Shooting the Face; Headshots, Portraits & Beyond

Winner of BIPP South East Awards in 2014; Michael shoots advertising, editorial and portrait imagery for an array of entertainment industry clients, from institutions like the National Theatre and Kaleidoscope Film Distribution, to individual actors and performers, including many famous faces. Drawing on his experience, you will work to explore how use of lighting – whether strobe, continuous, natural light, or even a mixture – can radically alter the account of a face in your portraits. Paying close attention to skin tone, eye & hair colour and facial structure, and using a range of different lighting shapers and styles, you will explore subtlety and drama, using techniques that are applicable across a wide range of portraiture.


Regarded as an authority on the evolving modern actors headshot portfolio; Michael will also provide insights and expertise for those interested in exploring headshots as an avenue of work, including shooting actors as models, achieving nuanced headshot portfolios, and understanding industry expectations.


The day will begin with a look at Michael’s studio, the facilities and equipment he uses leading into a discussion of Michael's work. After lunch, the knowledge you have gained from the morning's session will be put into practise with a portrait shoot featuring several actor-models, where you will be able to experiment with studio, natural and location-lighting, enabling you to achieve radically different portraits in a short space of time.


This will be a practical day aiming to give you tools and ideas to complement your portraiture work, with the buzz and hype of being in London at the thriving artistic community at Makespace Studios near Waterloo. This is an event that should not be missed.

Michael Wharley ABIPP

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