Headshots are not just for "identification" anymore. They are intended, as they have always been, to show the "real" person as they currently appear and reflect their best qualities. Now there are many venues where headshots and video can be combined to promote unique qualities. The "neutral expression" headshot is still an important tool for performing artists but there should be a variety of expressions and styles that can be streamlined to "fit in" with the specific needs of the entertainment industry and used in other promotional channels, especially on-line.

Clear and creative direction:

Working in a safe, comfortable environment is very important in a portrait session. You should expect to be advised and assisted throughout the process. You should expect many variations of the classic smiling headshot and the serious headshot. Head shots, body shots, vertical and horizontal. You can collaborate with your photographer to get any special looks you'd like.

Great Lighting:

Good lighting techniques are learned and refined by professional photographers and should be customized to each person's face and body.

Both can be most effective if controlled and used creatively. Studio lighting is beautiful because it is set up to show off your best assets. Cheekbones, chiseled jaw line, clean, sharp images that are "cinematic" because you are lit in much the same way you'd be lit in a flattering manner on film and in theater.

Natural light is soft even light that fills in all the shadows and gives the illusion that "what you see is what you get." This is not entirely true, of course. Even outdoors you need some controlled light in the way of reflectors or supplemental light. Natural light images and studio images should be part of every session. They are different and you should be able to have the option to use either or both in the many venues you are now able to show off your photographs.

We do both in our session, weather permitting. If not, then we do the studio session and make another date to do our outdoor images if desired.

The actual session is the best part of the day for myself and for my client. We sit down together after their clothing is unpacked and have a cup of tea and talk about what we're going to do that day. We pick out some music they like and put it on and, if they are having hair & make-up, the stylist takes over and many clients say it's like a spa treatment to have their hair and make-up expertly and gently arranged and applied.

Once we're ready to begin I take a few shots and we look at them on the computer to check lighting, background, clothing, hair and make-up. Then, we're off into our first set up. We're talking about everything from music and movies to what they are doing and current events.

From time to time I will explain something I'm looking for and give specific direction or suggestions to help my clients get it. We are looking for variations in body language and eye contact. ….whatever I think looks relaxed, attentive and flattering. Looking for, as Henri Cartier Bresson called it, "the decisive moment." Capturing unique qualities is the job of a good portrait photographer and it is the main goal of the session. There are lighting changes and movement encouraged. At some point I'll shoot candid responses to direction or conversation and before they know it, we have a good select from the first set up and are ready to try the next thing.

We work for about 2-4 hours, depending on the session package with occasional breaks for cookies or cheese and fruit, tea and hair, make-up and clothing changes. Once we agree we have a wide select in studio lighting, we then prepare to do our natural light images.

The session is fun and all effort is geared toward making you feel relaxed and energized. You are directed through several flattering set-ups and you view your images as we work.

Yes, you will see everything before the session is over. We stop from time to time and review what we've done and plan the next set up.

The night of the session you will receive a link. When you click that link you will be in a folder with all of the contacts from your session. The contacts are large and easy to view. You are invited to do an edit of 30 or less images and then a second set of digital contacts are prepared and these contacts are "cleaned up" and this is the link you would share with your agent, manager, teacher, friends or family. Included in all sessions is the photographer's select for consideration.

Yes, they all belong to you. A disk is burned with your finals your edit from the session.

Depending on the session you choose there are 1-6 photos retouched for you. (See Fee Packages) These images are retouched, cropped, color corrected, re-sized for both print and internet. They are sent to you for approval. Additional retouched images are $15-25. Please email for "before & after" samples if you'd like.

The Importance of Hair & Make-Up for Photographs & Video:

Hair and make-up assistance and guidance are very important in these image-driven times. To get the most out of your session for both photographs and video, we recommend you have someone present throughout your session to help you with hair and make-up choices and changes. This way you'll end up with a variety of images for multiple usage on the internet and in hard copy.

This studio uses 2 of the most experienced and talented hair and make-up artists for "beauty" or headshot photography in New York City. Their work is represented in the portfolios here and on the covers of magazines and on film and television shooting sets in New York and other locations. Both are kind, funny, knowledgeable and imaginative. They will keep you feeling relaxed and looking your best throughout the entire session.

If you only require one set up as far as hair & make-up, you may opt for hair/mu for only the beginning of the session. The stylist leaves after doing the hair and make-up for the first set up. Styling takes about 45 mins to an hour and is $125.00 for women/$95 for men.

Make-up & Hair/ Cash Only

It is suggested that women have a stylist present because we are then able to achieve a good range of looks throughout the session. The stylist is available for consultation before the session. After each hair/mu change you are photographed and shown an image for approval before we start shooting that set up.

We don't suggest hair/mu for men unless they have long hair and don't feel confident about managing it. Otherwise, it is better to clean up skin, razor burns, etc. in Photoshop rather than to deal with make up problems on men's faces. Remember that almost anything can be cleaned up at your discretion. Lines, circles, skin problems, stray hair, eyes different sizes…anything you require can be done and sent to you for approval.

A comp card is a compilation page of 2-4 images of you that shows at once your range of looks and types photographically. It is designed with your name on it and is prepared for reproduction and web-upload. It used to be used only for print models because it was expensive to print but now it doesn't cost any more than a standard print. It is another great tool for the actor and one comp card is included in your session.

Yes, upon booking you'll receive a prep sheet that should answer all of the questions or you can download the "How to Prepare for your Photo & Video Session" link on the rate page.

The images are retouched and sent to you for approval. Once approved, they are uploaded to www.fairwayprinting.com or www.reproductions.com or any other lab you would like for reproduction and you are sent the email link to begin your correspondence with either of those labs or another that you choose.

A $250 session deposit is required one week before the session and this deposit holds the day for you. A 3-working-day cancellation is encouraged.

Depending on the session scheduled you'll be coming to one of the following addresses:

The Weber Studio
225 W. 28th Street
Studio 2

or

The Mirabeau
165 W. 91st St.
#2B

You will receive this information with your prep sheet.

A video headshot is a moving portrait.

It is a 1-2 min high definition video with state-of-the-art lighting and audio and includes a short interview and/or reading, some studio and location video and incorporates your still head shots along with your "moving" images. THE VIDEO HEADSHOT the future of self-promotion and gives you the chance to show how you look, sound, move and interact. It's a kind of screen test in which agents, managers and others can see the animated you along with your still head shots. For casting agents it is like an initial audition or meeting. They see exactly the person they will meet. It's a chance to show your best self and it's a film that can be sent or uploaded anywhere you'd like. Read what Michael Patterson of Steele Heroes Entertainment in Los Angeles has to say about the usefulness of video:

"Video headshots is a concept that will revolutionize how casting agents view actors and performers. While they serve an identical intent with traditional headshots, they add the benefit and depth that delivers a more complete image of what a person is in his or her physicality, presence and personality. The future of marketing, as few would contest, is video. The market place for actors and performers is becoming ever more competitive. Video headshots offer a competitive advantage in displaying and marketing actors and performers by way of its portability and impact."

The session is very much like a head shot session. It will be about 45 mins-1 hr longer if you are doing a normal head shot session at the same time. You'll be directed through some set ups for different looks and, at the same time, you'll be filmed talking, joking around, answering questions about yourself and your training, possibly doing an audition piece and generally…being yourself.

At your request, our video is automatically uploaded for you to www.reelact.com, www.actorintro.com and www.utube.com or any other site you chose and we have lists of those sites for your convenience.

You will be advised on each and every step of how to use this powerful tool in self-promotion.

Great lighting, direction, editing and tech support from start to finish are guaranteed. You have between 10-20 seconds to capture attention before the escape key is clicked. Our job is to make everyone want to watch the entire film, your short personal introduction is your first impression. We want to leave them wanting to see MORE.

See Video Headshot samples.

Yes. After you review the final video you can add clips or stills. There is an additional charge for adding outside material to your video.

Yes, this is really the best way to get the most out of the session and video is usually now included in most session packages.

Yes, you will receive a detailed list of possible questions and ideas to make the video interesting.

Yes, you will see everything before you leave.