A headshot is one of the most valuable items you have as a professional actor. After years of training, a talented actor should never miss a critical audition because of a poor headshot. During the five years I spent working at a New York talent agency, one thing was clear: A strong headshot will help you get your foot in the door.

Once you've arrived at an audition, your headshot needs to look like you. While that may sound obvious, many actors are tempted to choose photographers who over-glamorize and misrepresent the actors they're working with. If you do not send out a headshot that faithfully represents you (on your best day, of course), agents and casting directors will be misled and frustrated. My goal is to take photographs that look like you and convey your personality in an environment that's fun and relaxing.

Your shoot will not be limited with a one-look-fits-all mentality. When looking through my portfolio, you'll notice a variety of styles and moods. You're unique as an actor, and your headshot should reflect your individual qualities. Actors should never be boxed into a single trademark style of a photographer. Because all shoots include up to two hours of shooting, we're able to work on-location and indoors to achieve a variety of different looks.

Before your shoot, I'll ask that you think about what shows you think you'd be appropriate for. Once we hone in on what your strengths are, we can find clothes and locations that compliment your type. One of my recent clients came in and said he was targeting shows like Mr. Robot. That suggestion made me imagine dark environments and a feeling of being on the run. We ended up shooting underground in the subway and created an image that could easily be a production still from the series. That type of shot isn't right for everyone, but that shows how a simple suggestion can lead to compelling a photograph.

Here are some sample images from my recent shoot with Ebonè. We accomplished an array of looks and moods in a single shoot:

When you arrive, we'll put on your favorite music and chat about what you want to achieve with your new headshots. Astro, my rescue mutt, will greet you and then promptly fall asleep (he can spend the day with his friends next door if you're allergic). We will go through my portfolio and discuss what moods, locations, and lighting you like the best. Not sure what would work best? That's okay. I'm also happy to guide you through the entire process.

When we're shooting, my goal is to make you as unaware of my camera as possible. I want our environment to feel like you're hanging out with a friend and having fun. As we shoot, I'll share previews of the images and we can make any adjustments you want.

More than once I've heard, "You're such a dork!", as clients laugh at my large collection of bad jokes. I take my work seriously, but I try not to take myself too seriously. One time, we were shooting in Central Park at the baseball fields. I said, "See the lengths I go to for a good headshot? I risk being hit by a baseball for your headshot." Less than a minute later, I got hit in the back of the head by a stray foul ball. Yes, I survived, and the photos were some of the best in my portfolio. True story.

Many studios take days or weeks to get your images back to you. Here, all of your images upload on the night of your shoot. No waiting days or weeks for results. Before they upload, I'll go through each image one-by-one and mark the shots I think are the strongest. Everything is uploaded to a private gallery that you can optionally share with friends and agents. I programmed in social-networking features so friends can like and comment on the images.

All shoots also include two images that I personally retouch. Whenever I show retouching examples everyone always says, "Please tell me you retouch me like that in real life!" All of my retouching work is very natural, keeping in mind that you need to look like yourself. I'll upload the images to your gallery for your approval, and I can make adjustments if you want.