Covid-Secure Shooting – November 2020 & beyond

June 2, 2020 by MW

I�ve been shooting safely since mid June 2020 & will continue to do so throughout November.

From my last ‘Corona-safe’ pre-Lockdown shoot

The current lockdown (from Thursday 5th Nov) allows productions like TV, film and photoshoots to proceed, as long as there are strong Covid-secure procedures in place.

Of course, we want to be safe and we also want to help safeguard ourselves and our friends/relatives. And there are some practical ways to do that.

At the same time, a session is about you looking and feeling good, and about the energy of our connection – it’s just as important we keep all that good stuff.

Unchanged Quality & Qualities

I’ve been shooting safely in my light and airy studio since June so I know shoots work practically, feel great and we still get awesome shots.

My Covid-Secure Approach

–

Definites

The 10am shoot time means you will miss the circa 8am high traffic period on tube/buses/rail that TFL encourages people to avoid. Though if you can walk or cycle, why not? If you are travelling from elsewhere in the country, it may be possible to start a little later. Drop me a line.
Elbow bumps not handshakes when we meet. There’s nothing normal about that, but it’ll have to do…
There’s a bathroom to wash your hands upon arrival, and there will be hand sanitiser in the studio for use in-shoot.
My studio is a good size, so the makeup/changing area will be just for you, and I’ll ask you to sit 2m from my workstation when we review images.
When we are shooting in the studio, I will wear a mask. Obviously, you don’t need to!
The way I shoot means we will be 2m apart when shooting, inside or out.
The studio is well ventilated anyway, but the windows will be open & we’ll also have a fan running.
I normally shoot 1 person a day, so there will not be overlap between any client.
Friends and family members will not be able to sit in on a shoot (except for actors under 16, when it is a requirement).
The client area and high-transit areas will be properly cleaned between each client – think makeup table, clothes rail, hangers, door handles etc…
It’s really important not to come to the session if you have any symptoms of Coronavirus, or have been exposed to someone who has. I know after all this time off you’re probably raring to go, and I am too, but it’s better for us both to err on the side of caution.
For that reason, I will be more flexible about rearrangements within 48 hrs. This a two-way street – because I only shoot one person a day, if you cancel on the day or the day before, I probably can’t replace you with someone on the waiting list and lose my day’s wages, so please use this flexibility responsibly.

Maybes

You might want to think about travelling slightly lighter. 10 tops, not 100, for example!
Get to the session on foot or bike if you can.
Try not to arrive too much before the shoot time.
If you’ll need wipes and tissues please bring your own.

Any questions just drop me a line at michaelwharley@michaelwharley.com and look forward to working with you!

You can book here

Spotlight on… a prize-winning headshot session in video

April 28, 2014 by MW

Taking a close-up look inside a prize-winning headshots session with me and Casting Call Pro, in a new headshot video.

Taking a close-up look at the organic process of shooting a headshot portfolio: video below

If you’ve ever wondered what one of my – or indeed, any headshot photographer’s – sessions are like then wonder no more, because in�this video, shot by the ace�Sam Swainsbury�of�Cut To: Productions, we take you�behind the scenes on a headshot shoot.

Actress Katherine Rodden was the winner of a �600+ headshot portfolio makeover, including full hair & makeup artist, and more, in a competition run by myself and�Casting Call Pro�late in 2013. Incidentally, the most popular comp CCP has ever run, with over 600 entrants.

In the video, there’s a look�inside my detailed,�organic process of creating a headshot portfolio, as we work with makeup & hair artist Terri Pace, shooting inside and out, and achieving as much range as possible.

Elements of the way I work are unique to me of course, but it’s also probably a good insight into the way any portraitist will work with you to achieve the shots you need, whether you’re an actor, business person, model, or comedian.

It really does take two – or in this case, three – to tango, and the energy, personality and relaxation you bring to a shoot, helps create great photos, as you can hopefully see with Katherine.

But I’m sure the video says a lot more than the written word in this case, so check it out…

28/04 2014 MW

Katherine Rodden:�http://www.katherinerodden.co.uk/

Hair & MU by Terri Pace:�http://www.terripace.com

Prize offered in combination with Casting Call Pro and 10x8prints�http://www.castingcallpro.com/�&�http://10x8prints.com/

Filmed & edited by Sam Swainsbury, at the awesome Cut To: Productions:�http://www.cuttoshowreels.co.uk/cut-to-productions/�&�http://unitedagents.co.uk/sam-swainsbury

Music by Fire at Will (with thanks to Will Owen):�http://www.fireatwillmusic.com/

Check out Previous ‘Spotlight On…’ articles

Location lighting saves�Sense & Sensibility poster location shoot.
We’re not alone…Ghostly location shoot in London
Head and body shots for actor Sam Smith, heading out to L.A.
Headshots for Katherine Press, recently in�Poliakoff’s ‘Dancing on the Edge’ for BBC.
January 2013: David Gant, star of Gandhi, Braveheart, Brazil and more…

Win a �600+ headshot makeover with CCP and me

November 21, 2013 by MW

Getting in the festive giveaway spirit & teaming up with Casting Call Pro�to�offer a fantastic headshot package prize for members in December.

‘The American’ for screen actor Sam Smith – a new portfolio session

I often offer headshot prizes at events like Surviving Actors, so it’s not out of the ordinary to be involved in a competition, but this package is pretty exciting, if I do say so myself.

Evidently all the Christmas decorations going up around town have got me in the festive mood of goodwill to all men.

So�Casting Call Pro�and I – together with kind support from 10x8prints.com�-�are offering�one member the chance to totally overhaul their professional portfolio with a fantastic�headshot & photo session worth over �600.

Yep, �600! And that means the lucky winner will get:

‘Headshot healthcheck’�to assess current portfolio and casting,�worth �25.
‘The American’ headshot portfolio, worth �350: a brand new package from Michael Wharley Photography, covering all your promotional needs: standard actors’ headshots in a range of studio & naturally-lit setups for the UK castings market, US-style headshots for Transatlantic castings, and model-style promo shots.
Full makeup and hair�by a professional team,�worth �150.
100 hardcopy, full-colour, prints�supplied by top print-lab�10x8prints.com,worth �80+If you’re a CCP member, all you need to do is answer the following:

�How would new headshots change your 2014?

Easy, right?

The comp closes at�4pm on Thursday 19th December, and entries should go to�info@castingcallpro.com�or via the CCP�Facebook,�LinkedIn�or�Google+�pages.

GOOD LUCK!

21/11/2013 MW

Spotlight on head & bodyshots for actor Sam Smith

August 15, 2013 by MW

Spotlight on…creating a new head & body shot portfolio for actor Sam Smith�of�Waterloo Road and Vikings

Headshot portfolio subtly capturing playing-age range for actor Sam Smith �Michael-Wharley-2013

Last month, I spent an enjoyable morning shooting with actor Sam Smith.

Sam’s had a great run of work recently, including leads in�Waterloo Road and Casualty, not to mention appearing in blood-and-guts, Emmy-nominated, US hit Vikings�(though the games geek in me was more excited that he’s recording a lead character for the new Assassin’s Creed…)

That’s exposed him to a lot more US castings than before, and meant he came to the session with a fairly specific brief for both headshots and body shots.

I thought it’d be interesting reflect on the results a little, because it illustrates how an actor can have substantial input into the success of session with any photographer.

Capturing playing range

Full length body-shot for Sam Smith � Michael Wharley Photography 2013

Rather fresh-faced, Sam can play young, and certainly has done in his career to date. So, he was keen to give his agent,�Conway van Gelder Grant, headshots capturing both youthfulness and a degree more ‘edge’ and maturity.

Not to mis-represent him of course, but to help them sell Sam to employers across the range of the 16-25 age bracket he has listed on Spotlight.

As you can hopefully see from the set of three above we achieved this by keeping a little bit of stubble throughout for definition and to age Sam up a fraction, as well as by carefully varying outfits, lighting conditions, hair and Sam’s address to camera.

The blue shirt-shot – with hair almost entirely off the forehead and shouders slanted away from camera to suggest a slighter build – is younger and more ‘wholesome’, while the other two, shot straight on and with warmer, more mischievous/stronger thoughts help Sam show a slightly older, edgier casting.

I’d say the right-hand shot is a nice half-way house between the two ‘extremes’.

Without such a brief from Sam, we’d have got him some lovely general shots, but his specificity meant we were able to zero on on exactly what he and his agent needed.
That’s the sort of detail you should be able to throw confidently at any good headshot photographer – they will use their skills and technical ability to help you tell those casting stories.

Build & Bodyshots

Body-shot for Sam Smith � Michael Wharley

It seems increasingly common for UK actors getting a lot of US castings to need 3/4 length, full-length and even body shots – I guess Stateside producers want to see the full package, and with series like Game of Thrones making on-screen male nudity de riguer, full-package means almost everything on show…

At 5’8″,�Sam’s no half-pint, but having bulked up for a recent role, he wanted some dramatic bodyshots showing off this toned physique.

So we worked on something with the photographic vernacular of men’s health or fitness shots (see the 3/4 length above), as well as something with a moodier, more ‘fashiony’ set up (see the full-length above).

These aren’t going to be first up in Sam’s Spotlight portfolio, but they are useful tools to have in the armoury when specific castings arise.

In the UK there’s a little bit of historical snobbery about 3/4 or full-length shots in casting – as straightforward descriptive shots they tend to be associated with extras and walk-on artists.
But as our headshot approach gradually takes on more US stylings, I do think there can be a place in an actor’s promotional portfolio for good quality longer shots, with a fashion or lifestyle photography vibe. Not least because they can offer an accurate preview of build.
Check out headshot photographers like Nicholas Dawkes, Mug Photography and Faye Thomas, who all offer their takes on 3/4 length or full-length promotional shots for actors.

Sam says…

“Having the space to relax and get comfortable before and during the shoot made a big difference – the knowledge that you allow for time to get the best possible shots immediately put me at ease. I was delighted with the finished shots, as was my agent.”

15/08/2013 MW

Check out Previous ‘Spotlight On…’ articles

Headshots for Katherine Press, recently in�Poliakoff’s ‘Dancing on the Edge’ for BBC.
January 2013: David Gant, star of Gandhi, Braveheart, Brazil and more…

Spotlight on… Katherine Press Headshots

February 14, 2013 by MW

Katherine Press headshot portfolio

Creating a new headshot portfolio for Katherine Press.

A Cambridge graduate, a former student of the Central School of Ballet, and currently to be seen�alongside�Chiwetel Ejiofor�in Poliakoff’s�‘Dancing on the Edge‘ on BBC 2,�Katherine had been an eloquent participant in my ‘Take Control of Your Headshots‘ seminar for the Actors Guild�in Autumn 2012.

And she was kind enough to choose me to shoot her new actors headshots later in the year.

Katherine particularly wanted to give her�agent,�United Agents,�a breadth of new photos to help capitalise �on a run of excellent work – including Ophelia in Trevor Nunn’s “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead” at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket.

Capturing true range

Keen that her photos show directors and casting professionals a true sense of her range, Katherine was able articulate some specific castings to focus on together in the session:

Something to capture a classical elegance and youthfulness
Something softer and more commercial.
A tougher, grittier shot for more contemporary and ‘edgier’ castings.

As a headshot photographer, I find that’s a great place to start, because for all that I can make quick assessments about an actor’s skin tone, eye colour, hair colour, facial structure and potential casting, often it is the actor who knows him or her self and their career best.

Showing range subtly

So, working together, we selected the tops that Katherine had brought to to best suit these broad themes.

And by shooting both indoor and out, as well as reviewing batches of photos �regularly, we were able to capture that range together.

Not just with lighting, hair and clothing choices, but also by directing Katherine to�subtle variations of thought and mood.

Hopefully, the portfolio above gives a sense of our success; the photos are now helping Katherine show her full casting range to casting directors, both on Spotlight, and on her website.

Katherine says…

“Michael�s �philosophy� on the value of having a varied headshot portfolio really struck a chord with me. In an enjoyable and relaxed session, we worked together to produce a new selection of shots to cover the full breadth of my casting range.”

Check out Previous ‘Spotlight On…’ articles

January 2013: David Gant, star of Gandhi, Braveheart, Brazil and more…

FAQ – What’s Your Booking & Cancellation Policy for Headshots & Portfolios?

December 17, 2012 by MW

My Headshots and Portfolios Bookings and Cancellation Policy:

��I treat our session as very important and hope you do too.�I take a �50 non-returnable, non-refundable deposit to confirm your booking, which is fully deductible from the session fee on the day of our shoot.�

��Once that is transferred across,��I clear the time for you in my diary, and�don’t offer it out to anyone else, no matter who their agent or who they are. Often I’ll turn down several other offers of client for each slot I have available, and I am booked out 4-8 weeks in advance, depending on the time of year.

��This said, I totally understand that in the entertainment business�auditions and other commitments come up at the drop of a hat, so all I ask is that you let me know as soon as you do if�there’s a clash. I never book more than two clients a day, often only one, so�that means I can offer the session elsewhere to someone on my waiting list or plan other work.

� I also know that sometimes it’s not an audition, but something that can’t be planned for, like a�nightmare week, a break-up, childcare issues, a bad back or personal trauma. The session’s�supposed to be about you at your best, so just give me a call � even if it’s on the day itself � explain,�and we can find a day to work together when you’ll be more like yourself. I don’t bite and I’ll totally�understand.

Cancellation Policy:
� If you need to rearrange your session earlier than two working days ahead of our agreed time, we can reschedule and the deposit is deducted from your session fee on the day we shoot. If you rearrange within two working days of the session it is not. If you cancel at any point, the deposit is non-returnable.

FAQ – What are your actors headshots sessions like?

December 17, 2012 by MW

Exactly how the session works will depend on which option you’ve chosen, but generally I like to work in an organic way, reviewing photos throughout and trying to give you as much variety as possible. You definitely aren’t going to have 200 shots with the same lighting and very marginally different expressions….

A typical session lasts from 1-2.5 hours in the spacious, well-lit space�in my airy Waterloo studio. And I never book more than two actors a day, so you’ll never be shoved out for the next client.

I work indoors and outdoors, so during a session we might pop�onto the site to get some shots that give you a truly varied portfolio.

Actors Headshots session timings

(nb. based on a Classic�session, see packages here)

10.30am, Arrive:

We’ll have a coffee/tea/herbal tea and a chat to get to know each other, but also to help me understand what you want from the session. Maybe you’ll have examples of photos from previous sessions to show me. Maybe you’ll have very specific ideas about the sorts of photos you need and maybe you won’t. Either way, I’ll offer you my insights, expertise and perspective. We’ll also discuss your casting types, the sorts of roles you’ve had and the sort of work you want to get in the future.

This all helps set our priorities for the session; not that there isn’t the space and time to make organic discoveries of course.

10.45am:

We’ll take a look at the different clothing options �to make a plan for the session, then start shooting. I’ll take a few photos to get the lighting set up right and suited to you, which will also help to make you feel relaxed in front of camera., and we’ll work of simple posing techniques too.

Then we’ll start in earnest.

I tend not to shoot staged or posed shots. Instead, I prefer to talk and take photos, perhaps pausing or asking you to hold a look or to refine a set up when it emerges. The beauty of digital is that I can take as many shots as we need, then filter them down.

11am-ish, Clothing Change and Photo Review:

After getting a variety of shots in one outfit, we’ll look over them briefly and make sure you’re happy with the sort of look we’re getting. Then you’ll have the chance to change outfit, shave, change your hairstyle or simply check that all is still looking good. There’s a mirror in the studio, but you’ll also have access to a bathroom and all the privacy you need.

11am-ish, More Photos:

We’ll carry on shooting, and I’ll use a mixture of studio and natural light to create the right blend to suit your complexion, facial structure and priorities for the session. There’s the time and creative space for a lot of different looks this way.

11.30, Tea and a change:

Being photographed is quite demanding, so it’s often time for a quick recharge at this point.

As we have another tea or coffee, we’ll review the headshots taken, which will help us to choose exactly which outfit and setups will work best to give a really rounded portfolio in contrast to what we’ve already taken.

I really do try to make my actors headshot sessions like 3-4 mini-sessions in one, so the photos will have very different feels and energies.

12.30-1pm, Finish.

We shoot for the time it takes to get he looks we need, up to two and a half hours. Any longer than that, and I’ve found people tend to go off the boil a bit, posing-wise.

Within 1 working day, Online Contact Sheet:

I’ll send you a link to an online album containing the filtered photos from your shoot. I’ll have deleted all the eyes-closed, laughing (there are always a lot of those) photos, so each one in the album would be able to be made into a perfect headshot. It’s simply up to you and your agent to choose the killer shots that will make up your portfolio. If you do want my advice, I’m happy to make suggestions as well.

Within one�working weeks of you making your choices:

Within two working weeks of you making your choices and giving me any specific instructions for photoshopping, I will supply you with files of your final shots. These will be in two formats: a resolution for any professional print purpose and a resolution for internet use.

You can opt for 24 turnaround on editing for a fee of �50, but it’s not often needed, so I’d save your money and my late night!

Et voil�: headshot perfection and hopefully many auditions to follow from your new shots.

Now all you have to do is get the job…

FAQ – Online Contact Sheet

December 17, 2012 by MW

Viewing and proofing your photos before making final selections for editing couldn’t be easier.

Simply visit the CLIENT LOGIN area, enter the unique code I emailed you and away you go.

Click on a photo thumbnail to view it full size, then if it makes the grade, hit ‘favourite’ (above the photo). Use the keyboard left and right keys to scroll through the album, favouriting as you go.

Any favourited photos, will be added into ‘My Selection’ which you’ll find top left of the screen. In there, you can can drag photos around, compare easily, view a slideshow etc.. You can also email out a non-editable album of selected shots from in there – useful if you want to run selected photos by friends or�your�agent perhaps)

You can give the code and link to your agent, friends or industry contacts too.

Many minds makes light work after all…

Spotlight on… David Gant Headshot

December 13, 2012 by MW

He’s played Merlin more times than he cares to mention, has appeared in classic films from Gandhi to Braveheart to Brazil, models for the likes of David Bailey and was right at the top end in last year’s The Times Best-Dressed list.

So, ahead of out headshot session, it did cross my mind that�David Gant�might� be a wee bit grand, but in fact he was a delight to spend time with.

We were working together because a filming job required him to sport less facial hair than normal, and David’s Agent, Lynda Ronan, spotted a good opportunity to add breadth to his headshot portfolio on Spotlight

Headshot Variety

Facial hair is such a defining feature in a headshot that it can very hard to see past it to the face beneath.

While David is sporting a fairly defined whiskers here, they are much lighter than his normal beard, giving him an edgier, tougher look than his more normally hirsute appearance.

So we worked on lighting set-ups and I directed David to feelings to try and capture more of that toughness. And by choosing one of his plainer tops and shooting with hair tied back, also added a more thoughtful shot towards the upper end of David’s playing range.

It just goes to show that even with an appearance apparently dictated by �beard and long hair, you can still find ways to demonstrate range and variety in headshots.

David says:

“The atmosphere in Michael’s studio is one of relaxation: he puts you at ease from the start – there is no fuss, he knows exactly what he is doing, and gets on with it, with subtle direction…”