Headshot FAQ

What’s the best way to prepare for my headshot session?

Prep materials will be sent to you after your session is secured through payment of your session deposit (either online through my website, or by phone). Of course, I’m happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have prior to booking your session so don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, be sure to check out my headshot blog here for additional headshot insights and prep information.

How do your studio sessions tend to flow?

I don’t normally enforce time limits because I’m concerned with getting the very best results for my clients in their session, and some people simply take a little longer than others to get them where they need to be for an amazing headshot. All of my sessions include a warm greeting, time to get comfortable and set your things down, use the restroom, grab a refreshing beverage, put on your favorite tunes, (optionally) get your hair and makeup done and then move into the shooting portion of your session. After we’ve captured the right number of proofs and looks for your session size to choose your retouched images from, we’ll spend some time going through those images together. You’ll get my expert advice on which images work best for your use / context and you’ll make your selections for retouching right there in studio. Except in pre-arranged and rare circumstance, I don’t send out proofing galleries; I used to do this, but my clients now get my expert feedback and advice on which expressions and images work best for them in lieu of proofing galleries. If you need a copy of your proofs for some reason, let me know up front and I’ll see what I can do to accommodate. Remember - unretouched images are unfinished images. Only professionally retouched images should be used in professional contexts.

How long will my session be?

That depends. If you’ve selected The Headshot Experience, then it varies based on how many looks you prefer to shoot. I’ll probably accommodate almost whatever you’d like (3 or 4 looks are common). For this type of session, it may range from 1.5 hours to 3 hours or more based on a few factors (how many looks, whether or not you’re getting HMUA services in studio, etc…). If you’re in my studio for a mini corporate session, that usually doesn’t take more than 15 - 30 minutes to secure a solid single headshot.

Payment Policy FAQ

Do you require a deposit to secure my session?

Yes. I do require a non-refundable deposit to secure your session.

What happens if I can’t make it to my session?

If you give me as much notice as possible, there are certainly circumstances where I will keep your deposit on file and apply it directly to a rescheduled session. However, same day cancellations and no-shows will forfeit the entire deposit. I do not offer refunds of deposits unless I’m forced to cancel or reschedule the session on my end for some reason. In that case, you’ll be given the option of keeping your deposit on file and rescheduling, or receiving a refund of your deposit.

Why would you keep my money if you haven’t done any work?

Well hold on there, friend. If you’ve booked a session with me and received confirmations, had conversations with me, perhaps requested HMUA scheduling then I I’ve already done a bit of work on your behalf. It’s fair to be compensated for that work.

Even more importantly - when you block out my calendar and secure your session, that means that I can’t book any other work during that time. I’m a busy, fulltime photographer, and I’m often booked a week or more out. As I’m sure you can understand, blocking my time out and then cancelling costs me and my business lost opportunity to sell more photography, and that translates directly into lost income for me. Unfortunately, I don’t offer much wiggle room here, so be certain that you want to work with me when you book your session!

Do you offer any refunds of any kind after you’ve completed my session and delivered the final images?

I think this should be a fairly obvious answer, but just in case - no. I do not offer any refunds of any kind after my team and I have completed all of the work related to your session and I’ve incurred all of the hard dollar expenses associated with your session. Similar to complaining about a meal at a restaurant after you’ve eaten the entire thing, it’s just not reasonable or fair to put me in this position.

As mentioned earlier in this FAQ, my sessions are designed to avoid this very problem and provide ample opportunity for feedback, discussion and additional shots to address minor concerns or issues DURING your session — not after.

However, your satisfaction is VERY important to me, so in the rare case that we have some minor post-session issues to address, I’m all ears and will work hard to resolve those things on your behalf. The most common type of minor issues involve retouching revisions, which are included (within reason) at no additional charge.

I’m extremely consistent in my work, which means that I can create images for you fully inline with the quality and style that you see on my website. Please be sure you like what you see in my portfolio prior to booking with me, as that is your best indicator as to whether or not you’ll like your session results.