Hi,

I'm shopping for a photographer in NY. I reviewed the list on NY Casting but there are so many I don't even know where to start. Any recommendations?

Since this will be my first time doing my headshot in NY, I'd like to receive an orientation.

Thank you all for your help.

How much acting experience do you have? Are you over 18? Do you have an agent? Possibly if you post a little more about yourself it would be easier to offer suggestions. I personally know photographers whom I LOve for children and teens but I am sure that there are others with more experience for 20 somethings etc. You mentioned that this is the first time shooting in NY, did you shoot somewhere else prior? If so what did you like, dislike?

I suggest a conversation with a few photographers. Get a feel for the person who will take your shots. Most pros are technically adept, but it's the rapport between photographer and subject that will result in a photo where you look relaxed and connected.

hey - i used a really great photographer recently. Peter James Zeilinski. he was affordable and i had a really great experience. id definitely reccomend him 100%.

www.pjzstudios.com

(im not affiliated with him or anything, i just like him a lot.)

Oh ok, thanks.

To answer childacts question:

My acting experience include:
My high school years , some student films, 2 indies.

I'm 25-29
I do have an agent in Miami. I'm moving to NY. No agent in NY yet.
I did my first headshots a few yars ago with Bob Lasky, when I decided to formally pursue an acting career. But it's time to renew.
I liked Bob, but I think that since I'm moving to NY, I should use a photographer from NY.

Hi Ron, thanks. As soon as I narrow down my choices, I will do that.

Thanks Jenalicious I'm going to check his website.

If I may, I’d like to offer you a few considerations. If you are not moving to NY with a paying job (whatever) will pay your bills) you may want to consider having the headshots taken in Miami and sending them out in search of an agent before you get here. Obviously, you could come up here for a weekend and get the headshots too. Don’t know how soon you are planning to move, but the looming SAG strike should be a consideration in your plans as a lot of the business is going to shut down if that happens, as you already know.

Since you don’t have huge amount of credits, you might want to think about sending out headshots to agents before you get here, unless eating is not an issue and you have the time and money to deal with that when you get here. Again, I just offer this as a consideration since even the NYC market is becoming harder and harder to break into.

If you look at the Backstage Resource Board you will see a large list of names of photographers. Of course it is so important to find a photographer with a great personality who can coach you through the session but price and style are an issue too. This also brings me to what you like or don’t like in your last headshots and what you are looking for in your next shots. Do you want natural light inside, natural light outside? Legit, theatrical, commercial, one of each? Are you looking for someone who typically shoots tight or has a little more of the body showing? what type of background or lack of do you want? There is a wonderful photographer in LA who almost never shoots in tight. You usually hear that a headshot has too be in very tight but everyone in LA loves this photographer’s shots and I have never heard anyone complain about his style. It seems like the exception to the “tight rule.” You can pay almost anything for headshots in NY so you may want to shop by price a little too. If you have good idea of what you are looking for, it will make the conversation with the photographer a little easier. Yes, typically a good photographer can do any of this, but you don’t want to come away from the shoot with something you were not expecting.

Invest time in really looking at websites. You will know what you like when you see it. Every photographer has a style.There are many other places to look for photographers,such as online casting sites and acting schools.

Good luck!

If you're already in NY, disregard this post.

Regarding using a local photographer, I don't necessarily agree with childacts. I think it's smart to use a NY photographer for the NY market.

Now, my situation: before I left Orlando, I had the same idea, but since I have a photographer friend who charged me $150 for headshots and several different lifestyle shots, I figured it wasn't a lot of money to lose if they didn't work in NY. But I got lucky and get booked directly from them. Now, if you are willing to take a chance and you have the money to lose, go for it. Otherwise, stick with your plan. You might even consider waiting to meet people and get personal references for a photographer, rather than "cold-calling."

Many actors look here:

reproductions.com

They have a photographer's directory.

I also think that shooting with a local guy is better.

Hi childacts,

Yes, I'm moving to NY, is not just a headshot thing. I'm actually moving in and since I will be looking for an agent in NY I thought it would be best to go with a photographer from NY.

I feel I've been holding on this move long enough already. I don't want to keep waiting, ready or not, here I come. Broke or stable. I have been able to arrange some stuff from Miami, like classes, workshops and stuff like that. But I know that things such as mailing to agents, CDs, and even picking a photographer are things I need to do once I'm in NY. You never know if an agent will respond and if they do, I should be available and ready to meet them. I don't think it would smart to say, "oh wait for me to get to NY", just a thought.

Now that you mentioned the Backstage Resource, I watched a video about headshots with photographer Mark Husmann, I really liked his shots but he's in LA.

My last headshots may still work if it wasn't because they're B&W, my hair has grown and a reasonable amount of time has gone by, its time to update, definitely. It's been 5 yrs. and since I will submitting for agents, CDs and auditions in NY, I might increase my chances with a NY photographer.
I'm looking for all 3; legit, theatrical and commercial. The details, well... it depends on what seems to work better in the NY market, right? Actually, Mark Husmann tends to shoot tight, according to his portfolio.

Hi transfergirl,

I think so too.

I definitely need to meet them in person before booking with them. I'm flying in June 11th, I'd like to get ahead and prepare my choices. Finding out who the favs. not only among actors, but among agents and CDs might be a good way to start.

quote:

Originally posted by transfergirl:
If you're already in NY, disregard this post.

Regarding using a local photographer, I don't necessarily agree with childacts. I think it's smart to use a NY photographer for the NY market.

Now, my situation: before I left Orlando, I had the same idea, but since I have a photographer friend who charged me $150 for headshots and several different lifestyle shots, I figured it wasn't a lot of money to lose if they didn't work in NY. But I got lucky and get booked directly from them. Now, if you are willing to take a chance and you have the money to lose, go for it. Otherwise, stick with your plan. You might even consider waiting to meet people and get personal references for a photographer, rather than "cold-calling."

Thanks for the info. I'll check that website out.

quote:

Originally posted by Marcus Aurelius:
Many actors look here:

reproductions.com

They have a photographer's directory.

I also think that shooting with a local guy is better.

Best of luck in your search, no matter who you shoot with. It's all a process to be weeded though. In the end you have to be comfortable with your choices and happy with the results. At least now you have a few more leads for places to look for photographers too. It's always good to consider all your options.

Thanks childact

I know that's a hard tip, but don't try to save too much, or you'll end up with unuseable shots.

I'd spend between 300 and 500. Under 300 it's not very likely to get someone good.

This is for LA, but I guess the New York rates are pretty pretty comparable.

Its a photograph.. OF YOUR HEAD.

you can find a photog who will do it for you for less than 100 easy.

Indoor studio shoots costs more due to space and equipment.

anyone who charges 600+ are selling you something you dont need.