Headshots in Los Angeles — Composer James Dooley Sits for New Portraits

Headshots in Los Angeles — Composer James Dooley Sits for New Portraits (Rory Lewis Photographer 2025)

This week in Los Angeles, I had the pleasure of photographing Emmy Award–winning composer James Michael “Jim” Dooley, one of the most prolific musical storytellers working in film, television, and games today. Known for his work with Hans Zimmer at Remote Control Productions and for scores spanning Pushing Daisies, inFAMOUS, Epic Mickey, Secret Obsession, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions, and The Da Vinci Code, James has shaped the soundscape of modern screen music for over two decades.

For our session, James visited my Downtown Los Angeles studio, where we created a series of cinematic, expressive headshots that reflect the intensity, creativity, and craftsmanship behind his work. As a composer whose music bridges emotional warmth with powerful dramatic texture, it was important to build portraits that felt equally layered — images that capture both the artistic mind and the human behind the music.

Headshots in Los Angeles — Composer James Dooley Sits for New Portraits (Rory Lewis Photographer 2025)

Working with composers is always a fascinating experience. They spend their lives shaping atmosphere, tension, melody, and emotion — and translating that into a portrait requires a quiet, considered approach. With James, the process was collaborative from the very first frame. We experimented with sculpted, directional lighting to echo the deep contrasts and rich tonal qualities often found in his scores. Subtle shifts in expression gave each image a sense of narrative — the exact quality casting directors, studios, and creative executives look for when connecting a face to a body of work.

Headshots in Los Angeles — Composer James Dooley Sits for New Portraits (Rory Lewis Photographer 2025)

James Dooley’s career began in New York before he moved to Los Angeles to study with legendary composers including Christopher Young, Elmer Bernstein, and Leonard Rosenman. In 1999, he joined Hans Zimmer as chief technical assistant, and from there contributed additional music and arrangements to major films such as Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Matchstick Men, Pearl Harbor, Tears of the Sun, and The Ring. His television work includes Pushing Daisies, Wilfred, Mockingbird Lane, and The Last Ship, while his compositions for video games — from inFAMOUS to Knack — have earned him major industry accolades including the G.A.N.G. Award for Best Original Soundtrack Album.

To create new portraits for an artist with such a wide body of work is a privilege. Our session in Los Angeles focused on clarity, confidence, and atmosphere — images suitable for press profiles, composer reels, keynote appearances, studio presentations, and promotional materials. Whether a client is a performer, executive, or creative professional, my goal remains the same: to reveal presence, personality, and purpose in every frame.

James brought a quiet energy and focus to the session — the same qualities that define his musical voice. The resulting portraits feel timeless and honest, balancing professionalism with cinematic depth.

If you are a composer, director, producer, or creative professional in Los Angeles seeking new headshots or branding portraits, my Downtown LA studio offers a relaxed, detail-driven experience tailored to your needs. From expressive direction to professional lighting and retouching, each session is designed to create images that truly represent your craft.