To start with, I'm new to New York. So I'm looking at Jordan Matter, Hoebermann Studio, and Trevor Oswalt since I think we'd get along great. Has anyone worked with any of these photographers? How well do their headshots come across in submissions, etc.?

Note: I don't want my headshots looking too clean because I have freckles, and it will never look like me unless the freckles are distinguishable. That's part of the reason I haven't seriously considered Robert Kim as of yet. Feel free to drop any recommendations you feel are appropriate.

quote:

Originally posted by I am Rosa:
To start with, I'm new to New York. So I'm looking at Jordan Matter, Hoebermann Studio, and Trevor Oswalt since I think we'd get along great. Has anyone worked with any of these photographers? How well do their headshots come across in submissions, etc.?

Note: I don't want my headshots looking too clean because I have freckles, and it will never look like me unless the freckles are distinguishable. That's part of the reason I haven't seriously considered Robert Kim as of yet. Feel free to drop any recommendations you feel are appropriate.

You're in South Korea??

I haven't worked with those photographers. I did look at their websites when I was shopping around last year. I like the edginess of Trevor's photos - I think a lot of them "pop" and are interesting.

these are all top (and very very expensive) nyc photogs. youll be in great hands with any of them.

you can tell if the photog is an over photoshopper by looking at their work. some of them scream photoshop. i don't think you'll find that with the 3 studios you've mentioned. the majority of photogs won't photoshop out freckles. and usually, it's the actor who (wrongly?) requests to have them photoshopped out.

so just find anyone you like and go for it! a good photog will know better than to photoshop out those freckles

quote:

Originally posted by I am Rosa:
To start with, I'm new to New York. So I'm looking at Jordan Matter, Hoebermann Studio, and Trevor Oswalt since I think we'd get along great. Has anyone worked with any of these photographers? How well do their headshots come across in submissions, etc.?

Note: I don't want my headshots looking too clean because I have freckles, and it will never look like me unless the freckles are distinguishable. That's part of the reason I haven't seriously considered Robert Kim as of yet.

A Korean woman with freckles? That’s an interesting combination.

Let’s discuss the subject of freckles.

First, freckles are always a matter of personal preference. But if you’re an actor, it’s extremely important that you decide if showing your freckles is something that will help further your image and career, or not. I photograph actors, and actors have specific needs. You’ll find that most successful adult actors usually cover their freckles. This is commonly known as having a “flawless face.” There are always exceptions, but they are exceedingly rare. I find freckles to be more of an adolescent look, better suited to children (think: Tom Sawyer and Pippy Longstocking). But for adults, I find freckles often distracting, and apparently so does the entire film and model industry.

I notice that you’ve automatically ruled me out because the majority of the actors on my site don't show freckles. That is your decision, and may you have good luck with one of the $1,000. photographers you just mentioned. That said, selecting your next photographer based upon whether freckles are showing is like buying a house because of the color of the flowers on the front lawn. To have freckles or not is simply a matter of makeup. If you want to show them, I simply instruct the makeup artist not to cover them. But most of my clients prefer a flawless look, particularly after they see the examples I’m going to show you.

The headshot below was done by Jordan Matter, one of the premier natural light photographers in New York. He used it on his website. She is showing all of her freckles. I found them to be distracting and unflattering, so I had my makeup artist cover them, and then covered her arms with a long-sleeved blouse. She never went back to the freckle look again.

BEFORE:

AFTER:


The second example is of a woman I met many years ago at an audition. She made no attempt to cover her freckles, and I asked her come in for her new headshots. I covered all of her freckles with a special concealing base, which my makeup artist taught her how to apply. She booked three feature films within the first year of submitting headshots with her “new look” and never went back to her previous appearance.

BEFORE MAKEUP:

AFTER MAKEUP:


My third example is of a client who wanted to show most of her freckles, and I agreed. The look is natural, appropriate, and works well for this young lady. She won “Best Headshot” at the IMTA Convention in LA with it.

BEFORE:

AFTER:


Finally, last week I shot a young Irish actor who I thought would be perfect for roles like those in “The Departed,” or as a perfect Irish street tough like 'The Westies' in “Gangs Of New York.”



Freckles are not the issue, the photographer is.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Well, just to offer a slightly different perspective - I actually like freckles. I've gone out of my way to hire models with freckles for some shoots. Granted, Robert is correct that its not typical, but I say don't hide your unique features. Freckles are great!

A actor by the name of Andrienne Davis was sitting looking through my books just now and found this headshot of a young girl, which was pretty syncronistic... just the child I was looking for!

This shot was taken before color became the norm, and I only wish that you could see the vivid blue eyes and flaming red hair of this truly exceptional child. But this is for purposes of education only. Notice how the freckles help support her joyous and youthful appearance?



www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

quote:

Originally posted by blaneyphoto:
I say don't hide your unique features. Freckles are great!

You cannot properly advise this woman (or anyone) that her freckles are "great" without actually seeing what she looks like, first.

I can only assume that if this actor said she's from Korea that she's Asian. I have never seen an Asian actress with freckles in my entire adult life. And what if I told the second woman that her freckles were "great,"' without even having met her?

As you can plainly see, freckles aren't 'great' for everyone.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

Well, yes - I can't speak specifically without seeing someone but who knows? If you've never seen an asian actress with freckles maybe that's a unique trait she could use to her advantage?

Have you ever seen an Irish Bruce Lee impersonator?

I just checked out Trevor Oswalt because I'd never heard him mentioned until now...I don't see anything particularly edgy about his photos...in fact I don't see any consistency whatsoever.

I love Jordan Matter!! I wish I could afford to have pics done by him... But if you can, go for it! His pictures seem to capture emotion that I have yet to see in other photographers...

I'm sorry if this has caused some confusion! I'm not Korean, I'm just working here at the moment, but I'm based out of New York. I am, though, what my acting professor used to call "ethnic vague," with genes ranging from Native American to Central American to European, all relatively recently intermingled to create yours truly. So I do believe that I have a unique look, yet I also believe I'm not a leading lady type, for film especially. I'm definitely going for stage and commercial.

Robert, I'm glad you posted some of those photos because it really provided a good contrast with what I've seen on your website. I think your use of lighting is phenomenal, and it was actually reassuring to see how you handled the freckles on the young Irish actor. I've been under the impression from past headshots that too much exposure or lighting would wash out my face, and that's just not me. After all, everyone says it ought to look like you, right? I have never heard about freckles having a negative impact before, so that's really valuable information. I'd like more feedback, if you're willing.

I'm attaching a recent photo from a day trip just to give you some reference as to the quantity and quality of my much debated freckles. The freckles on my body are much smaller and sparser than on my face, and I doubt they would be a distraction.

I have photographed nearly every recognized Native American actor in America. None of them had freckles.

Same with Latinos-- no freckles. Your freckles no doubt emanate from your European roots, where they are far more commonplace, particularly with redheads.

I find that freckles often detract from the main focal points of the human face, particularly the eyes and mouth. That said, keeping freckles are a very personal concern. However, you could also consider the "halfway" measure, having your makeup artist cover up most of your freckles, while allowing some to show through. This option would probably offer the best of both worlds, particularly in your case.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/

WHAT A DIFFERENCE IN THE BLACK GIRLS "AFTER SHOT", ROBERT!! My best friend has the identical problem with freckling, and when its like this it actually comes from a skin pigmentation condition. She deals with it with make-up.
Can I ask you what kind or brand of makeup you used to cover them up so perfectly?? She uses something that’s supposed to completely hide them, but it really doesn’t do the job adequately and she has to really cake it on.
N.B.

I've experimented with various makeup foundations over the years and I prefer Joe Blasco foundation in cases like this.

Just remember to purchase the professional products, not the daily wear line. Some makeup people like to use Cinema Secrets or other heavy beeswax bases, but I find Joe Blasco provides tremendous coverage, even at minimal application levels.

Good luck.

www.robertkim.com
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0453647/