Sunday, October 5, 2014

Headshot Photography: Not new, but never old.


 A recent headshot I was commissioned to do
"In theater, film, and television, actors, models, singers, and other entertainers are often required to include a head shot, along with their résumé, when applying for a job. These head shots are usually more artistic: they intend to portray the subject in the best possible light. Head shots often feature the actor or actress facing off-center. A performer will often have head shots expressing different poses and expressions to give a potential employer an idea of the subject's range of appearances or expressions. These types of head shots are called "looks". It is common for an actor to have different head shots for different roles, but for the most part these consist of a change in attire. The head shots that include a person’s shoulders are called "three-quarter" shots. Previously, head shots were often in black-and-white; however, most head shots are now taken in color.
Actors' head shots, when printed and not simply uploaded online to an industry database, are done in an 8"×10" format. Other promotional images, for example, press shots and lobby prints, may be in many different aspect ratios. Acting head shots are often not photographic prints, instead they are typically printed via a lithographic or laser process.
The main purpose of an actor's head shot is identification. Therefore, the most important feature of an actor's head shot is that it represents the subject. Theatrical head shots are usually very "neutral" looking shots of the actor clearly showing their facial features.
Head shots are intended to show a person as they currently appear and reflect their best qualities. Therefore, if an actor's hair has been recently cut or colored, they would often get a new head shot to reflect their new image. Additionally, if an actor has a scar or facial blemish, it is expected to be visible on the head shot and not digitally removed from the image. Pimples or spots are temporary and, therefore, are usually digitally retouched."
- Wikipedia


If you are interested in headshot photos, Kratka Photography has you covered. Our pricing is very simple: 

- $75/hr, which INCLUDES all finished mages burned to DVD as well as posted to our
secured online server that you may access to download your pictures. 

- Travel up to 30 miles from Waterville, Maine, and then .30/mile thereafter. 

- We come to you! Our portable studio brings the studio to your location of choice. 

- 207.660.5116 to book your private session. 









Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Start 2014 with a photography class!

Wow, time flies. Here we are, 2014.  A new year full of promise, opportunity, and adventure!

Where will this new year take us? What new friends might we make? What new places will we explore? 


And most importantly....what kind of pictures do you want to take in 2014?  Portraits? Group shots? Scenic? Time lapse? HDR? (HDwhat?)

Good news! On Saturday January 25, 2014, Kratka Photography will be holding it's first of many photography classes in Belfast, Maine.

This is a beginners class. 








Location:     Belfast Free Library (the Abbott room, 106 High St. Belfast, ME)
Date:          January 25, 2014
Time:          11:00 am to 1:00pm
Cost:           $35


Pre-Registration is required, (by email) and students are asked to pay in advance to reserve a seat. Space is limited. 

If you use PayPal, you can direct your payment to kevin@kratkaphotography.com 

If you would prefer to write a check, please make it out to:

Kratka Photography
10 Roosevelt Ave. 
Waterville, Maine 04901

To Register send email to kevin@kratkaphotography or call 207.660.5116

Principles we will cover: 


  1. Making friends: getting to know your camera
  2. Six things to know when handling your camera
  3. Setup the shot: Composition
  4. Framing your shot using lines and angles
  5. Dramatic perspective 
  6. Exposure: understanding Aperture, Shutter Speed and ISO
  7. Depth of Field - shallow or deep? Why you should care!
  8. Stop the action: Shutter speed
  9. ISO: we get in touch with our sensitive side
  10. Your lens: wide? telephoto? macro? 
  11. Flash: do's and don'ts 
  12. Q&A
Sound like fun? It will be! This will be a fun, relaxed class with plenty of time for questions. Bring a friend! 

Important notes to consider about the class. 

PLEASE.....

If you're not already familiar with your camera, make every effort to get to know it before arriving to class. Please bring your camera's manual as this will play a vital role in answering specific questions regarding your particular make of camera. (Without a manual, it's a real possibility I would not be able to answer very specific questions about your specific camera)

If you have pictures you'd like critiqued, please feel free to bring them along and every effort will be made to help you with those. 

And finally, bring a smile. This is going to be an enjoyable 2 hours that will fly by. 

Questions?  Please email me anytime and I will get back to you. 

See you there!!! 

*** Please note, for scheduling purposes, the cost of the class is non-refundable. However if the weather requires us to reschedule, it will be held on Saturday in February. Please keep this mind when you submit payment for the class  ***