Tiffinbox

Inspiring Photographers

How Peter Hurley Puts The SHABANG Into Headshot Photography

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Headshot photography – for actors, business executives or even people with social media channels – is simply a must these days. If you have a photograph of yourself online or offline where you have used an iPhone to create a selfie or cropped yourself out of a party photograph and think that's good enough, think again.

In a hyper visual world where you have nanoseconds to make an impression, why lean on the easy, almost lazy options that only produce photographs that are good enough, when you can easily get to great?

In a previous blog post, I introduced you to Dylan Patrick and his Cinematic Headshots. Today, however, I want to talk about Peter Hurley, a New York and Los Angeles based headshot portrait photographer who has stormed into the world and created a very unique niche for himself.

Much like Mark Seliger, Irving Penn, Richard Avedon and Helmut Newton have defined a genre of photography, so has Peter Hurley. His name is synonymous with headshot portrait photography.

Spend any time online and whether it is on Twitter or Facebook, you'll hear about him and his videos – It's all about the Jaw, It's all about the Squinch and Hold Your Sub.

Peter is responsible for leading nearly 9000 headshot photographers around the world through his forum, Headshot Crew. At only about $20 a month, it is a gold mine of information and networking possibilities. Indeed, one of the reasons I was able to so quickly get personally introduced to Peter was because I connected with Bruno Kongawoin first. Bruno is a magnificent photographer based in Perth, Australia.

Peter is also an author, speaker and teacher. His book, The Headshot, is a must-have for all headshot photographers.

Peter Hurley is one very busy guy. He has multiple projects going on. One of most interesting projects is called PsyPhotology. If you believe the interaction between a photographer and a subject is a psychological one, you must check this website out. Peter told me that there is much more coming in 2016 from this project and I am very excited by these new tools that are going to be available for photographers to make even better headshot portraits.

Lastly, if you can't make it to Peter Hurley's Headshot Intensive workshops in either New York or Los Angeles, you can study with him through his DVD's, downloaded from FStoppers. You can buy them here though my links as well – The Art Of The Headshot and Illuminating The Face.

For a limited time you can buy Peter's Pro Board for 30% off using the code – PROBOARD30 and you can buy his book at 15% off the retail price by using the code BOOK15. But given today is Christmas, I am going to wish that I could receive three of these H2PRO Water Ballasts for my light stands.

Now, for the ultimate teaching / learning experience, how would you like to be on the Headshot Crew Cruise? April 24th through May 1st, you can sail from New York to Bermuda, have a great time on board the cruise ship but also learn everything Peter has to teach you about headshot portrait photography.

SHABANG!

Seshu | Editor & Publisher

Seshu | Editor & Publisher

Seshu is an Avon, Connecticut based headshot photographer and family portrait photographer. He edits and publishes Tiffinbox and produces Tiffincast for photographers like you!

Comments

    1. Seshu says

      JackDeth (nice name) … you are so right … I have to recheck my hearing aids … lol … so I made the change in the title of the post and the body of the post, too! Thanks for chiming in … are you a headshot photographer too?

      1. JackDeth says

        I currently shoot part-time and have recently re-focused my business. I do headshots, single and family portraiture and occasionally seniors. I also do other types of shooting, but consider that work special projects.

        I have been following Peter Hurley for a year or two now. The guy created his own niche market and is a genius at what he does (whether he realizes it or not). He is absolutely crazy and has an amazing personality. I love to shoot in the same style he does, so he really clicked with me. I have purchase some of his products including videos and his ProBoard, and recently picked up his book “The Headshot”. The book is absolutely fantastic and the way it came to be written, through an unusual collaboration with Scott Kelby, was even more incredible.

        I have found that any photographer [who shoots people] can take what he shares and apply it to their photography, whether or not they shoot just headshots. Most who teach photography usually focus on the technical, lighting, how to use their camera, post-processing, etc. While he does teach some of this, he’s the first one I’ve seen who really focuses on the most important aspect, which is how to work and interact with your subject in an effort to capture a truly natural expression and connection with the subject.

        The guy has an amazing business going and I hope we call emulate it.

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