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Brendan Foster Photography
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Children's Head Shots: what's important

The first thing you want is choice. Lots of choice. That is what your agent / your child’s agent will want to see. The worst thing you can do is spend money and end up with five poor head shots and nothing more to show for it. Why will you end up with five rubbish pictures? There are people with low to mid-range digital cameras, little experience, technical understanding or ability, trying to convince you they can ‘do’ head shots. It seems an easy way to make money. Look at their work. Then look at other people’s work, then other’s. Pretty soon you get the picture. Avoid the chancers.

Back to choice. A quality, experienced head shot photographer will know a few things. He or she will know how to technically light, frame, tease out and capture great shots. They will know how to retouch images perfectly, never too much, just enough for subtle and natural enhancement. They will own professional cameras, lenses, backdrops & lighting and know how to get the best from them. That same photographer will provide options: a variety of looks, poses, expression, lighting, mood … you know, photography stuff. Stuff that makes an image jump out at a casting director and that is your goal. That is what your agent is looking for.

What can I do for you? With 12 years experience you know you are in safe hands. From my home studio in Croxley Green, Hertfordshire, your 90 minute session (give or take, we won’t rush anything) will provide a beautiful collection of professional head shots that will guarantee to make your portrait stand out. For a surcharge I can pack up my lights and equipment and travel to you. All I ask is that you have a suitable space to shoot. I have years of experience photographing young people in schools, for family portraits, for professional head shots, sports events … you name it. I also have a couple of my own so I’ve learnt some things along the way, like how to produce stunning images while patiently working through the ‘moments’, shall we say. You will feel relaxed, un-rushed and assured of the quality of work you are receiving. I work hard to produce great results and to make the experience fun, friendly and most importantly, successful.

Following our shoot you will receive a large private gallery of images from which to make the crucial final selections that will become your child’s Spotlight image. Price is where I also hope you will be surprised. At the time of writing, I still charge just £225 for a full head shot session at my base and £275 if I travel to you. I don’t agree with the overcharging practises of some photographers when it comes to head shots for actors. Charging £400, £500 or £600 pounds even for head shots?? It’s not right and do not be fooled into thinking they are worth it because they are “the best” or highly recommended by someone in the business. You can get images just as good and better, just as impactful, just as effective for a lot less and that is where I want to position my service to you.

For much more detailed information about how I shoot and what you get for your money please just get in touch. I will answer every question you may have without any commitment on your part. It may be your first set of head shots or your fifth … I can help you get precisely what you need and what a professional agent or casting director wants to see. Below are just a few shots from a recent couple of shoots.

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tags: Children's Head Shots, Brendan Foster Photography, Brendan Foster Head Shots Photography, Head Shot Photographer, hertfordshire photographer, Hertfordshire Head Shot Photographer, Croxley Green Head Shot Photographer, Rickmansworth Head Shot Photographer, Watford Head Shot Photographer, professional portraits, Child actor, Acting Head Shots, Actors, Spotlight, Spotlight Head Shots, Spotlight UK Head Shots, Child Head Shots, Young Person Head Shots
categories: Portrait Photography, Head Shots Photography
Thursday 03.11.21
Posted by Brendan Foster
 

#BringWater with the Surrey County Cricket Team

In these very lean photography times it was a joy to get a call from old friends at the charity, Water Aid.  Invited down to the Kia Oval cricket ground, home of Surrey County Cricket, it was an opportunity to be out and about again, doing what I do and meeting a few sporting giants.

Along with the charity’s videographer we had a very tight time-frame, less than half an hour, to capture interviews, footage and, in my case, plenty of action shots as well as portraits of key team members.  Big cricketing names like Morne Morkel, Rory Burns, Liam Plunkett and Hashim Amla were among those who gave their time to support the #BringWater campaign.  The challenge for me focussed on getting perfectly lit portraits of the players on a ground with harsh sunlight sweeping in and out of cloud.  That was accomplished at pace with a quickly erected stand, a Godox AD200 light and modifier to overpower the sun right there on the pitch.  With only a few minutes before training had to resume, I also needed enough ‘in action’ images of the players attempting to bat with the quarter-sized cricket bat provided.   Two in five healthcare centres globally have nowhere for people to wash their hands - not good at any time and certainly not in a pandemic.  Struggling with less than full essential facilities was at least partially symbolised by the batsmen’s struggle with a ‘less than full bat’.

Job done, we cleared off the pitch and training resumed.  It felt good to be holding a camera again in such circumstances.  The images came out well (see if you agree, below) and before I knew it, I was home editing like old times.  Here’s hoping for more days like it soon.

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tags: event photography, Brendan Foster Event photography, Brendan Foster Photography, charities, Event Photographer, cricket, Surrey County Cricket, Morne Morkel, Rory Burns, Liam Plunkett, Hashim Amla, hertfordshire photographer
categories: Event Photography, Campaign Photography
Sunday 12.27.20
Posted by Brendan Foster
Comments: 1
 

Guy's Urban Challenge 2019

The Challenge takes place every year near the end of September with the goal of raising as much as possible for Guy’s and St. Thomas’ and the Evelina Children’s Hospital. I was there as nearly 300 participants took on London’s most popular urban triathlon, making the day a great success.

This high adrenaline event asks a lot of its participants, with a 2.4km run, a 15km spin cycle and ending with a 29 floor stair climb to the top of Guy’s Tower (Europe’s tallest hospital building)! There’s even an ultra version for those who want to double their run time and cycle for longer. It’s a huge achievement for anyone who takes part. Perhaps the best part of this well run event is the very real sense of community and support that exists among those taking part. I certainly felt it as I snapped throughout the day. These are families who are doing something very personal and important to them and I salute them for it.

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tags: Brendan Foster Event photography, Brendan Foster Photography, London, event photography, Event Photographer, hertfordshire photographer, Guy's Urban Challenge, Charity Events, Evelina Hospital, Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital, cycling, running, stairclimb
categories: Event Photography, Running Photography
Thursday 10.10.19
Posted by Brendan Foster
 

All images subject to copyright.