Hollywood Mom Blog

Hollywood Mom Blog Exclusive: HALF OFF Head Shots with Photographer LESLEY BRYCE

Posted on 20. Jan, 2012 by Hollywood Mom.

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Many regular readers will recall HMB’s interview with fabulous photographer Lesley Bryce from a while back. Needless to say, we’re fans of her work and are excited to announce a new headshot special she’s offering exclusively for our readership which is 50% off her regular rates!! This is perfect timing for those of you who may need new photos of the kidlets for pilot season. All we can say is – Hurry!! And tell her Hollywood Mom Blog sent you.

Package Details:
2 looks
1 location
2 retouched files
Disc of edited raw files from session

Regularly $400 plus tax, Now $200 plus tax

For more information and to view Lesley’s body of work visit: LesleyBryce.com or call 805-443-2188

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Profile: Headshot Photographer Doreen Stone

Posted on 10. Apr, 2011 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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Bio: Doreen Stone has been in the business of professional head shot photography for more than 2 decades – surprising considering she doesn’t look a day over 25 herself. Over her illustrious career Doreen has photographed almost every child star you can imagine from 80′s & 90′s child stars like Mario Lopez (Extra!) and Danielle Fishel (The Dish!) to feature film a-listers Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine, My Sister’s Keeper), today’s television stars such as Ariel Winter (Modern Family) and tomorrow’s stars like Mackenzie Foy (who plays Renesmee Cullen in the next Twilight installment) When my daughter Jordan shot with her earlier this year not only did she nail the “specific” photo looks we required, I learned a lot about the artist behind the lens!

Jordan Bobbitt in her aloof, rich girl pose. Doreen nailed it!

HMB: How did you become a headshot photographer?

Doreen Stone: From a very young age, I’ve been drawn to photography. Although I never had an interest in the technical aspects, looking through a camera lens was really a way for me to connect more deeply with people and really, the world. I am most alive and present when I am behind my camera. I see each person before me as a gift. I see each person’s uniqueness.

HMB: What’s your method and philosophy:

Doreen Stone: When I look through the camera lens, I am forced to focus on the person in a way I never before would have noticed to think about. I think that’s why my head shots are so different and special. I am sensitive to each individual personality and understand that some clients may feel trepidation when entering a session…but through trust and even humor, I really concentrate on creating a carefree environment. I don’t pressure my clients but instead try to draw them out. I also try to take [them] by surprise – like capturing a moment before they even know the picture was taken. This helps [avoid] having those fake smiles and poses.

If I am doing my job right, there comes a moment when there is a sense that everything has come together…the lighting, the mood and the emotion. At this point it just hits me and I know, “That’s a good picture!” I believe all my clients are worthy of such attention. I [believe] this philosophy evolved from my decision to shoot more children and teens.

The winning combo of cute kids caught on film with great lighting are a Doreen Stone signature

HMB: How did you come to primarily specialize in photographing kids and teens?

Doreen Stone: Kids have this amazing openness and receptivity. They are also so flexible and usually have no expectations. They’re in the moment with me, creating the most amazing environment of trust and humor. Unfortunately adults seems to loose that carefree spontaneity and are constricted by their expectations of how things ought to look.

HMB: Please give us your perspective as a photographer who prefers film, on why film versus digital cameras.

Doreen Stone: I have to admit the new digital cameras are really awesome. Is there a clear cut answer to digital versus film? No. Digital is not “better,” it’s just different. having said that, I prefer the look of film. Mostly the highlights and resolution. The highlights are richer and the textures more graceful which is important to me for skin tones. But even more, with film you are forced to slow down and think about what you are doing.

I see these photo shoots where the photographer shot 600 pictures with a digital camera and all 600 pictures look exactly the same. No uniqeness. No connection to the moment nor the person sitting in front of them. You will never see that with my pictures.

Mackenzie Foy

HMB: What advice do you give parents to prepare their kids for a shoot?

Doreen Stone: I think it’s important that the parents speak first with the [child's] agents and/or managers and THEN the photographer. What is the agent or manager looking for? Commercial shot? Theatrical shots? Something more specific? Only head shots, or body shots also?

[I also suggest] they have several changes of clean and ironed clothes. Usually the clothes should be bright and solid colored with no patterns or anything too distracting. The clothes should be casual and appropriate for a child or teen. Also your picture should look as young as you are…sometimes even a little younger. So my general rule is no make-up! And most important, your child should have a good nights rest before a shoot.

To schedule your child star’s next headshot session with Doreen Stone, please call (818) 384-9691 or (323) 876-2636.

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Profile: Lesley Bryce, Go-To-Photographer for Hollywood’s Up & Comers, Gives 5 Headshot Tips for Child Actors

Posted on 20. Jul, 2010 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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I had the pleasure of meeting photographer Lesley Bryce in June of this year when my daughter Jordan did a photo shoot for L.A.’s favorite kids clothing store, Hipster Kid (below). Lesley is an accomplished photographer and member of the Professional Photographers of America whose work you’ve likely seen in Popstar Magazine, PopCon and on the website JustJaredJr.com, among others. While I knew instantly that I liked her photography, I became better acquainted with Lesley Bryce the person during her interview this week.

Actress Larsen Thompson, photographed by Lesley Bryce

Actress Jordan Bobbitt, photographed by Lesley Bryce

As a child, Leslie felt the pull of art and the creative process. “I believe I knew at about 7 years old I would [eventually] become an artist of some sort. I was always a ham in front of the camera, and I can remember incessantly bugging my Dad to let me play with his 35mm Pentex,” she states. During her senior year of high school, Bryce enrolled in a college course in photography and immediately fell head over heels. Her love affair with photography led her to California State University at Northridge, CSUN, where she received a degree in Studio Arts/Fine Art Photography. Bryce names her influences as Richard Avedon, Annie Leibowitz, Lewis Hine, Edward Weston, Man Ray and Walker Evans. “I find I am still continually inspired by color, geometric shapes, architecture and personality,” Bryce adds.

What’s your philosophy of photography? In other words, what makes a Lesley Bryce photo a Lesley Bryce photo?

I would have to say it is telling a story through an image, revealing the emotion of the subject…this is what photography is all about. Capturing that moment in time, seeing something no one else can, and then sharing it with the world in a photograph. A ” Lesley Bryce Photograph” is colorful, out-side-of-the-box Art.

You do all types of photography: Baby, Kids, Portraits, Commercial, Weddings, Publicity shots, Fashion. Which do you consider your forte?

Location is key to a good photograph.

Capturing human emotion is my forte…capturing people for who they really are, whether it be a wedding, a portrait or fashion. The ability to shoot a variety of styles in photography keeps me alive and creative and helps me crossover elements from one type of photography to the other. It keeps the process lucid, alive and original. I much prefer natural lighting as it gives more room to let the subject be free and fluid. Location is also an important factor when story-boarding my sessions with my clients.

How much, if any, retouching do you do to your photos?

Much of my work is done in camera…I have a few secret ingredients that I use in post production!

Disney Actress, Allyson Arm, of "Sonny With A Chance"

Reviewing your portfolio, it appears you’ve done a lot of work with young, up & coming talent in Los Angeles. Who are some of the child and teen actors and actresses you’ve shot? How did that begin and do you see yourself moving in that direction?

Yes, I have[worked] with upcoming talent in LA…It really came about when I started working with my good friend Antoinette Bartsch-Newhouse, owner/designer of Three Peas Co. who had hired me to take lifestyle photographs of her clothing line. From there I was introduced to T2PR, a public relations firm and [together] these two companies have been of great help and assistance to me. I am truly grateful for their tremendous belief in me and my work.

: Hipster Kids Jordan Bobbitt, Hannah Zeile and Larsen Thompson for ShopHipsterKid.com in Westlake Village, CA.

Young talent I have photographed would include Allyson Ashley Arm (Sonny with a Chance), Chelsea Makela (Dance Flick, 2009), Amy Paffrath (I Kissed a Vampire, 2010), young musicians Destinee and Paris Monroe ( Despicable Me, 2010) and Keana Texiera (of the teen duo G-Girlz). I’ve had terrific feedback and agents are really loving the images I’ve [captured]. I enjoy the limitless creative capacity of this type of photography and look forward to continuing on this road with a number of new projects lined up.

What 5 tips would you give to parents of child actors who are about to have professional photos taken?

1. If the child has an agent, discuss with the agent before consulting with the photographer so you can give a clear description of what you are looking to have captured on film to suit your needs.

2. Parents should not put too much pressure on their child before and during the shoot. You have hired a professional to capture your child’s image, and have selected them to accomplish this for you based on their expertise, so please, let the photographer have the room to do so…I sometimes ask the parent(s) to go grab a cup of coffee so the child and I can relate to one another without the pressure of trying to please their parents…and which almost always results in their natural personality shining through in the image.

3. If you have no idea about what to wear, or the image you hope to portray, please consult with the photographer for tips on clothing, hair, and make-up.

4. Your child’s head shots are their calling cards, and can make or break whether they receive a call back, so even though you may have a friend who is a photography enthusiast, and may take photos for little money (which is so awesome of your friend), this does not mean they have the professional know how to obtain that perfect shot, the one which could ensure that prized callback .

5. Parents should also be aware that your child should have new head shots done every 6-8 months. Agencies want to know what your child looks like now….not six months ago, so keep current.

For a limited time, Lesley Bryce is generously offering our readers a $99 “Headshots Special” to acquaint you with her amazing work. Mention Hollywood Mom Blog when you call to book 805-443-2188. At this ridiculous rate, you should book with her regardless of whether or not your child has acting aspirations! You can review Bryce’s impressive portfolio at www.lesleybryce.com and follow her on twitter at twitter.com/LesleyBryceFoto

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Profile: With Zenia Photography, Head Shots are a Day at the Beach!

Posted on 01. Mar, 2010 by Editor Tracy Bobbitt.

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When? Yesterday, on a quintessential sunny, So Cal Sunday morning.
Where? The Pier in Santa Monica.
What? A day at the beach with Zenia of Zenia Photography.
Why? Our child actor Jordan needs updated head shots people. She turns 11 this week and her last head shots were taken at the tail end of year 9. We’ve gone from a 9 year old child to an 11 year old tween in these few short years. Her pictures need to reflect that change.

While Zenia was shooting Jordan in a variety of locations around the Santa Monica Pier, I was snapping them both thanks to my iphone camera and my favorite, new iphone accessory the iGo Green Charge Anywhere (courtesy of the hip chicks at Los Angeles Mom Blog ). For each of Jordan’s outfit changes, Zenia found backdrops with colors and textures that could have fallen out of a 120 count box of Crayolas. I’ll be doing a full post on Zenia Photography in a few weeks with a handful of Jordan’s new pics. For those of you who need your kid’s head shots done pronto, call and book your appointment with Zenia directly at (310) 751-0615.

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Profile: Playbox Studios – Professional Headshots at Blue Light Prices!

Posted on 07. Dec, 2008 by Hollywood Mom.

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When it was time for my child actor Jordan to get her head shots taken earlier this year, we were referred to her agents’ top pick: Playbox Studios in Burbank, CA.

Until December 20th, Playbox Studios is running the “Actor’s Bailout Package,” a photography special for children under 17. The deal provides for 3 different looks, an hour and a half of time, light hair and makeup – all for $350. Nice deal when you consider I dropped about $475 for the same photo package nine months ago.

As I mentioned, this studio is one preferred by Abrams Artists and assuredly several other top agencies. The photographer Brad is great with kids, the studio is well run, orderly and easy to get to. Want new photos of your kids in time for pilot season? Then call Jennifer at 1-866-PLAY-992 and book your appointment at Playbox Studios before they’re booked up!

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