Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Sansone.
Mike, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I went to college for theatre. I wanted to be an actor. During my time there I bought my first camera to make short movies with my actor friends. One of them approached me and said, ‘Hey! You have that nice new camera…you should take my headshot for an audition coming up.’ I photographed her, and the shots came out alright. Then I had a few more friends ask me to do theirs.
It was at this point I thought I should learn more about what makes a good headshot. Even as an actor I had no idea what the industry standards were.
I came across the work of New York photographer Peter Hurley. I saw he was teaching photographers how to take better headshots, and I signed up for his group immediately.
Fast forward to today, and now I am a mentor for that same group. I get to teach other photographers how to take better headshots and create their own thriving headshot businesses.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
At its most simple form…I take pictures of people’s faces. On a deeper level I capture their personality, teach them how to look good in photographs, and provide images that help them stand out as an expert in their industry.
Having your picture taken is an awkward experience, and it’s because of that most people end up looking scared, sad, or even mean in their headshots. Everyone has had terrible pictures taken of themselves, and that’s why so many people hate having their picture taken. There is a belief that being photogenic has something to do with your physical appearance, but I just don’t believe that.
The definition I like for ‘photogenic’ is when your self-confidence outweighs your insecurities. Basically, when you are just being yourself is when you are most attractive. When I point my camera at someone their insecurities come flooding back. My job as a headshot photographer is to transform them from a weird tense ball of nerves back into their normal selves. I have to distract them in a way that produces genuine reactive expressions, while simultaneously posing them in a way that is the most flattering for them.
The result of this process is images that actually show their personality and make them look like the person they want to be. Sometimes we have a negative perception of ourselves that is completely opposite to what we really are. When people see images that show themselves in the best way possible….it can be a pretty life changing experience.
What would you recommend to an artist new to the city, or to art, in terms of meeting and connecting with other artists and creatives?
I wouldn’t be as successful as I am today if I didn’t surround myself with other artists. They all helped me grow and pushed me to become better. I heard a saying that if you are the most successful person in your group of friends…you need new friends.
Find people who are living the life you want and offer to help them. See what you can contribute to their lives, and you certainly will gain something from that experience.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My head shots can be seen in a ton of different places. LinkedIn profiles, company bio pages, book jackets, business cards, email signatures, billboards, grad school applications, and the desks of acting agencies all over the country to name a few. If you would like to step in front of my camera…you can schedule your session online through my website.
Contact Info:
- Address: 2150 S Canalport Ave
Chicago, IL 60608 - Website: https://mikesansonephotography.com
- Phone: 773-999-9981
- Email: mike@mikesansonephotography.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mikesansonephotography
- Facebook: facebook.com/mikesansonephotography
Image Credit:
Mike Sansone Photography
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