More Than Just a Headshot: Catching Up with Junior Mujica
There’s a great energy in the studio when a familiar face walks back through the door. Just before Christmas, I had the pleasure of welcoming back Junior Mujica for his second session with me.
When you work with an actor for the second time, the dynamic changes a bit. You’ve already skipped the "getting to know you" phase, which means the trust is already there. For Junior and me, that meant we could spend less time on the technicalities and more time catching up, laughing, and focusing on finding those genuine, authentic moments.
The Benefit of the "Second Take"
Because we’ve worked together before, Junior was able to drop into character creation almost instantly. We weren't just taking photos; we were collaborating on how to show the new looks he wanted to achieve since the last time he was in front of my lens.
Creating a Character Toolkit
Our goal this time was variety. Junior is a versatile performer, and his portfolio needed to reflect this. We explored several distinct ‘looks’ to ensure he has the right headshot for every role.
- The Gritty Specialist: The antagonist, the detective, or the brooding lead.
- The Vulnerable Professional: The charismatic expert, balancing confidence with openness.
- The Period Auteur: The poetic lead, the artist, or the intellectual.
- The Relatable Everyman: The friendly neighbour, the reliable coworker, or the young professional.
It’s a great feeling when an actor comes back for a second session. There’s a level of trust there that lets us get straight to work. I really value being a small part of the process, and I’m glad Junior feels he can come back to my studio to extend his portfolio.
