Devin McElvogue — Actor Headshots at the Rory Lewis LA Studio

Devin McElvogue — Actor Headshots at the Rory Lewis LA Studio

Capturing a compelling actor headshot is never about performance alone — it is about presence. For actor Devin McElvogue, our recent session at my Downtown Los Angeles studio focused on exactly that: stripping away artifice to reveal clarity, confidence, and character.

Devin arrived with a strong sense of self and an openness to collaboration, allowing us to explore a range of subtle expressions and tonal shifts. Rather than chasing exaggerated “looks,” the session centred on authenticity — images that feel lived-in, grounded, and emotionally accessible. The goal was to create headshots that casting directors can read instantly: honest, direct, and unmistakably human.

My approach to actor headshots draws heavily from fine-art portraiture. Cinematic lighting, careful shadow placement, and restrained colour palettes help sculpt the face while preserving realism. With Devin, we worked through variations in posture, gaze, and energy — small adjustments that dramatically shift how an image communicates authority, vulnerability, or quiet intensity.

The leather jacket portraits convey strength and edge without aggression, while the denim and neutral looks introduce approachability and depth. Each image is designed to serve a purpose: theatrical submissions, commercial casting, press, or digital platforms — without ever feeling over-produced.

Whether photographing emerging actors or established figures, the philosophy remains unchanged. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of creating portraits of actors such as Sir Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench, James Purefoy, and David Warner, as well as cultural and business leaders including Ray Dalio of Bridgewater Associates.

What connects these sessions is not status, but trust — and the understanding that a powerful portrait should reveal character rather than conceal it.

Each subject brings their own history, rhythm, and emotional register. My role is to listen, observe, and guide — allowing the sitter to settle into themselves while shaping the frame with precision and intention.

Devin McElvogue — Actor Headshots at the Rory Lewis LA Studio

Rory Lewis’s Los Angeles studio is designed as a calm, focused space — one that supports collaboration rather than pressure. From wardrobe guidance and expressive coaching to lighting design and meticulous retouching, every element of the session is considered with care.

Actor headshots should not feel disposable or trend-driven. They should endure. They should communicate confidence without arrogance, intensity without strain, and professionalism without stiffness. Devin McElvogue’s portraits reflect exactly that balance — images built to work hard while remaining timeless.

Rory Lewis is an award-winning British headshot and portrait photographer with over twenty years behind the camera. Internationally recognised for his cinematic, expressive portraits of actors, royalty, world leaders, and creatives, he works from his Downtown Los Angeles studio and on location in New York and London.