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sharpfocus photography

actor headshots: studio or location?

November 27, 2014 by admin-91

actor's headshot of black teen in washington dc

studio allows for better control of catchlights in the eyes

if you’re thinking of having some headshots for castings, you may have weighed the options: studio or on location. though it may not be critical, it’s sometimes worth asking which is better for increasing chances of getting an audition. the answer is not clear-cut. some photographers prefer shooting in studio because of the control that it gives. but there are no distinct differences in quality between natural light and artificial lighting.

when shooting on location, there may be issues with the trees, building, cars passing by and even gawkers in the backdrop. the picture should be very carefully framed to crop out any distracting elements. one advantage of the studio is you can choose a plain background so the focus is on your face. the white walls eliminate all color casts. it’s only you and the photographer.

actor's headshot of a young man in blue jacket and dark background

in a studio, you can change backgrounds in a snap

if you have to choose on-location for your photo shoot, discuss it in advance with your photographer. select an area with a lot of dynamism, without objects getting in the way. a wall without too much texture, a blue sky may be your best option. or out of focus backdrop, as long as it’s not too colorful.

you need to be also mindful, when you shoot outdoors, everything is a reflector. in a wooded area the trees around you will cast a lot of green from the foliage. another issue when shooting headshots outside is the sun. when it’s too bright, it’s very hard for people not to squint. one technique is for the subject to close their eyes and open only when the photographer is ready to press the shutter release. another technique is to have the subject turning their backs on the sun and use a reflector to bounce back light into their faces. it’s also important to look wide awake so as to let your eyes smile.

actor's headshot of a young man in the street

on location, objects in the background can be distracting

unlike a portrait which is purely for personal use, actors headshots are photos that will be viewed and judged by an agent or a casting director. one important thing is the ability to express something through the eyes. when you take photos in the shade, the eyes may become dull and lifeless. being able to show the color of your eyes is very important.

without any direct source of lighting, it may be hard for the eyes to show catch lights. being able to use a reflector to bounce back light on to the face can solve that issue. If you’re not sure, ask to see some pictures taken in natural light or go to the photographer’s website. the most important factor when shooting on location of course, nature has got to cooperate. if you have very little leeway in changing the date and time, it’s good to check the weather forecast.

actor's headshot of a black man sitting on the lawn

some backgrounds compete with the subject in brightness

the best times for taking portraits of people is when the sun is not too high. that’s about 2 hours after sunrise and 2 hours before sunset. you should avoid cloudy days and of course, when it’s raining. the light may be pleasing to the eye but it has limited contrast and may affect the quality of the images. so the final word is that it depends on what you’re more comfortable with. also the weather and your photographer’s ability to pull off some tricks to get you the right shots. cost may be involved too. some photographers will charge more whether you shoot in a studio or on location. make sure you ask all the right questions before making your decision.

additional resources:
the challenges and advantages of studio and natural lighting

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Paula Murrain
Paula Murrain
14:53 03 Mar 17
The photographer did a great job and I was very happy with the outcome.
Elizabeth Kleemeier
Elizabeth Kleemeier
14:23 09 May 16
I will use Souleye's services again. He took a great passport photo of me and then handled all the rigmarole of printing the photos to US Passport Agency specifications. He also did some great shots for my professional website. He is a very patient and friendly person to work with.read more
SharonDesiree
SharonDesiree
02:32 13 Feb 16
I came to Sharp Focus photography for professional headshots for my website. The photographer was well prepared with various cameras, light setups and a makeup artist. The makeup artist did two styles with me, and the photographer got me from various angles and different lighting. Over all it was an enjoyable experience and he was very helpful with adding final touches to the images, making them look more natural and editing flyaway hair. Would definitely recommendread more
Tanj C
Tanj C
18:52 14 Dec 15
Souleye Cisse is a wonderful artist! He pays close attention to detail in order to create wonderful works of art with his clients. If you would like to create quality photographs with an artiste who takes his talent serious but, makes sure models are comfortable and appreciated, I highly recommend him. read more
Joshua Clute
Joshua Clute
18:57 09 Nov 15
Souleye is a great photographer and gets the job done. What impressed me was how involved he was after the shoot. He went beyond the job description and helped me get my new actor headshots done on the same day. I asked for an appointment on Thursday and had my shoots taken and touched on Saturday. He is also a great value. I would recommend him to my family and friends.read more
Elaina Cokinos
Elaina Cokinos
18:16 20 Nov 12
My experience working with this photographer was excellent. He really took his time and did a wonderful job. He took many different kinds of shots and I put on many different outfits. Sharpfocus photography does not have high prices, and can easily adjust to anyone's schedule. I was very happy with the way my photos turned out. Thanks Sharp Focus! read more
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