Performer Headshots from both ends of the camera

There are two basic elements to the head shot of a performer. The first, of course, is the performer, as he poses. Second, of course, is the photographer, photography. Dallas photographer Mark Oristano is working both ends of the equation. 

With 30 years of acting under his belt, Oristano has been in more than 50 stage shows, from Shakespeare to Mamet. And as a portrait photographer, has helped Oristano Dallas-Fort Worth theater community with quality headshots at a very affordable price. 

"We  feel we can make people a little more comfortable, even before the shooting started, if they know that we are an actor himself, and we both know what they go through and what they need out of their collection "Oristano says. 

When you get the subject to relax, you've got half of the session match won. Being used to being in the public and used to being photographed are two very different things. 

"It is very rare that a headshot election comes out of the first dozen shots in a session," Oristano said between breaks in his Dallas studio. "But when we can talk to them about the roles they have played and the roles we have played, we hit a godo report pretty quickly." 

Mark works in the studio with hair / makeup stylist Katie Engelbrecht to create the right look for each item that changes with age, color, wardrobe, etc. 

"Kari has a fantastic eye for makeup, hair and color. we bow to her knowledge completely and we let her set the pace as far as styling goes." 

And how much can he trust himself as a photographer? 

"We take my own headshots," Oristano adds, "using a remote shutter button. We have even taken the book jacket photo of my new book, A SPORTS FORECASTER'S GUIDE to watch football." 

Oristano also shoot in an old-fashioned black and white way, which he calls "Hollywood/1935." Shots like those from the 30 is the great George Hurrell.