I think an actor should always have a commercial and legit headshot in their arsenal.  Seasoned veterans and especially those just starting out.  Even if you think you only want to do commercials, you never know.  Have at least one of each so you are prepared and able to adapt to whatever may come your way.  For adults, 18 and over, I provide 3 final images.  We aim for one commercial and one legit image AND something around the edges of both (for less experienced).  Or, for more experienced actors, that third image can be a “character” image that can be used to help round out your portfolio.  Still, it should be able to stand by itself as a headshot.

For those under 18, a session results in two final images. We usually aim for one commercial and one legit.  But it’s always up to you.

A good rule of thumb for frequency of headshots is probably every year for adults and those under 16 should get headshots every 6 months or so.  If you have a major change in appearance (ex. full head of hair to shaved head), it’s advisable to get new headshots regardless of when you had your last headshots done.

Based on these frequencies, those under 18 invest the full rate for the first session and receive a discount for a session shot within 7 months of the previous session. You can find my rates and what is included in your headshot session here.

Below are three images from a recent headshot session.  Three useable images – you can easily spot the commercial headshot v. the legit headshot.   I hope this information helps you in your search for good headshots.

To schedule a session or simply discuss how I can help you get the headshots you need, please call me at 571.332.0208 or email me at michael@michaelgarth.com.

No question that our pets are part of the family!  The Pet Photography Experience is a great way to capture and preserve moments in your pet’s life.  Images, artwork, that will bring you joy and memories today and forever.  Give us a call to discuss the Pet Photography Experience and to schedule an appointment for your pet’s very own Photography Experience.  Pets with a terminal illness always get moved to the front of the line.  Please do not hesitate to contact us.

Check out the Pet Gallery for more images and information on our Pet Photography Experience.  You will find an FAQ and information about your Investment.

This particular individual read over the documents but still wanted them to be reviewed by an attorney before proceeding with scheduling a photo shoot.  I thought it was a great idea as I don’t want anyone feeling uncomfortable, uneasy, or unsure about any part of the photo shoot process from beginning to end.

Off the track a bit, but I think it’s necessary to briefly discuss each form. Basically, the Portrait Contract identifies the parties to the contract (myself and the client), what service I am offering to the client, what the client will receive from my services, and what is being exchanged for those services (ex. creative fee in return for a 2-hour photo session).  The Model Release is essentially a document that grants permission for me to use the images made during the photo session in my marketing efforts, advertising, and for other purposes.  Photographers rely on the ability to show their work as a way to attract new clients and business.  A model release is pretty much a standard requirement and if you ever seek the services of a professional photographer,  expect to be required to sign one.  If you are not asked to sign one, that is when you should really begin asking questions.

The Limited Use Agreement is a document that I provide to certain clients when they will be provided digital files.  Just as the name implies, it allows the client to use an image or images under certain limited conditions that are defined in the Agreement.  I only provide high resolution digital files to those clients that hire me to shoot headshots or other images that will be used for promotional purposes.

WOLVES

It’s understood that these individuals need the ability to get prints made at the request of a casting director, casting call, agent, etc., the need to produce promotional posters and the use of other media to help promote themselves.  Legally, I forever own the copyright to any image that I make (unless I sign over the copyright to someone else).  Therefore, without my permission, any image that I make cannot be printed, displayed, reproduced, or used in anyway without my expressed permission.  Any such action is a violation of federal copyright laws.  This includes but isn’t limited to scanning a print that may have been purchased through me, “screen grabbing” an image from my website and using it elsewhere, or taking a print purchased from me to a third-party print house and getting prints made.  Some establishments ask to see a copy of a use agreement while others are happy to print or scan anything so long as you pay them.

The client and I always establish the parameters and limitation of use in the Limited Use Agreement.  It can vary from client to client.  Most often, the Agreement will identify the images by name and grant printing/display rights for personal use or for professional use.  The Agreement includes my business name, my name and how I can be reached in case anyone should question the authenticity of the document.  Also, I usually require that any image used for promotional purposes will appear with a credit to me.  Again, the client is benefiting from the use  of my image and it is fitting that in return I receive credit and recognition for the image.

Getting back to the potential client, the attorney reviewed all three documents and gave the go ahead on the documents. Everyone is satisfied. The potential client feels comfortable with the legalities and I feel comfortable that the client is comfortable.  We are looking forward to a photo shoot to take place later in the spring.

As a Professional Member of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) I have access to a variety of resources that assist me in conducting my business.  The forms I use are templates provided by the PPA.  They serve as a great starting point and I tailor them to meet my specific needs.  This is one of the many ways that the PPA helps me conduct my business in a professional, ethical manner and in turn all my clients benefit from it.

*Why the wolf image? No particular reason.  I like this image and just wanted to break up the text a little bit!

Northern Virginia, 2/1/12

Area Photographer Attends International Photographic Event

In his continued efforts to expand the broad selection of new and trending photographic services, Michael Garth recently attended the Professional Photographers of America’s Imaging USA 2012 Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, a three day, professional photographic workshop, convention and tradeshow.

“There’s never been a more exciting time to be a professional photographer or, to have images created by a professional. Digital technology is changing all the time and I want to make sure I’m offering my clients the very best!” said Michael.

Michael is the founder of Michael Garth Photography and is located in Northern Virginia.  He offers a range of services that include headshots, sports/performer portraits, and sports action photography.   Michael has begun offering Pet Portrait sessions and is actively seeking models to expand this part of his business.

For more information contact: Michael Garth, 571-332-0208, michael@michaelgarth.com

By using various in-camera techniques a photographer can capture motion.  This is what I did.  I have plenty of images portraying “motion” and “speed.”  I decided to take it a step further and bring some images into post-processing and depict them as paintings – a bit on the abstract side.  I have already ordered a canvas print (the image is actually printed on canvas) from my professional print lab.  It will be delivered next week.  It’s going to be a great addition to my sports portraits and action collection.

I love animals.  I have had pets in my life for as long as I can remember.  Dogs, cats, gerbils, hamsters, birds, and ferrets.  I was a volunteer cruelty investigator with the Greater Huntsville Humane Society in the early ’80′s.  At the time, I was serving in the U.S. Army and wanted to find a way to be around and help animals.  It was an eye-opening experience to say the least.  Animal Planet?  Watch it all the time.

It’s only natural that I drift towards including pet photography with my people portrait photography business.  It’s a great complement and it allows me to meet and be around pets.  What’s not to like about that?!

The winter is a good time to capture pets indoors in their own home.  The weather is getting cooler, they are more comfortable and relaxed in their own environment, and you don’t have to go anywhere.  I come to you!  But, I am not limited to shooting just in the home.  Sessions can be done anywhere you prefer.

It’s my idea to capture your pet being himself – hanging out, laying on the couch, the patio, walking on two legs – whatever it is that makes your pet who he or she is.  As pet owners, we all know that every pet has their own personality and character.  I want to capture that look.  The images are more meaningful to you.  You look at the print hanging on the wall and you feel the same emotional connection that you get when your pet is actually right there with you.

Thanks for stopping by and let me know what you think in the comments.

Hi -

“Angel: A Nightmare in Two Acts” opens tomorrow at 8 PM.  I play Olga Lengyel.  I would love it if you could make it!  Below is more information about the play, the times and the location.

Port City Presents:

Opening Friday, Port City Playhouse stages this powerful drama, based on the true stories of concentration camp guard Irma Grese and Holocaust survivor Olga Lengyel. Known as “The Beautiful Beast” or “The Blonde Angel of Auschwitz,” the sadistic young Grese faces trial in 1945 at the age of 22 for her vicious killing and torturing of inmates at Bergen-Belsen and elsewhere. But the prosecutor finds himself caught in her seductive spell, and it’s up to former Auschwitz-Birkenau prisoner Lengyel (who wrote about her real-life experience in the acclaimed book Five Chimneys) to teach him a lesson in dignity and survival. 

Performance Dates: Fri/Sat Nov 4/5, 11/12 & 18/19 at 8 pm; Tue Nov 15 at 8 pm plus Sat Matinees Nov 12 & 19 at 2 pm 

Performance Location: The Lab at Convergence, located at 1819 N. Quaker Lane in Alexandria, VA 22302 

Very Limited Seating – Click here to: Reserve Your Seats Today 

Featuring: David Adler, Deanna Gowland, Luba Hansen, Casey Jones, Doug Sanford & Robin Zerbe

I recently had the opportunity to photograph another dancer. Her name is Nicole. She saw the images from another dancer session of mine, liked the style of that session and wanted to get some images done. Style is an important point here. A quick word here to readers out there. I don’t shoot “cookie cutter” portraits.  The various department stores and others provide that service and do it well.  If that is what you are looking for, by all means book a session at the store.  I’ve discussed this before in other posts.  If you are simply wanting to document time and place, great.  I can do that but so can the other “volume” photography studios, such as the department stores.  This is not a slam on those studios.  No doubt that this type of photography has its place and certainly serves a need.  However, it’s not what I do.  I much prefer to create images that do not simply represent time and place.  It is my goal to create unique “timeless” images.  When someone comes into your home and sees one of my framed or canvas images hanging on the wall, hopefully their reaction is “wow, what a beautiful image.”  Not, “that’s so and so when he or she was so and so age.”

Nicole came to me wanting some dance images for the wall and some headshot images that would do double duty as tools for auditions and for personal use, such as framing in the home.  Normally, any one session is two-hours.  We essentially combined two sessions into one, or two mini-sessions!  Nicole was great in front of the camera.  The longer the session went on, the more I could see how much she loved dance.  Her eyes lit up when she would give me some background on a dance pose or when she was telling me about a previous dance performance.  Because of the mini-sessions, obviously we ended up with less than what we get with a full session, but we met the objectives of the session and came away with some great images in a short amount of time.

Below is a selection of images from the shoot. Thanks again to Nicole.