Headshot Marketing Tips Anyone?

Headshots by Vanie Poyey

Keep a look out for the September 22nd issue of Backstage’s Spotlight on Headshots where I talk about marketing tips for headshots!  Can’t give away whose photos will accompany the article but your picture might be included!

The following images are all taken at or around our new studio in the Los Angeles Arts District!

Amy Tolsky was the first client in our brand new loft!  Here she shows off her quirky personality in both the professional look as well as in the friend look!

Whether edgy like Beau Dawson or sweet like Will Hawkes, everyone needs someone to lean on.

Danny Epstein did a great job displaying a range of his talent with all these fantastic looks!

Lauran Siegel brought so much variety to the shoot!  Is there any role she can’t play?

Marlene Sharp knows how to bring out some spunk!  She captures this look perfectly.

Husband? Kids? Work? All the way from New York, Elissa Piszel can handle it all!

With a classic smile and these big brown eyes Daniel D. Kountz can win anyone over!

Patrick Quinlan can get to the bottom of any case and handle any client.

Three time returning client Jason Broad is always a pleasure to work with.  He can work any job from the office to the streets!

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Why are some headshot photographers so F$%&^# expensive?

Headshots are expensive to make!

Professionals fully invested in their craft pay a high price for the ability to create quality images.

To start, professional equipment is expensive.

Prosumer cameras cost upwards of $2700.   Pro cameras cost upwards of $8000.  Multiple cameras for backups in case of failure on the job are a necessity.  Pro lenses are $1200 and up.  Most of us own at least five.  Flash units cost $400 and up.  Then there are Computers.  Computers with mega fast multiple processors and mega large RAM, to handle super large files coming out of cameras, and the power needed to process them, cost about $5000 and up (if you like Macs).  I personally have and need three desktops and one laptop to share with my assistants.  Multiple monitors easily cost $3000 and up.  Hard drives to store thousands and thousands of digital files cost $80 and up for 1Terabite.  They used to cost a whole lot more.  Additional hard drives to store the backups for the thousands and thousands of digital files cost $80 and up for 1Terabite.  Number of hard drives you may find at a pro studio? Easily over 100.

The list goes on.

Studio equipment including multiple light heads, power packs, umbrellas, soft-boxes, stands, sandbags and backdrops are worth thousands.  Cases for storing and transporting equipment cost a bunch more.  Pro photographic printers are usually $700 and up.   Software like Photoshop, In Design, Lightroom etc. are very expensive.

Even more is needed…

Tons of accessories, CF cards, filters, transmitters, light meters, multiple reflectors, flags, tripods, multiple battery backups to prevent loss on multiple computers in case of a power outage, assistants, the education needed to keep up with the ever changing world of software.  Oh and let’s not forget insurance to insure thousands of dollars of equipment.

And of course profit margin…

For things like eating, medical insurance, a car followed by more insurance, a home, some time off, shoes, more shoes, a boyfriend and four cats.

The following headshots were taken by an expensive professional.

What characters these guys brought through!  With a pair of stylish glasses and a slight smirk, Amir Levi was able to bring out that approachable guy at the office!  Whereas Drew Hinckley was able to get in your face with his larger than life personality!

Confidence really goes a long way!  Tarniesha Stimage  shows us she can really take charge with this strong, yet womanly, essence!

Bill Hofto effortlessly goes from that stay-at-home dad living in the suburbs to that over-worked guy slaving away at a corporate office!

Next, Jerry Hernandez was a pleasure to work with and was able to bring out this timeless edgy look.

What a doll!  Whether she’s the girl that will take you out on the town or the one you sit side-by-side with on a swing, you can’t help but fall in love with Sarah Marie’s  gentle essence!

John Bozeman really brought out some serious range!  Here, he displays the commercial business professional followed by that struggling blue collar worker!

Returning client, Gary Brintz brought out some great characters as usual!  Here he is commercially, ready to crack some jokes followed by his more edgy essence as the guy we don’t want to mess with!

Kevin Walker brought on the hip edgy student whereas Julie Zhan pulls through as a preppy college girl!  Kara Gibson puts us at ease with her warm and friendly essence!

Eric Olson drove up all the way from Palm Desert!  Here he showcases his sinister smirk and piercing stare then brings out the inspirational coach or supportive dad!

Jamie Driscoll is an expert at wearing different hats both in front of the camera and with his own personal projects!  I think that ability really shows through his headshots too!  Keep up with his progress here! As it turns out, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree!  Check out Jamie’s son Jru’s page for updates on his debut record!

Stay tuned for more and don’t forget to subscribe to this blog!

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Professional Headshot Photographer; Vanie Poyey

We love treating our clients to a day of fun when they come in for their session.   Here are a few people we had the chance to work with over the last couple of months.  Thank you all for making our days interesting!

George Fisher, a repeat client,  found me again after a ten year hiatus from the business.   He was just as much fun to work with this time around as he was ten years ago!  George, please don’t tell them about the “Vanie” from ten years ago.  Shhhh.

Occasionally, we have requests for Modeling ZED Card sessions.  We usually create four different looks for the back of the ZED Card.  Here is an example from Jose’s shoot.   Ladies check out those abs!

Jamie also needed a “body shot” for fitness.  As you can see, she really showcases her range in these photos.  Good luck Jamie!

Santino on the left reminds us of the “nice cop”  on Heroes.  Paul Vroom on the right looks like he just stepped out of an episode of Law & Order!

Thanks for making it a fun day guys.

Derek is the third member of his family to do headshots with me!  His brother and dad are both past clients.   Thanks Brent for starting the trend and keeping the tradition.  We wish Derek all the luck, not that he needs it!

These two ladies have a way of seducing the viewer!  Krystal on the left is showing some strong attitude, while Tiwana on the right, exudes confidence.

This was the second time I had the chance to work with Liza.  She needed a re-shoot since she recently became a brunette.  In the past, she’s  gotten a lot of compliments from her last shoot as a blond (see our gallery), and I’m sure the compliments will continue!

Courtney, the gal with the amazing blond hair, was so quirky during our shoot, she really made it effortless for me.  Teena came in and did a friend session with her mom!  These sessions are always a blast and as a bonus, we give a generous discount!

Dana has such an amazing range.  She went from a very warm, funny character to a hard edged persona in no time.  Slumber party Dana?

This beautiful red head is Samantha.  Perfect for the CW!  Good luck Samantha!

David Chung is a perfect example of male clients who use facial hair to vary up their look.  Clean shaven, he easily pulls off the young dad, while with some scruff, he becomes the edgier heart breaker!

Watch out Hollywood, here comes Nikki.  Check out that range!  She can destroy you and be your best friend at the same time.

It’s always a fun day when I have clients that make me laugh.  I had the pleasure of working with these two in the same month!  Allen, a very talented comedian had me laughing so hard, I had to put the camera down. Kyle reminds me of Seth Rogan.   He was so easy to shoot, the day was over before it started!

Shannon is another one with incredible eyes.  She just completely captivates the camera and demands your attention.

Markeia has so much range she looks like two completely different people here.  The secret? Great talent and a great wig!

You can just tell from these photos that Kelly is energetic and full of fun!  She really allowed for her creativity to come through. Say hi to our friends in Santa Barbara Kelly!

Coming soon, we’ll be comparing headshots before internet directories were born, and how they were different from today’s headshots.

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