for Drama Institutions

The APHP is founded upon the principles of education, expertise and excellence in casting portraiture. Through our organisation, we work to promote the highest standards within the entertainment industry.  Our members include the most experienced actors headshot photographers in the industry; experts in their field who possess not just decades of photographic experience, but also un-paralleled insights into how casting photos are used in the industry.

Education is at the heart of the APHP. In a rapidly changing headshot market, through our headucation initiative, we aim to help Drama Schools educate their students about headshots within the industry. We do this through neutral workshops with our members, educating and informing actors and students, helping them to ensure they have all the information required to make the right headshot choices now, and throughout their careers.

The pressure on young actors to manage their brand as an actor, and their professional promotional portfolio as part of that brand, has never been greater. Furthermore, the range of high-quality photographers and styles available in the market place has never been so varied. But as photographers, we see the same basic mistakes; the uninformed choice of non-sector-specific photographers will result in disappointing headshots time and again.

All APHP members are Qualified and have:

  • Experience: a minimum of three years, but often decades, as a professional portraitist, shooting every kind of actor.
  • Skill: expert technical skills & superior equipment, plus keen understanding of light, composition and style
  • Knowledge: a wealth of up-to-date, industry-specific expertise.
  • Protection: up to date public liability insurance. 
  • A Duty of Care: sophisticated data back up & measures to secure images, while protecting personal information.
All APHP members abide by the Code of Conduct.

APHP members never take cash back from agents in exchange for recommendations, or work as Casting Directors, Agents or Personal Managers.

APHP Approved also means that in the rare instance you have a problem you cannot resolve with your photographer, there is a place to go to find help. See our 'What if I have a Complaint?' page



the aphp and your institution


APHP-Approved:
A symbol you and your students can trust.
Only qualified members can display the 'Approved' logo, so if you work with, or recommend, an APHP photographer, you can rely on the highest standards of professional skill and expertise. Learn More


The APHP Bursary:
A charitable initiative, giving a free headshot session to a final year student at each of the Federation of Drama Schools members, awarded by the school on grounds of financial need, academic and performance excellence. Learn More


Headshot Workshops:
Practical, up-to-the-minute advice to give your students a flying start in their headshots, while providing career-long, self-promotional advice. Learn More

What is APHP approved?

APHP-Approved is a neutral hallmark of quality and expertise in a crowded marketplace. Wherever you see it, you can be sure of working with an APHP-qualified photographer who is fair, reliable and responsible, possessing the experience, skill and knowledge to provide you with the highest quality headshots.

All content ©The APHP 2015 / Except images © individual members as noted. The APHP is a non-profit unincorporated association based in the UK. The APHP name, The APHP logo & 'H Approved' logo are trademarks of The APHP. No reuse or reproduction without express permission. Please note: The APHP assumes no legal responsibility for the choice of photographer made by individuals using this site, nor for contracts for services made between individuals or businesses and photographers. The 'H Approved' logo constitutes an indication that the individual photographer is a member of the APHP, but does not constitute a legal guarantee or endorsement and the APHP accepts no liability for the acts or omissions of its members.