Actor in Type: Carolina Chiesa in SoHo

In September, I spent an afternoon in SoHo working with Carolina (@thevanmersyshow) on an actor in type shoot. The idea behind these sessions is simple: instead of just posing for headshots, actors step into a character — the kind of role they might actually play. It’s a chance to show range, presence, and personality all at once.

For Carolina, we created the character of a wealthy woman out shopping — confident, stylish, and a little larger than life. From the first frames, she leaned all the way in. As she told me later, what drew her to the project was that my portraits “tell a story,” and she wanted to be part of one herself. She saw this as a way to market her acting work, but also found it boosted her confidence and sparked ideas for new characters she could develop.

Early in the shoot she took a moment to get comfortable, but once we started on the dress look, she settled in completely — relaxed, playful, and full of energy. That’s the beauty of this kind of work: it’s collaboration, not posing. When the creative trust clicks, the images feel alive.

Since the shoot, Carolina’s received great reactions — and even landed another modeling opportunity. Hearing her say this was her favorite shoot so far makes it even better.

If you’re an actor or creative who wants to build character-driven portraits for your portfolio, I’d love to collaborate. You can reach out through larryfeltonphoto.com or message me directly on Instagram.