We asked Guy Viau a few questions that will help us get an idea of who he is and what makes him click (pun intended).
You can learn a lot more about him from his website.
What is the most important thing an actor can do to prepare for a headshot session?
To me the most important thing is to know the specific types you are trying to accomplish in your headshots and being able to convey and describe who those types are to your photographer so that he/she can provide you with specificity in the outcome.
How would you describe your approach to shooting headshots?
Specific and directional so the outcome corresponds to what the actor had in mind… but in a very comfortable setting so the images feel very natural…. nothing here happens by luck and by that I mean that I do not believe in shooting a 800+ photos real fast and maybe catch the “magic shot” by chance… every image has to be the magic shot but again this happens with vision and experience… not with luck….
If you could photograph one actor, who would it be and why?
Actually there are 2… my 2 sons Milo & Lino who are actors… because the mere sight of them is the most compelling thing I have experienced so far…
Describe your worst experience with a client.
The client that books a session… we go over all the details so she or he can come in here well prepared…. Then she or he does not “show or call”… it is the ultimate disrespect.
Describe your strangest experience with a client.
This is the client who is extremely disillusioned, the one who thinks they are something they clearly are not. This makes for a very strange experience.
What is your favorite movie?
Too difficult to answer just one… among so many others, “Runaway Train” for humility, “The Hairdresser’s Husband” for love, “I am Cuba” for photography, “The Godfather” for everything…
What sets you apart from other photographers?
My style and experience… We all have our own unique experiences, mine have revolved around photography for the past 25 years so I developed a “style” of my own…
Are there any other projects you are involved in that you’d like to share with us?
My projects involve ways of giving back, ex: photography book for charity… I am also an athlete so I am always trying to think of ways I can contribute to the less fortunate whether through my art or sports…