|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Aurora Vanderbosch | profile | all galleries >> Portraits >> Client Galleries >> Headshot Session Info | tree view | thumbnails | slideshow |
 |
|
In Search Of... I am a "weekend" fine art portrait photographer, currently offering a very limited number of "TF" (free ;)) Headshot sessions for Actors and Actresses. **************** What's In It For You? I sell a basic headshot session, specifically for performers, for $150, that includes: I'm offering this entire package, including the second image, as a TF ("Time For"--or exchange of services) offer. In other words, we're exchanging services and bartering time. :) **************** Why Are You Offering This? I was a professional actor for 11 years, and know firsthand, how expensive it is to try to get the requisite new headshots every year or so...and how ill-suited an actor's pocketbook is for that expense...and after looking around at what's available in Boston, I've been distressed both by the poor quality of much of what is available in terms of headshots--and the high prices that are being charged for them. (Make no mistake--I've nothing against photographers who charge exorbitant prices for superior work--it's the not-so-great work, at high prices I'm objecting to! If someone can afford the highest end photographers, then they don't need me doing them any favors! ;)) At any rate, I decided to do something about this--to offer a reasonable headshot session to actors--so that they CAN actually afford to refresh their headshots more frequently...so I created a simple $150 package that gives an actor everything they need, at a price they can actually afford without too much hardship. While I have a substantial portrait portfolio, the thing actors should be looking at, when choosing a headshot photographer, however, is how does that photographer's HEADSHOTS look--not their portraits--and I don't have enough of those in my portfolio yet. Which is why I'm doing these TF sessions--to build up that part of my portfolio quickly! :) **************** Where Will The Shoots Be Held? At the moment, all shoots are in my studio (4 blocks from South Station in Boston), so the working conditions are warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and include a dressing room, soft music, and light refreshments. **************** Can I Bring A Friend?/Safety Considerations Over 18 Models - I always suggest my over-18 models bring a friend with them, to a first shoot--particularly in a situation like this, where you don't know me already! You don't have to...but it's a good idea, for your own comfort. If you're worried that I'm an axe murderer, or have unsavory intentions, you'll be stiff and uncomfortable in front of the camera, and it'll take longer for us to start getting useful shots. ;) Under 18 Models - If you are under 18, you MUST have a parent or guardian with you who can sign a model release, and chaperone you. This is for your protection, as well as mine--under no circumstances will a "friend" be considered a substitute for a parent or guardian. :-) **************** Are You Accessible By Public Transportation/Is There Parking? Yes, I am T accessible (4 blocks from South Station), two blocks from a Silver line stop...and there is also metered parking and relatively inexpensive parking lot parking within a 4 block radius. ($9-13 a day) There is SOME free parking...but you'll have to have more patience than I have, to find it. **************** So...if you're interested--let me know! Do not be discouraged if I don't get back to you immediately...I often "save everything up" for weekends, and unfortunately, my workload is such that sometimes it may even take me months to get back to you--but I do try to respond to everyone who contacts me, whether I think we can work together or not! :-) More Details...For Those Who Need 'Em If you're new to working with me, scheduling a shoot basically consists of two parts--an initial meeting (pre-shoot consultation or "pre-shoot" for short), and then the photo shoot, scheduled at a later date. Part 1 - Initial Meeting/Pre-Shoot - at my studio in South Boston, on a weekend, between 12-6pm. Preliminary meetings will probably run 30 minutes to an hour, sometimes a little more, depending on how much we find to talk about, and how many outfits you try on. I require a parent or guardian be present if you are under 18...and if you're older 18, I simply suggest that you bring along a trusted escort, for your own comfort. You don't have to--but if it makes you feel more relaxed, it's worth it! :) Please try to be on time, as I often schedule preliminary meetings back to back...and if you're late, that's less time for us to find you the right outfits, and make sure I have enough information to create the headshot you're looking for! The initial meeting is to allow us to get to know each other a little, and see if we feel comfortable with each other, as well as for me to get an idea of what sort of a shoot I want to plan with you. We'll discuss clothing choices, and I'll ask a lot of questions about the roles you're looking for, what type of performer you are (tv/film/theatre), what your best headshot looked like, and why you liked it...what you'd like your headshot to show about you... I will take a couple of test shots of you in the most promising outfits, to help me make decisions about your best look, later on. (I'll email you the outfits that worked best, after I review the test shots.) I have a separate changing area, so you will have complete privacy. While we're talking, I'll be studying you, noticing how you move, and when you look your best, as well as mentally cataloging your less-than-stellar points, so I can plan to minimize them, while maximizing your good points. I'll be trying to figure out your personal communication style--so I have a better idea of how to get the responses I want from you, during a shoot. I book these meetings in 2 hour increments, and expect them to last from anywhere between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. At the end of the meeting, if we're ready, we can go ahead and book a shoot. I'll always give you the option to think it over some more, if you need to, and get back to me--it gives you an easy way to say, "Thanks, but no thanks", without having to do it to my face, if you're not comfortable with being that direct! ;) Part 2 - The Shoot - at my studio, on a weekend, most likely between 12-6pm--although I'm more flexible with shoot times, than with meeting times! :) Again, if you're under 18, a parent or guardian must accompany you--and if you're over 18, you're more than welcome to bring along an escort. It's not required, but I have no problem with it. I'll let you know ahead of time what clothing choices you should bring. In addition, it's a good idea to come without makeup on (or with only a light base), and bring along your foundation, powder, and mascara, as well as any other cosmetics we may have discussed, or you think we might use. Your own brush and comb is good, also. If you're not good with makeup, I'm happy to help--I have a wide selection of cosmetics, and act as my own MUA--but for a headshot, you'll want your makeup to look quite close to your "normal" look--so I may only touch you up a bit, to "read" better on camera. I would expect to spend 1-2 hours per shoot--including the time it takes to do makeup and any hair and outfit changes. More time for more changes (and for women, in general)--less time, for fewer, and for men. While the average shoot is just about 2 hours, I've had them last longer--so if you have time constraints, make sure I know about them when you show up, so I can help you keep an eye on the clock! I will have you sign the TFP/TFCD agreement/model release, either before or after the shoot. If you're under 18, your accompanying parent or guardian will sign for you. During the shoot, I will generally pose you in a position I like, and then laugh and joke with you until you relax, and I'm able to get the look I'm going for. I'll demonstrate poses for you, as well as describe them, when necessary--but will also allow you to move around the set naturally somewhat, asking you to "hold it", when I see something I like...but bear in mind that since an ideal headshot for anyone other than a star (who can do whatever the heck they please!), a good headshot is a more or less straight on photo, serious, for theatre, smiling, for tv/film, with flat, even lighting. It ain't fancy--it's flattering "reportage", if you will. It should look like you look like when you show up for the audition--so the posing will be mostly sitting, and holding very similar poses. Your proofs will look a *lot* alike--just wearing different outfits. That's by design--this isn't a portrait--it's a headshot, and it's to show what you look like. :) I'll have light refreshments available during the shoot, and expect you to let me know if you're feeling uncomfortable, need a break, a drink, etc. Whatever we're doing, it can always wait a few minutes! ;) I do ask that you keep cell phones turned off, during a shoot, as the best images from a shoot occur when we both sort of get in a zone where we're cocooned against the outside world--and a cell phone ringing shatters the mood--and it may be difficult to recover that. After the Shoot - At the end of the shoot, I'll reiterate the delivery time for web proofs (usually one week from the shoot), and I will be back in touch with you when they are complete. The delivery time for your images will be related to when you get back to me with your final selections--not from the time of the shoot. (Ie, four weeks from the time you get back to me with your selections--not four weeks from the shoot.) Contact Information: It's always best to contact me by email--as this means I have a reminder in my Inbox, that I haven't responded yet! :-) You can reach me at: aurora at AuroraVphotography dot com - replacing the "at" and "dot" with the proper symbols, of course! ;) The day of a shoot or meeting, I will be keeping an eye on both my phone, and my email--so you can use either at that point. For all other times--email's the best. (I'll provide my phone number when we schedule a meeting.) Location: My loft/studio in South Boston - directly behind the Children's Museum, four blocks from South Station. This is both my home and my workspace, and is open by appointment only. 33 Sleeper St #303, Boston, MA 02210. Click here, for Directions: https://pbase.com/briarrose/directions By public transportation - South Station (red line) is the nearest T stop--a mere four blocks away, but Aquarium (blue line), Downtown Crossing (orange line), and Park St (green line) are all within an easy 10-15 minute walk, through the downtown/financial/waterfront areas. Parking: there is plenty of metered parking within a four block radius of Sleeper St--but the meter maids are aggressive about ticketing if you're over the limit, so try not to cut it close. There is also some non-resident parking on Congress St (a few blocks away from Sleeper),if you care to look for it, and for the truly lazy (like myself!) there are parking lots all around within a four block radius of Sleeper St. Parking ranges from $9 a day, to $23 a day, so look around for the best deal. (The lot on Seaport Blvd, at the corner of Sleeper St, is probably the least expensive for a day--but don't take my word for it--look around.)
click on thumbnails for full image
| ||