Professional Headshots: How to Make Money Shooting Portfolios for Actors

Rating:
Summary: The real thing is still to come
Review: As a person seriously interested in photographing professional headshots, I am quite deceptioned by this book. The teacher has allocated very few words in fully explaining to the readers the pictures he shows, how do you start business, how to market your work, how a starter without those great reception and changing rooms can nevertheless start. Additionally, how Mr Hart has himself started, a good and really interesting point, is not described at all. Most of the covered topics could in principle make a good book, but too much space is waisted time and again in praising his photos and his models, shown in the book, as if we, the readers, were in fact his prospective clients. Or, worse than that, as if his main interest in writing his book, was to guarantee that his clientele, hereby displayed, come back. Instead of telling us that "Stella Pierce exudes glamour without even trying", according to Mr Hart's taste, perhaps next time he can teach us how to make a glamorous image of a woman that does not look like at first impression. The headshot of Mss DeCristofaro (page 73) emphasizes her already broad chin, instead of minimizing it. Ok, perhaps the pitfall was Mss DeCristofaro's compelling the photographer to lower his camera in order to catch our eye with a bit of her breast, but why displaying such a pitfall over a full page, or at all, and tell the readers about her "cool self assurance and quiet strength" - virtues the photo doesn't communicate? On the other hand some headshots are interesting, as the 4-photos composite of James Douglas in which 4 really different looks are obtained from the same person. What a pitty that in this sample Mr Hart limits his explanations to hair-style/make up/clothing, only, and superficially. What "The top NY headshot photographer" has to say about establishing rapport with the people comming to his studio, is left as everithing else, in broad generalities. So I cannot but conclude that the real good point of this book is in being a living example of how to make money with lousy work. It sounds very nice, Mr Hart, specially for your clientele's ears, that you recommend us "to help actors getting started". Perhaps if you invest a bigger effort in helping readers learn your technique, we would.

Rating:
Summary: Lights Camera Action
Review: I am a beginning Photographer. I found this book accidentally and I like it. He is telling you to know your subject: their personality, quirks, etc. It's not about gloss and phoney smiles.

It is a good beginning to learn about photography. Your not photographing apples and oranges, you are photographing people in the most natural way.

E. Wizzola

Rating:
Summary: Lights Camera Action
Review: I am a beginning Photographer. I found this book accidentally and I like it. He is telling you to know your subject: their personality, quirks, etc. It's not about gloss and phoney smiles.

It is a good beginning to learn about photography. Your not photographing apples and oranges, you are photographing people in the most natural way.

E. Wizzola

Rating:
Summary: My Headshots get me countless Commercial Auditions
Review: John Hart stands by what he writes in this informative book. I am a Character Actress/Singer/Commedianne. Our sessions have never been rushed and he takes the time to examine wardrobe, Hair choices, makeup and creates a very relaxed environment. You can see my picture on page 72 in his book PROFESSIONAL HEADSHOTS: HOW TO MAKE MONEY SHOOTING PORTFOLIOS FOR ACTORS. I am called for countless Commercial auditions as well as Sitcom and theatre work.