(James Purefoy) Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, London, New York, Rory Lewis Photographer
Having been in the business of photography, with a strong focus on actors headshots, for over a decade, I’ve got an excellent understanding of what casting directors are looking for in your Actor Headshots. I’m not in the business of churning out uninventive passport-style pictures that don’t reflect who you are as a performer. I work to bring a dynamic and inspiring edge to the images you receive, and which go on to become an essential element of your portfolio.
I create shots that make you stand out from the crowd - essential when a casting director is potentially viewing thousands of different options available to them. You won’t be lost among the masses. With the right photoshoot and expertly handled images, your shots will grab the attention of the casting director and point directly to your talents and accomplishments whilst also reflecting the truth of the person you are.
Selecting Your Photographer – What to Look For
Knowing which photographer to use for your Actor Headshots can feel a little overwhelming. Can you trust them? How do they work? Do they have a proven track record? These are all valuable questions worth asking.
It may help to look at the portfolio of a photographer to see who they have photographed before now. Sir Ian McKellan, Sir Derek Jacobi, Sir Patrick Stewart, Brian Cox, Iain Glen, Natalie Dormer, David Warner and Julian Glover are just a handful of the famous names from the acting world that I have had the pleasure of working with.
(Natalie Dormer) Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, London, New York, Rory Lewis Photographer
(Tobias Menzies) Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, London, New York, Rory Lewis Photographer
Where to Look
With a schedule that is likely tough to manage - with you frequently being in different location - choosing a photographer who will be available where you are is also essential. Whilst some photographers have one base alone, Rory Lewis Photography can be found on home-turf in Liverpool but also across the UK in Manchester, Leeds and London. And if that doesn’t suit, then I’m frequently a pond-hopper and able to conduct shoots Stateside, most often in Los Angeles.
What Does the Headshot Represent?
In my experience of successful shooting, an Actor’s Headshot needs to represent one thing: energy. The energy that you will bring to the stage or screen and the character you are looking to play. To create and nurture this energy to come across in the photographs you need a relaxed session with expert guidance. Used to acting in movement, my job is to create that same energy in a still: sometimes a tricky achievement for actors used to a very different style of constant flux.
I pride myself on being able to get you to act for the camera and in so doing, teamed with my photographic knowledge, capture an image that is full of energy and dynamism. The result is a shot that will represent you as the actor or actress that you are.
What to Expect from a Headshot Shoot
When you’ve chosen me to undertake your headshots, you get direction in the same way that you are used to when working on stage or screen. Together we bring out your varied emotions, movement and characters spanning the breadth of your desired roles...from heroes to villains, hopeless romantics to cheeky comedians. Your portfolio will soon be varied and reflective of every approach you need for every casting situation.
As Edgar Alan Poe wrote, the eyes are the window to the soul, and with my direction we capitalise on this whether you’re looking for Shakespearean artistry to images expressing anger and villainy. Your acting talents will be captured in pure essence.
Staying Still for the Camera
I fully understand that actors are movers. Your energy feeds from movement and sittings aren’t necessarily naturally comfortable settings for such individuals. With my understanding and expertise we work in an improvisation class style to allow your acting talents to meet the stillness of the camera. Even if you hate having your photo taken (it is possible with actors too!) chances are you will soon come to forget that the camera is even there.
(Sir Patrick Stewart) Actors Headshots, Los Angeles, London, New York, Rory Lewis Photographer
Taking Our Time
I pride myself on offering my clients one key thing: time. I will not rush a shoot. I believe time is what makes each and every shoot successful. There will be breaks, including coffee, for banter and relaxation, which is then reflected in the next stage of the shoot. Producing energy for the shots takes careful nurturing. We will be inside and outside as possible. You never know, you might even have fun.