Getting ready for your headshot or portrait is easy. This quick guide will help you plan your photoshoot better and turn up ready to go.
Where is Your Studio?
I’m located in central Christchurch at 400 St. Asaph Street, Phillipstown and there is plenty of parking. There is wheel chair access, free wifi, toilets, a food preparation area and a foyer space if you are visiting as a group.
Do You only Offer Studio Photography?
I offer both in studio, on location, and environmental (in the work place) commercial photography, which I have done for more than 15 years. In brief my range of work can be viewed as workplace, events, headshots, portraits and fashion.
Understanding What You Require
You could be a budding model, actor or corporate, and headshot styles differ depending on the goals or organisation. Please make sure that you have the image specifications from your agent or manager prior to your visit.
This ensures that we create images with the correct style, aspect ratio and lighting/ mood. If you do not have a brief or examples to work towards and we spend time to create your images to then find they are not correct- the session is still payable. Please check the image specifications or the style you require prior to booking. Need some help to work out your visual goals? Feel free to email me and I’ll help.
What Clothes Shall I Bring and Wear?
First things first, if you are having your portrait/ headshot captured on a black background I highly recommend that you do not wear upper garments that are dark to avoid blending with the background. I recommend bringing clothes that you love to wear, and feel comfortable in that stand out from the background colour. The same logic applies for a white background too.
If in doubt, bring it along anyway! Please avoid busy patterns or brightly coloured clothes. Simple solid colour is best. Saying that, if you are a colour person, then dress in colour, as this will make you comfortable. The number of outfits you will wear, will depend on the amount of time we have, and what we have agreed. What ever you choose to wear or bring along, please make sure the outfits are ironed and as uncreased as possible. Creased clothes in a headshot or portrait does not look good at all. If we are heading outdoors, please make sure you bring appropriate clothing such as a warm jacket or sun hat.
What Does a Different Look Mean?
Generally during our time together, we will create one single look. One set of clothes. If you want more ‘looks’ and a few different change of clothes this can be arranged. This approach achieves a different feel, which is great when creating a portfolio of headshots, or having a few for the future, such as a new job, side hustle, or social media platforms. Capturing multiple looks will cost more so feel free to discuss this prior to our shoot.
Do You Provide Makeup?
Yes I can provide makeup through local makeup artists and I recommend booking at least a week or two in advanced. Make up starts at $200 + GST for the session. I highly recommend Tessa and her team in Christchurch.
Our Whole Team Requires a Headshot, Can You Help?
That has been my expertise for a decade! I can visit your business and setup a professional headshot studio and it will be identical to coming to my studio space. The best part is that it does not cause any inconvenience to you and your staff. Please call 0210336047 or email me for an estimation. For some inspiration, please check out my headshot portfolio.
Do you do family photos?
My main focus is on helping people in more of a commercial sense that include business people, models, corporate staff, and all types of business owners. So unfortunately I do not cater to personal or family photography.
What is your turnaround time?
Quite often you can choose the image/s that you like as we shoot. If not I aim to get an online gallery of your photos to you within 24 hours. After you get back to me with the final selection/ s, on average I will have the images post edited and to you within 7 working days via Google Drive. If there is an urgency, we can discuss that and make it happen!
I’m a Nervous Anxious Person, Will That Be a Problem?
No! Not at all. We all feel anxious having our photos captured, and it’s completely normal. Let’s face it we don’t do it every day, so it can feel overwhelming for most people. During the shoot I will direct you, and help you feel comfortable. I’m not a photographer who over complicates the session, from lighting to posing. Most subjects comment on how relaxed I am and how that makes them feel calm too. I have a few easy poses that will make sure that we get the best out of the shoot, and that you will be very happy with. I’ve done this for more than a decade so please try not to worry too much. We will also check the images either on my studio computer or a laptop if on location, to make sure you are 100% satisfied with the results.
What Cameras Do I Use?
I use Canon professional cameras with L- Series lenses, and have done for more than a decade. I pair them with high powered portable studio lighting and large flattering studio modifiers (the big white boxes that the flashes go in). We can also create images with that characteristic background blur (Bokeh) if required. The final image size is large enough for most common publications, and online profiles.
What Does Post Editing Mean?
Post editing of the images is the second part of the photographic process where I take an image and adjust the exposure, colour balance, shadows, and remove fuzzy hair, skin blemishes, whiten yellow teeth, and clean up fluff or hairs on clothing. The results mean that images all have a consistent look, and subjects look their very best. My post editing is not the photoshopping of the photo to change elements dramatically.
This can be done of course, but will require some additional Photoshop work at an additional cost. Such requirements are best discussed as part of the booking or during the session itself. An example is double chins- we all have them- but if it’s something that you are really conscious of- we will most likely be able to figure something out on the day to minimise their impact, versus having to spend time and resources post shoot with Photoshop. This article explains why post editing is important.
Can You Photoshop Away My Wrinkles and Tired Eyes?
I’m sure you look amazing just the way you are, but rest assured, I use beautiful soft light, and it does wonders for most people. If you would like me to retouch your image with photoshop though, I’m happy to do so in a delicate and taste-full way that is subtle enough to keep the authenticity of the photography we create. If you do require any additional retouches (outside of my included post editing – see above), there will be an additional charge of $75 + GST per hour.
Any Questions?
Feel free to call me on 0210336047 to chat more, or email me. Looking for commercial imagery for you or your business/ brand? Please check out my commercial portfolio.
