QUESTIONS AND answers

I hate having headshots taken, how will you help?

You hate posing because you don’t know what to do with your face and other photographers only direct you to pose you. Working with us will be soooo different. You’ll never hate taking headshots again because with us, you won’t pose like a model, you’ll actually act like an actor. Everyone, I mean everyone says it was the most painless and enjoyable shoot they’ve ever had. Because when you’re having fun doing what you do, there’s no way you’ll hate it.

I've taken so many headshots and they never seem to work. How do I know these will work?

Have you invested in your career though or have you had friends take your headshots? Or are you the perpetual $200 headshot taker? If so, it’s time to invest in a pro because you WILL see a return on your investment.
If you’ve invested in professional headshots and they still didn’t work, it’s because they’re selling you as just “pretty” and don’t showcase your personality with clearly defined marketing looks! You’re more than just pretty, your headshots should be too!

I'm just starting out, do I need to invest in pro headshots?

YOU more than anybody need to invest in pro headshots. Here’s the deal, when you’re just starting out, it’s likely you don’t have a resume and it’s likely you’ll end up with a botique agency without much clout so your headshots become even MORE crucial because these agencies rely heavily on your headshots to get you out on auditions. Pro headshots are going to get your foot in the door and immediately give you a return on your investment.

How many people a day do you photograph?

Depends on who you shoot with. One to two. But don’t worry, you’ll never feel rushed and we leave ample time in-between sessions so you won’t run into the next client.

Do you use natural light or studio lighting? Indoors or outdoors?

We used natural lighting for both environmental and in-studio setups for years.

These days, we shoot indoors with artificial lights because, well, that’s what’s trending right now. We want our stuff and your stuff to be current!

Do you provide professional makeup & hair, is it required and do I have to use your team?

Yes, we provide a professional makeup artist.

No it’s not required. You may come in makeup ready but *if* you’d like someone with you during the shoot, we require you work with our hand selected team.

This way we ensure that we’re working with an efficient team, trained based on our needs, so that we’re able to deliver the results we promise.

Our makeup artists stay with you during your entire session.

Arrive with your hair already styled and the MUA will provide light hair (without hot tools).

Full hair styling (with hot tools) is also available for an additional fee.

Can your makeup artist do well on black skin?

Heck yea! I’m super hands on with hand picking my MUAs.

I understand how to cater to people who have specific and real concerns from past bad experiences.

I meet with makeup artists first and inspect their products to make sure they are pros and not “fakeup artists”?.

Then I provide them with a list of preferences and formulas specifically geared towards our style so that all my girls give you consistent results!

Can I trust your MUA not to do too much?

Yes again! Too much makeup is a very common problem and one of the top reasons I see agents ask for re-shoots.

For this reason, I’m super hands on and involved in the process. After we apply the “industry standard” which is very light and natural, we always ask if we did anything you wouldn’t do or vice versa.

It’s a collaborative environment and not one where we claim to know best. Your preferences need to be taken into consideration, right?

Should men get makeup?

If it’s not a budget thing, we definitely recommend a makeup artist for men also! Only becasue it does level up your photos without making you look over-produced. It evens out skin tones, gets rid of sweat and shine (big problem with men), and cleans up under eye circles. They put makeup on you on set, so why not during your headshot session?

If I get headshots before getting an agent, aren't they going to ask me to re-shoot?

Not with us, they won’t! There are 3 reasons new agents aks you to re-shoot. 1) You didn’t focus on getting specific with your looks and therefore did not give them the proper marketing tools, 2) You wore too much makeup and therefore changed the way you really look (reps want the “real” you in headshots) and 3) You have no personality coming through because you focused on “pretty” shots instead of acting headshots that showcase your acting chops!

I don't have an agent yet, should I wait to get headshots with you?

No silly! You need headshots to get an agent BUT not just any headshots. Pro headshots show reps that you’re serious about your craft and ready to audition. If you do it right the first go-round and show them that you have the right marketing tools to help them sell you, the chances of getting those meetings and getting repped goes up up up up!📈

Should kids hire a makeup artist?

We don’t recommend makeup for kids 13 and under. Most teenagers also don’t need makeup until 16-ish unless they look older for their age. Hair for kids should be done by the accompanying parent or guardian so they can emmulate the same style for auditions.

What kind of clothing should I bring to my headshot session?

A detailed wardrobe guide is emailed to you once you a book a session with one of us. You may receive our wardrobe tips by filling out the “Wardrobe Tips” form.

Also you may want to browse my blog for visual references on specific looks and wardrobe ideas. Each marketing look is labeled, making it easy to identify what clothing to pair with each look. Simply use the search bar to find looks!

Is jacket on/jacket off considered another look?

Yes and No. It depends.

If you’ll be satisfied with a handful of images with jacket on/off then we don’t charge for it.

If you’d like the same emotional arc and a full range of facial expressions as in the first outfit, then we’ll need to spend the same amount of time on the “change” both shooting and in post. In that case, we charge for an additional look.

What promotions do you have?

We offer “Friend Sessions” where if you and a friend shoot together on the same day, you each receive $100 off.

Additionally, if you text the word “headshots” to 323-843-7884, you’ll receive 10% off your session!

*Offers may not be combined. Valid for 2-6 look sessions only.

Do you offer payment plans?

Yes we take Afterpay or Affirm!

The way it works is you’ll pay your deposit online with a debit or credit card but then you’ll be able to pay the balance with a payment plan using Afterpay (or Affirm).

After you sign up, you’ll download the Afterpay mobile app to setup the Afterpay Card. Visit the In-Store tab and follow the prompts to add the Afterpay Card to your digital wallet.

The day of your session, when you’re ready to pay the balance in person, you’ll tap to pay with your Afterpay Card.

You’ll pay your first installment that day, and the remainder every two weeks after that while you start auditioning!

What is your deposit, cancellation and rescheduling policy?

To reserve a date on the calendar, we take a non-refundable $200 reservation fee which applies towards your session.

If you cancel, the deposit is forfeited, if you move, the deposit goes with you but we take a new non-refundable deposit to reserve the new date which will also apply towards the session.

Once you book, you’ll receive a complete list of our Terms & Conditions, before paying your deposit.

It outlines everything from how we handle re-shoot requests, time allotted for each package & our policies on cancellations.

What are your prices and how do I book?

Depending on who you shoot with (myself or my associate Kayvon), we have two different price tiers. Packages with Kayvon (Unlimited looks and more) start at $495. My packages (4 looks and more) start at $895.

Did I mention we offer payment plans?

Simply click on this link to view package details for each of us and to book a session!

I hate having headshots taken, how will you help?

You hate posing because you don’t know what to do with your face and other photographers only direct you to pose you. Working with us will be soooo different. You’ll never hate taking headshots again because with us, you won’t pose like a model, you’ll actually act like an actor. Everyone, I mean everyone says it was the most painless and enjoyable shoot they’ve ever had. Because when you’re having fun doing what you do, there’s no way you’ll hate it.

I've taken so many headshots and they never seem to work. How do I know these will work?

Have you invested in your career though or have you had friends take your headshots? Or are you the perpetual $200 headshot taker? If so, it’s time to invest in a pro because you WILL see a return on your investment.
If you’ve invested in professional headshots and they still didn’t work, it’s because they’re selling you as just “pretty” and don’t showcase your personality with clearly defined marketing looks! You’re more than just pretty, your headshots should be too!

How many people a day do you photograph?

Depends on who you shoot with. One to two. But don’t worry, you’ll never feel rushed and we leave ample time in-between sessions so you won’t run into the next client.

I'm just starting out, do I need to invest in pro headshots?

YOU more than anybody need to invest in pro headshots. Here’s the deal, when you’re just starting out, it’s likely you don’t have a resume and it’s likely you’ll end up with a botique agency without much clout so your headshots become even MORE crucial because these agencies rely heavily on your headshots to get you out on auditions. Pro headshots are going to get your foot in the door and immediately give you a return on your investment.

Do you use natural light or studio lighting? Indoors or outdoors?

We used natural lighting for both environmental and in-studio setups for years.

These days, we shoot indoors with artificial lights because, well, that’s what’s trending right now. We want our stuff and your stuff to be current!

Do you provide professional makeup & hair, is it required and do I have to use your team?

Yes, we provide a professional makeup artist.

No it’s not required. You may come in makeup ready but *if* you’d like someone with you during the shoot, we require you work with our hand selected team.

This way we ensure that we’re working with an efficient team, trained based on our needs, so that we’re able to deliver the results we promise.

Our makeup artists stay with you during your entire session.

Arrive with your hair already styled and the MUA will provide light hair (without hot tools).

Full hair styling (with hot tools) is also available for an additional fee.

Can your makeup artist do well on black skin?

Heck yea! I’m super hands on with hand picking my MUAs.

I understand how to cater to people who have specific and real concerns from past bad experiences.

I meet with makeup artists first and inspect their products to make sure they are pros and not “fakeup artists”?.

Then I provide them with a list of preferences and formulas specifically geared towards our style so that all my girls give you consistent results!

Can I trust your MUA not to do too much?

Yes again! Too much makeup is a very common problem and one of the top reasons I see agents ask for re-shoots.

For this reason, I’m super hands on and involved in the process. After we apply the “industry standard” which is very light and natural, we always ask if we did anything you wouldn’t do or vice versa.

It’s a collaborative environment and not one where we claim to know best. Your preferences need to be taken into consideration, right?

Should men get makeup?

If it’s not a budget thing, we definitely recommend a makeup artist for men also! Only becasue it does level up your photos without making you look over-produced. It evens out skin tones, gets rid of sweat and shine (big problem with men), and cleans up under eye circles. They put makeup on you on set, so why not during your headshot session?

If I get headshots before getting an agent, aren't they going to ask me to re-shoot?

Not with us, they won’t! There are 3 reasons new agents aks you to re-shoot. 1) You didn’t focus on getting specific with your looks and therefore did not give them the proper marketing tools, 2) You wore too much makeup and therefore changed the way you really look (reps want the “real” you in headshots) and 3) You have no personality coming through because you focused on “pretty” shots instead of acting headshots that showcase your acting chops!

I don't have an agent yet, should I wait to get headshots with you?

No silly! You need headshots to get an agent BUT not just any headshots. Pro headshots show reps that you’re serious about your craft and ready to audition. If you do it right the first go-round and show them that you have the right marketing tools to help them sell you, the chances of getting those meetings and getting repped goes up up up up!📈

Should kids hire a makeup artist?

We don’t recommend makeup for kids 13 and under. Most teenagers also don’t need makeup until 16-ish unless they look older for their age. Hair for kids should be done by the accompanying parent or guardian so they can emmulate the same style for auditions.

What kind of clothing should I bring to my headshot session?

A detailed wardrobe guide is emailed to you once you a book a session with one of us. You may receive our wardrobe tips by filling out the “Wardrobe Tips” form.

Also you may want to browse my blog for visual references on specific looks and wardrobe ideas. Each marketing look is labeled, making it easy to identify what clothing to pair with each look. Simply use the search bar to find looks!

Is jacket on/jacket off considered another look?

Yes and No. It depends.

If you’ll be satisfied with a handful of images with jacket on/off then we don’t charge for it.

If you’d like the same emotional arc and a full range of facial expressions as in the first outfit, then we’ll need to spend the same amount of time on the “change” both shooting and in post. In that case, we charge for an additional look.

What promotions do you have?

We offer “Friend Sessions” where if you and a friend shoot together on the same day, you each receive a $100 off.

Additionally, if you text the word “headshots” to 323-843-7884, you’ll receive 10% off your session! Note: offers may not be combined.

Do You offer payment plans?

Yes we take Afterpay or Affirm!

The way it works is you’ll pay your deposit online with a debit or credit card but then you’ll be able to pay the balance with a payment plan using Afterpay (or Affirm).

After you sign up, you’ll download the Afterpay mobile app to setup the Afterpay Card. Visit the In-Store tab and follow the prompts to add the Afterpay Card to your digital wallet.

The day of your session, when you’re ready to pay the balance in person, you’ll tap to pay with your Afterpay Card.

You’ll pay your first installment that day, and the remainder every two weeks after that while you start auditioning!

What is your deposit, cancellation and rescheduling policy?

To reserve a date on the calendar, we take a non-refundable $200 reservation fee which applies towards your session.

If you cancel, the deposit is forfeited, if you move, the deposit goes with you but we take a new non-refundable deposit to reserve the new date which will also apply towards the session.

Once you book, you’ll receive a complete list of our Terms & Conditions, before paying your deposit.

It outlines everything from how we handle re-shoot requests, time allotted for each package & our policies on cancellations.

What are your prices and how do I book?

Depending on who you shoot with (myself or my associate Kayvon), we have two different price tiers. Packages with Kayvon start at $495. My packages start at $895.

Did I mention we offer payment plans?

Simply click on this link to view package details for each of us and to book a session!

words from
happy thespians

joaquin ticonderoga

Almost everything I booked was because of these headshots.”

rachel olsen

Previous to my session with Vanie, I was getting called in for auditions maybe twice a month. Now that I am using my Vanie shots I am going out twice a day.”

jim hackett

“I’ve been going to Vanie for three years now and each time the results get better and better. My agent is thrilled with the pics and I’m now a booking machine.”

one-on-one guidance by kayvon

one-on-one guidance by kayvon

If you’re feeling lost and hopeless about your career, whether you’re a newcomer who has no idea where to start or a veteran actor who’s stuck, Kayvon’s bruttaly honest, one on one career consultation might be just what you need!

Inspired by the fact that he LOVES helping actors, my associate photographer and working actor, Kayvon Esmaili, offers personalized career advice.

  • He’ll review your current marketing materials, discuss your career goals, and help you understand your “type”.
  • He’ll be brutally honest about your look, why you may not be working because of it, and what to change about it.
  • He’ll be brutally honest about your reel, why it may not be working for you and what to change about it.
  • He’ll give you an actionable step by step plan to execute before your headshot session so that you have a cohesive direction!

See what your peers are saying HERE.

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