Siân Brooke, Blue Lights and a Glasgow Film Festival Portrait

Back in 2020, I had the chance to photograph actor Siân Brooke at the Glasgow Film Festival, where she was promoting the powerful feature film Body of Water. It was a quick festival portrait session, publicists, time pressure, a borrowed corner of the venue, but from the moment Siân stepped in front of the lens, there was a real stillness and presence.

I kept the setup simple: clean, flattering light and a composition that allowed her expression to do the work. What struck me was the mix of strength and vulnerability in her face; a quiet intensity that felt absolutely right for an actor drawn to nuanced, emotionally rich roles.

Fast forward to now and my wife (who’s from Belfast) is completely hooked on Blue Lights, where Siân plays Grace Ellis. Watching the show, I can see echoes of the same qualities we captured that day in Glasgow, compassion, resilience and a hint of steel behind the eyes.

For me, that’s the magic of a good actor headshot. It’s not just about what you look like in that moment; it’s about hinting at all the stories you’re yet to tell.

If you’re an actor looking for cinematic, honest headshots in Glasgow or across Scotland, you can book here: