ATELIER 2.5, Glasgow HEADSHOT & PORTRAIT STUDIO
Testimonials
Kinds words, case studies and client love
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression"
Testimonials
“The pictures Magdalena took of me made me feel my true authentic self . I loved Magdalena’s creativity and found the experience inspiring because it made me see myself from a creative and unique perspective.“
“I went today to Magdalena M Kaminska’s studio to see results of my photo shoot. What can I say? I was speechless and so touched. She captured me in the way I couldn’t even dream off. She was patient, open and very warm during the session and seen things in me that I didn’t see.
I felt very special and very comfortable. Thank you so much for this Magdalena. Love every one of them.”
“I had an amazing time with Magdalena. It was my first professional photo shoot, so I was quite nervous and inexperienced. However, Magdalena took the time to not only carefully select the mood board and clothes before the shoot, but also on set before shooting she sat down with me and took the time to explain what I should do during the photo shoot. This put me at ease and allowed me to absorb all the useful tips she gave me on that day.
One can tell that she is an artist and passionate about her job. I am very grateful to her because thanks to our shoot I was hired as a model for a model agency based in Glasgow. Magdalena, you are the best!”
“I was very impressed with how much work Magdalena put in, even before the photoshoot.
We discussed all the colours and looks best suited to me and what image I was trying to go for. It all made me feel so much more calm and confident on the day of the shoot, which itself was a lot of fun.
Magdalena really understands how important an actor’s headshots are and she really cares about how the end result will help your career.“
“Loved my headshot session with Magda, she has a thorough process that takes a lot of the guesswork out of acting headshots and really made me feel prepared for the shoot. Magda is great at communicating before and during the shoot and helped me bring out the exact characterisations I was looking for in my various headshots. Professional quality and experience from start to finish and fun to work with!”
“A few months after my separation, I found myself before a camera lens. Bogged down in the monotony of married life, utterly lost in the roles I’d been boxed into, I’d scarcely had a moment to feel like a proper woman.
(…)During the session, Magdalena wasn’t merely snapping away. She posed wonderfully thoughtful, deeply personal questions. When she asked what love meant to me, ‘Love is a verb,’ I replied. And really – love isn’t some static state, but a continuous doing, a deliberate choice, an active pursuit.
What truly made me start feeling gorgeous and feminine were her constant, utterly sincere encouragements. (…) These weren’t empty platitudes – her voice brimmed with genuine admiration. Each comment landed like a little shot of confidence straight to the system.
(…) The photographs I later saw were nothing like my previous self. There was a woman – strong, beautiful, wonderfully dignified.”
“Magdalena is not just an amazing photographer and artist but also an amazing person and so much fun to work with. She is very passionate about her work and her naturally friendly and enthusiastic nature makes one feel comfortable immediately!”
” I wanted to do something a little different style/pose wise and I talked this through with Magdalena beforehand and during the shoot. When I received the images back I was so happy with them – the images were exactly like I wanted.”
Case Studies
Mark McMinn
My Experience
“Beyond delighted with my new Headshots by the wonderful Magda M Kaminska.
It was a deep process way before we even got on to the shoot. Magda created a mood board for you where you capture the Casting types you wish to present yourself as. What you’re wanting to sell as an Actor. She then created color schemes to match that specific Casting type and created examples of that casting which colour of clothing to wear and coloured backdrops to match.
Once we had captured the Castings the shoot day itself was a day of fun and enjoyment. You were given prompts to match the casting type you were portraying which made you feel at ease when the photos were being taken.
I was thrilled with the final results.
Magda doesn’t rush you or her process. She makes sure you know exactly what you want to sell and she is there every step of the way with you. If you want Headshots that really sell your character types then Magda is the person you want to go to.
Can’t recommend enough.”
How does Magdalena ensure actors feel prepared and confident before the shoot?
“It was a deep process way before we even got on to the shoot. Magda created a mood board for you where you capture the Casting types you wish to present yourself as. What you’re wanting to sell as an Actor.”
What does this mean for You?
Magdalena takes the guesswork out of the process by offering a highly personalized preparation phase. This goes beyond a simple photoshoot—it’s a thoughtful collaboration where you’ll uncover and refine your casting types. By the time the shoot day arrives, you’re not just showing up; you’re stepping into a clearly defined vision for how you want to be seen in the industry.
How does Magdalena help actors choose wardrobe and color schemes that align with their casting types?
“She then created color schemes to match that specific Casting type and created examples of that casting which colour of clothing to wear and coloured backdrops to match.”
What does this mean for You?
Magdalena’s attention to detail means every element of your headshot is purposeful. From clothing to backdrops, everything is aligned with your casting goals. This ensures the final images not only look polished but also work as powerful tools to market you as an actor who knows their niche.
What is the experience of the shoot day like for actors?
“The shoot day itself was a day of fun and enjoyment. You were given prompts to match the casting type you were portraying which made you feel at ease when the photos were being taken.”
What does this mean for You?
Say goodbye to stiff, awkward posing! Magdalena creates an environment where you can truly embody your casting types. Through her thoughtful prompts and relaxed atmosphere, the shoot feels less like a photo shoot and more like a creative collaboration, allowing your authenticity to shine through.
How does Magdalena’s process stand out in terms of time and dedication?
“Magda doesn’t rush you or her process. She makes sure you know exactly what you want to sell and she is there every step of the way with you.”
What does this mean for You?
Magdalena’s approach is rooted in patience and partnership. You’ll never feel hurried or unsure about your decisions. Instead, you’ll be guided step-by-step, with Magdalena’s expertise ensuring that every image reflects exactly what you’re aiming to convey.
What results can actors expect from Magdalena’s headshot sessions?
“I was thrilled with the final results… If you want Headshots that really sell your character types then Magda is the person you want to go to.”
What does this mean for You?
Magdalena delivers more than just headshots; she provides a set of tools that amplify your professional identity. You’ll walk away with images that are not only stunning but also deeply aligned with your casting goals, giving you a competitive edge in the industry.
Kat Harrison
My Experience
(…) By the time we got into the studio, I felt like we’d known each other forever and felt immediately at home. She guided my poses with ease and chatted freely asking questions in a way that made me feel like she actually cared about my answers. Not the usual and sometimes obvious manner of a photographer trying to put someone at ease.
(…)The hours passed so quickly as we talked and laughed and sang along to Queen. The results spoke for themselves.
My agent was really pleased with the shots we selected and I’ve seen a marked improvement on my requests for auditions since using these new shots. Even the caliber of productions I’m being seen for has gone up so the shots are doing something right!
(…)I felt safe in her hands, enjoyed the process from start to finish, and got some cracking shots that are getting me into the audition room. For these reasons and more, I highly recommend actors get their headshots done by Magda.
How does Magdalena create a truly collaborative and personalized experience for actors?
“Getting to know me as a person, studying my looks, and asking palette choices. For the first time in my career getting my headshots done was a Creative and Collaborative process.”
What it means: Magdalena doesn’t just take photos; she partners with you.
This isn’t a one-size-fits-all process—it’s a deep dive into who you are as an actor.
By understanding your personality, look, and casting goals, she ensures your headshots feel uniquely yours.
What added value does Magdalena bring to the styling process?
“On top of my own selection of clothes, Magda actually had a wardrobe
for me to choose from also! I’m wearing one of her pieces in my main headshot.”
What it means: Magdalena goes the extra mile to ensure every detail of your look is polished and perfect.
Her curated wardrobe selection gives you an edge, helping you find outfits that elevate your casting type and bring out your best features.
How do the results impact an actor’s career?
“My agent was really pleased with the shots we selected and I’ve seen a marked improvement on
my requests for auditions since using these new shots. Even the calibre of productions I’m being seen for has gone up so the shots are doing something right!”
What it means: These aren’t just headshots—they’re a career investment.
Magdalena’s expertise translates into tangible results: more auditions,
higher-quality roles, and an elevated professional brand.
How does Magdalena guide actors in choosing the best headshots for their needs?
“She’ll gently nudge you in the selection process away from the urge to pick only the ones you feel most attractive in.”
What it means: Magdalena understands that headshots aren’t about vanity—they’re about telling a story.
She helps you choose images that reflect your casting type,
ensuring your photos resonate with agents, casting directors, and producers.
Did you notice any improvements with your casting opportunities after having new headshots taken with Magda?
“Damn right! They’ve gotten me more auditions this year, even been seen for shows on Sky Atlantic so there’s a marked improvement in what I’m being seen for!”
Stella’s mum, Charmaine
My Experience
“Magdalena has done my daughter’s headshots for the past 4 years and captures the essence of her being every time! The time, detail and care that goes into the entire process from mood boards to sending the final edits is simply invaluable. My daughter looks forward to working with Magdalena as she really takes the time to enquire about what matters to my daughter. All that Magdalena does is carried out with great intention, nothing is fluke other than the natural lighting on the day. The studio is warm and breaks are given when needed, especially to refuel. Magdalena has a special gift in connecting with her clients and we will forever continue to use Magdalena for the very best headshots!”
How does Magdalena ensure the headshots reflect who the actor truly is, not just how they look?
“Magdalena has done my daughter’s headshots for the past 4 years and captures the essence of her being every time! (…) All that Magdalena does is carried out with great intention, nothing is fluke other than the natural lighting on the day.”
It’s not just about having a good hair day! Magdalena’s mission is to capture the real you (no filters, no facades). With years of experience under her belt, she knows how to see past the surface to reveal what makes you, you. No accidental good shots here—everything she does is with purpose, except maybe catching the right light at just the right moment. That’s the universe giving us a little gift!
What kind of preparation does Magdalena provide before the shoot to ensure a successful session?
“The time, detail, and care that goes into the entire process from mood boards to sending the final edits is simply invaluable. (…) She really takes the time to enquire about what matters to my daughter.”
Think of Magdalena’s process like a good detective show—she does all the investigative work beforehand! She dives deep to understand who you are, what makes you tick, and what your goals are. By the time you get in front of the camera, it’s not just a ‘say cheese’ situation. With mood boards that reflect your vibe and conversations that pull out what’s important to you, she’s got your back. No mystery left unsolved, except maybe where you left that other pair of socks…
How does Magdalena make the actor feel comfortable and supported during the shoot?
“The studio is warm and breaks are given when needed, especially to refuel. (…) My daughter looks forward to working with Magdalena as she really takes the time to enquire about what matters to my daughter.”
It’s not a photoshoot—it’s more like a hangout with a very nice camera. Magdalena’s studio is the coziest place you can be when you’re in front of a lens. Need a break? Grab a snack, stretch it out, and breathe—it’s all part of the process. And the best part? She’ll always make sure you’re feeling 100% ready to go. You’ll leave wondering why all headshot sessions aren’t this relaxing… and wishing for a couch and tea during every future audition!
Caoimhe’s mum, Edel
My Experience
“The unique thing about Magda is her attention to detail and the time she invests preparing and building a connection before the day of the photo shoot. She spent time getting to know my daughter and developed a mood board based on her personality, inspirations professional goals and outfit choices. She gave us valuable advice on clothing styles and the best colours etc. All this prework meant that my daughter arrived on shoot day feeling very prepared, confident and excited for the day. Magda made sure she achieved all that she wanted to by allowing time for hairstyle changes and checking in with us both throughout the session. Caoimhe and her agent were delighted with the range of looks and expressions captured in her headshots. We can’t recommend her enough!”
How does Magdalena ensure the actor feels confident and prepared on the day of the shoot
“She spent time getting to know my daughter and developed a mood board based on her personality, inspirations, professional goals, and outfit choices. All this pre-work meant that my daughter arrived on shoot day feeling very prepared, confident, and excited for the day.”
There’s no ‘winging it’ in Magdalena’s world. She’s all about preparation—think of it like crafting a custom-made plan that fits perfectly, just like your favorite pair of jeans. By the time shoot day rolls around, you’re not nervously wondering what to do. You’re walking in ready, confident, and dare I say, even excited (yes, excited for headshots, it’s possible!). Everything, from the mood board to the outfit advice, is tailored to you so there’s no “uh, what do I do with my hands?” moments.
How does Magdalena create a relaxed, flexible atmosphere during the session?
“Magda made sure she achieved all that she wanted to by allowing time for hairstyle changes and checking in with us both throughout the session.”
Need a mid-shoot hair redo? A moment to adjust your vibe? No problem. Magdalena’s all about flow, not rigidity. She makes sure the session moves at a pace that works for you, with enough time for those all-important hairstyle changes (because obviously your character needs options). And she checks in with you, ensuring that every shot feels right. Basically, it’s like having your own personal stylist, therapist, and hype-woman rolled into one.
How does Magdalena help ensure the headshots meet professional standards and still feel personal?
“Caoimhe and her agent were delighted with the range of looks and expressions captured in her headshots. We can’t recommend her enough!
Let’s just say, agents have high standards—so when they’re happy, you know you’ve hit gold. Magdalena has that rare ability to balance capturing your personal essence while still delivering shots that are spot-on for the industry. From the range of looks to the nuanced expressions, she’s got you covered. You’ll leave with headshots that make your agent smile and make you feel like, “Hey, that’s really me in there!”
Kyle Paton
My Experience
“I’ve always been nervous about getting my headshots taken, I never knew what to wear, how I should pose and where to look. Magdalena gave me confidence with having my headshots taken, encouraging me to think about what casting types I wanted to convey in the headshots, what colours suited my skin tone and eye colour, along with how the clothes linked to the character.
Now, with Magdalena’s guidance, I’m more aware of these factors when approaching a headshot session, and now I feel the freedom to have more fun and relax! I feel that I’m more cautious of eyeline, posture and being able to portray naturalistic facial expressions that show the real me, instead of having a facade to hide insecurities.
The overall process was extremely useful to me, it put my mind at ease and gave me a lot of insight to take on board for future headshot sessions.”
How does Magdalena help actors feel more confident during headshot sessions?
“Magdalena gave me confidence with having my headshots taken, encouraging me to think about what casting types I wanted to convey in the headshots.”
How does Magdalena guide actors in choosing the right wardrobe for headshots?
“She encouraged me to think about… what colours suited my skin tone and eye colour, along with how the clothes linked to the character.”
What impact does Magdalena’s approach have on an actor’s ability to relax during a session?
“Now, with Magdalena’s guidance, I’m more aware of these factors when approaching a headshot session, and now I feel the freedom to have more fun and relax!”
How does Magdalena’s direction improve an actor’s awareness of posture and expression?
“I feel that I’m more cautious of eyeline, posture and being able to portray naturalistic facial expressions that show the real me, instead of having a facade to hide insecurities.”
What long-term benefits do actors gain from working with Magdalena?
“The overall process was extremely useful to me, it put my mind at ease and gave me a lot of insight to take on board for future headshot sessions.”
Scott Thomson
My Experience
“I think what has been most wonderful about returning back to Magda for these new headshots is that this time round it felt much more of a collaboration between equals (…) She is a perfectionist in the best way. She ensures the background is correct, the lighting is spot on, that your clothes don’t distract/take away from you, and that you feel relaxed in front of the camera. I know I hold tension in my jaw and she was fantastic at reminding me to relax the jawline and my mouth. She showed me the difference between relaxed and tense and it’s actually astounding the difference it makes. Our faces tell us a thousand things, so no small detail should ever be overlooked. And with Magda – they never are!😉(…)
I also noticed how relaxed I was coming into the studio, my increased confidence in being in front of the camera and knowing what to expect and how best to prepare. It was a whole new experience.”
How does Magda ensure you feel comfortable and confident during your headshot session?
“I also noticed how relaxed I was coming into the studio, my increased confidence in being in front of the camera and knowing what to expect and how best to prepare. It was a whole new experience.”
How does Magda’s attention to detail impact the quality of the headshots?
“She ensures the background is correct, the lighting is spot on, that your clothes don’t distract/take away from you, and that you feel relaxed in front of the camera… no small detail should ever be overlooked. And with Magda – they never are!😉”
How does Magda help you improve your performance in front of the camera?
“I know I hold tension in my jaw and she was fantastic at reminding me to relax the jawline and my mouth. She showed me the difference between relaxed and tense and it’s actually astounding the difference it makes.”
Robbie Ling
My Experience
“[Magda] supported me tirelessly throughout the entire experience, always happy to answer all of my questions and responded quickly. She made me feel at ease instantly and had a great laugh. I got unbelievable results – she is hugely talented and she captured phenomenal headshots I am very happy with.”
5 Things I Loved
In depth process: before the shoots finding out about what you want to achieve, working out casting types, etc. She really puts a huge amount of time and effort weeks before the shoot.
Supported me tirelessly throughout the entire experience: always happy to answer all of my questions and responded quickly.
Professional photographer – excellent studio, and she made me feel at ease instantly and had a great laugh.
Unbelievable results – hugely talented and she captured phenomenal headshots I am very happy with.
Aftercare was fantastic – helping select the best shots and making use of her network to help choose the most effective headshots.
