A Photoshoot? Now?
Dear Multi-Hyphenate,
When the pandemic started, I was in the middle of a photoshoot. Growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, it always rained in the afternoon. Giant storms. Monsoons. And if there was lighting and thunder to go with it, our elementary school selves would lash out with a dramatic scream to make the class laugh. Just as quick as it would come, it would pass over.
On the last day of school, that storm always hit when we would leave our classes for the last time and start summer vacation. We’d leave our classes with our boxes of creations made throughout the year, though it was about to get soaked from the storm greeting us outside. I remember, even in third grade, a sentimental feeling of what was almost in the style The Breakfast Club, or a similar 80’s teen angst movie. Another year gone, Michael… but what was it for?
LOL - that’s sort of the emotion I was feeling in this last shoot. My friend had texted me that his Off Broadway show was closing, along with shows A, B, and C closing as well. I remember laughing with my client and make up artist as if none of this mattered! But it did - it still does - and will always continue to do so.
I haven’t left NYC aside from a few days at a time to go to Long Island. I stayed here for the entirety of the pandemic. Can I say that I’m changed? Absolutely. For the rest of my life I will be changed from this pandemic, and I’m certainly not the only one. Aside from having extreme long-haul after effects of CoVid-19, one of the ways I have been affected is that I have a deeper gratitude and appreciation for the work we do as artists.
My studio became a storage unit. Things you’d find in there were an art project my friends and I were supposed to do over Zoom, a new bike that I rode once in eight months, and a queue of organization projects that took a little slower to complete as I was healing from CoVid. You could find anything in that empty studio - the only thing missing were my clients.
As soon as Phase 2 re-opening began, I opened up my studio to those who wanted to come by. Even though my studio was (and still is) compliant with CoVid-19 regulations, I was fully under the impression that it would be a slow trickling of people as the months went on. I was right… for about a week. After that, I had been almost as busy as I was during “audition season” just before the pandemic. Plus, I had committed myself to an abundance of virtual creations… I think I may have been busier than ever. Thanks, multi-hyphenating… you’re the best. But you can read about that in my Backstage articles. ;)
As clients re-committed their shoot dates with me, I wondered why. Would I want to get my photos taken right now? Why were actors so keen on getting pictures taken when there was no end in sight? But then I decided, as long as practices were safe, it was a smart thing to do. The way that our society is built, and the way we’ve responded to this pandemic, is that nothing is actually on hold and things are in fact moving forward. Saying the opposite is just putting a band-aid on top of a wound that needs stitches. It might stop the bleeding, but it is certainly not the solution.
The Broadway theatres may be shut down, but the industry is still moving forward. The pressures built into our culture, which we put on ourselves, have prevented us from truly shutting down and letting this pandemic pass. I love this industry (more on why later), but my lord WE DO NOT STOP FOR ANYTHING. And without Government assistance, a pivot was required from all of us. So now, the Broadway stars who you saw on stage playing lead roles are getting their real estate licenses ON TOP of staying ready for the industry to come back at any moment. Artists have always been warriors and now it’s clearer than ever.
Whew. Okay. I’m sweaty.
Anyway - for those that have continued to move forward, albeit through breakdowns and tears and maniacal laughter in the middle of your shower, many of us have experienced a “brand” change or an “awakening”. Whatever it is people experience, there usually comes a visual representation attached to it.
Enter the studio. I have seen some really incredible shedding-of-the-skin while taking photos in the past few months. Many people have taken years off the industry and have used the pandemic to get their bearings back together so that they can re-enter after the pandemic ends. It’s a beautiful thing to see people reconnect and ferociously commit to a moment in front of the lens. So for that, I commend you for taking charge and using this moment to prevail.
I hope everyone takes that energy into the Renaissance we’ll experience when The Great Pause is done. So yes, I think it’s a good idea (if you are able) to get your photos done during this time. Even if it’s not headshots, take this moment to get photos that reflect your journey, your new / current body of work, or photos that can make your virtual presence pop.
Here are some useful photos to get while your relationship with the industry changes:
A headshot. Headshots are always in fashion. It’s a tool for everyone in the industry (performer and non-performer alike) to have. Snag a photo that is you in the simplest, basic of essences.
A promotional picture. Get a promo shot! Something that pops on Instagram and gets everyone to watch your comedy show or Zoom play. During a virtual explosion, I’d say this is the most important representation of yourself to have! Think bright! Something that pops!
An artistic / thought provoking photo. I love black and white and truly believe they never go out of fashion. A good artistic and thought provoking photos allows you to share your heart and more vulnerable moments to go along with your virtual presence. First hand accounts during this pandemic have really helped others heal. Why not have a visual to go with it?
It’s possible to still be creative and have fun during this time. On big platforms, I’ve heard many people give other people permission to do things that they truly want to do during this time because we’re all experiencing collective trauma.
To that I say - we should always give ourselves the opportunity to do things we truly want to do and the fact that we feel we aren’t allowed is *fucked up*. Take this time to remember why you do what you do and commit to it. And if you don’t know why - let’s work on that together. Follow me on @themichaelkushner on Instagram and TikTok and drop me a message!
xo Michael Kushner