Frequently Asked Questions
CAN I DO MY PORTRAIT SHOOT ON LOCATION?
Portrait sessions in Legacy, Classic, and Folio styles (check our 5 photography styles) are mostly done in our studio and it's local outdoor spots. If you choose a Lifestyle shoot at a specific location, we're always open to hearing your ideas! Depending on the location you choose, there may be an extra charge and/or travel fee. Contact us and we’ll let you know.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR? HOW I SHOULD GET PREPARED FOR MY PHOTOSHOOT?
All of these questions are answered during our pre-shoot consultation.
WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL (CAMERA-READY) and HD MAKEUP? Why it is essential for a photoshoot?
The difference between a good image and a great image is in those critical details. One of those important, yet often overlooked, details in Portrait Photography is the Professional Camera-ready Makeup and Hair.
Camera-ready makeup is different from everyday makeup.
Before the digital age, thick layers of makeup were never noticeable on screen. But with today’s HD cameras you can see the texture and color of the skin on a magnified scale. Because of that, traditional makeup can look mask-like or heavy, and no makeup can make you look pale or exaggerate some unwanted details (such as lines or spots)
Being camera-ready means the products and application techniques used to achieve the overall look are compatible with high-quality cameras that photographers and videographers use. Cameras can pick up the slightest flaw and pore so proper application, including foundation application, blending products, eyeliner and so much more, is needed to make sure you look flawless in person and on camera. It also serves the photographer not to overuse photoshop.
Studio Lighting can wash you out, making you look a bit pasty and pale. Being camera-ready means that your makeup is done in a way that accentuates your features so that they do not become lost or washed out when captured on photo or video. The best way to do it is to apply High Definition (HD) Makeup products and techniques.
High Definition (HD) Makeup in film and photography is about ensuring that you look is as flawless and "makeup-free" as possible. Read more about HD Makeup in or Blog.
Everyday makeup is more forgiving because people will rarely stare at your face long enough to pick up on a slightly unsymmetrical liner or notice the fact one eye is a little smokier than the other. Also, many foundations, used for everyday makeup, these days have SPF in them, which causes flashback or “ghost face” with studio flash photography and you definitely don’t want to get your photos and see that your face is a few shades lighter than your body.
While our Professional MUA will advise you on what will look the best for you to be camera-ready, you choose what level of makeup you want to apply.
Natural look
camera-ready HD Makeup
Intense look
camera-ready HD Makeup
Medium Light
camera-ready HD Makeup
Intense
camera-ready HD Makeup
Our MUA is present on the set all the time and looks after your makeup and hair during your shoot if a touch-up is needed.
Can I reduce the cost of the shoot if I come with makeup and hair already done or if I don't use Makeup?
It's entirely your choice either to use our complimentary Makeup and Hair service or not. Nevertheless, the package price does not change if you choose to decline it, as it is a complimentary service.
If you decline the service and request any additional retouching because of hair and makeup issues (such as uneven foundation, lipstick or eyeliner contour, distracting shimmer and shine, undone hair), it will not be included in standard retouching and may carry additional cost for an extra retouch. In case of an issue beyond retouching, you may need to redo your shoot with a new session fee.
On the other side, if you except the service, our MUA is trained specifically for the camera-ready makeup and hair requirements, present on the set all the time for a touch-up, and we bear the cost of extra retouch if any issue with makeup and hair comes up.
WHAT IS PRE-SHOOT CONSULTATION? WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?
Your pre-shoot consultation is complimentary and carries no obligation to book with us. In order for us to provide you with the best service, the main purpose of the pre-consultation is to make the first contact, to get a clear idea of what you are looking for and expecting to receive as your final product, to answer your questions and to see if we are a good fit for each other. To get prepared for the pre-consultation, we recommend you read the most frequently asked questions section, check the 5 photography styles we offer, and our Portrait portfolio.
HOW LONG DOES A PORTRAIT PHOTOSHOOT LAST?
It depends on how many people are at the photoshoot. On average, your Portrait session, combined with professional hair and make-up, usually lasts 3-4 hours or longer if you choose a video option as well. Time may increase for a large group of people. It is a half-day commitment for sure and it’s best not to schedule something immediately after as we don’t want to be rushed! Unless it is a fabulous night out, as you will be looking and feeling gorgeous!!! You don’t do this every day, so let’s do it right!!
I ONLY NEED A COUPLE OF PHOTOS RIGHT NOW. IS THIS POSSIBLE?
If that is all you require right now, we can do that for you! You can choose to pay a session fee and decide how many a la carte images you’d like to purchase after you see them, OR you can select a package with 26, 10, or 20 images, before your shoot and pay a lower price per image in a bundle. It’s entirely up to you. You can check out our ONLINE SHOP for basic packages.
HOW DO I BOOK A CONSULTATION OR A PHOTO/VIDEO SHOOT?
CONTACT US. We’d love to hear more about you, and your story, talk about your ideas and our availability! To book your session a non-refundable retainer will reserve your date.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION? WHAT IF I NEED MY PHOTOS TO BE SHOT AND READY WITHIN 48 HOURS?
Sessions fill quite quickly, so we encourage you to contact us as soon as you decide, especially if you are thinking about a weekend session. The number of available weekend spots is limited, usually booked out 2 to 5 months in advance and available only for pre-purchased packages. But, don't let that keep you from inquiring. You can get on our waitlist for any dates that might open up and we may work miracles and fit you at the last minute.
We can also open up a spot outside of our working schedule for a 48 RUSH shoot if you pre-purchase a package at the booking. In addition, a rush charge of +50% to your pre-purchased package will apply.
WILL I GET DIGITAL IMAGES? WHAT IS THE SIZE OF MY DIGITALS?
Yes! When you purchase a single a la carte image or printed folio package of your Portrait session, you also receive high print resolution digitals* in the size of your purchased images. You will be able to reprint purchased images as many times as you wish at the best quality.
* Once you receive digital images that you purchase, please know there is a no exchange and no refund policy!
BUT WHY JUST I CAN'T HAVE DIGITALS? I just need images for the web and not going to print them.
You can, if it is really and absolutely what you need and not going to print them. We have 2 "only-digital" packages with 10 and 20 images. We do not have an option for a single digital image purchase. The reason is that the same amount of work is done to produce a good-quality image whether it is printed or not. It still takes time, effort, professional skills, retouching, and other hidden costs to produce it.
In the case of digital packages, we provide images in 7x10" size with 150 dpi screen resolution. By buying digitals-only, you confirm that no printing is required, so they will look awesome on the web, and you will also be able to print images, but not larger than in 7x10" size.
WHY DO I NEED PRINTED IMAGES?
Digital forms of images get outdated very fast (floppy discs, CDs) and can get corrupted (when external or internal hard drive get crushed or worn off), but an archival print is forever! These portraits are your investment, your legacy, something your family, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, will have and cherish for years. How often do you look at a bunch of digitals on your computer or phone or pick your favorites out to print?
We print your favorite portrait on premium-quality photo paper or museum-grade fine art paper using archival ink and can frame them professionally for the image to be resistant to weathering and fading and to last for a long time. Protection and longevity are key here for your portraits to be cherished and enjoyed for all time and to increase their value over time.
WHY PRICES ARE DIFFERENT FOR DIFFERENT IMAGE SIZES, ISN'T IT THE SAME IMAGE?
What's the difference between 7x10" and 16x24" images?
The best way to answer this question is to show and to get into a few technical details. The combination of a professional camera + lens is basically a digital microscope. It captures all the smallest details a human eye may not see. It is created this way, so when an image is enlarged, it does not get blurry and unclear. With this huge benefit of the ability to enlarge your image, there is a downside - too many details pop up when the size of the image increases. The amount of work done to retouch, for example, a 7x10" image and 16x20" (the most popular size of an enlargement) significantly differ, requires advanced retouching skills, and may take up to 6 hours to retouch one 16x20" image for a natural look.
When you order an image of a certain size, the price includes professional retouch to the extent of a viewer's eye perception when it's printed in its size. The size of your digital image, you receive together with the print, will be the same size you purchased. You will be able to print as many images of that size as you need. If you decide to enlarge a smaller purchased image, it will look low quality with lost details and pixelated.
Basically, you cannot enlarge a smaller size image to a bigger size without losing the quality. See the examples below, explaining how it works.
That's how 16x24" image will look if printed from 7x10" file
