StudioTalk LIVE with Ivan Weiss: Process, Integrity, and the Creative Life
/We recently hosted our very first StudioTalk LIVE on Instagram with London-based and HSM Legacy Member, Ivan Weiss. In this 60-minute conversation, Ivan shares what keeps him moving forward creatively and reflects on the delicate dance between creative confidence, humility, and empathy. We spoke about the importance of building your own style — even though his has often been emulated. We also touched on his recent experience from his editorial shoot with actor Troy Baker, and how the mindset and approach behind editorial portraiture connect back to his headshot work.
Thank you to everyone who tuned in and joined us for this StudioTalk LIVE on Instagram.
‘We’re looking forward to more conversations like this — shining light on the creativity and philosophies shaping our community.'
A special thank you to Ivan for sharing his time and valuable insights about his work and the headshot industry in general!
For those of you who enjoy a read in addition to a watch and listen, we’ve created a short blog excerpt below. Please enjoy and feel free to comment with any questions.
Cheers, Dwayne Brown
Process, Integrity, and the Creative Life
London-based photographer Ivan Weiss has built a reputation for portraits that feel honest and alive. In our recent StudioTalk, part of the Headshots Matter series, Ivan spoke about how daily discipline, empathy, and a focus on process keep him growing as a photographer.
From the beginning, Ivan emphasised the importance of showing up for the work—whether for paying clients or simply for himself. Even in quieter months, he invites friends and past clients into his London studio so he can keep experimenting and refining. That rhythm, he explained, is what keeps creativity alive and confidence steady.
What struck me most, though, was his perspective on empathy. For Ivan, being photographed isn’t just a technical moment, it’s a deeply human one.
“As portrait photographers, we need to put ourselves in the shoes of our clients. The only way to do that is to be on the other end of the camera every once in a while.”
That willingness to feel what clients feel is at the heart of his work. It’s also what sets photographers apart from automated tools or quick-fix solutions.
Another defining element of Ivan’s approach is his integrity. In rare cases where a shoot doesn’t work out, he doesn’t hesitate—he refunds, deletes, and moves on.
“This isn’t why we’re doing what we do. This is our life’s work. It should never be about the money we can make today. It’s a bigger story, a bigger picture.”
It’s advice that resonates for anyone in the creative world. Chasing short-term gain at the expense of trust erodes the foundation we rely on. By contrast, standing by our process and reputation is what sustains a career.
For headshot photographers in London and beyond, Ivan’s philosophy is both grounding and encouraging. Focus on the process, stay empathetic, and protect your integrity—because that’s what keeps the work meaningful, for us and for the people we photograph.
You can view Ivan’s work at: ivanweiss.london and follow him on Instagram at: @ivanweiss.london
