©Tess Steinkolk 2012

• Tess Steinkolk
• New York, NY
• 212.706.7062

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• Testimonials: Angelina Fiordellisi

  “Tess Steinkolk is the actor’s dream! She creates a relaxed environment so that a person’s essence is certain to emerge, and then captures it brilliantly!”

  Angelina Fiordellisi

  Founder, Artistic Director, Cherry Lane Theater

  

• Testimonials: Norm Golden

  “Tess Steinkolk isn’t a headshot photographer . . . she’s a photographic artist whose canvas just so happens to be “the headshot”.

  She cherishes the way light and shadow play off the human face. She knows how to capture your eyes so they “talk”. She understands how to bring your character off the page. Her headshots look like you, which is why we need headshots in the first place.

  And she’s a pleasure to be photographed by.”

  Norm Golden

  Actor/Director/Coach

  

• Testimonials: Joan Barber

  “Tess is the professional’s professional. My headshot session was a joy from start to finish and when I saw the results I really appreciated how much it means to choose an expert in lighting and the art of subtle re-touching. I’ve got fantastic pictures that represent me beautifully and honestly for commercial, legit and my professional voice studio. Tess, you’re the greatest.”

  Joan Barber

  Actor/Singer/Voice Teacher

  

• Testimonials: Timothy Jerome

  “As a working actor, I have for many years introduced myself to fellow professionals — including and especially potential employers — with photographs taken by Tess Steinkolk. Her photos of me are, beyond question, the best headshots I’ve ever had taken – the most expressive, the most effective. I also have a second career as CEO of Mainstreet Musicals Inc. and so, since time is precious, I rely on associates who are dependable and expeditious. Tess is both. After a photo session (whether headshot or group) with Tess, I know that I am going to have an enjoyably difficult time choosing the “best” shots because, predictably, almost ALL of her images qualify as “usable” portraits and many qualify as “best.” That’s what I call “dependability.“ Plus, Tess’ working process is “expeditious”… meaning that when I am actually in front of the camera, Tess’ charming personality takes charge quickly and in only a few short moments we have developed our most productive relationship to the camera. Without hesitation, I give Tess Steinkolk/Brown Dog Productions my highest recommendation.”

  Timothy Jerome

  Actor and CEO of Mainstreet Musicals, Inc.

  

• Testimonials: Laurence Cantor

  “Tess Steinkolk is, quite simply, the best. Her name is recognized by all of the top casting directors and agents with whom I’ve auditioned and interviewed. Two things tend to happen whenever I present one of her headshots: 1) people say “wow! That is a great picture!” and 2) people say I look just like my head shot. She has the gift to know how to encourage you to project who you are in the picture and to capture it beautifully. She’s also a brilliant videographer and working with her to produce an actor’s reel which truly captures who I am as well as what I have done was fun, enlightening and empowering. I’d recommend her work to anyone in the performing and modeling world.”

  Laurence Cantor

  Actor

  

• Testimonials: Suzanne Howard

  “Everyone should be photographed by Tess Steinkolk! Tess is at the top of the field and at the top of her game. She makes a work of art out of everyone. She’s fun to work with and puts you at ease. She is accessible before, during and after the shoot – the shoot is fun and focused; the editing is easy with quick turnaround. Her team of stylists is tops, too. Tess is a class act. And, so are her photos!”

  Suzanne Howard

  Stage Actress

  

• Testimonials: Mark Ellmore

  “In a city like New York, where there are SO MANY photographers to choose from, it can be an overwhelming task just to do research on them. Let me help you end your research right here and now…Tess is the best. I’ve had MANY photographers do my headshots over the 15 years I’ve been in the city, and I’ve never been more comfortable and alive in a session as I was with Tess. She simply knows how to get the best out of you. And, as they’ve said, it’s all in the eyes!”

  Mark Ellmore

  Stage Actor

  

• Testimonials: Gillian Goll

  “Tess is the best headshot photographer in town. As both an actor and an acting teacher, I have always been thrilled with the quality of her work, both for my own photos, and for those of the many acting students I’ve sent her way. Tess has the ability to make you feel at ease and to actually ENJOY the often uncomfortable experience of being photographed, so that your photos come out looking like you at your best. She also has a terrific eye for choosing the colors for your background, and helping you to pick your most flattering outfits that enhance your own coloring and personality to give you the best photos you’ll ever have!”

  Gillian Goll

  Acting Teacher and Actress

  

• Testimonials: Elizabeth Sudler

  “Tess is a true artist in every sense of the word. I was so impressed with her profound understanding and use of lighting during the shoot! Her photographs all tell a subtle story and are absolutely captivating. She also has a fun and completely infectious personality which puts her clients at ease and brings out the sparkle in their eyes. Her results are consistently gorgeous and I can’t wait for my next session with her! “

  Elizabeth Sudler

  Actress

  

• Testimonials: Sarah Robinowitz

  “My session with Tess was even better than what I’d imagined or hoped for. From the moment I arrived, I felt completely comfortable and at ease with Tess. After a quick run-down of the process we got into the session, which was incredibly fun, easy and carefree. Throughout the session Tess checked in, making sure that the shoot was going the direction that I wanted, and always asking for my opinion and my desired results. It was truly a collaboration to get the best possible shots for me and I am THRILLED with the final product! Tess is a wonderful photographer, and her photographs are stunning. She will bring out the best in you and you will love the process of getting there. I will certainly be calling Tess whenever I need new headshots.”

  Sarah Robinowitz

  Actress

  

• Testimonials: Keith Cobb

  “Shooting with Tess was comfortable and stressless. She was fun, energized, open to ideas and eager to please, but most of all, she’s just a really smart and skilled photographer.”

  Keith Cobb

  Theater & Film Actor

  

• Testimonials: Davis Hall

  “When I first came to New York, I tried a couple of photographers. The shots were okay, but they didn’t make me look special. After my first session with Tess, I knew I’d found ‘my photographer.’ I had fun, was relaxed, and we got great shots. That hasn’t changed. Tess knows what she’s doing, she doesn’t waste time and yet our sessions are always fun. And, yes…she makes me feel unique and photographs it! I’ve gotten jobs because a director liked my headshot (true), and I’ve heard (many times) a casting director say, ‘Good, you look like your picture.’ Our last session (as in the past) yielded shots that capture my personality. Nothing generic about them, and they’re technically excellent. Tess has always produced headshots for me that make people look twice.”

  Davis Hall

  Actor/Director

  

• Testimonials: Nigel Gore

  “I cannot recommend Tess highly enough. Shooting with her is always easy, relaxing and fun. She is an amazing person and a gifted photographer. My latest shots are working wonderfully well for me. Response from agents, directors and peers has been uniformly positive!”

  Nigel Gore

  Stage & Film Actor

  

• Testimonials: Bob Celli

  “ Tess is one of New York’s best! I have been in New York since the early 80′s, and not until Tess did my photos did I get noticed. I have now worked with her three times over the past 15 years and have never been disappointed by her level of professionalism and caring. Tess has a innate way of making you feel incredibly at ease, while making what can be a tortuous process, seem like a walk in the park. Her work is top notch, the quality is fantastic and her prices are great. If you need headshots of any kind, look no further.”

  Bob Celli

  Theater Actor

  

• Testimonials: C. Hope Belmont

  “The Best Headshots! I’ve always been pleased with my headshot sessions with Tess, but this time she simply out-did herself. They turned out amazing. We had so much fun and she created such an atmosphere of relaxation…I was really able to shine. Most importantly, tho’….is that the photos look just like “me,” which is what every performer hopes for. But the icing on the cake is when agents, CD’s and producers see my pictures, they exclaim: Wow. Now THAT’S a good Headshot!”

  C. Hope Belmont

  Theater Actress

  

• Testimonials: Jesse Christensen

  “I love Tess! Tess is everything I hoped that I would get out of the experience with her. A few years ago, I discovered her work online and called her on the telephone to make an appointment for some new acting headshots. She recommended that I find a photographer closer to me (in Boston Ma). I took her advice, but I was not as impressed as I knew I would be with Tess’s work. So, a month ago I took the trip to NYC and I must say, it was not only a blast spending the day with her, but it was more than well worth it!. If you want fantastic photographs that will get you work (not to mention her prices are amazing for what you receive) Then Tess is your lady!”

  Jesse Christensen

  Theater Actor

  

• Testimonials: Jed Peterson

  “I ALWAYS GO BACK TO TESS. When I first needed a headshot, I poured over a large stack of pictures at a reproduction studio and the ones that jumped out at me were all done by Tess Steinkolk. My first session with Tess was simply delightful and I walked away with one of the best pictures I’ve ever had. I have since gone back to Tess twice and recommended her to friends at any opportunity. She has always put me completely at east and I have always ended up with plenty of great shots to choose from.”

  Jed Peterson

  Actor

  

• Testimonials: Evan Farrior

  “After thirty minutes of working with Tess Steinkolk, I felt like we had known each other for years. As a result, the anxiety associated with being under the microscope melted away and I was able to relax and let her do her work. I am very pleased with the results. I recommend her to anyone who is looking for quality headshots.”

  Evan Farrior

  Actor

  

• Testimonials: Colleen Broomall

  “Absolutely amazing – I love this woman! She is unbelievably friendly and makes you feel totally comfortable. She’s so sweet and really knows how to capture not only your essence, but also sides of you that you didn’t even know you had! Her positive feedback and kind words while she’s shooting give you the confidence to show so many different looks and sides of your personality. I’ve shot with her twice and loved the results, which were also used in press materials when my movie was released. The post-shoot correspondence is fantastic as well, as she truly wants you to be 150% satisfied and loving the final product. Every person I’ve referred to her has been completely thrilled and I look forward to shooting with her again very soon! Cannot recommend her more – FAR better than any other photographer I’ve ever shot with.”

  Colleen Broomall

  Film Actress & Journalist

  

• Testimonials: Bryant Martin

  “Headshot excellence! I really needed new headshots, to say the least as my old ones looked like a high school grad photo. I went to Tess and she blew me away. She was so accommodating and helpful. She explained everything and never tried to sneak in any hidden costs. She was able to get the album cover for an original song I wrote and we were even able to sneak in a few quality headshots during the sessions. If you want great shots and want someone with you every step of the way you should definitely shoot with Tess. And as a bonus you get to meet the coolest dog in the world.”

  Bryant Martin

  Musician & Actor