Archive for the ‘Headshots’ Categorysun!Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
I have long admired Bre’s FB self-portraits. They’re simply awesome. Today I got a chance to put my own spin on her portraits. My goal was sun as a backlight for her hair. We found a park in Washougal, Washington along the river that was perfect.
Sun is a precious commodity in the pacific northwest. It was 75F and sunny today yet forecast to be rainy and high of 55F for the rest of the week! So I feel quite lucky the stars aligned I was able to photograph Bre in the sun.
© 2013 Pete Springer
portland headshot tipsFriday, May 17th, 2013
A great headshot is the cornerstone to a modeling portfolio. It will generally be the first photo a prospective client sees in a portfolio. It will be on your comp card or can simply be printed and given to potential clients at casting calls.
In general, you want your headshot to be natural and fun (unless you’re an actor who specializes in suspense/horror movies of course). The key is to leave potential clients feeling like you’d be fun to work with plus you’ll appeal to their consumers too. Light, natural makeup for women is important. Also, variety is key. That way you can switch out your headshot depending on the client.
I can definitely help you get the best headshots possible. My process is not at all like a Sears Portrait Studio. You don’t get five poses and two outfits in ten minutes and head out on your way with an 8×10. I mean if you want that, great! Head on over to Sears. But if you want a photographer who will take the time to meet with you and go over ideas and what you want to create and will guide you through the process, give me a call at 503.936.9121.
I’ve worked with models from all the major modeling agencies in Portland. I know their requirements and I know what it takes to get a natural, fun headshot. So give me a call (503.936.9121 – in case you forgot!)
model Vanessa with Sports + Lifestyle Unlimited
© 2013 Pete Springer
Ever since FB started up their pay-to-promote program, they have definitely been throttling business pages. No question about it.
Here’s an example of that. Model posted same photo I posted and she’s up to 28 likes and counting. My EXACT SAME post has 2 likes and will probably top out at 4 likes by tomorrow. Sheesh. I bet she tops at 50 likes. I see this all the time. If I post a photo, FB throttles it and maybe 200 people will see it (about 20-percent of my fan base). It’s almost enough to get me to pay to promote. Almost.
* update if you’re curious – model post of this photo has 56 likes as of this morning. My exact same post got 8 likes. *
I feel like I post some pretty decent photos on FB but the audience there (sans paying FB to actually show people the photos) is not seeing them so I’m starting to explore alternatives. FB – just a word of advice. Ease up on the throttling just a bit – people really do want to see my photos. I create great content that keeps people coming back to FB – don’t stifle that. I’m not saying my photos are the only reason someone comes to FB, but do this to enough photographers and your content starts getting kind of stale and boring.
© 2013 Pete Springer
professional headshots portlandFriday, April 19th, 2013
Here are two headshot photos recently created in studio with natural light. My preference was the one on the right. The model like the one on the left and now I agree. That’s why it’s so important to me to collaborate with people I photograph – before and after a photo session. You’re part of the process from planning to selecting photos when you work with me.
Angie
northwest lifestyleSunday, April 14th, 2013
Life in the Pacific Northwest is pretty nice in the spring. Weather warms up a bit and rain turns to showers (pretty much) instead of steady all-day torrents. Makes for a great time for photography.
Elyse is a wonderful model. This was my second session with her and I’m always amazed at the variety of images we get. She’s the only model I’ve ever worked with who can keep up with my walking pace too!
Elyse with Sports + Lifestyle Unlimited
headshot comparisonFriday, April 12th, 2013
Okay, so I’m feeling all Bob Carlos Clarke tonight and you’re in luck. It’s going to be an exciting post.
My photo is on the left, a very well know headshot photographer in town created the image on the right. I pulled both off FB where they were both posted and I’m sharing for editorial purposes.
My photo got four likes and no response from the model. Seriously, after I sent her the photos, I didn’t hear a thing. That’s my mistake for sure. I’ve been meeting with people after photo sessions to go over their photos in-person and I did not do that for this session. I sent an online gallery. Lesson learned. Meet with clients after sessions.
Anyway, Mr. Well-Known Headshot Photog Portland got 32 likes on his photo – including one from the model!
Photography is a tough industry. Sometimes you can do everything right and still not get noticed. * sigh * Even worse, based on how the photos were posted on FB, I think the model first hired me, didn’t like the photos, and hired this guy. Ouch. I am seriously licking my wounds over this one.
“‘Cause I try and I try and I try and I try
Nah – ain’t that bad really. I just see so many other photographers get so many “likes” for work they post on FB when I seem to average three or four likes. I can’t figure it out. I see crappy out of focus photos getting ten times the likes I get on FB. Time to hit the camera with a hammer so it messes up the focus I guess. I am definitely not a FB or social media hero. I am still well under a thousand FB likes for starters.
And I feel like I’m shooting some really great headshots right now. Headshots I want to see. Natural light. Natural expressions. It’s tough when you pore your heart into something and don’t even get a shoulder shrug in response. Yeah, that’s me being a sensitive artist. Back to our regularly scheduled blog after this post.
portland headshot photographerTuesday, April 9th, 2013
Keepin’ busy lately and loving it. Here’s a headshot, portrait, portfolio image, or whatever you want to call it from today.
I first photographed Nicole on the Columbia River a couple years ago. I was so impressed I immediately arranged a test shoot with horses and Nicole and a new makeup artist I had just met. That went well and I recommended Nicole as the model for a swimwear boutique photo job I had. That went great too. And today I got to work with her again. She’s fantastic – such a naturally pretty look. No wonder she’s signed with Option these days.
And that makeup artist? I’ve gone on to work with her a whole bunch over the years. Jessica Belknap is highly recommended by me if you need a professional hair/makeup artist.
And in case you’re a lighting geek, the trick here is a scrim over her head and she’s holding a white reflector. It’s actually a mini rig similar to what SI uses for their swimwear issue. Turns out it works pretty great for headshots too.
Nicole with Option Model and Media
headshots portlandFriday, March 29th, 2013
I’ve worked with Emma one other time and she is so professional and so polite! I was really honored when she asked me to photograph headshots for her. Turned out to be one of those photo sessions where every time I look through the images, I find a new favorite. Here’s my current fav.
model Emma with Option Model and Media
Portland headshot photographerTuesday, March 26th, 2013
Natural looking headshots are one of my specialties. In this market (Portland, OR), a natural commercial look works best.
I can help guide you and create a variety of looks that will look great as headshots in your portfolio.
Remember, a great headshot is crucial because it’s generally the first photo a potential client sees in your portfolio. You can also print up headshots and leave them behind at auditions and casting calls. Seriously, a solid headshot is the cornerstone of your modeling or acting portfolio.
Give me a call at 503.936.9121 to find out how I can help you get a better headshot for your port!
model Emma with Option Model and Media
polaroidFriday, March 15th, 2013
Though polaroid film is no longer made, it seems to be very popular via instagram, etc. I was digging around old harddrives today and ran across this pic from 2005. Figured it deserved a retro polaroid treatment being that old.
© Pete Springer
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