Elvis Winterbottom Actor headshots at the Los Angeles studio

Spent an afternoon at the Downtown studio with actor Elvis Winterbottom, in for a set of headshots built to carry across casting briefs. We talked a great deal between setups, and he turned out to be genuinely interesting company, the kind of sitter who makes the hours run away from you. We worked through a deliberate range of looks: a plain dark tee and mock neck for the stripped-back theatrical frames, a navy waffle knit, a tailored blazer over a soft blue shirt for the producer and executive read, and a weathered leather jacket for something with more grit. One man, several characters, which is exactly what a working actor needs the camera to hold.

The lighting stayed close to my usual language. Low key, shadow forward, a single dominant source modelling the face so the beard and the lines around the eyes do the work. The olive and charcoal grounds keep everything quiet and let the expression lead, while the lighter grey on the leather frames gives the headshots a cleaner, more commercial finish for the casting end of the set.

Elvis brought range and patience to the chair and moved between registers without fuss. We made some amazing shots together, and it was a real pleasure throughout. An afternoon well spent.