Frequently Asked Questions

APPROACH

What is your overall philosophy when approaching headshots?

Everyone has an opinion on what an actor headshot is and I am no different. I’m aware that you “should look like your headshot.” My goal is to produce a headshot that captures your essence. So I tend to blur between an actor headshot for casting purposes and a creative portrait.

Every face is different and the way I approach lighting every face is different. Please know that I am not here to simply make a pretty picture. There's enough of that floating around the industry. I'm here to work with you as a team to create a set of images that demands attention. This is a collaboration between you and me (us if makeup and hair is involved). Every shot is different and I'm proud of the fact that no one actor will have the same shot as the actor before them or the actor after.

I have to find a narrative, but I am not shooting “characters”. I approach all of my work from a narrative point of view. What is the story? The is clients story? This has changed for me. I used to be very character driven. “The client playing a character” if you will. Now, I need something to say with the photograph. Nothing is more boring to me than a photograph of a face with no story. There needs to be a need and an emotion behind it. Don’t worry. As a trained actor myself, I work with you to create a headshot that reflects you and isn’t “playing an emotion.”

I try to blur the line between an actor headshot for casting purposes and a creative portrait.

Everyone has their opinion on what an actor headshot should be and they'll be sure to tell you what that is. Our goal is to capture a side of you that no one can deny is uniquely you. My approach is of a moodier tone. I focus on playing with light and shadow rather than blowing a face out with light coming in from every direction.   

Do you light everyone the same way?

This was the biggest struggle for me as an artist pursing a commercial endeavor. Most of the business information says to have a repeatable system. A look that everyone knows what they will get with you. While I found this process useful as I played with deferent set ups, I found it boring, too articifcal, and disconnecting from the process of creating art. But more importantly, I found it to hinder building a relationship with the people who trusted me to capture them. As a messier trained actor, I look to capture the essence of you. Yet open to finding the different versions of you - looks.

So I have a couple of setups that produce “the same” look, you’ll see in my work how each person is more than someone cycling through my system.

Is retouching included?

Two edited images are included. Additional retouched images are $45 per image. A document will be sent to you a day after the shoot.
 

Do you do the retouching yourself?

Yes. I have a light hand to make sure you don’t shock anyone when you walk in the room. So many clients lose work to over-retouched shots. It is shocking actually.

WILL MY SKIN COLOR MATCH?

Short answer, yes. I make sure you look like you. I work to capture the essence of you. This starts with the images we capture during your session and ends with how I retouch and style your image so it all comes together. Again, because my approach there may be an overlay of creative retouching but you will look like you.

How do I credit you?

Please credit Peter Konerko. If posting on Instagram then @petekonerko. Please be respectful and @mention vs. tag. I will do the same if I post a picture of you.

Can I post images?

YOU ARE FREE TO USE ALL IMAGES FOR: self “promotional” purposes. This includes: actor and model headshots, all personal social media, personal websites and online casting services. If you do post to social media, please be respectful and @MENTION with photo credit. Not just a tag, please. I will do the same if I post your photo. @aanayagorman on Instagram