Eric Brushett Photography (Chicago)
Chicago's go-to headshot photographer for commercial and theatrical actors
Overview
Eric Brushett is one of Chicago's most respected headshot photographers, known for producing clean, professional images that serve the city's vibrant theater and commercial markets. His style balances warmth and professionalism.
Sessions include pre-shoot consultation and wardrobe guidance tailored to Chicago's casting landscape. Eric's familiarity with the local market means he understands what Chicago casting directors and agents want to see.
How It Works
He works with actors across all levels of the Chicago entertainment industry, from improv and sketch performers to dramatic theater actors. His versatile approach adapts to each actor's unique needs and casting goals.
Sessions are priced between $300 and $450, including retouched digital images. Eric's pricing is competitive for the Chicago market and reflects strong value for the quality delivered.
Who Uses It
A top choice for Chicago-based actors who want headshots from someone deeply embedded in the local industry. Eric's understanding of the market ensures your images will resonate with Chicago casting professionals.
Pricing & Plans
Eric Brushett's sessions are priced between $300 and $450, which is competitive for the Chicago headshot market and significantly more affordable than comparable quality in New York or Los Angeles. His portfolio and booking information are available at photographyeb.com. Packages include retouched digital images with pre-shoot consultation and wardrobe guidance at no additional cost. Eric's pricing reflects the Chicago market's more accessible cost structure while delivering quality that competes with photographers in major coastal markets. There are no hidden fees for standard retouching or digital delivery. For Chicago-based actors who want local expertise without paying coastal market rates, Eric represents outstanding value.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
Eric's deep familiarity with Chicago's casting landscape is his greatest advantage — he understands what local agents, casting directors, and theater companies are looking for, and he calibrates every session accordingly. His versatile style adapts seamlessly between the commercial, theatrical, and improv markets that define Chicago's entertainment industry, producing images that serve actors across all of the city's diverse casting categories. His pre-shoot consultation and wardrobe guidance add genuine value by ensuring actors arrive prepared and sessions are productive from the first frame. Eric's reputation as one of Chicago's top headshot photographers means his work is recognized and trusted throughout the local industry. His approachable personality and professional demeanor create a comfortable session environment that puts actors at ease.
What Could Be Better
Eric's focus on the Chicago market means his aesthetic and approach are calibrated for local casting standards, which may not fully align with what New York or Los Angeles casting directors expect if actors are planning to submit nationally. His mid-range pricing in the Chicago market, while fair, means the session experience may not include the premium extras that higher-priced photographers offer. The Chicago headshot market is smaller than NYC or LA, which means there are fewer peer photographers driving competitive innovation and stylistic evolution. Actors with highly specific or unconventional aesthetic preferences may find that Eric's versatile but broadly appealing style does not fully serve niche casting needs. His availability during busy seasons — particularly before Chicago theater audition cycles — can be competitive.
Our Recommendation
Eric Brushett is the clear first choice for Chicago-based actors who want headshots optimized for the local market from a photographer who genuinely understands the city's entertainment industry. He is particularly well-suited for actors who work across Chicago's diverse entertainment landscape — theater, improv, commercial, and film — and need images that serve all of those markets effectively. Actors who are new to Chicago and building local industry connections will benefit from Eric's established reputation and relationships. If you are a Chicago actor planning to submit nationally to New York or LA casting directors, consider also getting headshots from a photographer in those markets who understands their specific visual expectations. Actors seeking a highly artistic or experimental headshot approach may want to supplement Eric's professional results with images from a more stylistically distinctive photographer.
Pro Tips
Before your session, research the specific Chicago casting directors and agencies you are targeting and share this information with Eric so he can tailor his approach to what those professionals prefer. Bring wardrobe options that cover the full range of your casting potential in the Chicago market — a professional look for commercial work, something with character for theatrical submissions, and a casual option for improv and comedy casting. Ask Eric about current trends in the Chicago market, as his constant interaction with local casting professionals gives him real-time insight into what is currently booking. If you perform at one of Chicago's improv theaters, bring that energy to at least part of your session so Eric can capture the warmth and spontaneity that improv casting values. Schedule your session well before major audition seasons to ensure availability and to have your new headshots ready when opportunities arise.