Photographers and actors help please!?

Question

My friend asked me to take some photos of her for her portfolio, (she's an actress) The only problem is we don't know where to start. I don't have studio equipment and neither of us know if her pic's can be taken outside or how we should set them up, any help would be great, or web sites where i can have a look at actors porfolios. Thanks xx

Answer 1

I say that you should hire a studio. It's low-cost (maybe 20 pounds depending on equipment) and if you have a few skills in photography you can do quite a good job.

Answer 2

My suggestion is to mix some "fun and playful" shots with a business shot and a glamour shot.

Most agencies want to see a composite card as opposed to a full portfolio. A portfolio should be a colection of pieces that were don professionally and is always growing and changing. This includes what is known as a "headshot" which is a bit closer than the head and shoulders. It is best to step back and take this image with a telephoto image in order to wipe out the background... are you shooting digital or film? Digital will offer very few problems if any, but film you have to be aware of the narrow depth of field and focus. You want the whole head in focus. I have seen beautiful women whose noses were blurred and out of focus because of the depth of field.

You might want to hook up with a local photo club to see if you can trade modeling for prints of the shoot. A Technical College is another good place to go and they will put all the sudents images on a DVD/CD for you.

You can then pick the best of all the images and design your composite with headshot. Unless you just want to do the photography yourself. Maybe try both ways...

Beaux Patrick

Answer 3

Lighting outside is good in the early morning or late afternoon when then sun isn't so harsh and casts so many dark shadows. Use natural props such as bridges, trees, rocks, etc... for posing. If the sun is going down toward the end, try to get a silhouette shot in the sunset; those usually turn out unique and artsy.

With head shots, you don't want all smiles; they tend to put lines and creases on the face. One or two good smiles, but mix in some serious and sexy smirks. These let them see the facial features better. The eyes are important!

Pay attention to details that may detract from the final shot. Make sure hair isn't caught on the shoulder or falling across the face, clothes aren't bunched up, if makeup or hair needs to be touched up, etc...

There are many photographer sites you could pull up and see their "model" gallery for some ideas.

Answer 4

A portfolio shot should have a plain background and simple wardrobe/lighting. Buy a large plain seamless black backdrop or fabric and prop it up behind you friend. Get a tripod for stead shots. Have her wear somehing simple yet flattering. i find that headshots and 3/4 body shots look great. Lighting should be simple. Set by a nicely lit window or even set up in a garage. Sounds funny but the large open garage door lets in perfect amount of light and the cement acts a natural reflector, bouncing the light up to the subjects face. Experiment for he right lighting and sitting. Just make it as flattering and beautiful as you BOTh possibly can. Good Luck!