Outdoor Headshots for Actors

Featuring Jordan Frazier (Hamilton)


Outdoor headshots for actors aren’t just about looking professional—they’re about revealing the person behind the performance. In this session with the talented Jordan Frazier, we stepped away from the studio and embraced the cinematic tones of an outdoor carpark in Canary Wharf, a location that’s become a favourite among my acting clients.


There’s something about this urban backdrop—moody shadows, soft light, raw textures—that allows portraits to breathe. It forces connection. It lets the actor be seen.

Jordan Frazier: Professional portrait of a person with long locs wearing a black turtleneck against a dark background.
Jordan Frazier: Athletic dancer/actor performs a dramatic backbend in an empty urban parking garage with dramatic lighting and shadows.
A person wearing a burgundy long-sleeve top with a keyhole neckline and locs hairstyle poses against a blurred background.

Why This Location?


I’ve shot in this Canary Wharf carpark before, and each time it offers something new. For my brand style—natural, cinematic, emotionally honest—it delivers every time. The neutral concrete walls provide a beautiful contrast and separation between subject and background, helping each portrait stand out with clarity and depth.

It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about letting the viewer engage directly with the person in the frame.

Working with Jordan


Working with Jordan was electric. She brought humour, creativity and a deep respect for photography—having even shot portraits herself in the past. Her ability to channel different moods, from fierce to playful, meant every frame had a unique voice.

There wasn’t a strict brief. Instead, we explored. We leaned into character, mood, light, and movement. Some moments were serious, others soft, and all of them felt honest.

The Setup


For this session, I used my Nikon Z9 paired with the 85mm f/1.2, my go-to lens for portraits. The result? Unmatched sharpness and depth. The soft bokeh created natural background blur, bringing Jordan to the forefront of every image.


The 85mm focal length is flattering for portraits and perfect for capturing expressions that feel unfiltered and emotionally true.

A person in a brown long-sleeve top and jeans smiles warmly against a blurred blue background.
Person in dark purple top poses for series of portraits with colorful blue background lighting.
A woman poses in a burgundy long-sleeve top and jeans against a blue and pink illuminated backdrop for a photo series.

What Makes These Outdoor Headshots Stand Out?


What sets these portraits apart is Jordan’s ability to bring character into every look. She wasn’t posing—she was performing. That gave me the space to focus fully on framing and storytelling. We weren’t just creating pretty images—we were telling her story.


The tones, the mood, the framing—it all worked together to highlight not only her beauty but her presence.

The Human Connection


At the core of every shoot I do is one mission:

To capture The Human Connection.



And this shoot with Jordan embodies that fully. Every image invites the viewer in. Every image holds weight. Every image says something real.

Want to Book Your Own Outdoor Headshots?


Whether you’re an actor, creative, or professional looking to update your portfolio with natural, character-driven portraits, I offer tailored sessions that celebrate you.


📸 DM me on Instagram @boydvisuals

🌐 Visit www.boydvisuals.com to learn more or book a session here.