Theres no denying that COVID has had a big hit on our industry in 2020.

From actors personal incomes to that of production and theatre companies, theatres themselves, agents and casting directors, everyone has felt the pinch.

But despite the hardship, humans always inevitably find a way to survive, and not least the human spirits nature to want to create.

There is hope.

The industry is bouncing back and overcoming adversity and its like a frost thawing, seeing my clients already not only auditioning, but getting cast in jobs. It's slow, but hopeful.

But if thats not you yet, it ca...

Whether you choose to shoot headshots with Nicholas Dawkes photography or not, the headshot market is a daunting place with a lot of options available, the tips below should help to put you at ease slightly!

A good photograph can get you seriously noticed and propel you to the place you want to be, Your photo should always capture you at your best, but not feel overly posed, polished, and perfected that it will detract from seeing the real person.

Your headshot is your main tool when it comes to finding agents, and getting you work. Gone are the days when your CV alone would spe...

Here’s a little secret, it doesn’t matter what your hair is doing and what clothes you’re wearing for your headshots if your face is a big blank abyss, gormless like a dear trapped in headlights.

My shoots tend to be part photography and part coaching, trying to teach you where your best angles are, then through direction improving how you engage with your audience with your body language and expression. Every photographer works differently, but you will be amazed at some of the simplest tricks that can transform your headshot.

And it really is simpler than you think.

No ma...

So you've had a great photo shoot, and been left with a mind boggling selection of photos of your face to sift through, but where do you start?

1. EMBRACE YOUR FACE.

It's so easy to be critical of your own face, you don't like your nose, your ears, or the mole on your cheek, the left eyebrow, but they aren't going to change I'm afraid.

Being honest about your appearance is the first step to accepting that your facial features are the thing that's going to sell you.

A lot of people do not realise that when you look in a mirror everyday, you see a flipped reverse of your face, t...

Picking the right clothes to show you at your best is always hard, the first place to start thinking about is where you want the photos to be seen, and what you want to portray.

For example, If you feel that you would be cast as a typical English rose, or dashing English gent, you should look at classical and simple garments rather than modern hoodies and t-shirts, and if you are grisly looking bald 6’5″ male you’re not going to be cast as the soft and vulnerable romantic teen love interest, sorry...

Before turning to a life behind the camera, I was an actor, and there was...

Its not always clear to a client that when they pay a photographer for their  photoshoot, the photographer still owns the images. This is called copyright, and it is in place to protect the photographers work from being exploited and allows them to keep creative control of their work.

So what is the definition of copyright (©)?

Copyright is a legal right created that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights for its use and distribution.

Terms and Conditions

Each photographer will have slightly different ways of working with copyright and these should be  exp...

 "Oh no, i'm scared... Are you one of those photographers that's going to shout at me and tell me off for not doing it right!?"

Absolutely not, but there are certain things that in the last decade of photographing headshots that I have come to love and hate from clients before, during and after shoots, and sharing these can hopefully help you to prepare for your session and get the beston the from your shoot. 

Bring your wardrobe

Bring plenty of clothes with you, a whole bunch... seriously.

You may love that selection of black tops you have, but bring some colour...

The world of headshot photography can seem like a dark abyss to a lot of actors. There is a lot of photographers out there, so hopefully the checkpoints below will give you a few tips to think about when finding your photographer.

Remember, your headshots are a direct reflection of you and your casting, so you need to make sure they work for you and show you in your best light possible (no pun intended!)

1. Check their portfolio
The first thing is a visual connection, normally the easiest thing to do because we all constantly judge with our eyes.

Does their work leap off the pa...

My top 5 tips for how to get the best out of your headshot shoot in Summer

So you've been through the process of your headshot shoot, and you've received  your gallery from the photographer, and now find yourself firmly in 'you' town; population: you. So many pictures of your face, where do you start? 

Hopefully the tips below will help you to make the process that little bit easier when looking through your gallery, and allow you to choose the photos that are right for your casting... 

LIST CASTING TYPES -  Make a list of your different casting types before you start, and relate the choices you make to those cast types, don't just gravitate to th...