DURING THE SHOOT

During the shoot, there are several things to be aware of - and things to not be aware of!  What I mean by this is that while we are actually taking pictures, you should not be thinking about anything except being present in the here and now.  Remember, your headshots need to capture you in the moment.  It needs to capture your uniqueness.  The camera does not need to capture you thinking about how you look or whether you turned the stove off - because believe me - it will! 

Ideally, you will be at ease enough so that all tension in your body is gone (and hopefully you will not have actually left your stove on).  Yet, if you find yourself in a nervous place, simply think of the camera as your friend.  As the shoot progresses, you will inevitably loosen up if you are not that way to begin with already.

Remember, it's a good idea to put your acting exercises to use before and during the shoot. Just like you were going into an audition, loosen up and shake it out. Definitely do some stretching, eye clock rolls, exaggerated smiles, stick out your tongue...you know the drill. In fact, you should be doing these exercises anyways. Just like yoga, you will feel the difference. And you will be a more expressive channel for the camera!

On another note, you should know that we will be shooting high-grade digital pictures.  This means I will be shooting up to two-hundred pictures or more.  Don't worry about getting it right on every shot.  After a short series of pictures, we will review them on the spot and determine what is working and what is not. You can tell me what you would like to see or try - I've even had actors do Meisner daydreams (happy Meisner daydreams to get themselves to an emotional place).

The important thing is that you remain free and let yourself be without judgment or self awareness.  I may ask you to stand in a certain spot and turn your head a  certain direction; However, this does not mean you need to freeze and stop breathing.  Just take a deep breath - and remember to think of the camera as your friend!   I guarantee it will love you for it.