The studio I use is run by my good friends Beauty Call who started life at the same time back in 2003. Nicky and Phil have just recently done up the studio, so now it looks sexier than ever. They’ve even added in a new make-up area which makes all the performers who come through the doors feel like home. The tea and coffee area has been revamped with constant supply of biscuits (everyone loves a HobNob) and the bathroom has a working shower, for all those sweaty dancers who come in for photos.

Other news:

Packages have changed and now everyone who gets the Standard and Premium packages get everything in both colour and black & white, that includes full colour and black & white contact sheets. I’ve taken away CD’s for most packages and everything is now on a download (I’m sooo modern, I know!). Also your contact sheets are extra large so that you get a better look at everything. Prices have gone up, I’m afraid, but that reflects the current investment in the company. On the plus side, I’ve reintroduced The Budget Package – which is a 1hour studio session for those who feeling the pinch.

That’s all for now… keep your eyes peeled for 10th Anniversary special offers coming later in the year for all you performers. – David.

DONT FORGET – the Men’s Spotlight deadline for new photos is the 15th October. Book before the 1st October and I’ll take 10% off your session!

DO YOU SHOOT OUTDOOR AND IN STUDIO? - Yes! I make sure you get both lighting situations. Daylight is great for commercial and screen acting jobs, it is pretty favoured by the industry as you look like you. Studio light is more controlled and is good for a theatrical style ‘classic’ headshot.

DO I GET COLOUR AND BLACK AND WHITE SHOTS? – Yes, every option is available. Spotlight now has it’s online portfolio so you can mix up the formats. So more informal shots in colour alongside your standard black and white ‘book photo’. A lot of agents now just request colour headshots, so it is changing to be more like America.

DO YOU SHOOT FULL LENGTH? – Yes, the Premium Package includes some full length shots.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY RETOUCHED IMAGES? – Retouching is basically a digital form of sprucing up your images. I clean up any unwanted spots or blemishes, then boost the tones, brighten the image and sharpen the eyes. Don’t worry, I don’t go do the airbrushed ‘Playboy magazine’ thing. It’s pretty subtle.

DO I GET ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE SESSION? – Yes. I always edit the session photos down to around 100-150 ‘best ones’. Otherwise you would be overwhelmed with choice (I shoot upwards of 300 every session) This final edit is put on the CD alongside your favourite retouched images. You can’t print the final edit, but you can use them for web use – if you wish. Your retouched files are the ones that obviously look the best and those are saved for printing.

DO YOU SEND OVER THE PHOTOS VIA THE WEB? – Yes, I always send your photos via email first, to get you started. This is done by a download link, which you can share with your agent too. Then I send across the CD via Royal Mail which usually takes 2 working days.

CAN I ORDER MORE RETOUCHED PHOTOS LATER ON? Of course. Extra retouched files are £9.50 (2012 prices).

DO YOU CROP THE PHOTOS? – Yes. You get everything cropped to 10′ x 8′ aspect ratio – an industry standard head and shoulders crop. You also get the full frame too, this can make the photo a bit more visually interesting for web use.

HOW LONG DO YOU KEEP MY PHOTOS FOR? Forever! Everything is backed up on hardrives and DVD’s and stored in a airtight box. I have literally hundreds of actors under my desk!

I AM MAN, CAN I SHAVE HALFWAY THROUGH THE SESSION? – Yes you can, man. I have full changing, showering and shaving facilities. Please bring your own razor!

I AM A WOMAN, DO I NEED A STYLIST? – Most actresses are pretty good at make-up. – you don’t need too much for this style of photography. BUT – If you feel the need for expert make-up, hair styling and a pamper, then it can be a great confidence boost for the session.

I HATE HAVING MY PHOTO TAKEN? – Don’t we all! Most actors find it really uncomfortable being themselves especially as they’re used to acting as someone else. My job is to put you at ease. Quick cuppa and chat generally does the trick. I tend to tell jokes too, that seems to help.

CAN I BRING MY MUM/FRIEND/PARTNER? – Yes, if you are a youngster then moral support can be good, but if you’re older than 18, then it’s not really necessary. I don’t mind you having someone there, but it can be distracting to the session. I once had a couple turn up and sing to each other throughout the session (!?!). In that instance, I would recommend a visit to Brick Lane to get a coffee and get out of my hair!

I NEED SOME BASIC CLOTHING FOR THE SESSION. WHERE DO YOU RECOMMEND? – Topshop and H&M for both boys and girls. Cheap and decent quality black and plain tops. Primark is another good one for girls.

DO I GET PRINTS? Yes, prints are included in the Standard and Premium session. They are also available to purchase online too at my PHOTOBOX account. This is handy if you are on tour or can’t get to a printers in time.

I WANT TO TAKE MY CD TO A PRINTER. WHO DO YOU RECOMMEND? I recommend VISUALEYES or METRO IMAGINING

DO YOU DO STUDENT DISCOUNT? Yes, students are my friends. Please email me for rates.

DO YOU TAKE CREDIT CARDS? - Sorry no, it’s a cash, PayPal or cheque only please. Receipts are sent with the CD in the post. Don’t forget, getting your headshots done is tax deductible.

Here are my Top Tips:

• Clean up your CV – Keep it short and sweet with good credits. Take off that naff tour you did, or that weird student film – yes, THAT one!
• Get a showreel done, a lot of casting directors only look at Spotlight pages with a showreel – but again make sure it’s only got good footage. Bad sound quality or low budget video resolution can often do more harm than good….You wouldn’t have a poor quality headshot, would you? There are plenty of companies that will even film scenes and build a reel for you for under £400.
• Get a voicereel done too. If you don’t have much VO work then there are some great guys who will put together a package one for you. But make sure it has your own original stamp on it, a lot sound the same with generic reads and ‘library music’ on.
• Build a PR machine around you – Website/Twitter/FB – it all helps
• FINALLY – be proactive, write that play you’ve put off, call that casting director you randomly met, get some classes in clowning – don’t just wait for the phone to ring.

Now make a strong coffee, write a list and get cracking…

Happy New Year!

David.

Prices HAVE gone up – I’m sorry! But if you happen to read this blog and mention a “cheeky discount” then I’ll happily knock off 10% to spread Xmas cheer!

<<<<<<MORE NEWS>>>>>>

I’ve just put the finishing touches to my annual calendar for The Actor’s Workshop Youth Theatre. This is a small charity in Halifax, West Yorkshire that empowers young people through performance. I’ve been doing their Calendar for seven years and have watched the kids, who may not have had any direction with their energy, become great young adults who have been given a sense of purpose and confidence through the skills they have acquired. All this all under the watchful eye of artistic director Mike Ward who’s leadership has shaped the lives of countless youngsters for the greater good. Their motto sums is borrowed from a North American Indian Tribe which asks the question: “How many people are happier because you were born?”

Just a quick note to say from the beginning of November my prices are going up. It’s rather unfortunate, but given that everything else is I have to follow suit to survive. However, if you book between now and the 7th Novemeber I will keep you at the old prices. Student rates are staying LOW because I understand how difficult everything is for you guys.

Happy halloween!

Men’s Spotlight deadline approaching and I’m back to the studio and taking bookings for September.

Due to high demand I’m going to be shooting on some Saturdays this year. I don’t normally do this, but there are just so many of you wanting weekend sessions!

Feel free to drop me an email to see what space I have left or better still just call…. I’m a happy photographer who likes to chat. There are so many photographers out there, that I think it’s just best to call up and see if you like the sound of someone. If you get on with them over the phone then the chances are you will in person.

See you soon!

Aston Dobson - top young actor!

More recently I’ve had so many requests for colour headshots when shooting actors/performers. This is now part of the deal for all Premium and Standard packages, and you are allowed to choose either colour or b&w when ordering your final images. Also, I have started putting in landscape shots into the session to give you the option when building a website. It’s often handy for a home page to have a landscape shot of yourself on the left or right and then plenty of space for banners/titles etc. I’m always happy to discuss marketing tips with my actors on the day.

All female Spotlight entries are now done and so business is pretty quiet on that front. There are still plenty of spaces throughout the rest of May and June for portraits and models portfolios, so give me call.

I’m planning to be away for all of August, so get your bookings in now for June and July.

Happy Summer!

Well, March is looking busy too and below are some remaining slots.

Slots available all day:

Thurs 3rd
Mon 7th
Tues 8th, Weds 9th
Mon 28th
Tues 29th

Slots from 4:00pm – 6:00pm:

10th, 11th

14th, 15th, 17th

21st,  22nd, 24th

Please email to book a session.

PLEASE NOTE prices are due to go up this month. Book before the 1st March and all sessions are at last year’s rate.

Tues 15th

Thur 17th

Sat 19th – (special rates apply)

Mon 21st

Wed 23rd

Prices are due to go up at the beginning of March – so book now to avoid disappointment.