Porter came too! All it took was a great fetching stick to get him to pose like a good boy! <3
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I've been doing photography for over half of my life and specifically focusing on actors' headshots for the last four years or so. Naturally, I have some opinions, largely in part because I've seen too many actors spend their hard earned money on headshots that are below industry standards or don't represent them. Your headshot is your calling card. It is the MOST IMPORTANT piece of marketing material you can have as an actor, followed by your reel and resume. Take the extra month to save up to have drop dead amazing shots. It'll make a world of difference. I ask you, WHAT DOES YOUR HEADSHOT SAY ABOUT YOU? So, what makes a great headshot, you ask? Let me tell you... 1) It looks like you. You'd think that's an obvious statement, but apparently it's not. It's so, incredibly important to have a headshot that looks like you. I tell clients to do their own makeup, because after all, we don't all have makeup artists available to beautify us before each audition, am I right? Make sure you don't throw casting directors for a loop when you walk into their offices... look like your photo. Also, show some physical range-- change your hairdo, add/remove makeup during the shoot, throw on your glasses, etc. Discuss wardrobe with your photographer as well; it can make a huge difference in the outcome of your photos. A great photographer will have opinions and recommendations for you. 2) It FEELS like you. Are you quirky? Your headshot should say that. Are you intense? Make sure your headshot is too. Don't just lean on your looks; bring your personality to your shoot. If you have a great headshot photographer, they'll ask you the right questions and know how to speak to you to bring out each side of your personality and make sure your headshots represent you. They'll also choose locations and lighting that lend themselves to each vibe you're going for. 3) It's well-lit and professionally shot. You should be the main subject in your headshot, with your face and particularly eyes well-lit. Framing, positioning, lighting, color and focus are all parts of the equation. A professional headshot photographer will have all these aspects down pat. Be sure to book with someone who specializes in actor headshots, as there are many different kinds of photographers, but not everyone is a headshot photographer. Be sure to review your potential photographer's portfolio before booking a session with them. All of these aspects of a great headshot are most dependent on two things: - HIRE an excellent headshot photographer - SHOW UP prepared, well-rested and emotionally open to show who you are Remember, you get what you put in, financially and emotionally. Do your research. There are endless photographers out there, but only a handful of very talented headshot photographers. I hope this helps and that we can all raise the bar for headshots in Atlanta! Isn't Bethany a knockout!? Not only is she a beautifully talented actress, but one of my closest friends, which made it SO fun to shoot with her! We have a very similar Free People / bohemian / flower child style, so styling a shoot for her was kind of like doing one for myself. Years ago, during a day of exploring in North Georgia, I came across what I like to call the Buggy Graveyard. I did a photo session up there way back then but had always wanted to go back and Bethany was the perfect subject for that location.
Most people want to break out of prison. Patrick and I, we break in. Ok, so maybe it's not an functioning prison anymore, but it was once. I've wanted to shoot at the Atlanta Prison Farm for quite some time and Patrick Logan, a super talented actor friend of mine, was the perfect person to bring for the occasion. Not only is he big and could protect me if some crazy person came out from behind a set of rusty prison bars, but his look and vibe lend perfectly to the atmosphere there. This historic East Atlanta location was in operation from 1945 to 1995, but now sits burnt and defunct, overgrown with kudzu and splattered with graffiti. A really cool thing about shooting with Patrick was that I got to play around with some shots that aren't my typical style, but that I think turned out pretty great. I love the dark, tough, gritty nature of these. **Though this abandoned place is surely calling to all urban explorers, be warned that you are at risk when going here. We were lucky enough to wrap up our shoot just as some SWAT guys showed up to kick us out... and very, very lucky not to get in more trouble than just a stern talking to. I recommend getting permission before entering.
About three years ago, my dear friend, Lidia, made a big decision for her family. She and her husband moved from New York to Illinois in search of a simpler life for their sweet twins, who at the time were a year old. Though she and I have been able to see each other and work together several times over those three years, it was never in her new home, so I finally set aside a long weekend to head up there to visit them... and their little new addition! They added another boy to their family, Christian Henry, a month ago! We didn't do a traditional family photo session, rather, we took photos here and there throughout the weekend-- at home, at a farm, in a cornfield. Between one cloudy day that made the skies so interesting and another perfect fall day with that golden light every photographer loves to play with, we snapped quite a few photos. Here are a handful of them! I just love when babies make this "whatchu talkin bout" face! (above)
Guys! It's been almost a year since I last posted a blog-- sorry!! Life gets crazy, but I assure you, it's been adventure-filled. Now that the weather is cooling down and I'll be spending a little more time indoors, I'll be updating the blog more. I've found that I'll hold onto a set of photos because I want to edit them, but then when it comes down to it, they are pretty cool all on their own. Nearly all of my other urban exploration photos are unedited, so this set is the same. I've played with a couple of them, but otherwise, they're untouched. This set of photos is from early spring 2015. My friend, Kelsie (www.SalvationPhotography.com) and I went on an adventure out to Madison, Georgia. We heard that there were some abandoned plantation houses worth checking out, so we decided to make a day of it. Our main goal was one house in particular (pictured below), but we made a few stops along the way. Thanks for being such an awesome model and adventure partner, Kelsie!!
I am so blessed to be surrounded by many talented friends and artists, and this shoot is the perfect example of artistic collaboration. I had originally dreamed up the idea to do a bridal shoot a couple years ago, styling it in a way that expresses my personal style-- bohemian, sun-kissed and dreamy. Over time, I discovered many people in my life who would also benefit from such a shoot. First off, you'll notice the girls are wearing several different headpieces, which have all been designed by my good friend, Suzy, owner of Blue Dew Design. The headpieces and boutonnières shown here, as well as many more, can be purchased on her Etsy store here: Blue Dew Design Next, the majestic horse, Spirit, was brought on board by my friend, Anne. Anne has been wanting to get Spirit involved in more weddings. They are located at Dovetail Farms in Marietta, GA and are available for bookings! To have Spirit at your wedding or event, click here: Bridal Horse Dreams After that, another friend of mine, Clairetia, volunteered to do makeup for the shoot. Clairetia has quickly become my go-to makeup artist who most of my clients use on shoots with me. She does beautiful work and is so easy to work with. To book Clairetia for your next shoot, email her at flatteringfaces@gmail.com. Modeling, we had the handsome Josh Henry as our groom, the gorgeous Emily Eplan as our bride and the adorable Kristina Adler as her bridesmaid. Additionally, Brock Hanson and Elliot Liss of Jump Cut Collective came out to do some videography of the morning's shoot. The work these guys do never fails to tell a breathtaking story. Can't wait to share their footage... that may be a different blog in the near future. Jamie Miles rocked it as my right hand man, assisting with anything and everything that came up... thank you, Jamie!! Thank you so much to all involved! You guys are amazing XO
Doesn't Ari belong in a Free People ad??
These portfolio-building shoots for young models are quickly becoming my favorite kind of shoot to do. Not only do I get to be a little more creative with them, but it's pretty exciting to help someone figure out their path, find their voice and teach them how to express themselves in a photo. I look forward to seeing what Ari and all my other models do down the road. Model: Ari / MUA: Clairetia Dave / PA: Jamie Miles / Photographer: Nicole Kovacs
Model: Mary Ann / MUA: Clairetia Dave / PA: Bethany Tiller / Photographer: Nicole Kovacs
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