Guy Viau Photography

Headshot photography in Los Angeles

Guy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 04:38:12 +0000

I recently did a limited search online for headshot photographers in Los Angeles and was somewhat overwhelmed. I have been doing headshot photography in L.A. for more than 14 years. I’m beginning to understand why some of my colleagues are gone… very good headshot photographers have been buried under the mass of newcomers with everyone putting together a website and just like that are now professional photographers without much experience if any… What is disconcerting is that many actors spend their hard earned money for headshot photography sessions that won’t help them move forward because of the poor quality of their headshots.. I urge actors looking for a headshot photographer in Los Angeles to be vigilant and do a thorough research for the headshot photographer they plan on working with. Make sure you take the time to review photo galleries thoroughly because just some 20-30 headshots on a website does not tell the whole story… I also see websites with close-ups “only”… very often these photographers have a very limited sense of style/wardrobe, photogenic body language and composition.

So please be diligent in you research to avoid having to do your headshots in Los angeles again a month later.

Wardrobe in Actors Headshots; Los Angeles Headshot Photographer

Guy — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:19:40 +0000

Headshot photographers in Los Angeles often pay too little attention to wardrobe… when preparing for a headshot photography session, one of the first things that need to be reviewed is what clothing options will you bring to the photo session. Most actors do not prepare for headshots that often… maybe once or twice a year… sometimes less… so in order to define the type (s) you need to get across in your headshots the wardrobe you bring to the headshot session has to correspond specifically… so if you’re not sure what to bring the photographer should assist you and make suggestions… even providing you with a list of ideas, then you can bring a lot of options to the photo shoot. When you walk in you should once again discuss the looks you want to portray in your headshots and then the wardrobe should be selected accordingly in the most specific manner possible. Even in a “close-up” image when you see little of the wardrobe it will define the type you are aiming to get across.

Very often I have heard from clients that the previous headshot photographer said it wasn’t about the wardrobe and they should just focus on the expression because it isn’t about the clothes anyway… I think this is short-sighted… Of course it isn’t about the clothes, when it comes to an actor’s headshots we all understand it isn’t a “fashion shoot”… however in my experience your wardrobe will help casting directors see if you come across as the right type for the part. Visually it will be more specific to the type you want to get across.

It is important when you choose a headshot photographer that you can tell this individual has a sense of style. It is one thing to have proper lighting, it is another to be able as a headshot photographer to guide the actor with wardrobe/styling… of course other factors weigh in for a successful headshot photo session but wardrobe should never be overlooked.

Choosing a Headshot Photographer

Guy — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 22:49:21 +0000

There are many Los Angeles headshot photographers but in my opinion there are only a few who will give you what you really need to be successful. There are headshot photographers in Los Angeles that are good with lighting but who are not specific with other details such as body language, wardrobe, makeup… etc… It is one thing to light an actors headshots the right way but it is another to be able to guide and direct the actor… showing you how to stand, sit, lean and look into the lens… being able to convey proper directions to an actor while giving them the freedom to move comfortably…. so he or she doesn’t feel and look contrived in their headshots is crucial… I have seen a lot of actors headshots properly lit but they did not look comfortable in the headshot so the natural effect that you want to have is seriously compromised. A good example of this is when the photographer will ask the actor “Ok move around… do something spontaneous…” in some cases even “talk…” while the photographer shoots really fast hundreds of images in the hopes that they’ll catch the “magic shot” by luck…. I cannot even count how many times I have heard stories from actors who have actually had that exact experience.
In fact unless I am working with someone on their first actors headshots everyone else (it seems…) has gone through this experience and I still have not heard one actor tell me that they have enjoyed that kind of photo session… Not only did they not enjoy the experience but the results were never satisfactory.
For your expression, body language, wardrobe, hair, correct angle, composition to fall into place in one instant is quasi impossible unless you’re lucky… but who wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a headshot photography session to catch a great headshot “by luck”? Not me!
It has actually happen to me and I was pretty upset having to spend the money not knowing if I had one good headshot in there….
I have learned through my mistakes and that’s why as a headshot photographer I am particular about all the details…

When choosing a headshot photographer this would be the first question I would ask: “Will you walk me through the photo session as oppose to insisting I move around… shoot really fast and “maybe catch something…?”
When visiting a headshot photographer’s website… in addition to the lighting (which goes without saying…) pay attention on how natural and comfortable the actor looks, does the wardrobe make sense for the type…? The hair, is it flattering or does the style define the type…? The makeup… is it too much, does it look natural…? Is it tasteful…? Could you actually tell if this person looks like that in real life…? Is it compelling? Does it have an effect on you? Do you get a sense that this headshot photographer is someone who pays real attention to detail? Does the headshot photographer’s website have a lot of content…? There is a significant difference when a photographer shows 30-40 images on their website and another shows 300+ images… The one that has a lot of content is usually proud to show the consistency throughout 300+ images… I would lean more towards the one who shows a wide variety and consistency in so much photography content… it also conveys more experience which is a very important asset the headshot photographer might possess when you are considering spending the money on your new headshots and more importantly leaping forward as a successful actor.
More to come on this subject…

Women’s Makeup for Headshot Photography

Guy — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:43:57 +0000

The general consensus for women’s makeup in their headshots is that it should be kept “natural”. There seems to be some confusion about this in regards to the application of the makeup…, I am often asked “does natural mean little to no makeup”? It depends… if you have a really nice skin complexion perhaps very little makeup is the way to go however “no” makeup tends to be rare unless you are a child or teenager or even an adult with flawless skin…or going for a very specific look… When makeup is applied by a professional… it might seem like a lot at the time of the application but the outcome should look fresh and natural… A natural look generally would be considered for an athletic look, youthful or for example a young Mom or anyone seeking a more fresh, clean look…
If you are seeking to portray more of a glamourous, sexy, edgy or theatrical look then perhaps a little more eye liner, eye shadow, etc.. would be appropriate as long as the outcome still looks like you… just a different/specific type…

Ultimately it is a matter of taste and preference, although your headshots are for the commercial and theatrical industry in Los Angeles/Hollywood, I am a believer that you should be pleased with the makeup in your headshots and be careful not to fall into the trap of trying to make everybody else happy…
Until a child becomes a teenager, I would advocate no makeup… or very very little applied by a parent to cover under the eyes, blemishes, etc…
Makeup for teens should be “bare minimum”… (mostly evening out skin tones and cover blemishes, generally they like to cast actors to play their age or younger so we always have to be mindful not to add age to an actor.

“Should I always book a makeup artist for my photo shoots”?
It depends how skilled you are in applying your own makeup… I have worked quite often with actresses who have done their own makeup and the outcome was fantastic… did they need to book a makeup artist? No. There are women who are not confident applying their own makeup and feel they have to have a professional makeup artist on the “shoot”… the right choice is the one you are comfortable with. When women book a makeup artist through me for our “shoot”… I reassure them and encourage them to voice their preferences to the makeup artist when they first arrive… everyone has different taste and preferences… they can consult of course with the makeup artist but ultimately the outcome should be to the actress’s taste.

Another common question is, “I don’t have the budget to book a makeup artist, do you think I can get away with doing my own… I’m ok doing my day to day makeup”?

Yes… I instruct my client to bring her makeup, I have been doing headshots in Los Angeles and elsewhere for a long time… although I cannot apply your makeup… I can guide you with the application, the subtleties and the details as I know what the outcome will be photography wise and it always works out well.

Men’s Makeup for Headshot Photography

Guy — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:43:40 +0000

Depending on what you are trying to get across in your headshots for the Los Angeles and Hollywood industry it is sometimes ok to have no makeup at all… an image as a more gritty, tough character such as a villain for example might benefit from having more going on… such as a “scar” or a little “oilier skin” even a blemish or two might define who that type is… if you have decent or really nice skin complexion…no need to add makeup no matter the type… perhaps a little translucide loose powder to take down the shine (if necessary)… in regards to a scar, again it depends how you want to come across in your headshot but it isn’t recommended to try and conceal a scar completely, you might want to take it “down” some but ultimately when you show up at your casting it will be there… so you want to look as consistent as possible in your headshots…
I feel that sometimes a little concealer under the eyes will help take care of slight darkness due to fatigue, stress, etc… Also I personally use a light concealer to even out skin tones then use translucide, light, loose powder and it works great… looks very natural.. the idea is that in your headshot you look like you have no makeup “on”…
In my photography sessions there is no charge for “basic” men’s makeup, I can take care of it myself (I’ve been doing headshots in Los Angeles for many years) and I do not charge anything for that basic service… meaning you do not need to book a professional makeup artist… I have taken headshots for men that prefer to have a professional makeup artist at the photo shoot and that’s fine… If they have the budget to book a professional makeup artist and they feel more comfortable with that approach then I book someone for them.

Preparing for a Headshot Photography Session

Guy — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 21:42:47 +0000

In preparation for a headshot photography session in Los Angeles the actor needs to define exactly the type (s) he or she is going for… being able to clearly define and describe to your photographer what your needs are out of a photo session is crucial to have the outcome you are going for… If you’re not sure on the types you should represent in your images and you don’t have representation (agent or manager…) then the photographer should make suggestions. Please remember the photographer is not your manager or your agent but if you work with someone who has experience with headshot photography in Los Angeles… he/she will be able to assist you in defining those types…

If you already have representation (agent, manager,etc…) they should convey to you the types they would like to submit you for… agents and managers in Los Angeles generally are very particular about your headshots, make sure they are very specific with details such as wardrobe and makeup they would like to see you have in your headshots, it is a frustrating experience as an actor to bring new headshots to your representation and have them tell you that the images are nice but that’s not really how they see you… A headshot photography session is an expense “you” incur… so do not hesitate to ask specific details before you show up to produce these headshots so that in turn you can provide your representation what they have in mind for your submissions…

Also if you are in an acting class your teacher and fellow actors will be happy to describe to you how they see you which is helpful to form your ideas as to what you’d like to be seen for…
Although it is a good idea to get feedback from others as to how they see you, remember that ultimately it is your career and you should decide how you want to be seen… what you want to be submitted for… stay realistic… in the end the whole experience should be enjoyable, don’t forget to make yourself happy in the process.