Don Thompson's Blog

What Makes a Good Headshot

Don Thompson — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:20:32 +0000

A headshot is a photograph used by actors and actresses in order to get them work. Headshots are 8 x 10 prints of the performer where the face is clearly shown. This does not mean that the image is just of the head. Trends go in and out on that one. But, the point is to have a clear image of the performer. Also on your headshot will be the name of the performer. This is usually in the bottom right hand corner. Included with your headshot you will staple a resume (facing outward) to the back of the headshot. This resume will include your basic stats. By stats is meant your height, weight, hair color, eye color and the like. As well as your training and experience. You will also include a special skills section listing off various things that you can do that would be helpful for any casting director to know.

Trends go in and out. In most of the 80s headshots were black and white and super tight in, showing only from the shoulders up. In the 90s there was a huge trend in getting three quarter shots. Three quarter shots show the actors from about the knees up. Then when color became inexpensive in the late 90s bright colors became very popular. Also, studio shots with lots of draping fabrics became all of the rage. About five years ago clean crisp greens and blues for the backdrops were huge. Sometimes tangerine orange colors, etc. But those have faded out of vogue.

Currently the trend has been horizontal shots of the performer, making the image a little more “film like.” The person is usually a bit to the left or the right of the print making them slightly off center. Also, because digital submissions are popular, a great many people are taking character shots. These can be useful digitally, but are not needed to print. But, you do not want to go too far on this. I have seen people do shots of them as homeless, junkies and prostitutes. Going that far on your character shots, especially for print don’t really pay off. Even when you are going for those roles, casting directors not as willing to call someone in that looks like a junkie. If you are going to go that route you need to offset it with a normal image of you to communicate that you are not a slob by nature. But again, the payoff is not really worth the time and expense you might put in taking and printing such images.

Welcome to 2012

Don Thompson — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:47:47 +0000

Its hard to believe that it is already 2012 where did last year go. To be honest it seems like the past year has been one big blur to me. I am so grateful for my family and friends who have pulled us through the last year and I want to say thank you. There are not enough words of gratitude to express how thankful we are to have everyone in our lives. Sometimes the smallest things make the biggest difference.

So this year, the talented Stephanie and I have made a deal to blog at least twice a month. There are so many great things going on in our lives and we are going to be sharing them. This blog however i want to dedicate to my mother, Pandy Thompson. She is a woman like no other woman on the face of the earth. My brother and I have convinced her to write a book about her life. She has had to overcome so many obstacles throughout her lifetime that we think it will connect with millions of readers. ”Why would any one want to read a book about my life” she said. We said because so many people will relate to all that you have had to go through and because your are from the south so everyone in our family is a real character at heart. From Aunt Patsy to Unlce Bubba, from Aunt Veda Mae to Aunt Willoweese, I mean some of the names alone deserve to have a book written about them. But Pandy (my mother) as I am learning from her draft of her book has overcome some really tough obsticles beginning as a teenager and throughout her life. This past trip home was the first time she has let me take any photos of her in a long time. We had a really good time and I think she enjoyed it. Here are just a few of the photos that we took that day. So I want to say Mom, I love you from the bottom of my heart, and thank you for helping me grow into the man I am today!!Click to view slideshow.

Photographing Krystyn Moroz of DTN Design Group

Don Thompson — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 01:19:39 +0000

One of our favorite clients recently has been Krystyn Moroz, Owner and Principle Designer of DTN Design Group.

Krystyn Moroz has established herself as a significant influence in the design and remodel industry over the past 14 years. While with EXPO Design Center, Ms. Moroz oversaw the set up and management of all design projects for their $50 million, 200,000sf Scottsdale showroom. As Project Manager, she managed all phases of their remodel process from their team of nearly thirty designers and product specialists, to project superintendents, expediters, general contractors, and vendors.

Later, as Senior Designer and Design Manager for the privately owned Designs of the Interior, Ms. Moroz assembled and trained a team of 12 designers, and again organized and oversaw all phases of the design business from concept to completion.

With a vision to create a design and remodel firm with the very highest standards for design, product, and execution, Ms. Moroz founded DTN Design. The result is a superior team of project managers and craftsmen, executing the most innovative design concepts, using the highest quality materials. Ms. Moroz’ recent projects include such prestigious clients Scottsdale’s Boulders Resort Villas, the Marriot Residence Inn and the Carefree Resort and Conference Center.

Ms. Moroz’ first commitment is to a relationship of trust with each of her clients. Ms. Moroz feels a sense of personal investment in each of her clients’ projects, and strives to truly understand their specific needs through active listening and communication. Her commitment is to excellence in execution and to maintaining a high standard of quality in all phases of the process. Ms. Moroz desire is to develop a continuing relationship with each of her clients, proceeding at the pace that they prefer, whether they’d like all of their remodeling needs accomplished in a short period of time, or in stages over months and years. For Krystyn Moroz and DTN Design, the personal needs of each client will always come first.

Thompson Image has had the pleasure of working with her on a few projects and we finally were able to take her headshots. We think they came out awesome!!

I Wont Let Go

Don Thompson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:07:36 +0000

After just retuning to AZ from South GA looking back over the weekend, it may have been one of the best since my dad passed. We took time to enjoy what he had worked so hard for. We went crabbing, drove the golf cart, went swimming, played tennis and I fell like we thouroughly had a great time. Of course there were still those moments that creep up on you because everywhere you look around Mom and Dads house you see Denny just smiling and being as happy as he can be.

My cousin Rhonda picked me up from the airport who is one of the most incredible, kind and loving person that I know. We went to lunch and she genuinly wanted to know how I was doing. We had lunch we talked, its good to talk, its hard for me to open up and tell people how I am doing, but Rhonda comes from a place of love and compassion and makes it easy to open up and tell her.

Mom told me once that Aunt Patsy, mom has two beautiful sisters I have always thought they were some of the most beautiful women in the world, Patsy, Sissy, and Pandy, the Sands sisters. With hearts as big as their smiles. All are these beautiful southern women that most people can only read about, but I got to grow up with them. And I feel so blessed to have them in my life. When aunt Patsy heard this song she thought of mom and I think it sums up what we all feel.

It’s like a storm

That cuts a path

It’s breaks your will
It feels like that

You think your lost
But your not lost on your own
Your not alone
I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
If you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I wont let go

It hurts my heart
To see you cry
I know it’s dark
This part of life
Oh it finds us all
And we’re too small
To stop the rain
Oh but when it rains

I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight

And I wont let you fall
Don’t be afraid to fall
I’m right here to catch you
I wont let you down
It wont get you down
Your gonna make it
Yea I know you can make it

Cause I will stand by you
I will help you through
When you’ve done all you can do
And you can’t cope
And I will dry your eyes
I will fight your fight
I will hold you tight
And I wont let go
Oh I’m gonna hold you
And I wont let go
Wont let you go
No I wont

Rascal Flatts – I Won’t Let Go Lyrics

Almost a year

Don Thompson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 08:00:07 +0000

I realize that many of my past blogs have been depressing and sort of sad. This has been one of the worst and most difficult years of mine and my families life. Its coming up on the one year anniversary of my fathers passing. Sometimes emotions are running rampid and can drop your spirits in no time, then other days well we just keep moving on. Im not sure if you ever move on, you just keep moving. I read a quote from someone that said the loss of a father/mother or anyone that has had a great impact in your life is something that you never really get over, the important thing is to keep breathing.

Dennis (Denny) (Big Dan) (BIG D) (Lieutenant Dan) (Dad) Thompson, was a man of many words, he knew NO strangers at all, could talk to a brick wall but loved his family and wife, this I am for certain. He was not the conventional father, he definitely marched to the beat of his very own drum but he was loved by many. I am still amazed that in a week I am traveling back to GA to go to a ceremony at the Federal Law Enforcement Center where he worked for most of his life. They are dedicating a ball field and putting a flag up with a plaque dedicated to Dad, Denny Thompson. It really made me think, that older I get, how many people have flags and ball fields dedicated to them. How did he love and effect so many people that after a year, people are still commemorating his life. It is almost more than I can comprehend. But I want to know and even after his passing I am still learning from him.

So needless to say its going to be a tough few months. I can feel the emotions starting to build as the dreaded day approaches of his death, October 16, a day that changed so many lives forever because a man was taken from this world far to soon. But we are slowly making progress and picking up our lives and beginning to live them again. I know in my heart of hearts that what dad would want us to do. I don’t know how we’ve made it this far but we just keep on breathing.

I thought it appropriate to add the video from the memorial softball tournament that was in his name, all of the proceeds went to the special olympics which was very near and dear to his heart. My regret, i wish I could have known him as so many of his friends did. But I know he is there looking down on us, but sure do miss you dad, and we never thought in our heart of hearts that you would have been taken so soon! You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten, not just by your family but by so many people!

Think Positive

Don Thompson — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 07:27:16 +0000

I have two friends that are following their dreams. They make no apologies, they have a clear mission of what they want to do, they stay focussed and they go for. Their product line is called Think Positive Apparel, its an amazon clothing line that incorporates positive thinking and feeling. You can’t help but feel good when you wear their clothing. They had a great fashion show at The Heat Of the City Event this past week and was a great success. The fashion, designs, models and venue were great, but i think what impressed me the most was the passion that the two of them have in their product. They are living their dream and finding new and creative ways of marketing themselves.

I photographed the event and the fashion show but the real show was when Taylor was introduced to the audience, he gave a little background on the products and then the show started. I wont be able to accuratly explain what happened next but he had the entire party fixated and listening to his message and purpose for using and developing the designs that he and his wife Kayln had done. I predict one day he will become an inspiration speaker, he was that good.

Working on the pics from the event today and tomorrow so will post some, but I just wanted to say Congratulations to Kalyn and Taylor, you both are a true inspiration to me and so many others. Here is a sample of some of the night, more pics and a video to come but what i took away is follow your dreams.. Focus on them… Do whatever it takes to make them a reality… Thank you Kalyn and Taylor for letting me be a part of the night.Click to view slideshow.

Life Means Live, So Live It!

Don Thompson — Fri, 27 May 2011 17:39:04 +0000

As I sit here trying to come up with something clever to write, I think of my friend Charles who is loosing his battle with Lymphoma. Charles is not that much older than I am and I just heard for the first time that he had been in the hospital on life support and that his family had decided that it was in his best interest to take him off and that he might not be on this earth for that much longer.

In fact, as I sit here writing this, I just received a call letting me know that he has passed on.

Not only did I not know he was in the hospital but I didn’t even know he was battling such a serious condition. Whenever I would see him out and about he always had the biggest smile you could even imagine and I never heard him complain of one single thing, ever. He was enjoying the moment, each and every one of them.

“Live your life open, honest and with no regret! Life means live so live it, love with out conditions, laugh out loud alot. Give someone a hug when they least expect it. and remember to smile and mean it. Just live. CHBII” That was the way he lived his life. He truly lived it.

To this day, I don’t understand why such great people are taken at such a young age, when they are just beginning to really live and find out who they are and what their potential could be. I just can not grasp the fact that one day your here and the next you are gone but what I am learning is that we are not promised tomorrow and to make each day the best you can make it. But I still just don’t understand.

I don’t know what else to say, but I will have a Martini for Charles tonight and toast one to him. Heres to you Charles, you are a great man and I will take a little piece of your life lessons along with me, to live life to its fullest, no matter what! Goodbye my friend!

A day in the life or a week in the life of Donny T

Don Thompson — Fri, 13 May 2011 08:14:37 +0000

This week I have to say has been difficult. Dont know why, I should be excited that Stephanie and I are shooting a resort for three days, which not only means we get to take some amazing photos of this amazing resort but we get to grow and learn. I should be excited because our to do board is full, we have big projects that are coming up that will make both our lives just a bit easier financially. I should be excited to do the one thing that i love to do most in the world with one of the most important people in my life, Stephanie, and that’s photography, but this week has just been one of those weeks where I couldn’t get out of my own head.

I watched the movie Life As a House and if anyone has seen it, it’s about a young boy estranged from his father, they build not only a house but a relationship, and then the father is diagnosed with cancer so the young boy who just found how great his father is has to suffer the loss off is dad. Some how this movie has stayed with me and effected me this entire week. I don’t want to dwell on my father’s death, its been several months now as my family is putting life back together but unless you have experienced great loss like this you can’t really understand it. We, I should actually speak for myself, are taking one step forward and 10 steps back. There are so many triggers that set off this barrage of emotions that once they begin you just have to hang on and ride the wave. But my questions is, does the wave ever end, I don’t think it will. If you knew my dad, really knew him the energy that he had been undeniable, he use to say, ” if I we any happier I couldn’t stand it”, I wish i could find that happiness that he had, it was real and almost touchable. I fear that i will forget the sounds of his voice, laugh, the smell of him after he came off the dock after a day of crabbing. His coffee in the morning, his shrimping at night. But I feel comforted to know that he is one man who no one will ever forget.

I’m not sure many people know this but the moment i found out that Dad had passed I was in Cebu City, Philipines at the governors palace watching an amazing celebration. There must have been 110 or so dancers, singers, entertainers so in my mind and this is how I make it tolerable, my dad left this world where there was a great celebration of life going on, and i had the honor being at it. Whether dad knew it or not there was love and energy in that room and i think I was there for a reason to experience that. To help me to remember to celebrate his life, because that is exactly what he would have wanted. Thats just not so easy to do. Click to view slideshow.

The photos from the event in the Philippines is what my memory will always be. My dad celebrated every day of his life. He loved his wife, his kids, his mother and father, sister and brother, not to mention all of his nieces and nephews. He loved everyone. From the lunch ladies at FLETC to the head of the entire center, he loved them and they loved him. I never knew how much one man could love so many, but he did, and I try to live and learn from that.

I have a picture of my dad sitting over my computer that I took of him that I think is him at his happiest, he is sitting on the back of a boat in Cabo San Lucas with a fishing pole in hand just staring out over the horizon, and i knew the moment I took that picture, that he was there with his two sons, me and Patrick, doing the thing he loved best, fishing, and there was no other place he wanted to be at that very moment. I miss him every day and I wish i could have one last fishing trip with him, but I know he is here with me, and mom and Patrick, he is here in our hearts and forever will be.

To my dad, I love you and thank you for everything I never thanked you for, and thank you for making me the man I am today. I hope you are up there with Miss Grace and Mister Harry, Nanny, Papa, Granny Joyce and Papa Don, Julies Parents just having a ball.. In my mind, thats how I picture it. And we are going to make to make it, we dont have it figured out entirely yet but we are doing it the Thompson way, just like you taught us for many years. I love you dad and tell everyone up there we love them too!

Photographing the Heymann Family

Don Thompson — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:41:08 +0000

One of the greatest things about my job is that I am allowed to capture moments in different people lives. I had the great opportunity to shoot the Heymann family a few weeks ago. Stephanie and I scouted out locations in downtown phoenix. We wanted something urban and cool. What i was surprised to see all around downtown phoenix in the art district, most of the building have been painted with amazing murals. So we found our place and started shooting. Here are some of the images that we were able to capture.

Photographing Michael Becker

Don Thompson — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:07:37 +0000

If anyone knows Michael Becker, than they know a good time. He might be one of the most amazing people I know with his endless energy and spirit. When he is around you cant help but be in a good mood. He let Stephanie and I photograph him for the Dirty Pretty project that we are working on but we also did a separate shoot for him, heres just a sneak peak. I think what makes a great photograph is the willingness of the model being photographed to be open and trusting that the photographers have good intentions. So thank you Michael Becker!