I know he's one of the best, but has anyone shot with him? Was he a good experience? Most importantly, was it worth the money?

Thanks for any info you can give me.

he has a unique style but he's way too expensive and there's other photograpers who are just as good but not as expensive. i don't remember if i read it heard it someplace but his headshots have been descibed as glamour shots on steroids.

since he won't tell you his prices on his website or on the phone, i went to talk to him about headshots. you don't get to leave with a cd of your shoot like most photographer now and if you want additional prints you have to buy them from him and have him print your 8x10's. you also have to use his overpriced make-up and hair person. when i told him i wanted to think about it he tried to play that how much is your career worth bullshit. i went to a casting showcase and the casting person told me their biggest pet peeve is actors not looking like their headshots and women usully look too dolled up in his photos and the men look too pretty.

Hey Omar,
Since you did meet with him, what were his prices? He wasn't really my style--just curious.

Word on the street: He is very pompous, talks in the third person, i.e., "Kevyn Major Howard can do this for you and Kevyn Major Howard can do that for you" when he is talking to you... etc. overglam, you don't look like your headshot... I've done some casting and when people walk in and they don't look like their headshot it rings false , casting people remember this for next project....

Just looked at a few images on his website, the first few women on the homepage all have the very same and exact whites in their eyes.... totally photoshoped out.... Rings False !

I shot with Kevyn Major Howard in 2002, and I wouldn't recommend him. You will look very pretty in your photos, but they lack character. I look too dolled up in the ones I took with him.

He's also pretty sleezy. He called me afterwards and said I had a great look, that he wanted to shoot me again for his portfolio for free. I thought, score, more free headshots! I went, he was pretty gross, came on to me, I had to be really firm that i wanted nothing to do with him. It was a pretty yucky experience. All in all, I say stay away.

I also shot with Kevyn Major Howard. This year, in the spring. My experience was for the most part really good and I got some amazing photos out of it, which have definitely increased my audition rate significantly. So, here are the good and bad sides of taking photos with KMH:

Good - Beautiful photos, awesome hair and makeup, quick turn around, they have their own printing place and the repro's were great.

Bad - It's a bit of a mill. Six people were shooting there the day that I shot. So, there are a lot of people buzzing around, but things are quiet on the set.
--- While Kevyn was very pleasant when he worked with me, I did see him become very, very snappy and rude with someone. He wasn't the friendliest guy on the block, but I wasn't there to make friends.

Prices - very, very expensive. Outrageous, really. But, I can't complain because I'm thrilled with my pix and since getting them I'm going on many more auditions. Beware - the prices are atrocious:

I paid $900 for the shoot. The hair was $95 (I think) and the makeup was $100. Then, after repro's, etc., my final tally was something like $1,600 for absolutely everything. So, those are his prices, or thereabouts. They're insane. If you're loaded or you've come into some nice $$, then you may consider it worth it.

If you shoot with him, I think you'll get stunning photos, but be sure to let the hair and makeup people know if you're going for a more natural look. Be prepared that you're dealing with someone (Kevyn) who is a prima donna. However, like I said, the pix are really awesome. Good luck with your search, and I hope this info helps.

Wow, thanks so much guys. I'm glad I didn't sign up to do his shoot. It's way too expensive, even with a student discount. I'll keep looking for a good photographer, thanks for all your suggestions.

Today I'm getting PAID to shoot with a guy who's building his website. I doubt I'll get the one I want to use out of it since he's probably just starting out, but hey it's experience in front of the camera and some extra $$ towards whatever photographer I choose to shoot with. If anyone know of a gem out there (i.e. great shots for a really great price) let us know!! Hope everyone has a happy holiday!

If anyone know of a gem out there (i.e. great shots for a really great price) let us know!! Hope everyone has a happy holiday![/QUOTE]

As someone mentioned earlier, I also shot with AMonterotti In Los Angeles and really got great, usable headshots at a fair price.... He gave me 4 different looks, unlimited per clothing change, for only $275.00..... there was no rush and he(Anthony) really seemed to care..... here is the website,
www.amonterotti.com Good Luck ! !

JIXXER:

I personally like Alan Weissman.

www.alanweissman.com

I just took a gig in out LA so I could "klll two birds with one stone"- get paid for visiting Hollyweird and make a living doing it!! Very cool. Just out of curiosity I plan to see a few more headshot guys out there, although I've pretty much made up my mind on who I want to go with already.
Question: Does Kevin Major Howard use natural light or in-studio?? and: Is he worth paying all that money??

I just noticed your post. Thought you might want to see a sample of KMH’s work.

When I was still in L.A. some people told me that Kevyn Major Howard was “the best.” I wanted ‘the best’ so I decided to pay the price. On his site he called himself “The King Of The Hollywood Headshot.” I paid $1,200. to be shot by Kevyn. It was the most money I’ve ever paid any photographer (his price has gone up $300.00 since ACTINGGIRL’s message was last posted).

In answer to your question, he shoots with natural light, only. “Is he worth paying all that money”? Here’s the headshot. You tell me.

Gorgeous headshot! If I was loaded maybe I would give Kevin a try.

I'm glad you like it, but no one else seems to agree. They don't seem to think it represents me well.

I would never pay this kind of money again for a headshot session.

Color is a little off. But, overall its a great shot.