Marc Cartwright Photography

Marc Cartwright has been creating headshots for the entertainment and business industries for over 18 years, operating from his natural-light studio at 4647 Coldwater Canyon Avenue in Studio City — a location that puts him in the heart of the LA entertainment industry corridor, conveniently accessible from the major studios, casting offices, and talent agencies that line the Valley. Cartwright has built his reputation on a combination of personalized attention, a relaxed studio environment, and consistent, professional results that casting directors and agents approve. His approach is notably unhurried — he photographs only one to two clients per day, ensuring each actor receives his full attention and creative energy rather than being processed through a high-volume assembly-line session. The studio itself uses natural light as its primary illumination source (supplemented by studio lighting when needed to enhance skin tones or create specific moods), creating images with a warm, organic quality that feels authentic and contemporary. With a 4.9-star rating from 47 reviews on Birdeye and consistently positive Yelp reviews, Cartwright's client satisfaction record reflects the reliable quality of both the experience and the results.

In 2025, Marc Cartwright Headshots continues to serve the Los Angeles acting community with a philosophy centered on making actors feel comfortable, confident, and genuinely seen during their sessions. Cartwright's studio is air-conditioned and purpose-designed for headshot photography, with large windows that provide the natural light he prefers alongside studio lighting equipment for situations where controlled illumination better serves the actor's needs. His images are characterized by a natural, grounded quality — actors in Cartwright's headshots look like confident, present, real people rather than overly processed or artificially perfect versions of themselves, which is precisely the quality that modern casting directors report looking for when they describe effective headshots. The one-to-two-clients-per-day limit is a genuine differentiator in the LA market, where many popular photographers schedule four to six sessions daily — this reduced volume means Cartwright can invest more time in wardrobe consultation, creative direction, and the unhurried exploration of expressions that produces the best possible images. Proofs from the session are provided within one business day, allowing actors to begin selecting their final retouched images almost immediately.

Booking a session with Marc Cartwright involves contacting the studio at (323) 878-2603 or through the website at marccartwrightheadshots.com. The studio is open Monday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, providing weekend availability that accommodates actors with weekday work commitments. Pre-session consultations cover the actor's career goals, casting type, current representation, and wardrobe selection, with Cartwright providing guidance on what clothing options photograph best in his natural-light studio. The primary package — three wardrobe looks with three retouched headshots — is priced at $595 and includes the full session experience with personalized coaching and direction. Additional retouched images can be added. The session begins with a brief settling-in period where Cartwright helps the actor relax and get comfortable in the studio environment before photography begins, recognizing that the first few minutes of any headshot session often produce the stiffest, most self-conscious images.

The Marc Cartwright session experience is built around creating a relaxed, supportive atmosphere where actors can let their guard down and allow their genuine personality to emerge through the camera. Cartwright provides real-time feedback and personalized coaching throughout the session, adapting his direction to each actor's comfort level and energy — he is attentive to the moments when an actor is being genuinely present versus performing for the camera, and he gently guides toward the authentic expressions that produce the most compelling headshots. The natural-light studio environment contributes to the relaxed atmosphere — natural light creates a softer, more organic shooting environment compared to the brightness and heat of powerful studio strobes, and many actors find it easier to relax and look natural under natural illumination. Cartwright occasionally incorporates studio lighting to enhance skin tones or create specific mood effects when the creative direction calls for it, demonstrating technical versatility without sacrificing the natural feel that defines his work. The unhurried pace of sessions — with only one to two clients scheduled per day — means there is no pressure to rush through looks or cut the session short, allowing Cartwright and the actor to explore expressions and energies thoroughly before declaring the session complete.

Marc Cartwright's client base includes actors at all career stages and across all casting types — from newcomers building their first professional headshot package to working actors updating their materials for new representation or career transitions to established professionals who appreciate Cartwright's consistent quality and relaxed working environment. His Studio City location is particularly convenient for actors based in the San Fernando Valley, where many of LA's major studios, casting offices, and talent agencies are concentrated. The accessible pricing and unhurried session pace make Cartwright particularly popular with actors who are early in their careers and want professional-quality headshots without the premium pricing that top-tier photographers command. Reviews consistently praise Cartwright for making clients feel comfortable and confident, with many noting that the final images captured genuine aspects of their personality that they had not seen in headshots from previous photographers. The seven-day-a-week availability is also cited as a significant convenience factor.

Marc Cartwright's primary package is priced at $595 for three wardrobe looks with three retouched headshots, positioning him in the competitive mid-range of the LA headshot market. Proofs from the session are delivered within one business day, with retouching completed on selected images thereafter. Additional retouched images beyond the included three can be purchased. Compared to premium photographers like Peter Hurley ($1,500-plus) or Michael Roud ($695-plus), Cartwright offers significant savings while still delivering professional, casting-ready results. Compared to budget-tier photographers, his pricing reflects the premium of the personalized, one-to-two-clients-per-day approach and the natural-light Studio City studio environment. The $595 package represents strong value for actors who want quality headshots with genuine personal attention — the combination of three retouched images, unhurried session pacing, and same-day proofs compares favorably to similar packages from other mid-range LA photographers.

Marc Cartwright is an excellent choice for actors who want a relaxed, personalized headshot experience that produces natural, authentic images at a competitive mid-range price point. His approach is particularly well-suited for actors who have had uncomfortable or rushed experiences with other photographers and want a session that feels unhurried and supportive. The natural-light aesthetic works especially well for commercial, sitcom, and approachable casting categories where warmth and accessibility are valued. If you need dramatic, moody, or highly cinematic headshots, photographers like Michael Roud or Diana Ragland may better serve those needs. The Studio City location and seven-day availability make Cartwright one of the most convenient options for Valley-based actors. For actors who are new to LA and want their first professional headshots from a photographer who will invest genuine time and attention in the process, Cartwright's one-to-two-daily-client approach ensures you will not feel like a number on an assembly line.

Book a session early in the week if possible — natural-light studios tend to produce their most consistent results during mid-morning hours on clear days, and Cartwright can advise on optimal scheduling based on current weather patterns. Bring at least four wardrobe options even though the base package includes three looks — having extra options gives Cartwright flexibility to advise on which combinations photograph best in the current lighting conditions. Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to settle in and decompress before the session begins — Cartwright's relaxed approach works best when you are not arriving rushed and stressed from LA traffic. Select your three retouched images strategically — one primary theatrical headshot, one commercial headshot, and one character or alternative look that expands your casting range will give you the most versatile set from a single session. Take advantage of the same-day proof delivery by reviewing your images that evening while the session experience is fresh in your mind — you will have better recall of which moments felt most authentic and natural when the memory is recent.