actors headshots with constant lights

When I first started taking headshots for actors, it was in the great outdoors: the park, the underpass, bridges—these are all places where aspiring headshot photographers hone their craft, and most importantly, keep their overheads low. Cameras and lenses are expensive, so if you can cut out studio fees, that's a great move early on. As my headshot journey continued, I became more than a bit curious about studio lighting and, more specifically, "flash" or "strobe" (some people look at me funny when I say we’re going to shoot with strobes, but it just means flash, not mad German techno wonder vibes). Flash became the mainstay of my headshot sessions for years, and I was happy to fire them up and turn the quick blasts of light on the faces of many a London actor.

Then, against all odds, I found myself in a new studio space in Woolwich, with, joy of joys, a great big bay window that allows me to harness some natural light for some really lovely, soft portraits and headshots. This also took me back full circle to shooting with nature's softbox and the delights—and sometimes perils—of natural light. It also helped keep me sharp. It's vital, I think, in any artistic endeavor to keep trying new techniques.

So what's the next hurdle? The next lighting development. Well, I’m now working with some LED lights—Nanlites, to be precise. Constant lighting is a different feel again, and it’s ushered me toward shooting wide open, often at F1.4, working with a shallow depth of field that never used to be part of my workflow. It’s also got me playing with more kicker lights, some funky Pavotubes, and soon I think I’ll be trying an optical snoot. A daft name, I know, but it’s a cool little device.

Anyway, my point is, with all of this, I never want to stay in exactly the same place. There are always new ways to shoot, different kinds of lights and cameras to use, and I’m told there are more drinks out there other than mint tea, but I'm not convinced yet.

Come hang and let's shoot some headshots and portraits.

BW