a Baltimore/Harford County based Photography Studio
Although I shoot a lot of actor headshots with a more commercial feel, recently I have had more requests for theatrical headshots. I am enjoying the change to a bit more dramatic, simple lighting and backgrounds that really let the strength of the subject’s features take center stage.
Actor/singer Ceci Smith
Theatrical headshot for actor/singer Kiley Earnest
Actor/dancer Alex DeVito
Actor/Dancer Mali Black
Actor and fitness model Sam Trejo Jr.
New marketing headshots for realtor Ron Chapman
Restaurant marketing specialist Samantha Jenkins, images for website
Financial executive environmental headshot
Life is short, change your focus, learn something new…why not?! This very handsome guy decided to give acting and commercial print work a try in his 40’s and I think he is going to do very well! This was his first headshot session so we decided to do some character shots along with traditional headshots to show off his range.
The talented Matthew Crawford. This gentleman is not only a Baltimore/DC theater actor and instructor but also specializes in stage combat. If you have ever attended the Maryland Renaissance Festival, you may have seen him in action! There is no doubt in my mind we will see him do more TV and film roles very, very soon.
2023 has been busy and fun. I have had many new headshot clients as well as some returning advertising clients. These are samples from my recent shoots.
Casey came to me wanting some varied character headshots. We discussed her “types” and she felt like she would do best with “kindergarten teacher” “girlfriend” “lawyer” and of course we did one that was just her everyday look.
She was fantastic! She brought a wonderful variety of colorful clothing as well as business attire. Casey was also not afraid to get into character and give me lots of great expressions.
Makeup/hair Lisa Jones-Butz
Headshot sessions have been off the hook lately…back to doing my favorite kind of work. Some are actors, some models, some business portraits and I love all these sessions.
If you are planning to update your headshots, be sure to think about what types of roles you are most likely to book. It’s important to get a simple, polished photo that just shows YOU, but you also should think about varying your other looks to better represent your “type.”
When it comes to wardrobe, I can’t stress this enough…bring choices! That doesn’t mean three or four t-shirts in different colors. Think layers, colors, different necklines keeping in mind the different looks you want to portray.
These are from a recent headshot session and I thought she did a fantastic job choosing her types and had plenty of clothing to suit each look.
Some additional advice on getting started! https://www.dailyactor.com/how-to-become-an-actor/
There are a lot of reasons one photographer might charge more than another….
TIME: I don’t have time limits to my sessions…I hate feeling rushed and I certainly don’t want my subject to feel rushed. So be careful of that cheap “one hour” session price some people may offer. I am also happy to spend the time needed before your shoot to send you suggestions for wardrobe, show you sample shots to help you prepare and answer any & all questions you may have.
EXPERIENCE: I have been shooting for most casting agencies and managers in the Baltimore/Washington/PA area for over 20 years. I am on the suggested photographers list provided by AFTRA/SAG. This experience has taught me that the best acting headshots are not necessarily the prettiest picture of you. They are a tool to show your personality and should represent the real you. Not the “Instagram filters, overly retouched…let’s make my eyes bigger and my nose smaller with these apps version of you.” Embrace what makes you different and show your quirks.
Why hire an experienced professional? Because the cheapest photographer is probably just starting out, putting together a portfolio, or is doing photography part time to supplement another income. WHILE THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT– all of us started somewhere — his or her rookie status probably means the $75.00 photographer hasn’t a clue about industry standards for headshots, won’t know proper lighting or retouching and contrary to popular belief, you can’t learn all that by watching a few YouTube videos.
On the other hand, just because a photographer is the most expensive, doesn’t mean they are the best either.
For a brief period, I stopped shooting and became a director for a casting/modeling agency. It was short lived, but I learned a lot about why some casting people choose one person over another. Since the headshot is the first step in getting that coveted role, some people thought if they traveled to New York and hired a photographer, they would get a significantly better headshot than if they used someone locally. So the logic was “if I pay more, it must be better…right?!” “If I pay to have someone in NY do my headshots, I am more likely to get that audition…right?!”
Let me explain why this is flawed thinking on so many levels. First, just because someone lives in New York or LA, that doesn’t make them a better photographer…it just means they pay way more studio rent than I do. Photographers in larger markets have to charge more to survive. Paying more doesn’t always get you a better product. Do I believe you should pay for a great product…absolutely! There are some really talented photographers in the Baltimore area, each with a slightly different style and personality.
“SO YET ANOTHER REASON to invest in your headshots– because it means you’re invested in your craft, which in turn means you’ll be taken more seriously.”
APPARENTLY, IF YOUR HEADSHOT DOESN’T LOOK PROFESSIONAL, the experience from the casting side is that if they call you in, you’ll likely be green (inexperienced), thus deterring them from calling you in at all.
This is a quote by one of LA’s top headshot photographers, Vanie Poyey, and I couldn’t agree more. Even if you are just getting started, if you want to present yourself as an actor worth hiring, you should approach all aspects of the business as a professional.
Badass and beautiful compression socks. This shoot was mainly about product shots for the updated website but we also did a handful of model shots with some real life customers. Taylor is a singer, power-lifter and all around amazing lady. Then there was the handsome Myles who is a personal trainer and incredibly fun to photograph. Rachel works for the brand and is the face of most of the fun Lily Trotters videos on Instagram. This shoot was done in my Harford County based studio.
