Michael Roud Photography

Michael Roud is a Los Angeles headshot photographer whose background as a cinematographer and director gives his work a distinctly cinematic quality that sets it apart from traditional headshot photography. Roud established his photography practice in 2005 and opened his dedicated LA studio in 2008 at 3450 Cahuenga Boulevard West in Los Angeles, building a client roster that spans working actors, celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, and major television networks. His celebrity clientele includes Brandon Routh (Superman in 'Superman Returns'), Jesse McCartney, David Carradine ('Kill Bill'), and Michael Madsen ('Reservoir Dogs'), and he has appeared on Netflix's 'Selling Sunset' as LA's premier celebrity headshot photographer. Roud works with talent represented by the industry's top agencies including CAA, William Morris Endeavor, ICM, United Talent Agency, Paradigm, and Abrams Artists, as well as major modeling agencies including Elite, Ford, Wilhelmina, IMG, and Next. His approach treats headshot photography as a directorial exercise — he directs actors through emotion and intention rather than simply capturing static poses, resulting in images that feel like they were pulled from a feature film rather than a photography studio.

In 2025, Michael Roud Photography continues to operate from its Cahuenga Boulevard studio in the heart of Los Angeles, serving actors across all career levels who want headshots with a cinematic, editorial quality that immediately distinguishes their submissions from the competition. Roud's directorial background is evident in every aspect of his sessions — rather than asking actors to smile or look serious, he guides them through emotional scenarios and intentional thought processes that produce expressions with genuine depth and specificity. His lighting setups are inspired by cinematographic techniques rather than standard portrait photography, creating rich tones, dimensional shadows, and a visual warmth that makes his images feel like film stills rather than headshots. The studio accommodates both classic studio setups and more natural, lifestyle-oriented looks, and Roud's experience shooting for major networks and production companies means he understands exactly how images need to read across different platforms and contexts. For actors who recognize that their headshot is their first audition and want that audition to feel like a cinematic moment rather than a standard photograph, Roud delivers at a level few photographers can match.

Booking a session with Michael Roud begins with a consultation through his website at michaelroud.com or by contacting the studio directly. A $250 non-refundable deposit is required to secure a session booking, which is applied toward the total session fee. Sessions start at $695 for two looks, with each look providing 80 to 120 color-corrected, high-resolution JPEG images — a significantly larger number of deliverable frames than most headshot photographers provide, giving actors and their agents more options to choose from. Standard retouching on selected final images costs $75 per image, while deluxe retouching (more extensive skin work, background refinement, and detail enhancement) is $115 per image. The session itself begins with a discussion of the actor's goals, casting type, and the specific looks they need, followed by a wardrobe review where Roud advises on which clothing options will photograph best for each desired look. For actors who want the cinematic Roud aesthetic at a more accessible price point, the studio also offers MRP+ sessions with associate photographers trained in Roud's techniques, providing more flexible scheduling and lower pricing while maintaining the studio's visual standards.

The Michael Roud session experience is distinguished by his directorial approach to headshot photography — Roud does not simply photograph actors, he directs them through a performance that happens to be captured on camera. Drawing on his background in cinematography and directing, Roud guides actors through emotional beats, intentional thought processes, and physical adjustments that produce expressions with the depth and specificity of a carefully directed close-up in a film. He focuses particularly on the eyes — which he describes as the 'windows of the soul' — coaching actors to project specific thoughts and emotions through their gaze rather than relying on generic facial expressions. The lighting in his studio is designed to create cinematic dimension, with carefully controlled key lights, fill lights, and background separation that produce images with the rich, three-dimensional quality of professional cinematography. Each look generates 80 to 120 frames, which are color-corrected and delivered digitally, giving actors and their representation a large selection to choose from when selecting final images for retouching. The studio environment is professional but energetic, with Roud's directorial enthusiasm creating a dynamic session atmosphere.

Michael Roud's client base reflects his position as one of the top-tier headshot photographers in Los Angeles, serving actors represented by the industry's most prestigious agencies alongside emerging talent building their portfolios, corporate executives, and public figures. His work appears regularly on major casting platforms, agency websites, and talent profiles across the entertainment industry. The Yelp page for Michael Roud Photography shows over 240 reviews, reflecting the volume of clients he serves and the consistently positive reception his work receives. Actors who shoot with Roud tend to be those who are willing to invest at a premium level for headshots that they know will stand out — his images have a recognizable quality that casting professionals associate with working, represented actors. The celebrity clients and major agency affiliations serve as social proof that Roud's work meets the highest industry standards, and many actors report that their Roud headshots generated more audition opportunities and more positive responses from agents than headshots from previous photographers.

Michael Roud's sessions start at $695 for two looks, with the $250 non-refundable deposit applied toward the total. Each look includes 80 to 120 color-corrected, high-resolution images. Additional looks can be added to the session. Retouching is priced separately at $75 per image for standard retouching or $115 per image for deluxe retouching — most actors select 2 to 4 images for final retouching, bringing the total investment for a typical session to approximately $845 to $1,155. For actors seeking the Roud aesthetic at a lower price point, the MRP+ associate photographer program offers sessions with trained photographers at reduced rates and with more flexible scheduling options. Compared to the LA headshot market overall, Roud is positioned in the upper-mid to premium tier — more affordable than Peter Hurley ($1,500-plus) but significantly above mid-range photographers ($350 to $500). The investment is justified for actors who value the cinematic quality, directorial coaching, and large number of delivered images that distinguish a Roud session from standard headshot photography.

Michael Roud is the ideal choice for actors who want headshots with a distinctly cinematic, film-quality look and who are willing to invest at a premium level for images that will immediately stand out in casting submissions. If you are targeting theatrical, dramatic, or film-oriented casting categories where intensity and depth are valued, Roud's aesthetic is perfectly aligned with what casting professionals in those spaces respond to. If your primary casting type is commercial, comedic, or warmly approachable, you may want a photographer whose style emphasizes brightness and accessibility over cinematic drama — consider Shandon Photography or Vanie Poyey for those needs. If you love Roud's aesthetic but cannot afford his rates, explore the MRP+ associate program for a more accessible entry point. If you are updating headshots for a specific career milestone — new agency representation, a transition to more serious dramatic roles, or a rebrand of your casting type — Roud's cinematic quality makes a powerful first impression that signals your professional intent.

Book a consultation before committing to a session — discussing your goals, casting type, and specific needs with Roud's team ensures the session is tailored to produce images that serve your career strategy rather than just looking beautiful. Budget for retouching in addition to the session fee — plan to retouch at minimum two to three images (one primary theatrical, one commercial, and one character look), which adds $150 to $345 to the base session cost. Bring wardrobe options that reflect your specific casting types rather than generic professional attire — Roud's directorial approach works best when the entire image (expression, wardrobe, lighting) tells a cohesive story about who you are as a performer. Study Roud's portfolio on his website and Instagram before your session to understand his aesthetic and come prepared with references for the specific looks and moods you want to achieve. If you try the MRP+ associate program, ask which associate photographer's portfolio most closely matches your desired aesthetic — the associates have individual styles within the Roud framework, and selecting the right match will produce the best results.