Kids & Teen Headshots in Melbourne
Kids change fast. A headshot taken six months ago could already be out of date and costing your child auditions. Casting agents pass over a submission the moment the photo doesn’t match the kid who walks into the room. We shoot kids headshots in Melbourne for casting, agency representation, and modelling portfolios. Our kids and teen headshots sessions in Melbourne operate around how children actually behave in front of a camera, not how adults do.
Headshot Photographer is a Melbourne-based photography studio led by Julian Dolman. His career started in actor headshots. This work with adult actors helped develop his ability to direct nervous subjects into a believable expression. That training carries over to working with under-18s.
Who Needs Kids & Teen Headshots?
If a talent agent asks for your child’s “current headshots” and you’re not sure what that means, this page is for you. Our experience includes child actor headshots, child model headshots, and teen headshots for acting across every stage of a young casting career. From five-year-olds getting their first shots for an agency meeting to sixteen-year-old clients refreshing their portfolio before pilot season.
Most of our young clients’ submissions come from parents on behalf of agencies or are about to start the agent-search process. We also shoot headshots for child actors signed to interstate agencies who need their portfolios kept current.
This is the third time Julian has taken Erica's head shots. He makes the experience fun and the results are amazing so we keep coming back for more! I'd highly recommend Julian to anyone looking for head shots - kids, teens and adults. You won't be disappointed.
Are you ready to create your Kid or Teen headshots?
Meet Your Kids & Teen Headshot Photographer
Julian Dolman is a professional photographer who’s been working in Melbourne since 2005. He founded Headshot Photographer in 2010 working mainly with actors. Since then he has evolved the company to work with businesses, authors, and under-18 actors and models.
His experience photographing actors taught him how to direct nervous subjects through a shoot. That matters more for kids than it does for adults. You can’t talk a nine-year-old into a smile, you have to draw them into the moment. Julian works the way the best children’s directors do. He keeps things low-pressure, conversational, with no direction until the child is comfortable. His Kelpie X, Cole, is usually at the studio and tends to do half the warming-up work for him.
Parents are present for the entire shoot. There is no closed-door studio time at any point.
The Kids & Teen Headshot Process
01
Pre-Shoot Chat
We have a quick call or email to talk through the agency’s brief, your child’s age and personality, and how many looks you need. Then we send over a short list of what’s needed for the shoot.
02
The Shoot
Our sessions take 60–90 minutes for younger kids and up to two hours for teens with a few different looks. Each subject is coached through their poses with a live review monitor to see what’s working as we go.
03
Online Gallery Selection
We send a private online gallery containing every frame for you and your child to pick your favourites.
04
Professional Retouching
Our retouching delivers casting-ready files at full resolution. We size each crop for agency portals and headshot card formats.
This was my first experience with Julian Dolman who had come highly recommended, and he certainly didn't disappoint. My teenage daughters had a fabulous time and learnt so many new skills about working in front of the camera. They quickly gained confidence as the atmosphere was fun and relaxed. They were both so impressed with the results that they had enormous difficulty choosing their final headshots. I am incredibly happy with the results and would have no hesitation in recommending Julian.
Are you ready to create your Kid or Teen headshots?
Kids & Teen Headshot Shoot Locations
Our specialised Brunswick East studio offers a great location for most shoots. We also shoot on location across Melbourne for more natural-light or character-driven looks.
In our Brunswick East Studio
Our Factory 4 studio on Herbert Street, Brunswick East, is set up for headshots. We have both controlled studio lighting and a natural light setup. It is 12 minutes from the CBD and within easy reach of Carlton, Fitzroy, Northcote, Coburg, and Thornbury. We offer free on-site parking.
On-location
For school-aged kids who don’t travel well, or teens who’d be more relaxed in a familiar setting, we offer shoots at outdoor locations near you. Outdoor sessions deliver the natural-light and character-driven shots agents often request.
Frequently asked questions about kids & teen headshots
How long does a kids or teen headshot session take?
60–90 minutes for younger kids, up to two hours for teens with multiple looks. We don’t want tired, glassy-eyed shots that won’t land castings so sessions don’t run longer than your child can hold attention. Proofs within three business days, final files within another five.
How much do kids and teen headshots in Melbourne cost?
Pricing for kids headshots and teen headshots in Melbourne depends on session length, number of looks, and the number of final images. We offer packaged options for first-time agency submissions and scaled pricing for siblings shot in the same booking. Send through your child’s age and the agency or purpose for your quote.
What if my child is shy or nervous on the day?
This is the question every parent asks, and it’s the most important one. Julian’s experience enables him to draw expression out of nervous subjects without forcing it. We don’t rush, we don’t pose, and we don’t shoot until the child is comfortable. If your kid needs to spend the first twenty minutes meeting Cole the dog before the camera comes out, that’s how we’ll start.
Do you offer agency referrals?
We work with several Melbourne talent agencies and can introduce families to the right agent where there’s a genuine fit. We won’t refer a child to an agency that isn’t right for them.
Are parents allowed to stay during the shoot?
Always. Parents stay present for the full session. There is no point in the shoot where your child is alone with the photographer.
How often should you update headshots for kids and teens?
For kids under 12, every 6–9 months, or sooner if there’s been an obvious change. New hair, lost teeth, growth spurts, all call for new headshots. For teens, every 12–18 months is the guideline. Out-of-date headshots are the single most common reason a casting submission gets ignored.
Do you shoot siblings together?
We often run back-to-back sessions for siblings in the same booking. This keeps the cost per child down and makes the day easier on the parent.
Do you provide retouching?
Every image gets professional retouching. For kids and teens, we keep retouching light. Agencies and casting directors need to see the child as they are. We retouch to look natural, not airbrushed. Our process addresses blemishes, stray hairs, and eye clean-up. No smoothing, slimming, or altering facial features.
Book Your Kids or Teen Headshot Shoot
Enter your details below to book a call with us. On the call we discuss your shoot in more detail and make sure we can deliver exactly what you need.
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