With Superbowl LVI fast approaching, it seems like a good time to showcase a recent American Football themed shoot featuring Tegan. The idea for this theme had been bubbling away behind the scenes for quite a while, so it was great to finally get together and bring it to life.
Here’s a look at one of the finished images.
I know what you’re going to say. She’s wearing a Texas A&M jersey and holding a Cleveland Browns helmet!
There have been heated discussions about this in Facebook groups.
She should never have an orange helmet because A&M’s fierce rival Texas Longhorns play in that colour. Well, what can I say? Art is subjective! It’s just a bit of fun! American Football gear is not that readily available here in the UK! It’s not a Longhorns helmet!
See!
I borrowed the helmet from my friend who works for Aston Villa FC. He was given it by a former club owner, who also used to own the Cleveland Browns. By a strange twist of fate, I also used to look after said owner’s private jet when he flew into Birmingham to watch the Villa.
Three point lighting was used. Strip-boxes either side and behind, with a large octa-box boomed directly overhead.
Here’s a behind the scenes shot.
Hopefully this illustrates how little space you need to create high quality imagery.
Hope this gets you in the mood for the Superbowl. Will you be watching?
I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.
Should I invest in professional hair and makeup for my headshot session?
I would personally recommend using a trusted makeup artist for any portrait photography session. A skilled makeup artist can create the illusion of flawless skin, define the eyes and enhance facial features. Professional makeup will also help to keep re-touching and post-production down to a minimum.
Here are a few tips should you want to do your makeup yourself.
Keep it real.
Your makeup should be an accurate representation of you and your brand. We’re looking for a good balance of clear skin and realism.
Pores.
Use a thin coating of foundation which still allows for natural skin texture. If too many layers of makeup are used in an attempt to better accentuate facial features, it will cover the pores and skin texture, resulting in flat, un-realistic looking skin.
Matte is your friend.
Steer well clear of shimmer and glitter, resist that urge! For party makeup, shimmer can look great, but for photography, use a matte finish. Whether it be eye shadow, cheeks, or face, remember matte will always look best.
Natural Look, not “Light”
It is more important to aim for a natural look than “light makeup.” Studio lighting has a way of reducing the impact of makeup, so you can afford to go a little darker with lip colour, mascara and eye shadow.
Colour of foundation.
Match the colour of your foundation to the natural colour of your skin in your neck and chest area. Resist the temptation to choose a shade which is darker than your skin tone. Oil-free matte will yield the best results in headshots but it can be difficult to apply correctly.
Oily Skin.
The best way to control oily skin is to use a blotter sheet. Mattifying gel (cream) is another option. It’s easy to apply and works well with the skin of all types and colours.
So, consider whether you should invest in professional makeup for your headshot session. Your headshots are an investment in yourself and your brand so spending a little more to achieve better results seems like a no-brainer to me.
If you do choose the professional option, be sure to confirm that your make-up artist is proficient in make-up specifically for photography. There is a big difference in ‘night-out’ makeup and photo-shoot makeup.
I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.
It’s fantastic to see people expressing themselves. Innovative style, interesting hair, bold make-up.
I love it.
But, and it’s a big but.
It doesn’t necessarily belong in your headshot session.
Why not?
Think about it.
Have you ever looked back at photographs of your parents or grand-parents taken in the 1970s, for example? Their style, whilst interesting, looks a little out-there doesn’t it? Flared trousers, platform soles, huge collars and heavy side-burns look dated by today’s standards.
This is what we would look to avoid in our headshots. Any trends that might appear out of date within a year or two.
If you think ‘timeless’ with your styling, then you won’t go far wrong.
Remember, your headshots are a representation of your brand. You are presumably looking to get hired or advance your career, so let’s try to avoid any ultra trendy styling items. Let’s work together to create the images that launch your career to a higher level.
If you do wish to work on something specifically to illustrate a more creative styling concept, then please take a look at my editorial portrait work and get in touch to discuss your needs.
I’m a portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, and personal branding for actors, athletes and business professionals.
Hello everyone. In today’s post, I’m showcasing some images from a photo-shoot with a historical theme. I’ve had a lifelong interest in history. World War 2 has fascinated me since I was a child, but I’m also interested in the Medieval period. So when Tegan and I got together to shoot, we put together a concept based upon several of history’s famous, or rather infamous households.
These images are conceptual by nature and are by no means intended to be historically accurate in any way, shape or form.
Just thought I’d clear that up, straight off the bat!
First up…………..
Beauchamp – Warwick
Guy Beauchamp (c. 1272 – 12 August 1315), pronounced ‘beecham’, was the 10th Earl of Warwick. He was an English magnate, and one of the main opponents of King Edward II and his favourite, Piers Gaveston. Edward and Piers certainly took to one another, though how close their friendship was, is a matter of speculation. After all, Edward went on to have four children with his wife, Isabella. Many at the time thought Edward and Piers were in a sexual relationship.
Gaveston was exiled three times at the hands of the English nobility. He had been a relative upstart in the English aristocracy and made himself unpopular among the established nobility by his arrogance and his undue influence on the king. He gave mocking nicknames to the leading men of the realm, and called Warwick (Beauchamp) the “Black Dog of Arden”.
Sooner or later, something had to give. Gaveston agreed to surrender himself (on the understanding that his safety would be guaranteed), to the Earl of Pembroke at Scarborough Castle.
On 10 June 1312, while Pembroke was away, Beauchamp forcibly carried away Gaveston to Warwick Castle. Here, in the presence of Warwick, Lancaster and other magnates, Gaveston was sentenced to death at an improvised court. On 19 June he was taken to a place called Blacklow Hill—on Lancaster’s lands—and decapitated.
According to the Annales Londonienses chronicle, four shoemakers brought the corpse back to Warwick (Beauchamp), but he refused to accept it, and ordered them to take it back to where they found it. Gaveston’s body was eventually taken to Oxford by some Dominican friars, and in 1315, King Edward finally had it buried at Kings Langley.
The legacy of Piers Gaveston inspired the ‘Piers Gaveston Society’.
An Oxford University dining club founded in 1977, joined by 12 select undergraduates each year.
Their Latin motto “(Sane) non memini ne audisse unum alterum ita dilixisse” which translates roughly as “Truly, none remember hearing of a man enjoying another so much”
They hold a grand party each summer, once described as a ‘very well organised orgy,’ whose decadence has supposedly ranged from mass drug-taking to live sex shows.
So, a fairly colourful historical contribution coming out of Warwick, and Guy Beauchamp was but one of the line of Earls!
Next up………..
Medici – Florence
The Medici family, also known as the House of Medici, first attained wealth and political power in Florence in the 13th century through its success in commerce and banking.
The Medici family’s support of the arts and humanities made Florence into the cradle of the Renaissance.
The Medici produced two queens.
During their time in power, two of the women in the Medici family became a royal by marriage. Catherine de’Medici became the Queen consort to the French king of the time, King Henry II. More than fifty years later, Marie de’Medici became the Queen of France after marrying King Henry IV. In 1616, her son, King Louis VIII, banished her from court for two years.
The Medicis produced four popes (Leo X, Clement VII, Pius IV and Leo XI), and their genes have been mixed into many of Europe’s royal families. The last Medici ruler died without a male heir in 1737, ending the family dynasty after almost three centuries.
Poitiers – Aquitaine
Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204) was one of the most powerful and influential figures of the Middle Ages. Inheriting a vast estate at the age of 15 made her the most sought-after bride of her generation. She would eventually become the queen of France, the queen of England and lead a crusade to the Holy Land. She is also credited with establishing and preserving many of the courtly rituals of chivalry.
She is said to be responsible for the introduction of built-in fireplaces, first used when she renovated the palace of her first husband Louis in Paris. Shocked by the cold northern climate after her upbringing in southern France, Eleanor’s innovation spread quickly, transforming the domestic arrangements of the time.
Eleanor spent her last years as a nun at Fontevraud Abbey in France, and died in her eighties on 31 March 1204.
She outlived all but two of her 11 children: King John of England (1166-1216) and Queen Eleanor of Castile (c. 1161-1214).
Dandolo – Venice
Dandolo was a patrician family of the Republic of Venice, which produced four Doges of Venice. The progenitor of the family was a merchant named Domenico.
Their most famous son, Enrico Dandolo (c. 1107 – May 1205) was the 41st Doge of Venice from 1192 until his death. He is remembered for his avowed piety, longevity, and shrewdness, and is known for his role in the Fourth Crusade and the Sack of Constantinople.
He was a dynamic leader, reorganising the Venetian currency and beginning the first codification of the republic’s laws.
Dandolo led the Fourth Crusade – an expedition intended to conquer Muslim Egypt – to Constantinople. His armies smashed the heart of the Christian Byzantine Empire.
His force became the first invading army to successfully breach the walls of Constantinople.
What makes all of this even more remarkable, is that Dandolo achieved all of these things when he was in his 90s. And he had been blind for more than two decades!
Venice is close to my heart. My family name ‘Katsaitis’ is the Greek variation of the Venetian name ‘Cazzaiti’.
Our ancestors left Venice in Medieval times, settling first in the modern-day region of Trabzon, before relocating to Kefalonia and Corfu, after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.
Hopefully you enjoyed this little sortie into my historical households project? It certainly was fun to shoot.
This set has also recently featured in the ‘Editor’s Choice’ section of Streetfashion Magzzine if you are interested in taking a look.
As always, thanks for reading.
Stay safe.
Andy
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
Lets get straight to the meat and potatoes with some quick photoshoot tips
1) Have your lighting and gear set up, switched on, tested and ready to go before your subject/model arrives.
It may seem obvious but it will save you time and it will give your model/subject some initial confidence in that you know what you are doing!
2) Turn the heating up to a comfortable working level.
Be considerate. No one wants to be cold. This is supposed to be enjoyable for all parties.
3) Get the kettle on!
Have little breaks…….offer drinks, soft drinks, Jaffa Cakes! Whatever your model/subject likes! You will have found out this in advance because…………
4) Pre-shoot communication is the key to a successful photoshoot.
See what I did there? Let point number 4 really sink in.
5) Set up a Pinterest mood board and USE it during the shoot.
I like to break it down into three sections styling/lighting/poses and I always refer to it during the photoshoot.
6) SHOOT TETHERED!!!!!!!!!
If there is just one piece of advice I can impart to you today that will make a MASSIVE and I mean massive difference to your photography, it’s to buy a tethering cable, plug your camera into the computer, open Lightroom or Capture One and literally see what you’ve been missing. Talk about my photographic epiphany! I shoot a sequence of 5-6 shots and then check the monitor for lighting blips, stray hairs, wardrobe or makeup malfunctions etc etc. Adjusting as you go. Working this way will, I guarantee, save you time and post processing effort later. It’s also a great way to show your model/subject what is working too, in terms of lighting and pose, in real time. Far better than a small display on the back of the camera. Trust me, I’ve done it both ways.
7) KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF.
If you do notice that stray hair or untucked shirt as a result of embracing my top tethering tip, then please don’t presume to touch your model/subject to sort it out. TELL THEM ABOUT IT and they will either do it themselves or give you permission to do so. It’s simple etiquette, but you should follow this rule at all times.
8) STOP, COLLABORATE AND LISTEN.
In my experience, lots of models are very good at looking at an image and spotting something that might be potentially wrong with it. Something that can be easily improved with a little tweak. So pay attention and remember they will have worked with a multitude of other much more experienced photographers than you or I. They may well be a pretty accomplished photographer themselves, so embrace their input, and thank me for it later! Also, there’s no need to be secretive. I’ve heard models talking about photographers who would never show them an unedited image! There’s really no need to be precious. If you work together collaboratively you WILL get better results. FACT. Show your model/subject what you are doing (see point 6 ) and allow them to offer their input and give them the chance to improve on their posing/styling. It works.
9) Get down on your knees.
Literally get down on your knees. Your shooting angle will dramatically flatter or un-flatter your subject so think about your shooting angle. It’s important. Shooting a full length shot of a female subject? Get low. Shooting from a low angle will accentuate the length of her legs. Shooting from a standing position will do the opposite and make her legs look short. Similarly, taking a lower camera angle when shooting a male subject can give a nice imposing look. If you’re shooting a head and shoulders portrait, then take a different approach. You’re going to want to be just a little higher than your subject’s nose…….have them project their jawline out and push the forehead slightly down. It’s flattering. Take a look at Peter Hurley’s YouTube channel or the work of Sue Bryce for all of the posing advice you will ever need. It’s something you should never neglect to consider.
10) Be vocal.
Coach your subject or encourage your subject. Tell them ‘that’s fantastic’ ‘let’s go along these lines’ ‘let’s develop this’ etc etc you will build a better rapport and that of course equals a more productive session and………….
11) DON”T BE A CREEP
Just don’t be that guy. BE PROFESSIONAL. Want people to work with you again? Build a great working reputation and you will have more people wanting to work with you than you could ever fit into your schedule. It’s a nice place to be at………..BE NICE.
12) Say thanks
Yep………..easy innit? Say thanks. Drop your model/subject a message after. Congratulate them and thank them for their hard work. Leave them a reference if applicable. It will be appreciated.
Hopefully this little guide is useful to you?
Stay safe people.
Andy
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
Just a quickie today to let you know about my latest easy to follow YouTube video tutorial.
Harness the power of dodging and burning to add extra dimension to your portrait editing workflow.
There’s an extra bonus tip at the end of the video for a real punchy global dodge effect with massive impact.
Have a great weekend everyone.
Stay safe.
Andy.
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
Quick and easy to follow video tutorial to share today on my YouTube channel highlighting a process I use on the majority of my images.
This two-minute retouching step gives that waxy, painterly look to skin which really fits well with my style and works perfectly with fine art portrait images in general.
There’s an added bonus here too, as it also has a skin smoothing effect.
Use it at the end of the skin retouching/frequency separation stage of your workflow to get the best results.
Have fun with the technique and be sure to let me know how you get on with it.
Stay safe.
Andy,
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
Sharing some personal branding images from an older set here today. High key set, edited in black and white for an extra contrasty punch.
We photographed these against a painted white wall, with the large beauty dish (socked to soften the light a little) directly over the camera lens.
I actually used the Canon 17-40 lens for these! I know……I know, not your traditional portrait lens but I honestly don’t mind giving the ‘rules’ of photography the old English longbowman’s salute from time to time. That’s a two fingered salute for any of you that aren’t up to date with your Medieval archery terms!
Just FYI……………that’s not the two fingered salute I’m talking about!
I’m sure you’ll agree that these guys are absolutely fabulous subjects. Very cool people.
Republica is available to shoot band promos, musician and actor portraits. Please do get in touch for your bespoke personal branding session.
Stay safe.
Andy
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
Happy to report a little good news story today in a world seemingly devoid of positives. A new feature in the fantastic alternative fashion publication Femme Rebelle Magazine.
Jessie answered my casting on Instagram, and we got to work on bringing this concept to life.
I opted for a three edge (Joel Grimes style) lighting set. The 22 inch socked beauty dish boomed overhead, front and centre. Gridded strip boxes aimed back at the model from behind, for some edge highlights. See the diagram below.
This is one of my favourite lighting setups. It works great for both male and female subjects.
We added a suitable prop…………….
I LOVE to use props…………..
……………..until the prop has served it’s purpose
……………….and you kick a field goal with it!
3 points (and no cuddly toys harmed during the making of this!)
Thanks for viewing guys.
Stay safe.
Andy
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
…………………and I’m not talking about the latest camera bodies or the fastest most expensive glass. We’re not even in the same ballpark actually………nowhere near.
Let’s break it down. Cameras and glass aside I’m sure we’ve all had those Eureka moments on our respective photographic journeys where we’ve come to realise ‘how did I ever manage before without this piece of kit?’ Call it an epiphany if you will, but each of these individual items I’m going to list below have had a huge impact on my creative process and really enabled me to grow as an artist.
None of this stuff is going to break the bank……….
First up and probably the single most simple but ultimately effective item on the list……..The tethering cable.
Tethering to the computer during a shoot has literally transformed the way I work. I WILL NEVER LOOK BACK. Forgive the caps but I can’t emphasise enough the value of shooting this way. Working in real time and being able to see the images on the big screen will allow you (and your creative team) to make live adjustments to hair, makeup, posing, lighting and anything else that may go unnoticed on the small LCD display on the back of the camera. My subjects have always appreciated being able to see the images as they are being shot and have the opportunity to see what is working for them and what isn’t, and adjust accordingly.
Type A to Mini-B USB 2.0 Cable is the specification for my Canon Cameras. I have a couple of cheap cables I purchased from Amazon for as little as £6 which do the job perfectly, but if you wanted to buy the industry standard then Tether Tools is the place for you.
So yeah……just in case you missed it……..the tethering cable is my number one most useful piece of kit. ‘Try it…….you’ll like it’ (as my mum used to say!)
Next up…………
The C Stand and Boom Arm.
Now light (as I’m sure you already know) works best either from above (it works for the sun) or from the side in a painterly Rembrandt style. I love to light from overhead, either with the beauty dish or an octabox and this beautiful, ugly bit of metal allows me to do just that……probably the best 90 quid I’ve ever spent on grip. I can boom my 22 inch metal beauty dish front and centre of my subject without fear of it dropping down and denting the floor (or my model!) It’s truly a great bit of kit and the boom arm itself also allows for better placement and manoeuvrability of other larger modifiers in the Rembrandt position too. All in all much better choice than a regular light stand, and a LOT more sturdy.
Third on my list…….Sheets of coloured cellophane.
Yep.
These cost me £3.50 for a multicoloured selection. Use them to gel your flashes. Cheap as chips as they say here in England, and very effective.
If you have some coloured gels for your flashes then why not go a step further and add some smoke?
The humble fog machine ranks next as one of my most useful pieces of kit.
Instantly add atmosphere to your studio shots with one of these. Remember to backlight the smoke and have fun!
One tip when using the smoke machine though would be to use it near the end of the shoot……the room can get a little clogged up after a few blasts and you’ll find it increasingly hard to focus until the smoke dissipates, so use sparingly.
Finally, last but not least is my wonderful painterly style cloth backdrop from KateBackdrop.
It features in many of my images for good reason, as I absolutely love it.
I do love to shoot against a storm grey backdrop and blend textures in Photoshop as this gives me a lot of creative scope in post production, but this fantastic and cheap bit of cloth really allows me to get a finished look to my pictures that I really love. I’m sure I will purchase others from the range going forward but for now I’m very happy indeed with this one.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my insights in this article and I’d absolutely love to hear about your own ‘go to’ pieces of kit that you simply can’t do without.
Thanks for reading and please do drop by and connect with me on social media.
Stay safe.
Andy.
I’m a fine art portrait photographer based in Tamworth, Staffordshire. Specialising in creative and styled portraiture, fitness photography, headshots, family portraits and personal branding for you, for actors, for athletes and for business professionals alike.
Andrew Katsaitis Photography 