Featured Photos - February 2022

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We squeezed a lot of work into the shortest month of the year. Here are some of our favorites of February.

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Taiyah, Colorfully

OK, who are we kidding? We’re crushing on color images, too, and we love these pictures of our new client, Taiyah (who is also with Ryan Artists). We started outside but, when the red noses of winter got the best of us, we jumped inside and had ourselves a dance party.

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Nicolas, Um, Quietly?

Make no mistake: this kiddo, who models for The Option Agency, is not the quiet type. From the moment he jumps from the car, he’s all energy and curiosity. When he got done his shoot, he went mutton busting. True story.

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A.T., Handsomely

Referrals make the world go ‘round. Well, they make our world go ‘round, anyway. So we’re very grateful our client Kody Harvard (great actor name, right?) referred A.T. our way. We fell right into a groove that produced these nice relaxed images for his headshot portfolio.

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Akina and Zendaya, Beautifully

Sisters Akina and Zendaya came back to our studio in February for a fun session that included the requisite number of beautiful glances (and a little bit of horsing around, too.) These pictures, taken for Ryan Artists, are just a few of our fave frames of these beauties.

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Alexa, Sublimely

We’re crushing on the black and white photos these days and we’re totally crushing on Alexa, who joined the MVP family this past month with her first portfolio shoot. Next up, an editorial session that will rock the house.

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Mya, Colorfully

Mya was probably Taiyah’s age when we started shooting together and she just gets more beautiful with every passing day. This session, inspired by the fashion of Billie Eilish, is our most favorite yet. This marks the first time we worked with Portland, OR hair and makeup artist, Kerrin Birchenough, who simply killed it.

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Melvin, Our Stand In

OK so we don’t take pictures of pets but we couldn’t help sharing this cute picture of our man Melvin, underbite and all. He stepped onto the paper as we were setting up for some toddler sessions — they’re about the same height — so we captured Melvin’s mug for posterity.

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Featured Photos - January 2022

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From professionals starting anew to fun photos of some longtime favorites, we’ve enjoyed a wide variety of sessions in the month of January ‘22. Here are some of our favorite photos.

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Susan, Starting Anew

After a career as a successful attorney, Susan wanted new pictures for her social and professional profiles, images that reflect a new chapter in her life. “I really like how natural these pictures are, wrinkles and all,” she told us ivia email. “These images do just what I hoped for -- they portray me as a more polished, but definitely older (yet still vibrant) version of myself.” Case closed!

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Harley and Casey, Polished

Did someone say January was Handsome Guy Headshot Month? It was at our studio. Harley, on the left, is a longtime friend who came to the studio to refresh his portfolio. Casey, who’s a professional nurse, is reviving his love of musical theater, starting with a wonderful set of new headshots.

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Piper, In Living Color

Taking pictures of Piper is less like doing work than going to a show. Something WILL happen and it’ll be fun. These images, taken for ZTA are some of our favorite kids portfolio pix of all time.

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Jamie, Naturally

It’s no secret Jamie Mack is one of our favorite people to photograph. Her creativity, professionalism and free spirit show in each and every frame. And, in case you didn’t know it, she’s a singer along with being a model, actor and dancer. Dig it.

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Lila and Ella, Rockstars

Our kids sing and dance and act and swim and make music. Even when they’re not making music, they look like rockstars, which is what our yearly Rockstar Sessions are all about.

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3 Great Kids Headshot Looks

Pretty In Pink

For those who’ve talked with us about our clothing preferences for kids headshots, the fact we’re headlining this article with a look that’s decidedly pink might come as a surprise. Never fear: we’ve not suddenly become purveyors of all portraits pink. It’s usually too bright, too loud and too overwhelming for most complexions. “Pink as accent color;” that’s our mantra.

But sometimes pink is the perfect color, as you can see from this marvelous headshot we did last week for beautiful Miss Chloe. Why does it work? Because pink enhances her beautiful warm skin tone. Add a very subtle bit of makeup, an absolutely trending hairstyle (both by our bestie, Karina Talaro) and take away any background distractions and you have a great kids headshot. 

(For those who are wondering: we don’t typically include hands in headshots, either, but sometimes you just go with the flow.)

Classic Denim

We’re first to say a denim jacket in a kids headshot can go one of two ways: it can look completely cliched or it can look clean and classic.

In this image of lovely Miss Greta, denim over a T-shirt works perfectly. It’s a wonderfully subtle canvas that doesn’t distract us from Greta’s bright shining eyes and slightly mischievous smile. 

Karina’s less-is-more approach to hair and makeup frames her eyes smashingly and gives us a perfect snapshot of who the casting director will be booking for that new role (which is the whole point right?)

Always Earth Tones

If pink’s not your style and denim is just a little too classic, you can’t go wrong with earth tones. 

The color palette we call earth tones is so broad you’ll always find a color that compliments your complexion, from a light azure (which works nicely with lighter skin tones) to evergreen (perfect for darker complexions) to this great combination of olive and maroon on Mr. Jimmy. It’s the perfect compliment to his blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair.

When All Else Fails

Still not sure what’s right for your kid? When they put on an outfit and stand in front of you, do you think: “Wow, that color looks great with her complexion” or “That shirt really makes his eyes pop?” If you do, then you’ve found your kid’s perfect headshot look.

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in professional headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.

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Top Photo: Chloe Lee (Instagram)
Middle Photo: Greta Van Eck
Bottom Photo: Jimmy Roberts
Hair and Makeup for Chloe and Greta: Karina Talaro (Instagram)

10 Tips For Great Professional Headshots

Whether you’re an actor trying to book a role, a business person elevating your profile or a student seeking college admission, a world-class headshot is essential to your success. Here are 10 tips you can follow to insure you get a great headshot for your business, professional or acting needs.

Hire A Professional

Hire a trained professional who takes headshots for a living not a friend who happens to have a camera and ‘knows a little about photography.’ More simply stated: you wouldn’t ask your dentist to fix your car so don’t ask your barista to do your headshots.

Look At Lots of Pictures

Every good photographer has an online portfolio for you to review. Look at a lot of pictures from a lot of photographers and pay attention to how you feel. When you see pictures that move you, you’ve probably found your perfect photographer.

Talk On The Phone

Talking to your potential photographer on the phone will tell you a lot about the person you’ll be working with. Is the photographer happy to talk with you and answer your questions? Does he understand your business? Is he willing to give you guidance on how to get the best pictures? A short phone call will tell you a lot.

Be Open To Spending Some Money

Mind your budget but don’t cheat yourself. Remember you’re not only investing your money, you’re also investing your time and energy and that’s valuable, too. Get the best you can afford because you’re worth it.

Map Your Location and Plan Ahead

If you’re running late you’ll be stressed and it will show in your pictures. So map and plan.

Prepare Your Hair, Makeup and Wardrobe

If you’re doing your own styling, communicate your plans to your photographer. Even better: do your hair and makeup and wardrobe and send some  snaps so he can see your plan and offer feedback. Communication is the key.

Drink Water, Get Sleep

You need to look fresh and rested for the best results. Treat yourself like a star that you are and get plenty of rest the night before your session.

Breathe

Remember why you’re getting pictures done: to capture an authentic image of your true self that introduces you to casting directors (or potential business partners) and prompts them to think: “I’d like to meet this person.” This isn’t surgery; it’s photography. Breathe, relax and enjoy.

Communicate Where You’re At

If you’re feeling nervous, tell your photographer. You’re a team so keep the lines of communication open.

Trust The Process and Take Direction

If you’ve followed these tips, you should walk in the door trusting your photographer has a working process that will deliver great photos. Trust the process and take direction. Oh, yeah: and have fun.

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This article is based on our three-part series: How To Rock Your Headshots. You can find the full articles below:

• Part One: How To Find The Right Photographer

• Part Two: How To Prepare For Your Headshot Session

• Part Three: What To Do At The Shoot

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Michael Verity is a Portland-based photographer specializing in acting and business headshots, modeling portfolios and fashion editorial photography. The husband of an acting coach and father of two young adult actors, he’s been photographing successful actors, creatives and business professionals for more than a decade.