Joanne Brooks Photography

The most important thing in your headshot shoot is that you stay connected. There are lots of ways to do that. You can prepare text in your head or sing a song in your head. I happen to think that if you stay really present and just make your scene partner the camera, then it’s much easier to stay present.

I always remind my clients during the shoot to make sure they are checking in with me. Headshots can be stressful, so if you take it off yourself and make the scene about the camera, you will stop worrying about how you are tilting your head etc.

Hope that helps…

Actors want to know all the time how they can prepare for their headshot shoot. I have a little advice about that…

So, you plan out your clothing options carefully. You make a list of words that describe you, roles you would love to play, actors that have your parts on tv and in movies. I hear all the time that actors don’t really know who they are. I think a really helpful thing to do is the imaginary pitch. Let’s imagine that you have a showcase and NBC comes to you after to tell you how fantastic you were. They want you to come in to the studio next week and pitch them your tv show. This is the show that you are the star of. Ask these questions: Is it a half hour comedy? An Hour? A drama? Who is my character? What kind of job do I have in this show? Do I always get the guys? Where does the show take place, small town or big city? This character should be based on you. Where does he/she shop? Are you Abercrombie and Fitch? or Anne Taylor? Get the idea? You are casting yourself and being as specific as possible.

Sometimes it helps to ask all your friends for words they would use to describe you. Ask them to name a movie and what character they think you fit in the movie. Standing outside yourself is really helpful.

When you show up at your shoot and we talk about wardrobe, all that will come into play. When you are standing in front of the lens you have to let all of that go and just really be present.

So i went to another headshot photographer (i know, i’m sorry!) awhile back to try something new and he just didn’t take pics like you do or make the experience as fun as you do. i just wanted you to know you’re seriously a fantastic photographer and i’m sticking with you from now on
please keep me updated on you’re specials because i will be looking to do a shoot with you in august/september. hope all is well!!!! xxoo
carrie b.

Joanna

I just wanted to reach out and say what a truly fabulous job you did shooting Barrett S., Carrie W. and Bryan K.  I think the new pics on Barrett can actually be career changing in that they perfectly define his unique charms in a straight forward, no-nonsense way.  (His old ones were so generic and never captured his look.)   Bryan is getting called in a lot from his new pics.  Carrie always got called in, but these new pics are so much better than what she was using.

I will keep sending folks your way.  Keep doing your magic.

Bruce Smith

President

Omnipop Talent Group

I have added some new photos to my headshot galleries, so if you haven’t checked them out in a while, this is a great time to see the new stuff. Headshot styles are changing slightly. In this business, headshots go through different trends to do with the cropping and look of the photo. Commercial headshots are becoming much tighter with the cropping of the photo.The backgrounds are lighter and the photo has a straight to the camera feel. That means your face should be looking straight towards the camera. Theatrical headshots, for tv and film, are still basically the same and there is a little more flexibility for those.

So much casting is done on-line now, so your photo has to pop in a sea of photos. That’s where color and focus is really important. Your eyes should always be looking through the camera and connecting.

That’s all for now. Check out the new photos, there will be more to come…

Cheers,

Joanna Brooks

Headshots Los Angeles

I tell actors all the time…this is YOUR headshot session. You can talk to me and let me (the photographer) know what you have in mind for your session. I think it’s important for you to do your research and do your homework and then come very prepared… and then? Well, let me do my job and let’s play and bring your ideas to life. I think a successful headshot shoot is a collaboration between me and you. I am on your side and it’s in my best interest for you to have the best photos ever.

I love this:

Joanna!!  I just went through my proof sheet from Reproductions…

THESE. ARE.  AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I got ten times as many looks as I was even looking for!!!  I always always hate photos of me, but I absolutely love these!!  You are a genius!!  How am I ever going to narrow these down?!!?  You are amazing.  Thank you so much.  You are seriously unbelievably talented.  Holy cow.

YAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Carrie Wiita

How important are backgrounds in your head shot? Headshots are about you, the actor. Your headshots are not about the background. That said, I like it if the background informs the photo in a subtle, interesting way. For me, studio headshots, with studio lighting that look set up and posed are not ideal. It looks flat and like you had pretty photo day.  I like something in the background…anything, even a little shadowing or sense of place. That said, all white can look fantastic and it really depends on your aesthetic. The photo can be fabulous in every way, but if the actor doesn’t have something going on behind their eyes, then it isn’t an interesting photo. Remember that your photo is selling a product and you have to tell people something about yourself through this photo, besides just hair color.

So, can a background make or break a photo… yes. Photos are getting tighter and tighter. We are moving away from the three-quarter headshot and back to the close-up. You should be separate from the background but I love it if the background gives a nice sense of place and space.

I can shoot your headshots in any style, we can go white and clean background or a blurry sense of space. It is up to you and your agents. Different agents prefer different things. The one thing that everyone agrees on is that your headshot must look like you and you cannot disappear into the background. I always urge my clients to talk to their agents about what they want and then I can do what works best for them while still making sure your headshots have a sense of energy and life and space.

Actors headshots are a collaboration between your agent, the headshot photographer and you, the actor. I love an open dialogue about your headshots so that we are on the same page and don’t waste any looks or photos.

I’m offering $50 off all packages for the rest of May. It’s a great time to get new headshots 0r freshen up your old ones. Your headshots should look like YOU, your headshots should exude confidence and you should look like you have been acting your whole life. Your headshots should make you look like a seasoned pro.

Stop procrastinating!!

Great headshots are one of the most essential tools in the acting business. You need great headshots that will help you get in the door and get more work.

Call today for an appointment in May, there are only a few weeks left!

Hi Joanna – its Kim here – Shelby’s mom – just got the proofs and you are an amazing individual. What fabulous shots you took, both indoors and out. I was afraid the sunlight was too bright but you managed to pull off an incredible shoot where this kid with sensitive eyes could still open them!

I cant stop laughing about shots 125, 126 and 129 – my God I would not want to meet this 16 year old in a dark alley – whoa! So cool Joanna to see your talent at work. Thank you for all the extra time you took with hair, make up, getting the one stray strand of hair to cooperate, letting Shelby change clothes that many times!

The variety of looks you gave her – edgy, cute, meanish, and feminine – will fit the bill for loads of different roles. We cant wait to send them off to our agent and our manager. If anyone has braces, you are the photographer to get! And if anyone has chubby cheeks and wants to slim them down a bit, you are the person to have behind the camera.

Thank you Joanna, above all, for keeping the price affordable for this single parent. Kim