About Us

Welcome on one of my photography website! 

I’m Zack, a French photographer based in Los Angeles, and I’ve spent 20 years mastering the art of headshots, fashion, and fine art photography. You may recognize me from my acting work on AMC, CBS, HBO, FOX, Ford vs Ferrari, and even The Michael Jackson Movie. With an award-winning background as an actor and years of directing experience, I know exactly how to guide you to your best shot, bringing out your unique essence in a way that casting directors won’t miss.

After years of not booking gigs because I was being shot by photographers who didn’t know how to direct me, I finally realized that capturing a person’s essence requires much more than technical skill. It’s not only about getting the right portrait lens or positioning the strobe to create that cool halo effect on top of your head. Nah.

The real magic happens when a photographer understands what makes you unique and can bring that to the surface. That’s why I became a photographer—to use my experience as an actor and director to create images that truly get actors booked.

Headshots are the foundation. It’s not about looking younger or overly polished—it’s about capturing what makes you stand out. My experience on both sides of the lens has taught me what gets actors booked, and I use that insight to help you shine.

This guide is your Hollywood Insider Headshots Cheat Sheet, packed with the essentials to help you walk into our session confident and prepared. It’s here to make your experience seamless, so you can focus on showing up as your best self and leave with headshots that do the talking for you.

Very simple and sharp, but I guarantee a successful shoot if you check each box like a pro. It’s on you.

• Consult with your agent about specific character types you need to portray for auditions. If you don’t have an agent, talk to your acting coach, trusted friends, or anyone who knows your casting type. You NEED to know this info—it’s essential for tailoring each look to the roles you’re aiming for and maximizing the impact of your headshots. Character actors or super defined character types get noticed faster in theatrical roles. Unless we’re going for smiling commercial headshots, where approachability is key, focusing on strong character types will set you apart. This is crucial—Point #1 is the big winner, setting the foundation for everything we’ll capture in your shoot.

• Arrive camera-ready with very light makeup to keep it natural and versatile. If you go to Sephora for a makeup application, they’ll apply it free with a $50 product purchase. Be careful with this—easy on the eyes; this is not a Halloween photoshoot. Unless you’re going for a grunge character (which could work!), but that should be the last look of your shoot, so it's not convenient. It's always easier to add on than remove it.
• Bring hairstyling gel for quick touch-ups, especially to handle any outdoor elements like wind or humidity. Simple adjustments can make a big difference on camera.

• Ensure all clothing is clean, ironed, and ready to wear. Wrinkles and stains show up on camera, so prepping everything ahead of time keeps the shoot flowing smoothly.
• Don’t hesitate to pack your entire wardrobe if you're unsure what to bring—AS LONG AS everything serves the characters we’re bringing to life in these headshots. Just be mindful: leave out anything that doesn’t fit the vibe, like your prom dress if we’re aiming to portray a drug dealer ;)

• Choose colors that enhance your natural features—tones that highlight your eye color, skin tone, and hair bring out your individuality on camera.
• For a commercial look, bright colors like red, blue, yellow, and checkered patterns work well to catch attention and convey a friendly, approachable vibe.
• For theatrical roles, darker colors add depth and intensity. Always bring a black t-shirt and, if you have one, a leather jacket (but don’t feel obligated to buy one if you don’t). Yes, you can always buy one at Zara and return it, but remember—you’ll need it for the audition, too. You’ll always go to the audition dressed as the character they saw in the picture. Keep that in mind—no joke here, friend.
• Avoid colors that wash you out and SKIP plain white unless it’s layered under another piece.

• Accessories are key for bringing character-specific looks to life. Think of items that add a touch of personality, like necklaces, watches, glasses, hats, and scarves. Different roles often imply distinct styles; for example, a lawyer might wear a subtle, elegant necklace, while a detective might add a watch or leather bracelet.
• Casting directors often receive thousands of submissions for a single role. Having the right look, down to the smallest detail, can set you apart and give you a competitive edge.
•  For character ideas, watch shows with similar roles and observe what accessories they use to define their characters. If you’re missing anything, thrift stores like Goodwill often have affordable options. How did I book the photographer part in the Michael Jackson movie, Searching for Neverland? I showed up with ALL my camera gear—and I was the only one with a camera around his neck! 

(Now, we’re not going to shoot you with a camera around your neck for your headshots, but this is food for thought to help you understand how a Casting Director’s mind works. However, shooting you in a chef’s outfit or with a doctor’s coat and stethoscope around your neck if you’re auditioning for those roles (or targeting a specific show) is not a bad idea. In Hollywood’s mind, chefs in movies are often French, just like Russians are often cast as mob characters. Therefore, a French actor without a chef outfit makes no sense at all—just as much as a Russian character without a mob look in their headshots. You need to think hard about how you’re seen and identify your niche if you want to be booked.

There’s - nothing - better - than asking your agent, acting coach, or acting classmates to tell you how they see you.) Food for thought: a lawyer would wear a different necklace than a school teacher. What would an inmate wear? A bandana? If you don't have any of these accessories you can check GOODWILL's jewelry section, which has amazing discounted second hand items. If you are not sure about accessories and your agent wants a lawyer’s look watch a legal tv show and study their appearance, so you can replicate the look. A casting director is extremely busy and gets up to 5000 submissions for one TV part. What are your chances to be called in for an audition if you don't have the look he/she is looking for? It all starts at the photoshoot! If you come up with the exact look (clothes, accessories, etc.) your agent needs, you are putting all the odds on your side! Should you not have time to gather all these accessories I understand and we will try to make it work nonetheless.

• Organize outfits and accessories by character type to keep the flow efficient on the day of the shoot. This allows us to quickly transition from look to look without fumbling for the right pieces, especially if you are coming for an "ALL YOU CAN SHOOT DEAL".
• Examples of characters might include the private investigator, the business professional, the bestie, the girl next door, the nerd, the drug dealer, or the approachable neighbor. Aim to bring a few options per character without overpacking. Staying organized ensures a smooth, stress-free shoot.

• For headshots, shoes won’t be necessary, so you can prioritize comfort while we’re focused on close-up shots.

• Get some sleep the night before! Also, if possible, for 3 days prior to the shoot, avoid chocolate, junk food, alcohol, and sodas. It’s highly recommended to eat salmon instead during this period, as it benefits skin tone and glow. Limit water intake to a minimum the day before the shoot to avoid any puffin.

Each detail adds a layer to your portrayal, helping us capture your unique essence and create headshots that resonate with casting directors. This checklist is simple and sharp, but by checking each box, you’re setting yourself up for a successful, impactful shoot. 

- Retouches are minor retouches, which doesn’t include hair color, shirt color modifications, or a bad skin (a bad skin is an asset for characters, don't hyde it too much!). You will receive the 3 retouched images you have chosen and the ENTIRE shoot high res, JPEG or RAW, your choice. It is usually suggested to choose one image per look. 

- You can expect a minimum of 150 pictures to choose from.

- Yes you have the possibility to add a hoody or a jacket once over a shirt and it's not considered an extra look, it’s still one look. If we do it again after that, then it becomes an extra look ($40 per additional look). I can clarify this on the shoot if not understood.

- Any additional look will be charged an extra $40 per look.

- Payment is CASH only! Venmo or PayPal is fine for extra retouches.

- You will get the pictures via FLICKER within 24hrs after the shoot. 

Rates (this does not apply to Craigslist's SPECIAL DEAL:)

* $500 for 3 looks, roughly 400 images taken 

* Delivered to you low within 24hrs or the next day 

* 1 retouched image per look is on me, afterwards it’s $12 per image

* $80 per additional look

LIFE STYLE / FASHION pictures:

Chances are you contacted me because you need edgy actors/actresses headshots in characters. However, I do life style/fashion shoots as well.  It’s a total different ball game though, it’s more sophisticated and more time consuming, therefore we will be spending more time on clothes, poses and locations.

A 2 hour shoot will be required and the fee is $555. $20 per picture will be added for an editorial look-professional retouch. Please note that $12 is the rate for a regular retouch. 

- Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.