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Headshots Familiar to Actor/Photographer
By norman | June 17, 2009
There are two basic components to the headshot of a performer. One is the performer, posing.Second, obviously, is the photographer, photographing. Dallas photographer Mark Oristano works both ends of the equation.
With 30 years of acting under his belt, Oristano has been in more than 50 stage shows, from Shakespeare to Mamet.In his work as a portrait photographer, Oristano is glad to be able to offer friends in the Dallas-Ft. Worth theater communiunity quality shots and a good rate.
“Once they know that I go through the same stuff they do as an actor, it’s pretty easy to get people to relax for their session,” Oristano says.
The key to any good portrait shoot, obviously, is to get the subject to relax.Being used to being in public and used to being photographed are two very different things.
“It’s very rare that a headshot choice comes out of the first twenty or so shots of a session,” Oristano said between breaks at his Dallas studio.”Since I speak their language, the language of the stage, we can compare notes on roles and things and build a good rapport.”
Mark works in studio with hair/makeup stylist Kari Engelbrecht to create the proper look for each subject, which changes with age, coloring, wardrobe etc.
Kari is superb at judging hair, makeup and coloring. I bow to her knowledge completely and I let her set the pace as far as styling goes.”
And how much does he trust himself as a photographer?
“I take my own headshots,” Oristano adds, “using a remote shutter release. I’ve even taken the book jacket photo for my new book, A SPORTSCASTER’S GUIDE TO WATCHING FOOTBALL.“
Oristano also shoots in an old-style black-and-white fashion, which he calls “Hollywood/1935.”Shots like those from the 30’s of the great George Hurrell.
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