Your package includes 4 looks in less than 1 hour. How are you able to shoot that many looks in such a short time frame?

Because we plan your shoot ahead of time (clothing preparation, exact looks you need etc…) we know exactly what to target and accomplish when you arrive and begin the shoot. We feel that it should not take a photographer 3 to 6 hours to do a photo shoot for commercial headshots if both parties are clear on exactly what is needed instead of doing experiments at the cost of the client. We respect your time.

Why do you recommend that an actor shoot with different photographers-one for commercial headshots and another photographer for theatrical?

Most photographers specialize in one area or the other. It can be difficult to find a photographer that understands the specific style that is needed for a great commercial headshot. The style of a great commercial headshot is dramatically different than a theatrical headshot-and the difference isn’t just smiles versus no smiles (theatrical). It’s important that you shoot with a photographer that specializes in commercial headshots only for the best outcome in your shoot.

Why don’t you think it is more convenient to view proofs online that a photographer has sent to a photo lab after the shoot?

Great Question! We feel that this practice is deceptive and unfair to actors. Most photographers that send proofs to photo labs do so because the photo lab will print their promo cards for free as a way of saying thank you for sending them business. That’s right! Here’s how it works: When your photos are uploaded to a lab, when you go in to pick them up, the lab assistant will tell you in order to actually get them you will have to pay an additional fee. You can only bypass the fee (usually $25 and up for a CD!) if you place a package order for the actual photos. So, even if you had planned on placing an order elsewhere at a better price, you are now trapped unless you pay the additional fee to get the proofs. This is unethical and very sneaky on behalf of photographers that use this practice. You should never leave a photo shoot without a CD of the work. Confirm this before you shoot.

You recommend that an actor do their own make-up before and during the shoot. Why?

I’ll address this question for females since hair and make-up is a major part of the equation for photos. We recommend doing your own hair and make-up. It is important that you use natural, light make-up on your face when you actually go on an audition, that you will apply at home. In other words, you are not going to call in a hair and make-up artist every time you have an audition.

Here’s the point, most actors call in a hair make-up artist for the shoot ($75 to $100 and up) and apply heavy, camera-ready make-up and look too glamorous and unreal in the finished product. Then, they pay additional fees for Photoshop to correct the heavy make-up problems, as well as other issues (hair fly-ups, dark circles). They are actually paying 2 additional fees.

We do it smarter. Do you own hair and make-up (light and natural) for the shoot, and pay zero for it. Then if Photoshop is needed to make corrections, we have an outstanding Photoshop artist (Alex Vetangle) that only charges $25 a picture to make any and all corrections necessary. This way you don’t pay twice!

It infuriates Casting Directors when they meet an actor in person and they don’t look like the photo they submitted. You can insure that this will not happen if you do your own hair and make-up in the shoot. This way you will take to the audition your “everyday” natural look. And that is what commercial Casting Directors expect to see.