Meet Myron McClure | Lifestyle/Headshot/Event Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Myron McClure and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Myron, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor of my success has been reading the room. Period. I think that when a client comes to you, they are generally unsure of who you are and what chemistry they will have with you while shooting. Some photographers are pushy. Some take much longer than the client would prefer (especially if that client is trained or used to shooting). You have to be able to read the room and get a feel for the pace of the person in front of you. Having been on the other side of the camera for most of my life, I can usually read the clients energy. I find that simple conversation usually breaks the tension and helps both the photographer and the client find a good working chemistry. And when helping a client pose, tell them why you are asking them to do certain movements. For instance, I am 6ft 3inch” tall, so if a client is used to lowering their face in their picture taking habits, it’s not enough to just bark “raise your head” to them every 10 seconds.. This will generally frustrate your subject and make for a less than optimal photo session. But if you explain to them why you keep asking and shoot a few example shots to illustrate why what you asking may work best, you will see them being to trust you and really enjoy the session.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started off acting first and foremost. I have a love for acting that will never go away. Acting is easy. The BUSINESS of acting is the hard part. Learning to brand yourself as a marketable product is probably the most challenging parts of the journey for any actor starting off. After that you have to build a certain kind of confidence because of the constant rejection associated with your career. I used to alway watch others and what they were doing concerning marketing, Especially their headshots. I bought a camera at some point of my acting career because my headshots were never really at the level of the actors who were booking around me and I decided to do them myself. And being an actor in Los Angles, the photographers that you really love are way too expensive. When I finally got to shoot with a top level photographer, I hated the pictures and I had paid $500 for 2 looks. The problem was, I wasn’t confident enough for the camera yet. Most photographers do not know how to really help an actor get out of their shell and say who they are with their eyes. This is what really helped me shape my style of photography. It’s about more than a pose. I noticed that actors are generally super comfortable when video is rolling but when it comes to still shots, they are forced to face a venerability that they didn’t learn to master in their acting class. What sets me apart from other photographers is knowing the way to transition a clients confidence from film to photos. To really learn how to maximize their look for how they cast or would like to cast. The technique works for all of my clients actually both actors and non actors alike. I get the best feedback from my photo sessions. The number of return clients is exceptionally high because of how well they are brought into their desired expressions. I have such a great relationship with each client that I rarely advertise. My business has been generated mostly on referrals and word of mouth and surprisingly enough, I stay pretty busy. I really enjoy shooting lifestyle shots at the moment and often include them in photo packages for free. I love helping people brand themselves. Im not going to say that it was an easy journey to get to where I am now but the journey was well worth it. I can’t wait to see what’s the future will bring.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Hahaha. Well anyone who knows me, knows that Im a complete workaholic. When I do have free time though, I like to find little places that are off the map of trendiness. When friends visit from out of town I give them a day or two to do the basic exploration of LA. I refuse to go do the touristy stuff with them lol. But when they are finished, I really like showing them the true culture of the city. I always try to take them to local restaurants around LA. Especially the ones with outstanding views. There is a place in Burbank called the Castaway that has amazing food and phenomenal views. I also love wineries. After that museums are my thing. To see the work of artists is super inspirational to me, no matter the genre of art. Im still trying to find a place that has the most unique cocktails so if anyone knows any hit me up =)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a few friends that really helped me get on track with photography and my business in general. A buddy of mine names Josef Santos was one of the first people I came across who just had a pure passion for photo taking. He would always have the best gear and we’d go into camera shops around town and I’d listen to him banter back and forth with the store workers about what each lens is best for and what creative shots they’ve captured. He guided me with purchasing my very first camera, he actually designed my first business logos, he helped me understand all of the technical aspects of cameras and files, and most importantly… he taught me how to use Photoshop lol. I don’t think I could have possibly excelled so quickly without his help.

Website: www.MyronMcClurePhotography.com

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