Headshot Tips for Actors to Impress the Casting Director

Posted June 7, 2018 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Headshots.

The life of an actor is a competitive one; your talents and appearance are compared to thousands of other actors vying for the same role. It starts with your headshot falling into the hands of the casting agent and making a good first impression, or at least standing out in some way among the rest.

Bring emotion, personality and YOU into the headshot

Your headshot should not be a façade; the portrait should represent who you are as an individual and portray exactly what a casting director will get if they were to hire you. As they are flipping through the surplus of headshots that have been submitted, they are trying to place you into their vision, so the last thing you want is to show up at your audition looking nothing like your photo.

Rehearse your headshot at home just as you would lines for a role

Whether you are just getting started or are an experienced actor, you should already know that appearance weighs heavily in the film industry. Practice various poses and facial expressions prior to your photoshoot. This rehearsal will not only make you better prepared for the camera, but it will also make you more confident in your emotions that will be portrayed through your photo to the casting director.

Consider your typecast

If you do not know the type of role you thrive in or seem to be repeatedly given, your headshot will inevitably determine that. It is the job of a casting director to look at a headshot and immediately determine your age, attractiveness, societal role, and other personality traits. So, as you practice those expressions in the mirror, stay honest with yourself and try not to turn a clearly lovable nerd into a tough guy.

Headshots are one of the most valuable assets to actors looking for that breakthrough role and that’s why it’s essential that they are the best pictures money can buy. Many actors have come to me for their headshots through recommendations from several casting agencies throughout Dallas, Texas and have gone onto ace their auditions. Give me a call at 214-394-1384 today to learn more about working together!

What to Wear for a Professional Headshot

Posted April 4, 2018 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits, Headshots.

An executive headshot is one of the most valuable assets to your personal brand. That’s why it’s important that your clothing reflects your personality, credibility, and who you are as a professional in your industry.

Solids work better than patterns

Keep it simple when it comes to the design and style of your clothing. Patterns and heavily textured items tend to distract from the main focus of the headshot, which is you, and that defeats the purpose.

For example, tight grid-like patterns can have a weird effect on the camera, but if you would like to incorporate a pattern, thin stripes usually work well. However, under no circumstances should your clothing have writing or a logo displayed on it.

Clothing tips for men:

Avoid shiny, reflective materials, like silk ties
Stay classy with a dark suit in navy or gray
Try to land the color of your tie between the tones of your suit and dress shirt
Bring a variety of outfits, suits and ties, and at least one business casual outfit

Clothing tips for women:

Stay away from stark white, unless under a jacket, cardigan, or sweater
Jewelry should add to an outfit, not detract from it
Avoid short sleeves – bare arms usually take away from an executive headshot
Bring a variety of dress shirts, suits, and professional blouses

Choosing the right colors

It’s a general rule of thumb with any headshot that brighter colors express youth and darker colors express maturity. Keep this in mind when considering the image that will represent your professional persona. Factor in your skin tone as well. If you have a lighter skin tone, avoid lighter colors that could make you appear washed out. If you have medium or darker skin tones, stay away from earthy tones that may be similar to your skin color.

And of course, make sure to choose colors that you love and that look good on you. If you don’t know what those colors are, consider a hue that brings out the color in your eyes. If you’re still struggling, that’s what options are for! Bring at least 4 different outfits and I’ll help you find the most flattering one for you. Give me a call at 214-394-1384 today to book your headshot or executive portrait!

INDURing and Thriving: Brandt Beal

Posted November 11, 2017 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits, Headshots.

My experience has been that passion is key to success. I started shooting executive portraits and commercial photography because I’m obsessed with business and watching companies grow. I’ve recently profiled other moguls in the DFW area like Daniel Eng and Dr. Ben Tittle, but my latest session had an extra-inspiring tone because of the backstory. This week’s blog is about INDURing and Thriving: Brandt Beal.

Before getting into the healthcare industry, Brandt was part of a consulting firm that specialized in the oil and gas industry. Risk, compliance, finance, HR – whatever you needed, Brandt was your man.

What propelled Beal to start INDUR was really simple – he felt “skinny fat” and out of control of his own health. After years of feeling like he wasn’t in control of his body, he prioritized his health and sought medical opinion. First he had lab tests performed that weren’t covered by insurance, and the doctor simply just told him he wasn’t dying but had no insight. Brandt performed his own research, bounced through many providers, and finally found that there were a number of issues. He was insulin-resistant, had sex hormone imbalances, and his cortisol was through the roof.

“I was a mess. Once I started changing that, I felt like a new person.”

Accessing that information to change his own life inspired him to start INDUR and, in turn, inspired him to help others. Now Brandt has a successful healthcare organization with a nationwide network of providers. He’s received recognition locally and nationally for his incredible approach to helping others stay on top of their own health.

Here’s a brief step-by-step process of the INDUR experience:

Blood test: This first step is extremely important because all factors are direct reflections of what’s going on internally. Think of an individual who is chronically challenged by weight loss – once we diagnose the biomarkers and implications, we can make recommendations based on the findings.
Analytical AI system: custom-created to compare results against hundreds of thousands of results to find similarities.
Once the test results come in, the system prioritizes specific individual recommendations to create a customized road map. Telemedicine is also provided if needed. INDUR only uses functional medicine providers, starting with supplements and natural remedies first – only recommending pharmaceuticals if necessary.
Follow up based on day-marker goals to dial in advanced solutions or track progress. Full-panel check-up every six months.

To start your own fitness and health journey, check out https://getindur.com/. To book your next executive headshot or commercial photography session, call me today or book a session online!

Building the Block: DFW Real Estate Mogul Daniel Eng

Posted July 31, 2017 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits, Headshots, Portraits, Your Photoshoot.

Life is oddly serendipitous – this past May, I was shooting executive headshots and business headshots at the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) RECon Convention in Las Vegas where I ran into my high school friend Daniel Eng. Daniel was doing what he does best – making deals and building his empire with a refreshingly happy and positive attitude. There’s a lot to be said at ICSC: the mood is uplifting at times because million-dollar commercial contracts are being closed, while at times panic-filled and terrorizing because other executives are nearly losing and chasing down deals. Not so for Daniel – he’s built a business around experience, authenticity, and market expertise. Daniel stopped by the studio to get commercial headshots in Dallas for his latest partnership with Sperry Commercial Global Affiliates and ENGVEST, along with his business partner Calvin Wong.

Daniel was literally born with real estate in his blood – his parents both owned restaurants and were involved in real estate across Dallas. His family’s portfolio includes 50 local shopping centers throughout Dallas.

These days, Daniel has an impressive resume:

Real Estate Agent/Broker at ERA iRealty
Owner/Broker at ERA iRealty
Owner/Broker at ENGVEST

Daniel started a company five years ago with two partners to run a real estate brokerage. Recently, he became affiliated with ERA to merge with his iRealty organization. They approached Daniel and came together to better serve clients in a changing market landscape. His goal is to help equip agents handle the market with fluctuations and challenges that are presented by the ebbs and flows in real estate. Serving with integrity is his overall mission – the “i” in ERA iReality stands for integrity.

Most notably, Sperry CGA recently partnered with ENGVEST, another company owned by Daniel and he’s since partnered with Calvin Wong to ensure excellence and precision for each and every client.

Networking has helped lower bids for his clients and their brand equity assists getting the best price for both parties. Protecting each clients’ interests is paramount to all of his different business ventures. Daniel explains is best: “Real estate is always a cycle. We try to predict how the cycle will go, but it’s a secure process. The market may be high, but sooner than later it will return to a buyer’s market.”

To book your group business headshots with me and give your company a professional look like Daniel has for all his organizations, give me a call or book online today.

Holly Barko: The Medicine Model

Posted April 21, 2017 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits, Headshots, Modeling.

I’ve said this a million times: I love my clients. I have the incredible opportunity to photograph a diverse group of executives for professional headshots in Dallas, Texas. Everyone from Nance Ludowski and Ben Tittle at Plastic Surgery of Texas to Broadway producer and real-life “Mad Man” Terry Loftis have come by to have business headshots and group corporate headshots at my Deep Ellum studio. I’m fascinated by these interesting people who come by and love hearing about their lives, in the office and off the clock. I recently shot a woman living the real-life “Carrie Bradshaw fantasy,” Holly Barko: The Medicine Model.

I’ve known Holly for a few years and had a huge girl crush on her. Not only is she gorgeous and built like a real-life runway model, she’s also extremely successful and down to Earth. Holly did her residency at the prestigious Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, part of the Harvard Hospital and Medical School System. She’s since become an anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at a private practice in Dallas.

Barko is also in the process of launching her new blog and lifestyle site, ladolce-vita.blog, spotlighting all the ingredients to the “good life:” food, wine, travel, health, fitness, fashion. Holly’s first series will be on wine, and she’s traveling to France the last week of April to research in the wine regions of Reims, Burgundy, and Beaujolis.

I call Holly the “Medicine Model” because she as passionate about fashion as much as she is her career. I first shot Holly in beautiful Roberto Cavalli dresses in 2015, and heard all about her couture excursions. She regularly travels to Paris and Milan to find unique, one-of-a-kind pieces in the middle of these world fashion capitals. “You can buy a couture dress there and know it’s unique because it was only sold there. Even the mom-and-pop private boutiques have incredible pieces that can be even more special than the Chanel in Paris. There’s only one of those boutique pieces, ever. I like supporting the small businesses, too.”

For more on Holly, stay tuned to La Dolce Vita, and to book your next executive portrait, contact me today!

Spring Cleaning with Plastic Surgery of Texas

Posted April 1, 2017 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits, Headshots.

If you know me and my industry, you know I appreciate vanity. As a corporate and executive headshot photographer in Dallas, I can honestly tell you I’ve seen the spectrum: everything from oversized lips and frozen foreheads to drooping eyes and deep-set frown lines. Everything, and I mean everything, has stepped foot into my Dallas photo studio. That’s why I, along with most of Dallas, go to see Dr. Ben Tittle at Plastic Surgery of Texas. Not only is he rated one of the Best Doctors in Texas by Texas Monthly, he’s injected, snipped, sucked, tucked, and enhanced my own friends. His work is the best I’ve ever seen, and that’s why this week we’re talking about Spring Cleaning with Plastic Surgery of Texas.

I don’t mean to sound too shallow, but it must be said: succeeding in business is contingent on your skill set and your appearance. A man or woman may have the most extensive resume imaginable, but if they can’t present themselves as the face of a company, they might not get the gig. Time and time again, people will come by my Dallas studio for executive headshots for their new position and some will have just had their procedures done or are still considering stopping by Plastic Surgery of Texas. It’s vital for people who have face-to-face interaction with clients or coworkers to clean up their look periodically, and Dr. Tittle’s quick and painless procedures are perfect for anyone looking to do some light touch-ups.

Dr. Tittle’s work has even grabbed the attention of Lynlee Poston, the writer behind the Gal About Town blog. Lynlee herself just had a little injectable fun and her before-and-after pictures are amazing. Lynlee didn’t need anything extensive, but Dr. Tittle performed a few simple injections and turned the clock back 10 years on her appearance.

I’m very honest about the fact that I see Dr. Tittle for Botox, Dysport, and Restalyne on a regular basis. In my industry, as well as his, and basically every other business, a person’s appearance is crucial to their success. I wouldn’t trust anyone but the team at Plastic Surgery of Texas to take care of me or my clients.

Before your next corporate photography session, stop by Dr. Tittle’s Dallas office for a consult and book your headshot with me. We’ll make sure you look incredible.

New Hires, New Headshots: setting your new employees up for success in 2017

Posted January 17, 2017 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits, Headshots.

Happy 2017 to all my corporate headshots and group photography clients in Dallas, Texas! I hope your year has started as busy as I have. With each new year brings a new list of business objectives, revenue goals, and new hires to make it all happen. This week, we’re focusing on how to set up the freshest members of your team for success best both in the boardroom and on the web!
1. Boosts sense of stock in company
Nothing makes a new hire feel more “a part of” at a company than receiving their own commercial business headshots and getting settled into their new Dallas, Texas company. Getting professional headshots may seem like a mundane, routine activity at many companies but it makes a person feel like their company appreciates them and sees their worth.

2. Boosts SEO when writing about new hires
Again, seeing a blog written about themselves makes your new hire feel like their company appreciates them, but it also benefits the company as a whole through SEO. Featuring a new piece of content with specific keywords related to your business, as well as highlighting your new hire’s strengths and experience, kills two birds with one stone.

3. Introduces current or potential clients to your company
There’s no more personal touch than introducing your clients or prospective accounts to a new hire with a written letter to them individually and headshot taken by a photographer in Dallas, Texas. This breaks the ice and lets them know exactly who they’ll be working with for their business objectives.

Don’t forget – when setting up your group business headshots, make sure to let each person know when they’ll be shooting and what to wear. The devil is in the details. Feel free to call or book online.

4 Photography Marketing Tips for 2017

Posted December 11, 2016 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Photography Tips.

Each year, my Dallas business headshot and commercial headshot clients take the month of December to strategize on making 2017 even more productive. Their respective companies know they need to market and hear the thousands of way to do so, but they don’t know which method will help them best. I may be a little biased, but I think group business headshots in Dallas is the simplest, most effective way to market your team and connect with your own vendors or clients. However, there are tons of ways you can speak to your audience effectively. Here are 4 photography marketing tips for 2017.

Group headshots
This will always be the strongest and most effective marketing material in my opinion. If you’re a service provider or selling a product, prospective customers want to know who they’re going to be working with to meet their needs. There’s no stronger method to connect with people than to introduce yourself in a commercial photography shoot to your market. Putting a name to a face
and company is personal, high-impact way to showcase your team and makes a connection.
Product or service photography
If you have a team that prefers to work behind the scenes, another effective method is to showcase what you do or what you offer in a product or service photography. When prospective clients see for themselves what you offer, they’re more inclined to research further and submit an inquiry for your product or service. The devil is definitely in the details – if people know the intricacies
of your product or service, they develop trust.
Team interview series
Becoming a thought leader in your industry is key to long-term sustained success, so the next step to establishing your knowledge in your field is to create a team interview series where each member of your company describes what they do and why they do it. Elaborating on your success in an easy-to-understand, “thumb-stopping” format for social media will reach a huge number of people and help grow your audience.
Periodic updates and newsletters
As a professional, you should make sure the conversation never stops between you and your audience. Maintaining that connection in easy formats like periodic email updates or newsletters makes that personal connection even stronger. You can let customers know when you have new team members join your organization, service or product updates, and seasonal offers come up.

When you or your company is ready to start your 2017 marketing initiatives, contact me for group headshot or commercial photography shoots. Group discounts are available for your team. Stay active in your marketing efforts and keep leading the conversation!

4 Must-Know Tips for Shooting Your First Fall Wedding

Posted October 16, 2016 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Headshots, Photography Tips, Portraits.

The State Fair of Texas is in town, the weather is (kind of) getting cooler, and Pumpkin Spice Lattes are in full effect at Starbucks – it must be fall in Dallas, Texas. Not only can you count on Halloween planning to be happening at a bar near you, you can bet there are brides to be across Dallas frantically planning the final details of their upcoming wedding. As a wedding and commercial photographer in Dallas, I’ve had more than my fair share of successes and mess-ups at weddings, so I’m sharing my 4 must-know tips for shooting your first fall wedding!

Know your gear and come prepared
This should go without saying, but it’s important to mention. My 12 years as a Dallas headshot and commercial photographer have taught me that you should know every setting, every ISO adjustment, and every trick for your camera – whether it’s Nikon or Canon. Understand all the camera settings for each lens, work out all the options available on your speed light, and you’re good to go.

Scout your locations!
It is vital to the success of your wedding photography shoot in Dallas that you go to the location prior to the big day and study the lighting. Know every shadow possibility, know where to set up your flashes, and be prepared for any last-minute issues that may present themselves. Don’t wing it and show up thinking that you’ve got this.

Write a shot list!
Again, this may sound like common sense but it’s extremely effective in ensuring success. Create a shot list for the exact frames your couple must have in their wedding photography catalogue. Get specific, name the exact people needed in the frame, and determine how and when you’ll get everyone ready for the shot. Timing means a quick and painless shoot.

Assist someone else immediately
You should have been doing this already. Like yesterday. Assist an experienced photographer whose been doing this for a few years. Study their every move, ask tons of questions, make note of what they do and why they’re doing it, and be sure to write down every piece of equipment they use.

If you’re looking for a headshot, commercial, or wedding photographer, contact me today and we’ll get you booked!

3 Creative Business Tips for Success

Posted August 17, 2016 by Beau Bumpas & filed under Business Portraits.

[A snapshot of a recent commercial advertising shoot]

My business shooting headshots in Dallas Tx has grown over the years in different ways. When I first started over 10 years ago, all I had was a camera and a backdrop. These days, I’ve grown and branched out into different types of shoots – commercial photography, group business headshots, modeling headshots, acting headshots, and the list continues to expand. I’ve noticed some of the other creative firms in Dallas keep their secrets to themselves, but I want to share my experience with you this week. Here are 3 creative business tips for success.

Don’t Cut Costs on Marketing

One of the biggest mistakes I hear from clients is they assume their marketing is where they can save. While that may seem like the immediate best option, it has long term side effects. Marketing activities like search engine optimization, creative campaigns and web development are key to a business’ success. After all, if no one knows about you then they can’t hire you.

Highlight Your Employees

There’s a big difference between vendors and partners. Vendors are the people who just supply you with a product or perform a service, nothing more or less. Partners are the people that work together with you to create something big. If your company isn’t highlighting their employees and building a relationship with your clients, then you’re a vendor. Make sure to have routine headshots in Dallas done for your company so clients can put a name with a face and get to know the people who make your business great.

Revitalize Your Brand

Every Mom and Pop business can slap a logo on a stock image of a happy family and call it a day. It’s not creative, it’s just putting something out because you “should.” An effective business practice is creating a different concept that sets you apart from competitors. Develop an idea and strategy, enlist design/copywriting services to build out the concept and book a commercial photography shoot to bring the idea to life. Remember – there are a number of companies doing what you’re doing, be sure to make yours stand out.

I know this may sound very buttoned-up and professional, but that doesn’t mean I only do commercial photography or group business headshots in Dallas. Let’s get in touch if you’re looking into adding value to your business, looking for modeling headshots, acting headshots, or more. Submit a form online or call today.

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