James Eckert Photography (Boston)
Boston's premier headshot photographer for theater and film actors
Overview
James Eckert is Boston's premier headshot photographer, serving the city's active theater and film acting community. His images are clean, professional, and designed to compete with headshots produced in larger markets.
Sessions are tailored to each actor's goals, with James providing clear direction and a comfortable shooting environment. His understanding of the Boston and New England casting markets informs his approach to every session.
How It Works
James works with actors across Boston's thriving theater scene, as well as those pursuing film and commercial work in the region. His reputation as the city's top headshot photographer is well-earned.
Pricing ranges from $300 to $450, with retouched digital images included. James's rates are fair and competitive for the Boston market.
Who Uses It
The clear first choice for Boston-based actors who want professional headshots that hold their own against work from LA and New York photographers. James's local expertise is an added advantage.
Pricing & Plans
James Eckert's sessions range from $300 to $450, reflecting fair and competitive pricing for the Boston market. Packages include retouched digital images and sessions tailored to each actor's specific goals and casting targets. His pricing is significantly more accessible than comparable quality in New York City, which is just a few hours away but charges substantially more for similar headshot work. There are no hidden fees for standard retouching or digital delivery. For Boston-based actors who might otherwise travel to New York for headshots, James provides a high-quality local alternative that saves both money and time.
Pros & Cons
What's Great
James's most significant advantage is his deep understanding of the Boston and New England casting markets, which allows him to calibrate headshots specifically for the regional agents, casting directors, and theater companies that drive employment opportunities in the area. His reputation as the top headshot photographer in Boston is well-earned through years of consistent quality and strong relationships with the local acting community. His images are clean and professional enough to compete nationally while being optimized for regional market expectations. James tailors each session to the individual actor's goals, providing clear, helpful direction that produces strong results efficiently. His comfortable shooting environment helps actors who may be anxious about the headshot process relax and present their genuine selves.
What Could Be Better
James's focus on the Boston and New England market means his aesthetic and approach may not be specifically calibrated to what casting directors in New York or Los Angeles prioritize. Boston's entertainment market, while active and vibrant, is smaller than major coastal markets, which means less competitive pressure driving innovation in headshot photography. His mid-range pricing, while fair for Boston, means the session experience may not include the premium extras available from higher-priced photographers in larger markets. Actors planning to relocate to New York or Los Angeles may need to invest in market-specific headshots upon arrival. The smaller pool of Boston-based photographers means actors have fewer options for specialized or niche headshot aesthetics.
Our Recommendation
James Eckert is the definitive choice for Boston-based actors who want professional headshots optimized for the local market from the city's most respected photographer. He is particularly well-suited for actors working in Boston's thriving theater scene who need images that resonate with regional casting professionals. Actors who are building careers in the New England market before potentially transitioning to larger markets will find James's work serves them exceptionally well during this career phase. If you are a Boston actor primarily submitting to New York casting directors, consider whether New York-specific headshots would strengthen those submissions. Actors seeking highly stylized or experimental headshots may need to look beyond the standard professional format that James excels at.
Pro Tips
Discuss the specific Boston and New England theaters, casting directors, and agencies you are targeting so James can tailor your session to their preferences and visual expectations. Bring wardrobe that reflects the types of roles being cast in the New England market — Boston's theater scene values versatility, so having options for both classical and contemporary looks is valuable. If you are a student at one of Boston's many theater programs, ask James about any student rates or special packages he may offer, as many photographers provide discounts for drama school students. Take advantage of James's proximity to New York by asking how your Boston headshots might need to differ from New York-market headshots if you plan to submit to casting directors in both cities. Schedule your session before major theater audition seasons in the Boston area to have fresh headshots ready when opportunities arise.