Location Headshots with Lynne

Lynne and I have known one another for a few years. She is a television exec, who, back in the day, generously allowed me to tag along when she interviewed Hollywood stars during TIFF here in Toronto. To this day, when I am conducting an interview I think – now, how would Lynne ask that? She is one cool lady.

She approached me for a headshot that could be used in promoting FANomenon – a passion project that she wrote, produced and directed for Global Television. It is a touching documentary about middle aged fangirls of sci-fi TV shows and movies.

We decide to scout locations in Rosedale valley. Lynne wants outdoor, natural-looking headshots. Nothing too posed or fussy. She has her hair and make-up already done, so all we need to do is find her the perfect backdrop.

After shooting against brick walls and using beautiful foliage as a background, I spot a moss-covered fence down the back of a property. Lynne is totally game for an adventure, and we squeeze between some tangled shrubbery and the fence.

The series of images that we create in that cramped, damp, bright green, mossy space is my favourite of the entire shoot. To me, they show exactly who Lynne is. She is smart, strong, kind, funny and beautiful!

Every single shoot that I do teaches me something. Sounds trite, I know…but it’s the truth. My shoot with Lynne has taught me to trust my gut and just go with my ideas…regardless of whether it may look silly or weird to a passerby…or whether I am guaranteed of it even working out. A cool and trusting subject makes an enormous difference as well.

For those of you wondering about the specs – the final image was captured at midday, in deep shade with natural light, no modifiers or reflectors needed.