1) What are your prices? All prices are listed on the website under the prices link.
2) Do you offer discounts? Yes, several discounts are available. For headshots, members of the Baltimore Theatre Alliance and the Actors Center are eligible for a $50 discount. Membership cards must be shown. All students are given a $50 discount for any type of session. Students must have a valid ID or be obviously under 18. All subjects are given several “Send-A-Friend” cards at the end of their shoot. If you bring back one of these cards, you get $15 off your shoot. No more than one discount can be applied to any shoot.
3) Do you offer payment plans? Yes, please call to discuss options.
4) Can I pay by credit card? Yes, you can pay through PayPal online. There is an additional $10 fee to pay this way. Go to "prices” and click on the PayPal link.
5) How long will the shoot take? Each shoot is unique. Plan to spend at least two hours after your make-up and styling are done for a headshot shoot. I have had shoots range from 20 minutes to 6 hours for headshots. Unless two clients come together, such as a couple or siblings, I do not book more than one headshot per day so I can give you my full attention and we won't be rushed.
6) What can I expect the shoot to be like? Again, each shoot is unique. Usually we begin early in the morning, when natural light is best. Expect to begin around 7 or 8AM. We often get bagels and fruit for breakfast and eat while the make-up artist and hair stylist prepare you for the shoot. After that we select your clothing and talk about specifics for the shoot. Then we go to the first location. I always work with an assistant, so there are at least two to three people with you at all times. We usually visit three to four locations per shoot.
7) Where are you located? I am based out of Catonsville, MD. It is in Baltimore County just off the 695 beltway, very close to Interstate 95.
8) Do I have to use a make-up artist/hair stylist? I highly recommend that all my subjects, male and female, hire both a make-up artist and a hair stylist. I do not style hair or do make-up personally, please don’t ask. I am not trained or licensed in those fields. If you can only afford one of the two, I recommend hiring the make-up artist and just getting a good hairstyle you can manage. Many make-up artists can do some hair, also.
9) Can I do my own make-up? I only recommend this if you are an excellent and experienced make-up artist. All make-up artists go through extensive training and are licensed by the state of Maryland. Many have additional on-camera training so that their make-up techniques are ideal for photographic shoots. For example, a good make-up artist knows how to contour your eyes and face so that light hits you differently — a good make-up artist can even "change" the shape of your cheeks, eyes or nose for a photo. If you have questions, please call.
10) Can you refer me to a professional make-up artist or hair stylist? Yes, we have several we work with regularly. If you do not know any make-up artists or hair stylists, I can provide you with a list of several in the area who are excellent. If you want me to hire someone for you, I will choose who I think is best. All hair stylists and make-up artists charge their own fees and must be independently negotiated.
11) Can I find a make-up artist/hair stylist of my own? Yes, but make sure they are state-licensed and experienced in the medium of photography. What looks great in person doesn't necessarily translate well on film. For example, in make-up some foundations contain light-reflecting ingredients. These look great in person, but make you look washed-out in pictures.
12) Do guys actually wear make-up? Yes, absolutely. It will even out skin tones and really add to the photograph. If this seems odd, consider that nearly all actors male or female get make-up before going on stage or in front of the camera. Many guys also get manicures for shoots.
13) Do you have any studio lighting options? I generally recommend actors’ headshots are done under natural light but yes, I can shoot you under studio light. If you feel strongly attracted to this style of photography, please call so we can discuss options.
14) Why natural light? Working in natural light is my passion. Though I have a full studio set up and know how to work with studio lighting, I feel natural light is how we are meant to see and be seen. It is always flattering and everyone is comfortable in natural light. There is little you can do with studio light that natural light can’t do in terms of headshot photography. If you want more info on natural light vs. studio light, please call.
15) Why do you use film and not digital cameras? When making pictures, I feel a print is the ultimate final product. Though digital cameras are very economical and have a fast turnaround, I do not believe the print quality is yet up to par with traditional prints. If you go to your local newsstand, most magazines (though not all) still use film — mostly medium format film. National Geographic, a magazine considered one of the best for photography in the world still uses not only film, but E-6 slide film so that it can offer readers the best and deepest color on its pages. I think digital is great for newspapers — they are printed on newsprint, so no one can see the difference. Digital is also great for family snapshots. When I see digital quality printing that lasts as long and is as rich as traditional printing, I will offer digital services. Until then I will use digital cameras for family snapshots and test shots only.
16) Will you shoot me at a special location, like the beach? Yes, but there may be a mileage fee depending on how far away you want to go. Travel up to 50 miles round trip from the studio is included for the price of your headshot. Call for details.
17) What if there is rain/bad weather? I have done wonderful natural light headshots in snow, rain, fog, freezing temperatures and summer heat. We will not cancel for weather unless the circumstances are extreme, such as blizzards, flooding, etc. If you have concerns, please call. Natural light photos can be done inside as well.
18) How long until I see my photos?
Usually I will mail your picture CDs and 4x6 proof
prints to you within 24-36 hours. Your 8x10s will
take 1 month if they are done by hand at the studio
of a fine art printer. If you choose digital prints,
they will take about 3-5 days.
19) What if this is my first headshot? I have worked with many people getting their first headshots. My best advice is just to relax and we’ll get a great picture for you.
20)How do I book a session? To book a session, call me and we will find a mutually agreeable date. Then I will mail or email you some information about how to prepare for your shoot. I require a $100 deposit to hold the date for your shoot.
21)Can I meet with you
first to talk about the shoot? Sure, or
we can talk extensively on the phone/via email before
a shoot to make sure we are a good match. If I do
not believe I am the right photographer for you
or cannot offer the services you need, I will gladly
refer you to others in the region.
22) Can I get extra prints? Yes, extra prints are sold a la carte and the rate at the time of your shoot will remain the price for your reprints for two years from the date of your session.
23)Where do I get large
quantities of prints for auditions? On
our links page we list several repro houses that
former clients have referred us to. You can start
by researching these.
24)How should I prepare for the session? Get lots of sleep and drink plenty of water! In short, take excellent care of yourself. When you book your shoot, I will send you a list of tips and ideas to prepare so you can look and feel your best.
25) What should I wear? Bring three times more clothes/accessories/jewelry than you think you will need. Make sure it’s all in good shape – clean, ironed clothing with no holes/tears/missing buttons; belts polished, jewelry polished. When you book your shoot, I will include more ideas and suggestions with your "getting ready" list.
26) How many times can I change looks/clothes? In three rolls of film, you can change three times. One look per roll. Extra looks/rolls of film are $50 each.
27) What is the cancellation policy? If you need to cancel your shoot, all of your $100 deposit is refundable until 48 hours before the shoot. After that time, your deposit is non-refundable due to expenses already incurred by the photographer. We will do our best to reschedule you at a convenient time.
28) What are the differences between a fashion shoot and a shoot for actor headshots? The main difference is the way in which they are executed and how much of the body is shown. Headshots do not go below the waist.
29) Do you photograph children? Yes, I have done several shoots for actors 18 and under. I usually suggest doing headshots for children under 12 at their homes, however. They tend to be more relaxed there.
30) Is color film available? Yes, for an additional fee I will shoot all or some of your headshots on color film.
31) Can I bring a friend/parent/significant other along for the shoot? Of course you can. But please limit your number of guests. We will shoot mostly on location and the larger the entourage, the more difficult it is to move around quickly from place to place.
32) Can you retouch my pictures on the
computer? Yes, we can. But we prefer to
get it right the first time, which is why we suggest
using professional make-up artists and hair stylists.
No magazine photo you see on the newsstand is "just
Photoshop" — even natural looks are very styled,
polished and done on purpose. Photoshop retouching
should be icing on the cake, so to speak. Retouching
costs $10 and up per photo.
33) Do you do postcards for actors? Yes we can. Call for details.
34) Can I have my negatives? Not right away. One year from the date of your shoot your negatives will be for sale to you only for $100 per roll. Negatives are kept on file for 3 years from the date of your shoot.
35) I want my photo on your website — will you add mine? Maybe. We try to keep the website new and interesting. If your shoot goes really well, we may add you! We might also ask to use your photo in ads or promotional photo CDs for new clients. |
