide.

🎉 The event is called the B.A.S.H. (Backstage Access Starts Here), and you can get in at no cost!

Comment ✨BASH✨ below and I’ll send you the link to the event.

07/15/2026

Want in on Headshot Sale Days (in LA)?👇

✅ I offer them a few times a year but ONLY to actors on my email list where I send out tidbits on acting headshots; how to nail them every time.

Comment with the word ✨website✨ and I’ll send you the link to my Los Angeles headshot photography website.

Scroll ALL they way to the bottom and sign up!

🤗 Next time there’s a headshot sale, you’ll be the first to know!

06/23/2026

Theatrical vs commercial, the difference👇

❌ First, stop asking if a photographer specializes in “commercial” or “theatrical” headshots.

Here’s the truth: ⏬

❌ Your headshot session shouldn’t be about just commerical looks or theatrial looks.

✅ If you play the Love Interest in a one hour drama, you can also play the Love Interest in a commercial (maybe on a date!).

✅ The “Office Guy” in a procedural is the same “look” as the “Office Guy” in a commercial.

✨ 90% of headshot looks are actually crossover looks.

So, what changes from commercial to theatrical?

👎🏻 Not smiley vs. non-smiley.

💁🏼‍♀️ Your ESSENCE.

The “Blue Collar Worker” in a Target commercial has a different feeling, a different story, than the “Blue Collar Worker” in a show like Landman.

Your headshot session shouldn’t be just about capturing“smiley vs. non-smiley.”

👉 It should be about capturing an emotional arc from a bright, commercial essence, to a grounded, theatrical one for each crossover look.

You DON’T need two different headshot photographers.

You need one photographer who directs you like an ACTOR, so you showcase the arc of the character and provide headshots for both your commercial and theatrical agent in one session.

👣 Follow if this makes sense to you thespian!

05/07/2026

Raise your hand if you dread headshots!✋

The secret to a great experience is:

✅ Working with a headshot photographer who directs you and doesn’t just pose you.

Cuz you’re an actor, not a model.

You act in front of the camera, you don’t pose.

✅ Working with a photographer who collaborates with you.

Cuz creating characters with life is a two-way street.

Actors can’t do it in a bubble.

If my approach to headshots resonates ⏬

✨Comment with the word “book” and I’ll DM you the link to book so you make 2026 your best year yet!

It’s the hard truth, but “perfect” headshots don’t book acting jobs. Character does.So many actors try to hide the very ...
04/14/2026

It’s the hard truth, but “perfect” headshots don’t book acting jobs. Character does.

So many actors try to hide the very things that make them unique and castable.

But what you might see as a “flaw” is what a casting director sees as your unique differentiation.

Share this post if it helped you with more acceptance!🫶

Address

10636 Burbank Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA
91601

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+3238566156

Website

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