WHAT’S A TYPICAL SESSION LIKE?

PRE-SHOOT

On or before the day of the shoot we’ll go over what it is you want to see in your new shots - particularly what it is you were and were not getting from your old shots. In addition to considering what you/your agent are currently submitting you for, I would also like to know what your long-term dreams/goals are in this industry. If your agent/manager has suggestions about what to shoot for, I encourage you to have them call or e-mail me as well.

The night before the shoot you’ll set aside half of your wardrobe, drink plenty of water and get a good nights sleep.

On the day of the shoot you’ll be well rested and well hydrated.

I suggest you bring more wardrobe options than you think makes sense, because we will experiment with color and make final decisions when you arrive. I encourage you to steer away from wild, distracting patterns, but don’t shy away from solid colors…especially ones that bring out your eyes. Also, simple blacks and whites are definitely OK in my book, but bring things to layer, too.

If you need a make-up artist we’ll call in one of my favorite pros (see links for make-up in my resources section). You can also bring your own make-up artist.

THE SHOOT

We jump in the car and drive to places that I know have brilliant lighting and lend themselves to specific moods and types. We can also experiment with new locations neither of us have been to! If there’s a spot you love, we’re stopping. We will spend about 2-3 hours together and I will take about 200 - 300 pictures.

Why don’t you shoot in a studio?

3 reasons

1) The industry is truly leaning towards more naturalistic headshots as opposed to the very posed, flat, studio portraits of yore. 90% of commercial casting is done on LA Casting and it’s becoming more and more popular for theatrical casting as well. If your picture doesn’t pop on screen, it’s never going to be seen. The only way a casting director is going to click on your picture is if you are full of energy, if you are feeling alive, and if you have something to react to in your environment. If you would prefer to be in a studio with hot lights beating down on you, and you think you can harness and project the energy you would like to, I can plainly say that I am not the photographer for you. Here is a link that may help you (http://www.bachrachstudios.com/family.html). If you want vibrancy and color, and would like to keep some money in your pocket to get you through those frigid, blustery LA winter nights, then you have found your solution. Hawkey Photos.

2) I PREFER natural lighting and I PREFER being outside. What if you were stuck inside with a photographer that made you feel uncomfortable for 2 hours? What if you felt frozen in a state of eternal phony limbo? Do you think your headshots would turn out well? Sorry, but I don’t. Do you think I want to take pictures of someone who feels like that? No…I don’t. With me, out on location, if you feel fake you can take a jog around the block and come back refreshed. You’re in control and in your element. You can change your clothes or jump up and down. You can yell and scream or even sling your arm around a hobo so you look great in comparison.

OK fine, so why don’t you just pick one spot and take all of your pictures there?

There is no law against it, and if we find a magical place where all vectors of the cosmos snap into place, we wouldn’t dare leave it. But going to different locations and moving around gives you freedom and the opportunity to loosen up and be yourself. We regroup and start fresh with each new location. When a spot isn’t cuttin’ it for us any longer we need not stay there and get stale. The fact is that you have OPTIONS. You’re not a cornered beast who has been backed into a corner by some arrogant Nazi photographer. We are, after all, artists, and I am serving you. We’re creating your headshots together. We are experimenting with light and energy and we’re doing what we do best… having fun.

And why do you take so many pictures?

Because I can! So you can play! So you can relax. I shoot digital, so you don’t have to worry about wasting a frame on a goofy shot. You are free to experiment. You are free to talk, dance, sing, jump, cry, kick an imaginary Kung Fu master, make pouty model lips, or just sit there and stare at the camera thinking dirty thoughts (I’ll never know). If it’s not working we can erase those pictures and pretend like it never happened.

Basically, headshots need to capture the real “you,” not the “you” that’s worrying about how you’re coming across on camera. It’s my job to worry, not yours.

Can I have that in writing?

Why would you want that in writing? Are you a lawyer or an actor?

OK, fine:

I, Molly Hawkey, take full responsibility for taking headshots that represent you at your best, under the condition that you will let go and be yourself, and under the strict condition that you find me funny.

POST SHOOT

I’ll have your CD/DVD ready the next business day (Mon-Sat).  I can drop it in the mail or you can pick it up.

You’ll pop the CD/DVD into your computer and fall in love with yourself and probably chuckle a little…cause you didn’t know you were so sexy and fun.

Once you’ve gotten over your hotness you’ll pick your top 5 photos and I’ll retouch them for free. I’ll have your digitally retouched photos ready to give to you on a disc in 2-4 days.

HINT: Once you’ve narrowed your faves down to 50 or less, you should get 4x6 prints made and show them to everybody you know to help you decide which pix you need retouched.

POST-POST SHOOT

You’ll send your headshots out BOOK LOTS OF GIGS! Then you’ll refer everyone you know to me and we’ll all be rich!