"Wax" by Rachael Sage

It's a photographer's job is to capture timely images of any given scenario, whether it be in spontaneous moment or at staged event. I work with actors, artists and musicians who motivate me, so I fortunately get to see, be part of and capture music videos in production.

I met Rachael Sage in 2012, and in 2014, had the privilege of working with her on the set of her music video "Wax" from her Blue Roses album. The video was directed by award winning filmmaker Nick Clark. The set was artistically staged, featuring elaborate prop pieces made of recycled materials by sculptor Clare Graham.

Rachael is one of the most talented artists I've ever met. She is a singer-songwriter, producer and visual artist who founded her own record label, Mpress Records. Performing Songwriter magazine named her as one of the Top 100 Independent Artists of the past 15 years. She also happens to be a great person and dear friend. She deserves the recognition, and I wish her best of the best. The official music video can be seen on youtube. Her official website is ww.rachaelsage.com.

Tips for Actor Headshots

  1.  Go Professional

Spend the money. it's worth it. Go to a professional who is trained, understands lighting and takes headshots for a living. Don't approach a friend who happens to have a decent camera. Hiring a professional will actually save you both time and money in the long run while delivering top-shelf results.

2. Go for Personality Over Glamour

Casting directors expect you to look just like your headshot and will be unenthused if you show up looking totally different. Headshots are about representing your type; age, wrinkles and all. That being said, a professional headshot photographer can help you capture subtle aspects of your natural character that will set you apart from your competitors. 

3. Find a Photographer that Gets You

You have to vibe with the photographer. You'll be using these headshots for a couple of years. Ask for a consultation, get a feel for how they photograph your type, your ethnicity, gender, etc. Being comfortable in your photoshoot is essential to produce headshots that portray a depth of character that will inspire casting directors to give you a call.

"Alice in Wonderland"

I've been brainstorming for new photography concepts recently and this is the first of many to follow.

I teamed up with a makeup artist from London to design a shoot based on the fairytale concept of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. We collaborated with Audrey and Lenny Boutique in downtown, LA. They provided a stunning collection of vintage clothes and accessories for the shoot, allowing us to invoke the strange yet beautiful aesthetic for which Wonderland is so well known.

Our amazing stylist Roki Torres assembled some original and appropriately theatrical themed looks prior to the shoot and was there on hand to pull it all together. Model Chenelle Aaron Badgett was the star of the show. I am very excited to have worked with this team of creative and talented individuals who helped make the project a success.

Stay tuned for the final images, we're extremely pleased with them and worked on several different looks, all depicting different aspects of characters and themes of the Alice in Wonderland surreal style. I look forward to sharing them with you.

Jonathan Winters

I had the great pleasure of meeting Jonathan Winters when John Kerwin interviewed him on the 100th episode of The John Kerwin Show. The interview took place at Jonathan's home in Santa Barbara, California. Jonathan was very funny and friendly to our crew, and his innate sense of humor definitely made the interview a lasting experience. He was once described as the funniest man alive, and we walked out of that shoot considering that an understatement.

Jonathan Winter's career spanned many decades, and he was seen as a comedic legend by not only his fans, but his peers as well. "The Jonathan Winters Show"  first aired in the mid 1950's and made television history that year when it broadcasted the first public demonstration of color videotape.

Another highlight of his career was when he starred in the 1963, MGM film classic, “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World” written by William Rose and Director Stanley Kramer’s first comedy. Jonathan, was in rarest of form as he worked alongside "the greats" such as Mickey Rooney, Buddy Hackett, Milton Berle, Spencer Tracy, Peter Falk, Ethel Merman, The Three Stooges, Zasu Pitts, Edie Adams, Sid Caesar, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, Joe E. Brown, Dorothy Provine, Carl Reiner, Jimmy Durante, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Larry Fine, Buster Keaton, Phil Silvers, Stan Freberg, Andy Devine and so many more, which I regret not being able to list. 

The majority of the actors recalled how Jonathan ad-libbed and kept them in stitches throughout the making of the film. As an actor he won an Emmy in 1992 for his role as Randy Quaid's father on the sitcom Davis Rules. He succumbed to natural causes on April 11, 2013, at the age of 87 at his home in Montecito, California. I was honored to have met this man. I would recommend everyone to check out, “ It's A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World Documentary Story,” then view the actual film.

The interview, along with my stills of the comedic duo, was featured in the "Santa Monica Daily Press". Click here to read the full article!

Your Career Angel, Shari Sambursky

One of the upsides of being a professional portrait photographer is that it's an intimate experience. You have to observe your subject and connect with them. You need to be quick in finding their unique qualities before photographing them. So it's always a great excitement meeting new and exceptional people who bring their experiences and personalities to the set. 

One of my latest shoots was with Shari Sambursky, Certified Life Coach, specialized in career direction. She is also a professional LinkedIn strategist. Aside from the fact, she is a lover of beauty, harmony and peace. I am amazed how fueled by passion she is in everything she does. With her charming personality, she filledmy studio with light and laughter.

We took headshots for both her acting career and consulting business, working with a few different looks in a few different locations. You will always feel at ease being in her presence because of her friendly demeanor and magnetism.

Shari also spreads her creativity throughout the world in her work with others with Breakthrough Shadow Coaching. She helps her clients to achieve our true potential in our lives and career by illuminating the shadow self, which exists within all of us, and using that to move forward with confidence.

Her work is reflected in her career, and my experience with her introduced new realities of understanding into my professional and everyday life! If you want to take a look at Shari's work as a certified life coach you can check her at www.career-esteem.com. I wish her the best in her career. It was an honor and privilage to work with her and her exotic look - and crazy curly hair...