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

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...

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...

One of the most exciting things about being a headshot photographer is not knowing who is going to walk through my door day-to-day. Its always fascinating meeting and getting to know new people and have always been intrigued by the way people socially interact and deal with their emotions. 

Having your headshot taken is a nerve-wracking experience, even if you are a seasoned pro, there is still an element of 'butterflies' that comes with it. But this nervous energy is not always a bad thing, it can heighten you slightly and give you an edge you otherwise wouldn't have.

There are...

So what exactly is a cinematic headshot? 

We have a long history in this country of the 10" x 8" cropped headshot. Essentially, that means your photo is cropped 10 inches on the sides and 8 inches along the top and bottom for a portrait.

This tradition has long been the industry standard in this country, however with the atlantic gap getting ever smaller, and cross casting with America more and more these days, we need to embrace that they have a slightly different way of shooting head shots in the USA, and its affecting the way we shoot here.

So what are the benefits of...

In 2016, I had the privilege of joining the UK's leading headshot photographers in the development and launch of 'The Association of Professional Headshot Photographers'.

A few years ago a group of us headshot photographers linked up and started to share our experiences and knowledge, both good and bad. We made a community where previously there had only been sole-practitioners, and found that we had similar ideas about how we could improve the industry for photographers, actors, agents and drama schools.

Over time these ideas all came together via conver...

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...