Who's in the Crew? - Spotlight on Yaneck Wasiek

NAME: Yaneck Wasiek, aka Yaneck Wasio aka Wasio :)
https://www.wasiophotography.com/
https://headshotcrew.com/wasio

WHERE DO YOU LIVE? we used to live in Chicago then moved to California 3 years ago. We are currently in Irvine (Orange County) just 20 miles south of Los Angeles

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING HEADSHOTS?

WHAT ELSE DO YOU LIKE TO SHOOT?

WHAT IS YOUR LIGHTING SETUP FOR HEADSHOTS? In studio, I use Westcott Cine Flex Kit. I use three 1x2 bi-color ones. I also use two Profoto D2s for my background. Often I use two Westcott black flags on both sides of the subject to create greater fall off. On location, I always use strobes as they are easier to set up. Either 3 Profoto's with strip boxes or two Westcott Rapid Box Octas. For larger numbers of people with less time, I use the two octas as they give me more flexibility without the need to do major adjustments for each person.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER PH AND THE HSC? I met Peter Hurley and found out about Headshot Crew around 8 years ago! I shared studio space with Mike Schacht for many years in Chicago so that's how I found out about the headshots in general. Peter had a few workshops in our Chicago studio and we had drinks with Peter a few times either after workshops or at various conferences. After we moved to California 3 years ago, I wanted to focus on headshots to diversify my photography revenue so I signed up for HSC. I have been developing my style for a couple of years now while soaking in all the knowledge from HSC forums, videos, and newsletters. Last year in November, I finally took the intensive only one day Sasha gave birth to our son! That pushed my workshop to a totally different level!

HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO JOIN THE CREW AFTER YOU FOUND IT? I guess much much longer than most people, lol. Over 5 years! I was a wedding and portrait photographer all those years and didn't really shoot headshots. After moving to California, we wanted to maximize our revenue stream. Weddings have a long lead and revenue cycle. Headshot are much faster so I joined the crew 3 years ago, took the workshop last November, and in January of this year became an Associate.

TELL US ABOUT THE SPACE YOU SHOOT IN. DO YOU OWN IT, RENT IT OR LIVE IN IT? I will see friends or personal referrals in my living room studio. If it's a client I do not know, or a client I am trying to impress, I will rent Peter’s studio in NYC.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU? I had a diplomatic status when I came to the U.S. (thanks to my parents) so I didn't have to pay any sales tax and had diplomatic immunity. Police couldn't give me any speeding tickets, which saved me tons of money :)

WHAT'S ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOU? I love helping others!