Pro Image Studio

Actors Headshots Done The Right Way

2012-01-17T02:14:00.000Z

Today I would like to talk to you about headshots and in general photo sessions for performing arts talents. In London the prices vary from £50 to about £300 (I'm sure you could even get one free. Hey, these days everyone is a photographer!) So is it worth paying the premium? Well, if you serious about your career the answer is Yes. Inexperienced photographer will seat you down, shout "Now look your best!!!" and fire thousand frames in 30mins praying that one of them will come alright. Than it goes to photoshop (pirate version ;) where one click, good for all effect is applied. If you lucky you get it on disc if not you get it by email. Sounds about right? Drop me a comment if I've missed something.

So how should it be done? I guess there is no one right answer but I can tell you how I do it. My sessions last around 3 hours. You may be surprised but only part of it is actual photo shoot. We start with that famous "seat down and look your best" series, which will be no doubt the worst few shots from the entire session, but there is good reason for doing it. Now we can discuss what went wrong. We analyse the photos, then go in front of the mirror and look how we could improve things just a touch. We try different angles and expressions. We work on your facial muscles memory so you can strike "the look" instantly in any situation, be it a red carpet or your aunties 60th birthday. It's a skill that takes practise but can be mastered. Have your ever noticed that big Hollywood stars barely ever get caught "off guard"? They not super humans, they simply know how to look good in front of the camera. Somebody has taught them.
So on the end of the day you not only end up with the best images you have ever had but also with knowledge and experience that you will be able to use and further develop throughout your long and successful career.

Below a few pictures from my last session with young and very talented actress Nicola.
Those images were taken before she knew how pretty she really was. (I hope she won't kill me for it ;)

And those were taken after our coaching session.

A letter on my door step. Portraits are more than a paper.

2012-01-03T13:59:00.000Z

This is a reprint of the story originally posted by great children, family and portrait photographer Jeanine Thurston. I feel really touched by this so I wanted to share it with you guys.

Janine wrote:

There will be no portrait photos in this post. This letter wasn’t mailed – it was at my doorstep when I got home a couple months ago. I read it, I cried, and read it again – probably a hundred times by now. It wasn’t easy to read – and honestly, as much as it validates what I do for a living – I wasn’t sure I was going to share it either – Until today, when a past client said that my print prices were too expensive. If you choose to read through the letter, you will know why I’ve finally chosen to share it.

Jeanine -

Today I am writing for a couple of reasons. I have some quiet time at the moment and need to get a couple of things off my mind. I will leave this for my husband to deliver to you when he is ready.

You photographed my wedding, you photographed my first pregnancy and my first baby. I contacted you awhile back to photograph my 2nd child and family. After getting prices and realizing I would want all of the pictures as we love your work – I decided against spending $500+ – which is what I normally spend for portraits and prints with you.. Please know it is not because I don’t value your amazing eye, or how much we love the experience.

That week that I decided to NOT do a session with you, this is how I spent some money.

On Sunday I called and cancelled our session. Monday I went out and got my hair cut ($39+tip), and colored ($65), Thursday I had my nails done ($24), my family went out to dinner at a somewhat expensive restaurant for no particular reason costing us $79 + tip. This was just 4 days since canceling our session, already totaling over $200 for un necessary things. My nails only lasted about 2 weeks, my hair is gone, and seven weeks passed when I got the phone call from our doctor. It was not something I expected and the cancer has spread very quickly. I will be leaving my husband, my 6 year old girl and my now 2 year old – not by choice. It is very hard for me to talk about it which is why I need to write you.

I watch your Facebook page and your posts about the value of a photo and if I could give back all of those things that I purchased this few weeks after I cancelled my session with you, knowing what I know now, and have that session, well… I would do it in a heartbeat.

Now my time is done and there are no more chances for me. The next time someone cancels a session – my wish is that you forward this letter to them. Time is fragile, it is gone before you know you had it. If you charged $200 for one print it wouldn’t be enough for what it is actually worth. I cringe to think that my priorities were a manicure over a memory to pass onto my babies and husband.

My love and thanks for what you have given us from past photos. I am so sorry that I did not see it as more than paper until now.

Karen L.

Cold and Windy - Model's Portfolio Shoot

2011-12-11T03:19:00.001Z

A few days ago I photographed rather cool lifestyle model Janu. For those of you from UK I don't need to explain how nasty english weather at this time of the year could be... and so it was. 70-90 km/h wind has forced me to change my game plan drastically. My only assistant on set was Maggie, our make up artist (she's about size 0 ;) so making her hold onto even small size softbox would only make things worse cause not only would I have to worry about my equipment but also about health and safety of my lovely assistant. So instead we have settled for three Canon 580 EX II Speedlights triggered by Pocket Wizards Flex TT5 and Mini TT1, mounted on TriFlash bracket and my old trusty Manfrotto monopod. That way Maggie had only one piece of equipment to worry about and it was rather light and wind resistant. So we were ready to go! Since the freezing rain was coming off and on we had to move fast. We started off in the building right opposite our studio were we found this old and dirty loading bay. As ugly as it was, it was full of texture and had moody feel to it (see first three shots). Next we headed for the street. I know the area pretty well so we took advantage of a few tried and tested locations. Janu was brave enough to take his thick jacket off and pose for a couple of shots only in T-shirt, showing off his awesome tattoos. We were cold, the batteries were dying so it was time to go back to the studio. A few cookies and hot cup of tea put us back on our feet and we were ready for set of head-shots, which came out great.

So here it is, another lesson learned! Even though it seemed like we fighting agains all the odds (believe you me, I was so close to call the whole thing off) we did not give up and came back with shots far better then I could possibly wish for. My model has suffered (just a touch ;) but his portfolio went right through the roof!

Great outcome from miserable day!

Special thanks to my assistant Maggie, that was so bravely fighting the elements.

Spread the word, share on facebook, tweeter etc. and stay tuned for the future posts!

Jarek

Simple Motion Motorcycle Photo Set and Lighting by Dean Collins

2011-03-15T09:54:00.008Z

This days many photographers forget about real photography. Using Photoshop instead. So if you want to see how one of the best photographers and photography teacher Dean Collins have done back then.

Have a look at this video.

TRANSFORMATION - Zack Arias

2011-03-15T09:32:00.003Z

Hello Hot Spotters.

Please find few minutes and have a look on this video. It will motivate you if you are not sure about the photography or if you have some doubts about your work.