Actors and performers need headshots because they serve as their primary visual resume and professional calling card, and in a fiercely competitive industry, a high-quality headshot is often the very first thing agents and casting directors see.
Our studio in central Exeter was borne out of a need for a setting to create high quality headshot images in a controlled studio setting. We have photographed many people from the world of acting as well as performers, dancers and singers.
Each face can be lit sympathetically to communicate the uniqueness of it.
Many photographers offer headshot services but few are able to deliver the quality of the studio lit settings we provide from our Southernhay studio in Barnfield Crescent, Exeter.
Why Do You Have So Much Photographic Equipment?
We use high quality Nikon cameras and generally select one of a selection of suitable lenses. In truth, the lens choice, the settings and the camera rarely change. Colour is calibrated at the beginning of each shoot so one could be forgiven for thinking that nothing much changes. But, on each headshot session, a number of lighting modifiers may be used on a single face. We have a huge selection of beauty dishes, soft-boxes and frankly quite rare and obscure modifiers that will take the light and shape it to suit the face.
The differences may be subtle. Sometimes there are surprises, a particular modifier just makes the face light up.
Similarly there are a range of backgrounds. We have our own take on white background, hi-key, lighting. And then there is the lovely Oliphant hand painted canvas background cloth. It is very difficult to explain why a sheet of duck-canvas that was painted grey on a New York warehouse floor should be such a prized (and expensive) item, but it just does the job.
Why Studio Shoots Win
We can and will photograph outside of the studio, but, the studio experience is much more productive. Many photographers in London offer outdoors shoots in part because studio space is so expensive. Whilst Devon offers a wide range of locations, many, such as city centres, have restrictions for commercial photography. Beyond that, Devon weather is unbelievably changeable. In addition, clothing changes can be a logistical nightmare.
In practice, the studio space makes for a good productive environment where the conditions and particularly the lighting and be controlled.
What Should I Wear?
We have a separate lockable changing room with clothes rails, an iron, and even a small steamer. That said, if I had one overarching suggestion, it would be, keep it simple and bring clothes that are ready to wear and don’t need prepping. Ideally clothes that fit you! It’s good to be able to see the face and neckline. As a rule you will be supplied wider crops but also 8/10 tighter headshot format so the neckline ideally needs to work. Bardot, off the shoulder tops look fine when shot wide but closer crops are a challenge.
Dark or light? I’ve been told that the local college recommends dark or black tops for headshots. Many of the images above show that this can work well. Light, or white can draw the eye away from the face, though this is very dependant on skin colouring and hair.
Aim to bring a few looks but remember it’s not a dressing up show, the photographs are about you, your face, not the clothes designer. That said, people often have items that they are really comfortable in and it shows. In practice clients often bring more looks than are needed for the session but this adds to the possibilities.
For those with hair (not me) differing hair styles can instantly introduce a totally different look. Clips, scrunchies and of course a brush are hugely valuable.
How Should I Prepare?
A headshot portrait is an interactive thing, it’s not something that is ‘done unto you’. As such, I am trying to work with my subjects, not against them. I repeatedly have sitters comment that the session was ‘much more relaxed than the expected’ but, we are both here to do a job. And that is to capture a range of strong image. It is a performance from both sides of the lens.
Ideally, attend a session feeling refreshed. If it’s raining, bring a brolly. If you wear makeup, bring the makeup and ideally start ‘light’. Skin breakouts are generally easier to retouch out than bad makeup attempts.
What Ages do You Photograph?
We have photographed a solid mixture of actors, both young men and women as well as experienced working actors and actresses. Educators too. Many of our younger subjects are attending local colleges such as Exeter College.
At any age you are welcome to be accompanied but we ask that anyone under the age of eighteen has accompanied by a responsible adult.
Are These Suitable for Agents and Spotlight?
Absolutely, these are the intended audiences, although the photos are often taken to widen the range of uses, particularly if you are running your own promotions or website. Images are supplied in Hi-res, Lo-res and 8/10 format. The high resolution files will print to a very large size, whereas the low resolution files are suitable for posting to agents or Spotlight. On occasions the agents have made cropping suggestions, particularly for the 8/10 files that they often use.