One of my favorite wedding stylists works right next door to me. Not my amazing colorist Christy whom I’ve been going to for three years, but Karen, one of the fastest and dang good hair and makeup artist I’ve had the pleasure to know. Yeah, she’s next door to me in Salon Rache, how cool is that!

Erin's acting headshot and modeling portfolio example

Erin's casual first look, all about approachability! Is that a word?

She introduced me to Erin, a beautiful young woman who will be moving to LA soon and who needed actor headshots, plus a few samples to start her modeling portfolio. It was so much fun! Karen had her first look done within 15 minutes (yes, 15!) and at first, we did the “normal” backdrop/studio combo that every actor needs to have, somewhere. But then we busted out and went outside! To me, a studio can be confining.

Don’t get me wrong, I love having it, but it’s just not my thing. I’d rather shape and mold the light that’s there! It’s SO much fun for me to try to find amazing light rather than just recreate that light. But that’s me – I know a ton of folks that would say I’m a total silly for not loving studio lights.

Close up headshot of Erin

We found killer light, so much so that when it came time to do Erin’s second look, my self-proclaimed cabana boy and super-assistant Don V was having to do something I call “subtractive light” by blocking a bit of side light from her face and create a bit of shadow on her left side. What’dya think?