Who's in the Crew? - Spotlight on Doug Sturgeon

NAME: Doug Sturgeon 


WEBSITE https://eclipsephotography.com/HEADSHOTS/1/
CREW PROFILE https://headshotcrew.com/dougsturgeon1
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/doug.sturgeon
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/DougSturgeonHeadshots
LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-sturgeon-03650b1…

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

Born and raised in Toronto and currently living in Toronto.


HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN SHOOTING HEADSHOTS?

I’ve been shooting headshots off and on for the last 8 years however, I’ve spent the last 2 years perfecting my craft with the intent to transition into headshots as my core business.

WHAT IS YOUR LIGHTING SETUP FOR HEADSHOTS?

I use 2x Profoto B1x in the parallel light set up for men. When photographing women I will add a 3rd Profoto light for the triangle light set up. I have 4 large windows I can use 10’ in height and 20’ wide which face southwest. When the light is great I will often just use natural light with reflectors and V-flats helping direct the light.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR STUDIO. DO YOU OWN IT? RENT IT? OR LIVE IN IT?

Before the pandemic, I was sharing a studio with 3 other part time photographers which worked out great. The building was then sold at the end of 2019 and the new landlords jacked up the lease by 25%, effectively forcing us out. Since I was going to be in the Philippines for a month over the holidays, I figured I would sort things out when I returned and then the pandemic hit.

I’m currently using my loft where I have a live/workspace. The space is beautiful with 14’ high ceilings and an open style live/workspace. I purchased my loft 16 years ago with the intention of using it as a studio space. Five years ago I decided to simplify my life and sell my home and make a live/work situation. I typically travel 6-8 weeks out of the year for pleasure so this made sense to me.

In the springtime I plan on doing a renovation to open up the space more by tearing down a wall which will allow me more shooting space.

WHAT ELSE DO YOU LIKE TO SHOOT?

I have many interests in photography ranging from street photography, wildlife photography to landscape photography.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST DISCOVER PH AND THE HSC?

I first discovered Peter in 2012 when he came out with his tutorials on Fstoppers. I thought “who is this guy so excited about headshots?”. I bought his tutorial and I was hooked on learning the fine art of headshot photography. I then wanted to do a hands-on approach so I decided to take his workshop in April 2013. All of Peter’s workshops were sold out in New York and then I saw he had one in Portland, Oregon. I thought ok, I’ve always wanted to go to Oregon so I made a holiday out of it.


HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO JOIN THE CREW ONCE YOU FOUND IT?

I’ve been running a successful portrait, wedding event business since 1996. I finally decided to carve my path into a full-time future in Headshots when I joined the crew in 2018. Along with learning under Peter, the crew has helped me along the way to refine my headshots and become an Associate. I’ve never met a crew so helpful in all of my years of photography. Most online photography forums are not supportive of each other. This is where the Headshot Crew shines.

WHAT IS ONE THING PEOPLE WOULD NEVER GUESS ABOUT YOU?
I love to work out! I find working out clears my head and gives me the energy to achieve what I need to do. I started doing long-distance running years ago and have completed a bunch of marathons. After many running-related injuries, I decided to give my body some different workouts and started doing some triathlons 10 years ago.

I completed my 1st full Ironman back in 2012 and have done a bunch of half Ironman competitions since then. I had a bad bike accident this past June while on a bike trail. It’s been a long recovery and I’m still going to physio. I’m using the Peloton indoors to keep in shape during the winter and doing lots of walking outside. Hoping to get back into Triathlons in the future.

WHAT IS ONE THING YOU WISH PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT YOU?
I’m an avid traveler with 7 continents and 55+ Countries under my belt. I usually go on a long trip at the end of each year lasting 4-6 weeks with some smaller trips in between. Traveling off the beaten path is my motto.
Some of my fondest memories while traveling:
- Trekking to base camp Everest
- Leading photo Safaris in Kenya
- Kayaking in Antarctica amongst Humpback whales
- Canoe trip down the Zambezi river
- Camping in Iceland