Vickie Gray Images

04/09/2026

Cruising through the Pacific on our way through the Panama Canal. The change to tropical weather took a little adjusting but we're totally acclimated now. On the Cunard Queen Anne, lots of Australian guests, they are friendly and casual. We have afternoon tea on the sun deck :). Here's a little peek so far. See you in two weeks!

03/23/2026

03/10/2026

When should you use an AI generated background?

One of the most important, and often nerve-wracking, parts of portrait photography is deciding on a backdrop, or background.

In the studio I have multiple backdrops, in over a dozen colors. Seamless paper (the kind that comes on large rolls) is what I mostly use for actors and business headshots. Lately I’ve been a little obsessed with textured backdrops from Clotstudio. I have a half-dozen of them in different colors and styles.

I do a fair amount of photos throughout my building at Meadow Mill, which means I get to use features like industrial windows, aged brick walls, beautiful woodwork and stairwells and tons of architectural features like railings and exposed ceilings.

But when you go to a client’s location it can be a bit of a crapshoot. Like the recent session I did for a classical musician who wanted a headshot taken with a piano. She arranged to use a friend’s apartment, since she didn’t have her own instrument. The unit was small and the piano pretty much took up the entire living room. Because of space limitations and lighting, I didn’t have much room to maneuver, plus the unit’s owner was nervous about our moving anything around too much. So you can see the open kitchen in the background, along with that lighting and a chair we forgot to move. It was a challenging session.

Happily I have a lot of options with AI generated backgrounds. I was able to find a suitable environmental scene pretty quickly and replace the original background.

Not all background replacements are successful. Some are clearly artificial. Others have lighting or colors that don’t align with the subject. But the ability to make these adjustments is another way to offer the client alternatives. (Interestingly, the client preferred the original background, chair and all.)

02/23/2026

Brittany's first actor headshots!

Most of my clients opt for the package that features head and shoulders poses only. But from time to time a few will book the session that includes full body poses.

Brittany is a dancer as well as an actor, so the full body version will be useful for sure.

02/09/2026

Should you use props in dating profile photos?

Quite a few of my dating profile clients bring props to the photo session. By props I mean an item that is part of a hobby or special interest. Frequently this involves heading out of my Meadow Mill studio to a tennis court, basketball court or waterfront.

Clients who enjoy wine or spirits have brought bottles and stemware with them. One of my interior locations features high top tables and stools, which in the finished photo stands in nicely for a bar or cafe.

Other clients have staged a session at their home. One, an actual rocket scientist, has a pretty sophisticated telescope on his balcony. Another enjoys cooking and bought one of the best looking steaks I’ve ever seen to serve as a prop in his kitchen. One fellow brought his skateboard.

I’ve had clients pose with chess boards and jigsaw puzzles as well. Anything goes, as long as it makes sense in the environment (for example, I wouldn’t use a snowboard if we are doing the session in July. Or pose someone on a tennis court in the middle of winter surrounded by snow).

Props also play a valuable role in helping people relax in front of the camera. Figuring out what to do with your hands is more challenging than you might think. Holding a wine glass, tennis racket or hardcover book automatically puts the client at ease.

As your planning your dating profile photo session, look around for any items that can help tell your story. If you’re not sure, bring it along anyway.

02/03/2026

Natural or retouched?

Actor headshots are supposed to show you as your authentic, realistic self. While some polishing is understandable, the goal is for casting directors to determine if you're tight for a specific role.

I see a lot of actor headshots that are mightily retouched. Skin smoothed, all imperfections removed, not a hair out of place. Gorgeous photos, but I'm not sure they accomplish what they're supposed to.

Asher is an aspiring actor who came in for his first professional headshots. Did I retouch his photos? Sure. But I tried as always to maintain the client's individuality.

Styles and preferences vary from market to market. I'm constantly studying the work of photographers and in LA, NYC and Atlanta to observe their techniques. It's a never ending learning curve and lots of fun.

01/19/2026

ATTENTION ACTORS!

HOW IS YOUR HEADSHOT?

Need an update? Or your first set of professional headshots?

On February 21, 2026 I'm holding an actor headshot mini-session day. $250 includes:

-One 15-minute session

-1 outfit

-Choice of color or neutral backdrop

-Real-time image review & selection

-Two final retouched images

Book your session NOW: https://calendly.com/vickiejgray/actor-headshot-mini-session

01/12/2026

What color backdrop should you use for your actor headshot?

Actor headshot styles and preferences vary widely, depending on the roles you are seeking, where you are in your acting career and what market you’re in.

When actors are starting out, they don’t always know what roles or characters they are best suited for. In those situations I give the clients a variety of backgrounds. Bright colors for commercial or musical roles, and darker backgrounds for dramatic or theatrical characters. Once the client is established and has a clear view of their characters, we might narrow down the choices.

My personal preference is to include at least one bright colored background, smiling with teeth showing, in the actor headshot portfolio. Even if they are exclusively doing film and theatrical work. Even if they are headed to New York, which tends to favor darker, more dramatic backgrounds. Even if they want all their expressions to be serious, intense and non-smiling. Why? BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW.

I’ve had clients return to the studio for a second photo session because an agent asked for a headshot that showed their smile. Could they send a selfie or cell phone photo taken by a friend? Sure, but it looks kind of lame if all your other headshots are professional.

Brooklyn is just starting his acting career. He did a great job of preparing for the session. I loved his wardrobe. He brought bright colors as well as more conservative attire. His wardrobe and his personal energy helped me figure out the best background for his headshots.

If you’re planning new headshots in the new year, make sure you cover all your bases. There is no such thing as overpreparing for these sessions.

01/04/2026

Headshot or portrait?

According to Webster, a portrait is a pictorial representation of a person usually showing the face. In that regard you could say that there is no difference between a portrait and a headshot.

I like to say that a headshot is the workhorse of the photography world. Headshots are created to DO something. Get you hired. Help you schedule an audition. Illustrate your professional identity. Essentially, the job of a headshot is to SELL you to someone.

To me, a portrait’s goal is to show your true essence, your personal energy. A fabulous portrait, as some people say, captures your soul.

Chris wanted a headshot for his LinkedIn profile as well as for his new website. He had such a strong connection with the camera that I felt the headshot kind of transcended into portrait territory. I made a few fine art style edits and converted the photo to black and white.

The black and white version could certainly be used as a professional headshot, though perhaps best suited for someone in the creative or entertainment field.

What do you think? Headshot, portrait or both?

01/01/2026

This holiday season we stayed local. Day trips, entertaining friends, visiting our favorite restaurants and venues. It's been a relaxing and fulfilling December.

1. With hubby Al at new year's eve at the Center Club
2. Visit to Havre de Grace and Jo Retro, my favorite
3. Christmas eve dinner at The Prime Rib
4. Annapolis is always festive
5. Hillwood, estate of Marjorie Merriwether Post. I never get tired of it
5. Tray of goodies from Himmelrich, my landlord. I've never gotten a gift from any of my landlords before!

Happy 2026, everyone!

12/29/2025

One of the toughest things about being a photographer is curating your own work.

Anyone who's created a website knows what I mean. You agonize over what photos to include. Sometimes you have to omit your favorites because they don't align with a certain category or client. And I tend to second guess myself when I'm done.

Selecting images to display in your studio is even more challenging.

This is the first time I've had a studio with enough wall space for canvases of my work. The ceiling is really high so I can use 36x42 pieces, very impactful. It's taken over a year to figure out which photos to use.

I don't sell prints so it's not a question of displaying examples of portraits clients might want to purchase. My main goal was to select images that were clean and straightforward, with a lot of quiet energy. They should be compelling but not distracting. And finally they should be fun to look at!

I'm still in the process of hanging the canvases. The two currently on the floor will go in the space above my windows. That means SOMEONE (not me) will have to stand on top of a six-foot ladder to install the hangers. Hoping to have them in place by mid-January.