Musician and Actor/Model Headshots

Musician & Actor/Model Headshots & Portraits

Band promo photos

The Importance of Updating Headshots for Actors and Models

Here is my friend Dan, he’s a great drummer and does a fair bit of extra work an TV and in adverts in print and on screen.

Actor /Model Headshot

At the start of the year Dan put together a new band and they needed some professional shots for their website, gig posters and to send out to agents.

We hired out a local studio for an afternoon and got to work!

Here are a few examples from the shoot.

In the world of acting and modelling, headshots are the calling card.

They serve as a visual representation of an persons look, personality, and potential to casting directors, agents, and producers.

However, just like any other industry, trends and preferences evolve over time. That is why it is crucial for actors and models to update their headshots regularly.

By investing in updated headshots, actors & models enhance their chances of standing out in a highly competitive acting world and securing the opportunities they deserve.

Take a look at Dan’s recent studio shoot where we updated his portfolio for full body and headshots.

Leicester Charity Photographer

Leicester Charity Event Photographer

Charity work by a Leicester Photographer

Charity work is a big part of my life, and definitely part of my companies corporate social responsibility.

For the last 5 years I’ve been heavily involved with two charities, LAMP and Menphys.

LAMP is an advocacy service, they help people struggling with mental health issues navigate the  complex issues and get their life back.

Bing a charity LAMP needs funding, and that’s where myself and others step in. So far with LAMP I’ve climbed Ben Nevis, marshalled at a Leicester 10k running event, ran a 10k, helped set up and partake in the now annual 5k campaign during national mental health week and am also part of ‘Team LAMP 23’.

This year we had local Labour MP Jonathan Ashworth run with us, he was also kind enough to be interviewed (if you can call it that!) by me after the run.. and of course i vlogged it here https://youtu.be/uJvpG8ky-vM

Team Lamp is myself, Greg Hollingsworth and Dave Green.  Dave is an ex trustee of LAMP and Greg is an ambassador. Together we set the challenge of running a Parkrun alphabet, in 2023. We sold each letter off to a corporate sponsor and also set up a just giving page for donations. Our target is £10k, which we are well on the way to achieving.

Greg deals with most of the money, Dave does the organising and social media posts. My contribution is a weekly vlog of the run, and anything else that we get up to!.

This was a real challenge for me, as I know it’s hard to believe, I’m not a natural in front of the camera!

Looking back at vlog 1, I couldn’t wait to stop recording and get it over. I walked out fo sight of most people as I was a little shy and almost embarrassed at the thought of recording myself in public!

Now I almost crave it, and I definitely miss recording when we have a week off.

As of writing this, we have completed 22 runs, with just 4 remaining… and the last 2 are going to be amazing as they are international!

Here is a link to the vlog playlist on YouTube

Doing this also led me to try open water swimming with Charlotte Miles from Cross Productions who also hiked Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike with myself and a group of other fundraisers.

Here is a link to those videos. Pete & Charlotte

Charlotte did a training run with me, then I did an open water swim, then we combined a run and a swim. It was so good, just a bit cold! And if you want a good laugh, I’m in a wetsuit!

I also support Menphys, a local charity that runs sport programs for disabled children. I hiked Scalfell Pike for Menphys, and did Ben Nevis for both LAMP and Menphys. Menphys have and amazing business sports club, which i’m a member of, and I also photograph each event at a discounted rate.

Below is a photo gallery containing a selection of images from all of my charity work and events that I’ve been involved in.

#LeicesterPhotographer

#photographer

#eventphotographer

#charity

#mentalhealth

#mentalhealthawareness

Labout MP Jonathan Ashworth joins me for a charity run

Ben Nevis Summit

Headshots and Personal Branding

Headshots and Personal Branding Photographer Leicestershire

I first met Jennny Collard from Rutland House Clinic during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was offering socially distanced family photo shoots at local parks and Jenny found me on Instagram. After that we also met online during a LAMP charity online business club meeting, and from their future face to face meetings.

With both of us being LAMP charity supporters we’ve both undertaken various fundraising activities, more about that in a future blog!

Jenny had recently changed her look, and therefor required some updated photos to match. We had a couple of conversations about the overall look of the headshots, and it was also decided that as Jenny works a lot from home, some branding shots would be beneficial to show prospective clients the surroundings.

Also, whilst I was there (and so were all of Jenny’s family), I threw in a couple of family shots as well.

What do you think of the branding and headshots captured on the day?

Creative Design Agency Leicestershire

Leicester based Graphic Design Agency Photoshoot

Portraits & Environmental Office Shots

A brilliant design agency I’ve been working with for the last 4 years is Creative 62. They have a range of clients from large to small, and an excellent team to deliver the goods.

As part of a website refresh they asked if I could take portraits of all staff, along with some environmental portraits of each person at their desk. 

These shots are not quite as candid as they look.. all clutter has been removed in advance, and a member of the agency is watching my laptop screen as the images appear.. looking for any distracting elements. Absolutely everything was considered. 

Here is an example, the painting of ‘Liam Gallagher’ was deemed too distracting, so we removed it. Both photos were delivered to the client so they could have the final pick/say of which they preferred in the final application. 

I’m super happy how this shoot turned out, especially the headshots. I did a slightly different lighting set up than I usually do. The low ceiling in the board room meant I couldn’t get my main light high enough, And I could’t sit people down as they we having half body portraits taken.

So, I flipped my lighting equipment from the top to the side, and bounced the light of a nearby white wall to fill in some of the shadows. As Creative 62’s branding is yellow and orange, we tried a few different background colours, and evenly settled on my dark yellow paper roll with another light positioned between the person and the background, creating a halo/vignette effect.

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I have to say, I think these are some of the best portraits I’ve taken, great expressions and a nice simple lighting set up.

I hope you enjoyed a ew images from the morning s shoot, there were 397 edited images delivered from this half day shoot. If you’d like something similar, you can get in touch using the contact form here, or any of the details at the bottom of the page.

Event Photographer

Why having an Event Photographer is a brilliant idea!

Leicester Event Photographer

Birthdays are special occasions that mark milestones in our lives, filled with joy, laughter, and cherished memories. When it comes to celebrating these moments, capturing them through photography becomes an invaluable investment. Hiring a professional photographer for your birthday event not only ensures the preservation of beautiful memories but also offers numerous benefits that make it a worthwhile investment.

1. Emotionally Captivating Memories: Birthdays are moments of immense joy and celebration, surrounded by loved ones. Through professional event photography, these emotional moments are captured and immortalized in a way that allows you to relive them for years to come. The tears of happiness, heartfelt laughter, and genuine interactions are encapsulated, creating a treasure trove of memories that evoke strong emotions whenever revisited.

2. High-Quality Images: While smartphones have made photography more accessible, professional event photographers possess the expertise and equipment to capture high-quality images. They have a keen eye for composition, lighting, and timing, ensuring that every shot is a work of art. With our technical skills and artistic vision, we create visually stunning images that elevate the overall aesthetics of your birthday event.

3. Comprehensive Coverage: By hiring a professional photographer like myself, you can relax and fully immerse yourself in the celebration while knowing that every significant moment is being documented. From the grand entrance and blowing out the candles to heartfelt speeches and the dance floor frenzy, a professional photographer will be present to capture every essential detail. We possess the ability to tell a compelling story through their lens, ensuring that no aspect of the celebration is missed.

4. Unique Perspectives: A professional photographer brings a fresh and unique perspective to your birthday event. We have a trained eye to spot candid moments, capture natural expressions, and document the atmosphere and ambiance of the occasion. Our creativity and ability to see beauty in the ordinary result in captivating photographs that go beyond traditional snapshots.

5. Lasting Family Heirlooms: The photographs captured during your birthday event are not only for the present but for future generations as well. They become priceless family heirlooms that can be passed down from one generation to another, telling the story of your life and the love shared among family and friends. Investing in birthday event photography ensures that these heirlooms are created with care, preserving your legacy for years to come.

6. Stress-Free Experience: By entrusting the photography responsibilities to a professional, you can focus on enjoying your birthday event without the added stress of capturing every moment yourself. Knowing that a skilled photographer is in charge allows you to be fully present and engage with your loved ones, creating genuine connections and beautiful memories.

Investing in birthday event photography is an excellent decision that guarantees a treasure trove of emotionally captivating memories, high-quality images, and comprehensive coverage. These photographs become timeless family heirlooms, telling the story of your life and the love shared among family and friends. With a professional photographer like Pete Martin capturing unique perspectives, you can enjoy a stress-free celebration, knowing that every significant moment will be beautifully preserved. So, don't hesitate to invest in birthday event photography, as it's a decision that will provide joy and cherished memories for a lifetime.

Please take a look below at a recent joint birthday and wedding anniversary party at the City Rooms in Leicester

Hinckley & Rugby Building Society

Corporate Photography in the workplace

Hinckley & Rugby Building Society portraits

I’d met Colin & Carolyn from Hinckley & Rugby Building Society a few times at the LAMP charity business club that I’m a member of.

They kindly passed my details onto the amazing Carla who was tasked with the job of sorting out the running order for headshots of all of the key people.

Carla (my test shoot person!)

After a few emails a date was sorted and it was decided that half body portraits would be most suited, along with a dark grey background. 

I set up my mobile studio in a small sized media room which is normally used for video production, and the shoot began. It was clear from the first few people in front of my camera that this was going to be a fun shoot, everyone was lovely, a truly great bunch of people.

I took the quick video on my phone of the set up and posted it to LinkedIn later that day, see below for a couple of the comments.

I couldn’t have wished for a better response. 

I’ve since been back on 2 other occasions to photograph people who were away for the first shoot. 

I’m looking forward to seeing their website update with the new portraits, a few people have already started using them as their LinkedIn profile photo!

Take a look below for the short behind the scenes video and a couple of portraits from all three days. 

When is the last time your company updated it’s team photos?

Estate Agent Portraits

Estate Agent Portraits Leicester & East Midlands

Headshots for business

In the fast-paced world of real estate, first impressions matter. When potential clients are searching for a reliable and trustworthy estate agent, they often look beyond property listings and seek a personal connection. This is where staff portraits come into play. In this blog post, we will explore the essential role that staff portraits play for estate agents and why they should not be overlooked.

1. Building Trust and Credibility

Staff portraits humanise your agency and provide a face to the name. By featuring professional portraits of your team members on your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials, you establish a sense of trust and credibility with potential clients. Portraits create a personal connection, making your agency appear more approachable and reliable.

1. Showcasing Professionalism and Expertise

Well-executed staff portraits convey professionalism and expertise within the real estate industry. By presenting your team in a polished and professional manner, you reinforce the idea that your agency consists of knowledgeable and experienced professionals. Clients will be more inclined to trust your services and rely on your expertise when they see confident and competent individuals in your staff portraits.

1. Creating a Strong Brand Identity

Staff portraits contribute to building a strong brand identity for your estate agency. Consistently using high-quality portraits across all your marketing channels helps to create a cohesive and recognisable brand. When clients come across your agency's name or logo in various contexts, they will immediately associate it with the familiar faces they have seen in your staff portraits. This consistency fosters brand recognition and reinforces your agency's reputation.

1. Enhancing Personal Connections

Real estate transactions involve significant financial investments and emotional decisions. Clients want to work with someone they feel comfortable with and can trust throughout the process. Staff portraits provide a glimpse into the personalities and character of your team members, allowing potential clients to form a preliminary connection. When clients can put a face to a name, it becomes easier for them to envision working with your agency.

1. Differentiating Yourself from Competitors

In a competitive market, setting yourself apart from other estate agents is crucial. Including staff portraits in your marketing strategy is an effective way to differentiate your agency from competitors who may rely solely on property listings. By showcasing your team members' expertise, professionalism, and approachability through portraits, you create a unique selling point that can sway potential clients in your favour.

Staff portraits may seem like a small detail, but they have a significant impact on the success of estate agents. By featuring professional and engaging portraits of your team members, you build trust, convey professionalism, create a strong brand identity, enhance personal connections, and differentiate yourself from competitors. Investing in high-quality staff portraits is a worthwhile endeavor that can ultimately lead to increased client engagement, loyalty, and success in the real estate industry.

Here are a few examples of my work from Olivier Raynes in Leicester.

#HeadshotPhotographer #LeicesterPhotographer #PortraitPhotographer #LeicesterHeadshotPhotographer

HSP Corporate Headshots

Corporate Headshots on Location in Leicestershire

 I first met Ian Vernon from HSP in 2018 at a networking event, I was really impressed with his professionalism and his personality. We became friends over time, went to a few more events, I even photographed his family one one occasion. I also did Ian and his partners headshots in 2021.

HSP Financial Planning Ltd is a firm of Independent Financial Advisers based in Whetstone, Leicestershire.

Established in 1977 we have built up a reputation for providing trusted professional advice given by approachable and dedicated advisers, supported by an experienced administration team.

It was nice to be asked to photograph HSP’s whole company in early 2023. A plan was put together to complete headshots for all staff, get some ‘at work’ shots and also put a short video together. The whole shoot took just over 3 hours.

I took along my mobile studio for the headshots, the drone and gimbal came out for the video parts.

Take a look at a few of the headshots and office shots below, and the short video link to YouTube

Walkthrough video for Leicestershire Financial Planners, HSP.

Charity week

National Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

for a Leicester Photographer

Wow what a week!

So last week was national mental health week, & there was a lot going on.

Monday I had organised a charity curry night at the Cuisine of India in Wigston on behalf of LAMP

Over 80 tickets were sold, there was a raffle, I played a bit of guitar.. in total we raised £1714.2. Also on Monday I had a 9:30am shoot, in Kent!!

Tuesday was mostly spent editing Mondays shoot, before going for a run.

Wednesday I had a 9am shoot in South Leicester for a new client, which went brilliantly!

At 11am there was a 5k walk before the Lamp Charity business club, due to the shoot I only managed half of the walk with Scott Mathie.

The LAMP business club is one of my favourite clubs to attend, this time I was on the main stage talking about my time as a member. I have to say it was quite nervous being on stage with Greg Hollingsworth, Jenny Collard and Dee Beckett (nee Patel), all people great a public speaking it seems!

Thursday I had 3 schools to photograph, they have recently joined a trust and needed new promotional shots for their prospectus, website and social media channels.

On the way home I called into see Tony Cox. I’d met Tony though an old friend a few years ago, and we’d recently reconnected at an event at Menphys. Tony wanted to freshen up his headshot. As the session went well, and there was time left I decided to get a bit creative and give Tony a few extra shots.

Friday I was long overdue a catch up with Anup Singh from Oadby Estates, a really nice guy who runs his family business with his brother.

From Oadby I went to Leicester Outdoor Pursuits Centre for some overcoming fears with the amazing people from LAMP.

LAMP’s theme for national mental health week this year was overcoming mountains, and mine is definitely a fear of heights. I agreed to the abseil, but as most people seemed to switch activities half way through, I ended up doing the air walk activities too… and it was terrifying, but I did it!

Saturday it was LAMP’s take over at Leicester Victoria ParkRun. This was timed perfectly with myself Greg and Dave's A to Z in 2023 fundraiser for LAMP. Lena Patel FPFS graciously sponsored this weeks run, Lena also came to run with us!!

The run was brilliant, lots of people cheering us on, marshalling etc. I've never been able to complete a 5k in under 25 mins, but after some amazing coaching from Matt Green, & constant running practise… I finally did it!

Talking of running & LAMP’s 5k campaign.. I set myself a target of running 5k every day Monday-Saturday… Apart from Monday (where I ran 3k &walked 2.5k) I ran a 5k every day. Huge achievement for me, as I normally run 2-3 times a week. Also, finding the time during this crazy week was a challenge!

Sunday it was the return of the Cool As Media 5km (it’s actually 6.5km :-) ) starting at the Craddock pub, walking through Aylestone Meadows & ending at Everards Beer Hall for food and a few drinks. Thanks Gabrielle Miller for organising.

Phew!

#mentalhealthawareness

Corporate Headshots

I first met Dan & Colette in June 2021. They had headshots in their kitchen diner ;-) Two lovely people who were obviously doing well in the world of finance. It was a nice surprise to get an email in Feb 2023 asking for more headshots, for a total of 8 employees. I arrived at the new offices and it was obvious to see the exciting growth this company has had in the last couple of years. 

I set up my fully mobile studio equipment in the boardroom and got to work, here are the results. Check out the little video too!