Jackie Reid An Interview: Acting, Photography and Gigs
So I’m starting a series where I’m going to be speaking with entertainment industry professionals to chat about acting, the business, and—of course—how photography plays a role.
This is for actors at all levels. You’ll get advice whether you're just getting started or have been at it for a while. I’ll talk with directors, agents, managers, acting coaches—and, yeah, the occasional photographer too.
For the first episode, I called up someone I’ve known and trusted for over a decade: Jackie Reid, founder of Lil Angels Unlimited. Jackie’s one of those people who tells it like it is.
She manages talent from age four to forever (literally—she has clients in their 80s). She's shaped careers for 30 years and still tears up when someone books a gig. That tells you everything.
The Nerves that come with interviews
I’ll admit it—I was nervous before the interview. My producer gave me the “you got this” pep talk, and Jackie instantly made me feel at ease. The result? A real, no-fluff conversation that’s full of gold for anyone trying to make it in the industry.
Here’s some of what we covered:
On how it all started
Jackie got into this because of her daughter. Ashley was booking everything, and when her original manager passed away, other parents and agents encouraged Jackie to jump in. Next thing she knew, strangers were asking her to rep their kids. Lil Angels was born.
On how the industry’s changed
Self-tapes. That’s the biggest shift. When Jackie started, you had to be in New York or L.A. and physically show up for auditions. Now? You could live in Iowa and still book a national ad. While she misses the in-person energy, she admits the pros of taping at home—do-overs, feedback, less schlepping—make a big difference for families.
On why people don’t book
Jackie doesn’t sugarcoat. If you’re consistently late, unresponsive, or skipping classes, you’re making her job impossible. She’ll try a pep talk first. But if you don’t meet her halfway, you’re out. There are too many hungry actors ready to step in.
On representation
She’s passionate about making room for actors with ADHD, OCD, Down syndrome—anyone historically left out. Her goal: to get people in the room who should be there, not just actors pretending to be someone they’re not.
On what makes a good headshot
This part was fun. I asked her how she picks shots from a session. She said parents often choose the “wall-worthy” one—the beautiful smile, the sweet face. Jackie? She picks the photo that sells. It’s not about being pretty. It’s about personality. About showing casting directors who you are before you even walk into the room.
That’s what a headshot has to do. It has to stop someone mid-scroll. It has to get you the audition. Otherwise, it’s just a nice photo.
She said something that stuck with me: “You are what gets them in the room. We’ll take it from there.”
Watch it
Jackie’s insights are honest, sharp, and full of heart. Whether you’re new to acting or sending your kid on auditions, give it a watch. You'll walk away with practical advice—and a better sense of what this business really takes.
🎥 Watch the full interview here
