After years of getting headshots from various other photographers, I found that looking for deals in Backstage was no “deal” at all. I went to a guy named James Kreigsmann because he was so cheap, and that’s exactly how my headshots looked. Like so many other actors, I didn’t have the money to spend on pictures, I just needed a functional headshot– something I could get quick that looked like me, and for years I never loved my headshots. I finally made the decision to go with the best. Friday the 13th of October will always be “lucky” for me and forever hold a special in the heart of my acting career.It was my first photo session with Robert Kim. The dynamic industry authority spoke openly and candidly with me at our very first meeting– like a mentor. My initial consultation left me in total state of self-examination.As a professional actor and director, I was amazed at the things he commented on during that first meeting, like no other photographer before or since.He is so frank and honest that it is difficult not to feel at ease. After he invited me to view the hundred of headshots in his before-and-after portfolios, the message becomes clear; the emotions he manages to elicit are so “alive” in his photographs.He simply understands actors and our needs because he is working actor himself. Robert is instinctive, spontaneous, professional and talented beyong words. His ability to capture uniqueness in a timeless fashion is what convinced me to book a session. He may not be the most expensive photographer in town, but he is by far the best I have ever seen. When I compared him to all the overpriced, over-hyped photographers in the business, he could easily charge twice as much. His work simply defies category.
My session with Robert was even more productive because of his makeup artist, Colleen. She brought out my best features in a dramatic yet natural way. I have worked with many other makeup people and I put her at the top of the list. Not only did she do my hair and makeup, but after Robert completed my legit and commercial looks and it was time to change for my “ethnic” look, she totally blew me away. Even though I had worn a traditional Indian sari on several occasions, I had forgotten how to correctly tie one years ago.I guess it was my karma to find a photographer whose makeup artist was married to an Indian man! She arranged my sari and bodice to perfection– redoing my hair and makeup, then selecting from the mountain of accessories I had brought the exact ones to complete my “Indian Princess” shot to a “tee”. I couldn’t belive that a blonde, blue-eyed New Yorker had miraculously transformed me into this vision of Mother India.
Only a half an hour after my shoot, Robert had my proof sheets ready, and personally picked the four best images I needed for my feature article in The Cultural Connect/The Desi Connect magazine. Then he personally emailed the jpegs to them as I sat there watching, just to make sure I made my deadline on time.Most headshot photographers don’t even understand the word, “service”. For those unfortunate actors of which I was a dues paying member, it’s surprising to know that someone like Robert even exists.
Robert’s sense of humour and positive energy will make your session one of the most memorable days in your acting career–and your life.I finally got the headshots I LOVE.
Peace,
Geeta Citygirl
SALAAMtheater.org
