Ted Ely Studio

Ted Ely Studio Hi, I'm a NYC based headshot photographer who takes pictures of awesome people. www.tedely.com

Stop doing these 3 things before headshots!1. Stop over preparing and over thinking. I’m all for preparation when it com...
11/14/2023

Stop doing these 3 things before headshots!

1. Stop over preparing and over thinking. I’m all for preparation when it comes to headshots, but there is a line. Don’t get overwhelm yourself and caught up in your head, go with you gut and trust your intuition.

2. Don’t change your appearance. Your acting headshot needs to look like you, it’s the most important part. Changing your hair, wearing way more makeup than normal, loosing 20 pounds when you’re normally 20 pounds heavier leaves casting directors confused and frustrated when they are expecting you to look like your photo.

3. Stop bunching up your headshot clothes and stuffing them in a bag to bring to your session (you know who you are😊). Even the greatest steamer won’t get those deep wrinkles out. And some photographers don’t have steamers. You want to look like your best you and set yourself up for headshot success, so make sure your clothing is clean and put it on some hangers to arrive to your headshots ready to go!

These are a few shots from a lovely session with .root thank you Haley for sharing your amazing energy! Makeup

We are all about the moments over here! It’s so exciting to capture moments that suggest intention and have that special...
10/06/2023

We are all about the moments over here! It’s so exciting to capture moments that suggest intention and have that special sauce!

These are some moments with thank you Bria for the amazing vibes!! Had the best time with you! Makeup:

A number of years back I was struggling to make it in headshots. The pictures I was taking of people were technically go...
10/01/2023

A number of years back I was struggling to make it in headshots. The pictures I was taking of people were technically good, but I felt there was something missing when it came to the feel of the shots.

I became obsessed with trying to capture that Special Sauce… or in other words that unique and interesting energy that makes a person who that are.

And I found the secret to that is, that there is no secret. It’s about showing up and connecting with each person who walks into the studio and guiding them through their shoot the best I can.

Focusing on the experience helps them to open up, relax and collaborate. And it’s so incredibly fun!! 😄

This is the wonderful thank you so much John for an incredible day. Your shoot was blast and I’m so grateful to have connected with you!!

Makeup:

The number one biggest hurtle for actors when it comes to headshots is lack of self-confidence. Here are three things yo...
09/28/2023

The number one biggest hurtle for actors when it comes to headshots is lack of self-confidence.

Here are three things you can do right now to level up as an actor and find more confidence in yourself during headshots! 👇

1. Let go of pressure!! Stop putting so much pressure on yourself to get “the shot”. It’s not about “the shot”. It’s about you feeling comfortable and confident in your own skin. 😁

2. Believe that you can do it! Sooooo many actors come in with a deep belief that they are terrible in front of the camera during headshots. If this is you…stop that nonsense right now! You and everyone else as the ability to change your/their mindset and behavior to get better results. Start believing and behaving like someone who is great at headshots! 👍

3. Find and deal with your blocks. We all have mental and emotion blocks that keep us from achieving stuff. Maybe deep down you feel like you’re not good enough or you’re really self conscious and care way too much about what other people think. Do your inner work so you can shine! ☀️

Comment below ROCK ON! If you’re committed to making the necessary changes and do the work to level up and achieve your acting goals!! It’s time to get accountable! 😊💪

These are some shots of the lovely and bold thank you so much Chloe for letting go and playing! Makeup by

Only 3 spots left for our next LA headshot trip next month! If you are in LA and in need of some fresh new shots email s...
07/26/2023

Only 3 spots left for our next LA headshot trip next month! If you are in LA and in need of some fresh new shots email [email protected] for the details and grab a session. Would love to collaborate with you!

These are some shots of from a past shoot. Vanessa did an amazing job and bringing in clothing choices that suggested the kinds characters she auditions for and owning her vibe🤘. You can catch her on this last session of ! 🔥

4 pro tips to help you choose clothing for your headshots!-1. Keep it chill. Don’t put pressure on yourself to put the p...
05/01/2023

4 pro tips to help you choose clothing for your headshots!
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1. Keep it chill. Don’t put pressure on yourself to put the perfect wardrobe looks together. You want to look like a real person and not an actor trying to overly indicate a certain type of character in your headshot - it starts to look fake and manipulated if wardrobe is over styled.
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2. If you work in and are auditioning for film and TV watch the shows and movies you could have a role in, take note of what characters you’d play are wearing and wear something similar in your headshots.
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3. Don’t immediately go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for your headshots. Start with pieces from your closet that look and feel like you and also suggest the roles you audition for. Only buy new stuff when you don’t have anything that will work.
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4. Put some thought into it. Don’t just throw a bunch of clothes in a bag, show up to your headshot shoot and expect the photographer to work their magic. When you do the work and create a story and through line with your wardrobe before the shoot it helps to give you focus. Focus will help you bring your best-self into your shoot so you walk away with strong headshots that attract casting directors attention.
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These are a few shots of the wonderful . Thanks Jo-anne for jamming! makeup by
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A little over 5 years ago I took a huge gamble with my headshot journey. I put everything on the line and risked loosing...
04/30/2023

A little over 5 years ago I took a huge gamble with my headshot journey. I put everything on the line and risked loosing it all…
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I decided to move to a new studio (my current space) which is 3 times the size of my old studio…which is also 4 times the rent I was paying and at the time I only had enough saved to cover 3 months this new studio!
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I tried to talk myself out of moving and taking that insane risk…
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“what if people stop contacting me”
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“What if something happens to me and I’m not able to shoot?”
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“Things are going fine where you’re at, there’s no need to move and make things difficult”
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So many what ifs, but I pushed a away the doubt and listened to that feeling deep down that told me to jump. I new somehow that this jump into the unknown would workout. That it wouldn’t be easy, but would push me to change and grow in new ways and help me expand as a photographer, creative, and human…
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And it sure did…yeah baby yeah!
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Making that leap forced me to up my game in all aspects of my photography, business, and life. And it didn’t come easy. It was tough and it consumed me (still does 🙂) but I love it and wouldn’t have it any other way.
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The thing that has stuck with me the most over the last 5 years is knowing I would have never grown and become the photographer I am today if I didn’t take that gamble and experience the uncomfortable and scary void of the unknown.
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What is your gamble? That thing deep down that you know you should do in order to force yourself to change and grown into the person you long to be? That more fulfilled and inspired person?
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These are some amazing shots of Mackenzie Page, who was a joy to collaborate with! Makeup by
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When taking headshots I think it’s important explore. To explore with a creative hunger to try things. To have an idea o...
05/03/2021

When taking headshots I think it’s important explore. To explore with a creative hunger to try things. To have an idea of a tone or a feeling and go from there. To try and capture unique moments that are different and real...not a character or a “product”...just living breathing moments.
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You’ve had a series of experiences that have shaped who you are as a human up till this very moment — nobody else on this planet is experiencing life exactly like you and that’s awesome! So why not own that in your headshot? That uniqueness. Why not breathe and connect into different aspects of your best self in your headshots? Play with ideas, experiences you’ve had, visualizations, breathing— anything that will make you more human and less of an actor getting their headshot taken. Think of it as sharing your energy with the camera and not trying to put on a character or indicate “types”—just open yourself up and trust. That’s what you do in your work as an actor anyway right?
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In your next headshot session try to connect to present moments and just trust it—let the moments work for you, rather than work hard to put on a specific character or role in your headshots. It’s super exciting and a little scary to work that way—the sweet spot for creative spontaneity!
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This is the wonderful with makeup by the fantastic

Just a Sunday photography rant...-Have really been feeling the good vibes at the studio where things are really expandin...
01/31/2021

Just a Sunday photography rant...
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Have really been feeling the good vibes at the studio where things are really expanding and jamming. I’ve been more focused than ever on changing things up and really creating shoots that capture the story of each person I’m working with.
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I’ve always been committed to capturing headshots and lifestyle shots that are authentic to the person...but recently I’ve done a deeper dive in providing a truly collaborative experience. Everyone that comes in is so different and capturing those differences and unique qualities is everything.
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I feel like I’m way more of a director than a photographer at this point as I’m focusing on how to curate an atmosphere where people can open up, play and make mistakes. So they can grow and expand their confidence in front of the camera. So they know that just breathing and feeling comfortable and confident in their own skin is good enough. It’s actually the best.
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To all those of have come in and collaborated I’m so grateful and to all of those to come, I’m so very excited to vibe! 🤘
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This is who rocked her headshots and really dove into the ideas and concepts I was throwing at here. At the end of the shoot In had her grab her beautiful scarf and take some pictures with it. This is what happened. Thanks Ava! Makeup:

Stefanie in the studio!
07/18/2018

Stefanie in the studio!

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