The Photos.
If you are serious about your career you need a quality photo that is obviously taken by a professional. The majority if not all of your successful castings will be based on this image. Your photos need to be flattering but natural. They need to look and represent the real you at the audition. Your images need to be in colour to show your skin tone and hair colour. Photos that are suggestive of modeling, too much makeup or overly posed, are an indicative that you want to be a model and not an actor. Many casting directors assume models can't act.
The Photographer.
A good headshot photographer should have a significant and diverse portfolio of actors of different ages, sexes, nationalities, physical attributes and characters. As your headshot is a considerable investment the Consultation is highly recommended. A meeting to determine whether you will be comfortable shooting with the photographer and discussion of the look you want, makeup and hair, as well as wardrobe will insure a successful session. You should be able to determine from the consultation whether the photographer will be able to help you market yourself as a actor and performer.
The Session.
Your session time should be as long as needed to get the shot and can vary from person to person as well as how the photographer manages their time. Hair and makeup is extremely important and you should take the time to choose an artist that has considerable experience with natural makeup, perhaps the hardest type of makeup to do well. The artist should also be great at hair. If your hair and makeup does not make you look the best as your natural self it doesn't matter how good the photographer will be. Your clothing for the shoot is very important. You should have opportunity to change multiple times during the shoot. This should be discussed at the time of the consultation.
The Results.
A web gallery to review your proofs with your agent if you have one or with someone who can help you select the final images. Professional quality retouching and prints at reasonable prices.