Nick Gregan Headshot Photographer

27/04/2026

I’ve got a question for actors…

What do you think the job of your headshot actually is?

Not what it looks like.
Not whether you like it.
But what it’s there to do.

If you had to choose, which of these feels closest?

A) To make you look as good as possible
B) To show casting what you could play
C) To get you into the audition room

There isn’t necessarily a “right” answer here - but your answer says a lot about how you approach headshots.

In my experience, many actors lean towards A…
But the industry tends to respond more to B and C.

The interesting part is how those overlap.

Curious to hear your thoughts - 👉 Which one would you choose, and why?

12/04/2026

Something I've been thinking about lately.

If a casting director saw your headshot for two seconds - just two seconds - and had to decide where to place you, what would they conclude?

Not what you'd like them to think. What they'd actually most likely assume, based on what's in front of them right now.

Most actors I work with find that question surprisingly difficult to answer. Not because they lack talent, but because they've never really looked at themselves the way casting looks at them.

I've put together a short free exercise that helps with exactly this. Eight questions, about two minutes, and at the end you get a specific result based on your answers - not a generic score, but a pattern that actually means something.

Link in first comment

20/03/2026

Most photographers overcomplicate lighting.

But great headshots?
They start with understanding light-not buying more of it.

This setup uses nothing fancy. Just daylight, positioning, and intention.

If you can see the light… you can shape it.

👉 Save this for your next shoot
👉 Try it before buying another light

12/03/2026

12/03/2026

BTS in the studio shooting with .55

We’re shooting full length, 3/4 body and headshots.

He is a supporting artist and background (extra).

These shots are slightly different to an actors headshot or a corporate headshot.

Understanding the subtle differences helps you give a better service for your clients.

Full video with V/O to follow shortly.

If you have any questions drop me a comment below or DM me.

05/03/2026

What's the job of a headshot photographer?

Well, that depends on the kind of headshot photographer you want to be.

It's not just the technical aspect that you need to get right - it's the human aspect too.

- How do you make your client feel?
- Do you encourage them?
- Do you collaborate with them?
- Do you offer advice on posing, wardrobe and expression?

04/03/2026

Behind the lens with Sir Ed Davey - Leader of the Liberal Democrats

It was a privilege to photograph Ed at - the brief was relaxed, approachable, and full of personality. I think we nailed it. 😄

When shooting portraits of public figures, I always try to move beyond the stiff, formal headshot and find the human behind the title.

Soft directional light, a clean background, and building a genuine rapport in those first few minutes - that's where the magic happens.



📍 Shot for
📷 Canon 5D MK4 + 70-200 f2.8 Godox AD300 pro lights

02/03/2026

Why a great headshot is just like dancing the Tango. 🕴️📸

There's a famous dance called the 'Tango'. It hails fro south America and is up close and personal.

It's a dance that can't be done by yourself - you need two to Tango.

That's just like an awesome headshot - you need two people to make it work properly.

The photographer and the client.

The photographer can get the technical stuff right - the lights, the backdrop and the pose etc...

The client can smile or look serious but...

They need towork together to create the connection with the camera and the viewer.

#[YourCity]Photographer

26/02/2026

A Tale of Two Headshots.

Same person. Same photographer. Different outcome.

In one image:
– The eyes stare rather than connect
– The smile feels hesitant
– The jacket draws attention away from the face

In the other:
– The eyes engage
– The smile reaches the eyes
– The wardrobe supports the subject instead of dominating

The difference isn’t dramatic lighting or expensive equipment.
It’s intention.

A headshot isn’t just a picture of someone.

It’s a message about them.

And if we’re not carefully managing expression and visual weight within the frame, the message becomes confused.

The person in the photograph should always remain the focus.

Everything else is secondary.

If you’re a photographer who wants to understand what headshots really communicate - beyond technique - I’ve created a free guide that breaks this down in detail.

You can download it here 👇

16/02/2026

Wow we had such a fun workshop at Beckenham Camera Club. Amazing models, talented participants of all ages and we all took some great shots.

We covered posing, lighting and how to direct your model.

13/02/2026

Your client isn’t awkward.
Their sabre toothed tiger is just awake.

When someone steps in front of your camera, often their nervous system doesn’t know how to deal with a camera pointed at their face.

To the brain, attention can feel like a threat.

Heart rate rises.
Shoulders tense.
Smile freezes.

Often described as “not photogenic.”

What a load of rubbish.

They’re in fight-or-flight mode.

Slow the room down.
Soften your voice.
Breathe first.
Lead the energy.

Because when the nervous system settles…

The eyes soften.
The jaw relaxes.
The real person shows up.

Connection isn’t a technique.

It’s being human.

Master that - and everything changes.

It’s something I focus on heavily in my training and mentoring, because the best headshots aren’t forced…

They’re felt.