I had the chance to shoot actor head shots for this black woman from dc on a slow january month while people were almost broke from the holidays. she wanted to go to a casting call for a new tv-show in need of a black female actor. the pictures were needed for an audition in new york the coming weekend. she had brought three wardrobe changes for the different looks. I thought she had something enigmatic in her look and could well play parts in dramas. she has intense serenity in her look. she had barely-there makeup. I engaged her in conversation just to distract her and capture the right expression. I would give her hints to make her headshots pop by trying to make her smile but she had this serious look on her face.
I did a few different shots with different lighting and angles. we came up with a nice selection of pictures. I needed to do some retouching fast enough. also I usually give actors two complimentary prints with their names on them. I had to send out to a lab in washington dc so I could get them back in time. she was very happy and I think a casting director looking at her picture would find something unique in her look. maybe that’s who she is. how she is. it must be her natural look. actors who look natural and show some character, increase their chances getting an audition.
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