“I feed off the passion for those I shoot, they drive the passion I already have, to create something both together, making that all important connection with the camera.”

Sean, we’re very grateful to have you as a part of Headshots Matter. Thanks for letting us ask a few questions about yourself and your work!

Let’s jump in! You’re originally from Scotland, when and why did you move to Stockholm, and how long have you been a photographer?

I moved to Stockholm in November, 2008. Most people who move here, move for one of two reasons, love or work… I moved for love. I started photography as early as 1996 at school and then college in Scotland. I picked it back up around 2006, shooting street photography in London. I think it was 2011 when I got to shoot my first corporate headshots.

We love your lighting! How would you define your overall style of portraiture and how do you blend it with the specific style of the creative people you’re photographing?

My style of lighting has evolved over the last few years, starting with strobes. Then I felt I wanted to explore constant light - for me that was a single LED lamp, a budget lamp, as I wasn’t too sure I was going to like the effect it gave. As I shoot mostly actors, the transition for me was quite easy, shoot my headshots in horizontal format, to replicate a screen grab of sorts, makes it easier for casting directors to say right away if someone should be called for a casting… so far, it’s been successful for a lot of actors I have shot.

Can you share any ‘happy mistakes’ you’ve made while shooting and have you been able to turn any of those ‘mistakes’ into new photo approaches?

Mistakes I have made have made me learn and fine tune what was not meant to be into something I and those I have shot, have liked. One was shooting wide open on a Nikon f/1.4, lucky the ISO was low enough, not to over expose my first of several test shots, shooting wide open, allowed me to put all the focus on the eyes, as that’s generally what people most look at first and base their decision on to get in for castings or not. Rather than having the whole face being tack sharp.

As a portrait photographer, how do you calm and disarm someone who's nervous about being in front of the camera?

Lucky for me, I’m a people person, it does help a lot, but has something that I have built on, being able to connect to those who aren’t so comfortable in front of the camera. When people come to me as a first timer or returning, I always talk for a while before shooting, gives me a chance to get to know them better. During the session I talk a lot and get a feel for how they are doing, I never put pressure on those I shoot, that would only get unusable headshots/portraits. I also shoot from my home studio, so it’s a homey feel now with 3 beagles for those who like dogs. Having background music helps.

On your website you mention that you’re a photorealist. How does that impact your creative process?

Calling myself a photorealist doesn’t effect my creativeness at all, as I’m shooting what is meant to be seen as real as possible, and a true representation of the actor, all I have to do is find what light is best for the feel they are going for. Using only one light, be that strobe or LED allows me to sculpt the face using light and shadow to make sure the face has more dimension and interaction, to those looking at my headshots.

Who has been one of your favourite portrait subjects and why? Given the chance, who else would you love to shoot, either again or for the first time?

I’m very fortunate in having a high client returning rate, so I’m able to follow people’s progression in every session I have with them, but one that stands out just a bit more than others is a Swedish actress, Annica Liljeblad, super easy to work with, very little direction to get some absolutely amazing headshots/portraits and she has made such a name for herself. An actor I would love to shoot, would be Tilda Swinton, an amazing actor with great on-screen presence.

How do you kindle your creativity and where do you find inspiration for your photography?

I feed off the passion for those I shoot, they drive the passion I already have, to create something both together, making that all important connection with the camera. Making them desirable for castings in a series or Hollywood movies.

What advice would you give to your younger creative self?

I think I would tell myself to have started in photography earlier as a profession, my previous profession was as a graphic designer, I would have preferred to have done photography in some shape or form.

Lastly, in your opinion, why do headshots matter?

Simply as this, it’s the first thing people in the industry I work in, see. A picture says a thousand words!

Thanks so much Sean, for taking the time to answer some questions. We’re so happy to have you on board!

Please take a moment to learn more about Sean’s headshot and portrait work at: www.lewthwaitephotography.se

studiotalk

StudioTalk

Sean Lewthwaite / Stockholm, Sweden

“I feed off the passion for those I shoot, they drive the passion I already have, to create something both together, making that all important connection with the camera.”

Headshots Matter

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