Brighton based headshot and portrait photogrtapher Jacqui McSweeney shares her story from blagging her first job as a press photographer in a Czech bar through to working 26 years as a wedding photographer and now turning her highly honed skills to headshot photography

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Photography Adjacent Podcast, where our explorations extend far beyond photography. In our first episode, Tom Trevatt interviews Dwayne Brown, a photographer with 40 years of experience and the founder of Headshots Matter. Dwayne emphasizes the importance of curiosity and humility in photography, as well as the evolution of his career from commercial photography to focusing on headshots. He discusses the creation of Headshots Matter, a platform that connects photographers with clients looking for headshot services. Dwayne also highlights the supportive community within Headshots Matter and the valuable resources it provides. The episode concludes with discussing the future of Dwayne's photography career and the significance of storytelling in headshots.

Calypso Cragg, actor’s headshots

This year, your favourite bright yellow photosharing app, Snapchat, which has offices all over Europe, North America and the Middle East, put on a huge multi-location headshot day for all their staff.

I love using hand painted backdrops for my portraiture.

I had the great pleasure to work with the Museum of the Home to put together a promotional shoot to advertise their Alms Houses as available for fashion or film shoots. In this shoot I worked with two models and two members of staff to produce a selection of environmental portraits that showed off the Alms Houses.

Many of these images were inspired by my love for Dutch painting.

The Fujifilm GFX50sii is a powerful medium format camera that offers advanced features and excellent image quality. One of the benefits of the Fujifilm GFX50sii is its compatibility with a wide range of lenses, including vintage lenses. Adapting vintage lenses to your Fujifilm GFX50sii can be a great way to add a unique touch to your photography, and can provide you with a new set of creative options. The GFX lineup all uses the G-Mount type, which can be adapted to a range of different other mounts with ease.

Recently, I received a message on instagram from an account I had never heard of asking whether I could help them out. They had been let down at the last minute by a photographer and needed someone to take photos of some instagram influencers at a “trendy restaurant” that afternoon. When asking for their budget and expected deliverables they told me that it was a collaboration and I shouldn’t expect to get paid - and asked if I knew who the influencers were. After explaining that I’m a professional photographer, they laughed at me and told me I didn’t have a clue.

Headshot photography is a lucrative and growing market, with businesses and individuals in need of professional and engaging portraits for their websites, social media profiles, and marketing materials.

As an actor or performer, it's no secret that the industry can be tough and uncertain. Between rehearsals, auditions, and gigs, it can be challenging to make ends meet, let alone save for the future. But what if we told you that there are ways to make money on the side without sacrificing your art?

So often I see professionals using a phone selfie, a cropped image of themselves at a wedding or an out of date headshot on their LinkedIn profile. Come on! You’re better than that, so your LinkedIn headshot should reflect your value.

Shooting natural light photographs can be a fun and playful way to include an element of chance into your photographic work. It’s also great to be able to offer clients the option of something different.

Who you choose to take your headshots is an important consideration - whether you’re an actor or professional in the business world, having the right imagery can play an important part in the impression others have of you.

Actors headshots are the most important tool you have in your arsenal - they will get you seen, and secure you that sought after role. Neglecting to have a range of headshots on your casting profile may limit what you can achieve. But how many headshots do actors need?

An interview with Let’s Talk Podcast

How often you get new headshots depends on a number of factors, but I’d always suggest the aim should be to keep things fresh.

Something I’ve noticed when working with my business clients is that the corporate headshot is changing.

This academic wanted a headshot that popped!

Starting a headshot photography business can be daunting, here’s the first part of my story.

Author, Kojo Koram’s headshot session, the first in my new studio.