There's no hard and fast rule for how often you should update your actor headshots. A common guideline within the industry is every two to three years, but the simple answer is this: if your headshots no longer look like you, it's time for new ones.

That might be sooner than you think. If you've cut your long hair, shaved your beard, changed your hair colour or your appearance has changed significantly... it's time for new headshots. The last thing you want is for a casting director to call you in based on your headshot and then wonder who's just walked through the door.

Casting directors expect your headshot to be an honest representation of the person who walks into the audition room. If your appearance has drastically changed, or you simply feel your current headshots no longer represent who you are, it's worth investing in an update.

Many actors also refresh their headshots as their career develops. The first time I had professional headshots taken I was around 17. I kept using them until I was about 24, when a friend asked, "Do you have an up-to-date headshot? You don't look like that anymore."

They were right.

Looking back, I'd changed a lot, but because I saw myself every day, I hadn't really noticed. So, the roles you're right for at 18 are often very different from the roles you'll be considered for at 25 or 35. As your casting changes, your headshots should evolve with you.

It's also worth thinking about the quality of your current images. If your headshots are several years old, or you feel you've grown in confidence since they were taken, a new session can make a huge difference.

A lot of actors can feel tempted to keep old headshots because they have booked work with them. While it's understandable, remember that it wasn't the photograph that got you the role, it was you. Your headshots should always represent who you are today, not who you were a few years ago.

If you're unsure whether it's time for an update, ask your agent, acting coach or trusted friends for their honest opinion. Sometimes we're the last people to notice how much we've changed.

At the end of the day, your headshots should give you confidence every time you submit for a role. If they don't, that's usually a good sign it's time for something new.

Your headshots are your introduction before you ever step into the room. Make sure they're introducing the person you are today, not the person you were five years ago.