Cathryn Farnsworth Photography

Cathryn Farnsworth is an award-winning editorial and lifestyle photographer who has been shooting headshots in Los Angeles since 2000, bringing over 25 years of experience and a photojournalistic sensibility to actor portraiture that produces images with a distinctly candid, alive quality. Originally from Colorado, Farnsworth moved to LA in 1999 and evolved what began as a photography hobby into a professional practice that spans headshot photography, editorial assignments, and commercial projects for major clients including Warner Bros. and Mattel. Her work has been published in People Magazine, The New York Times, Billboard, Marie Claire, Sunset Magazine, The Los Angeles Times, Village Voice, New York Post, and WellBella Magazine — a breadth of editorial credits that demonstrates the artistic versatility and professional quality she brings to every session. Operating from her studio in Toluca Lake, Farnsworth has won Backstage West's 'Favorite Headshot Photographer in Los Angeles' award, confirming that her artistic approach translates effectively to the specific demands of actor headshot photography. Her headshot sessions typically run approximately two hours (slightly longer for women), providing ample time for the unhurried, explorative approach that defines her work.

In 2025, Cathryn Farnsworth Photography continues to serve the Los Angeles entertainment community from her Toluca Lake studio, which is open seven days a week from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM — an unusually flexible schedule that accommodates actors with diverse work commitments and scheduling constraints. Farnsworth's photographic philosophy is rooted in her journalistic background: rather than constructing posed images, she creates environments where authentic moments emerge naturally, capturing her subjects in states of genuine presence, thought, and emotional availability. She describes herself as shy by nature but deeply passionate about people, and photography is her medium for showing subjects how she sees them — this personal investment in each subject's individuality produces images that feel intimate and revealing rather than generic or manufactured. Her editorial experience shooting for publications like People Magazine and The New York Times has trained her eye for composition, lighting, and the specific quality of human presence that makes a photograph stop a viewer mid-scroll. She brings this same editorial precision to headshot work, fusing the artistic standards of magazine photography with the specific commercial requirements of casting platform submissions.

Booking a session with Cathryn Farnsworth involves contacting the studio through cathrynfarnsworthheadshots.com to discuss availability and session details. Sessions are conducted at her Toluca Lake studio, which is conveniently located for actors working in the Valley entertainment corridor and easily accessible from Hollywood, Burbank, and Studio City. The typical session runs approximately two hours, providing enough time for multiple look changes and the unhurried exploration of expressions that Farnsworth's approach requires. Makeup assistance is available for actors who want professional grooming support during their session. Pre-session conversations cover the actor's casting type, career goals, and wardrobe considerations, with Farnsworth providing guidance on clothing options that complement her lighting style and support the actor's branding. The seven-day-a-week availability and extended hours (9:00 AM to 10:00 PM) make scheduling exceptionally flexible — evening sessions are available for actors who cannot shoot during daytime hours, which is a convenience few LA headshot photographers offer.

The Cathryn Farnsworth session experience reflects her journalistic approach to photography — sessions are structured but deliberately flexible, allowing actors to move naturally, explore different expressions and energies, and find their authentic presence in front of the camera without rigid posing or artificial constraint. Farnsworth's direction is subtle and responsive rather than commanding — she reads each actor's energy and comfort level and adapts her approach accordingly, gently guiding rather than forcefully directing. This responsive style produces images that feel candid and alive, capturing the quality of spontaneous presence that makes a headshot feel like a window into the actor's real personality rather than a manufactured portrait. Her lighting is designed to complement the natural, editorial quality of her images — it is neither flat and clinical nor dramatically moody, but rather warm, dimensional, and revealing in a way that highlights facial structure and expression without overwhelming the human quality of the photograph. Farnsworth's retouching maintains the authentic character of her images, enhancing without over-processing to ensure the final headshot looks like the person who will walk into the audition room.

Cathryn Farnsworth's client base includes actors across film, television, and theater, as well as writers, directors, producers, and other entertainment industry professionals who need portraits that project creativity, authority, and authentic presence. Her editorial client list — Warner Bros., Mattel, Houseplant, and numerous major publications — positions her at the intersection of commercial photography and fine-art portraiture, giving her a perspective on image-making that extends beyond the headshot photography niche. She has photographed the cast of 'Goodnight Burbank' and works regularly with actors at all career stages who are drawn to her authentic, unposed aesthetic. Over 149 verified reviews on Yelp for her Toluca Lake studio reflect the volume and consistency of her client satisfaction. Actors who work with Farnsworth tend to be those who value authenticity and artistic quality in their headshots — performers who understand that the most effective headshots capture genuine human presence rather than perfect technical execution.

Cathryn Farnsworth's pricing is available by contacting the studio through her website. Based on her market positioning as a Backstage West award-winning photographer with major publication credits and 25-plus years of experience, sessions are competitively priced for her caliber. The two-hour session length, Toluca Lake studio environment, and availability of makeup assistance are included in the session experience. Compared to premium photographers charging $695 to $1,500 or more, Farnsworth offers strong value for the artistic quality, editorial credentials, and extended session time her packages include. The seven-day availability and extended evening hours add convenience value that most photographers do not offer. For actors evaluating the investment, Farnsworth's Backstage West award, 149-plus Yelp reviews, and major publication credits provide objective markers of quality that justify professional-tier pricing.

Cathryn Farnsworth is the ideal choice for actors who want headshots with the authentic, candid quality of editorial photography — images that feel alive and present rather than posed and manufactured. Her Backstage West award confirms that this editorial approach produces headshots that casting directors and agents respond to, not just artistic photographs that look beautiful but do not serve commercial casting needs. If you value authenticity and genuine human presence in your headshot above all other qualities, Farnsworth delivers at an exceptionally high level. If you need aggressive coaching and specific physical direction to achieve your best expressions, photographers with more actively directive approaches may serve you better. If you need weekend or evening availability, Farnsworth's seven-day schedule and extended hours make her one of the most accommodating options in the market. For actors who view their headshot as both a professional tool and an artistic representation of who they are, Farnsworth creates images that fulfill both roles with equal effectiveness.

Contact the studio early in your planning process — Farnsworth's seven-day availability makes scheduling flexible, but popular time slots still fill up during peak headshot season. Choose wardrobe in solid colors that complement your skin tone and avoid busy patterns that will distract from your face and expression — Farnsworth's editorial approach is most effective when the clothing supports rather than competes with the human presence in the image. Arrive rested and hydrated — the two-hour session length means your energy level matters, and showing up well-rested allows you to be genuinely present and emotionally available throughout the full session. Take advantage of the available makeup assistance if you want professional grooming support — professional makeup can make a significant difference in how your skin photographs, and having it applied by someone who understands photography lighting is more effective than doing it yourself. Let Farnsworth guide the session rather than trying to control every moment — her journalistic approach works best when subjects trust the process and allow authentic moments to emerge naturally rather than performing for the camera.