Actors Headshots

Professional Headshots
for Actors and Performers

Crafting Headshots That Tell Stories

Stuart Manning (Urban Collective). Best known for his leading roles in Hollyoaks, Holby City, and Casualty

Whether you’re a star, working actor or student, I will work with you to produce headshots that you will be completely happy with, that sell you and capture the qualities that make you unique. These images are ideal for casting websites such as Spotlight and Mandy (formerly Casting Call Pro).

My aim is to produce both a great headshot and a beautiful image in its own right which shares the secret of your inner self, connecting and drawing the viewer in. A great headshot is like a great close up, you keep coming back to it: engaging, open, fascinating but above all truthful.

“Any photographer can snap a headshot with a little background blur that looks halfway decent. Steve, however, will gently tease your “essence” into the shot the way only a pro can. It’s a subtle difference that carries substantial weight.”

— Robert Barry, Actor

“At the beginning of the shoot, Steve instantly wanted to get to know me and the work I want to do, so from the off you know he is all about getting a photo that captures who you are and more importantly one that reflects your casting. ”

— Adam McCoy, Actor

Creating drama through light and location

Cinematic, Naturally-lit Location Shots

I am delighted to have exclusive rights for professional stills at an atmospheric and historic outdoor Central London location.
The location is featured in major feature films including *Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation,* Guy Ritchie’s *Sherlock Holmes*, *Eastern Promises*, *Johnny English*, *Stormbreaker*

I love incorporating the ever changing seasonal light to create compelling, revealing and totally natural images. Unlike most studio-based photographers who are limited to the same basic set-ups, my images are always unique on the day. Shooting with natural light on location lends the pictures a reality and context which is ideal for actors - rooting the actor in the moment and giving a backstory and drama to to the images.

“Steve is an outstanding photographer who produced exactly the headshots I’d hoped for. He is extremely skilled at working with natural light to create really polished portraits that reveal different casting possibilities. He was also a real pleasure to work with. I highly recommend him.”

— Jacqui Lofthouse, Actress

“Steve uses natural light in a way that I have not experienced before. He also makes an effort to shoot at a location that brings an aura and energy to your headshots. There are photographers that just let you get on with it but Steve made an effort to give direction when I needed more variety and presence.”

— Christian Selassie, Actor

I want my images to have a cinematic feel - like a close-up with a sense that something has just happened or is about to happen - a narrative drive which draws the viewer in - helping a casting director or producer to “see” the actor within the story, compelling and real. From what casting directors and acting agents have told me, it’s a powerful tool for getting an actor in the room.

Indoor studio shoots

Though I recommend shooting at my outdoor location, I also shoot at my home studio during cold winter months and for clients unable to reschedule in the event of poor light/weather