Portraits

Honestly that term is pretty interchangeable as far as I am concerned. But a headshot pretty much focuses on showing your face to the audience and a portrait is more about showing your personality.

Your attire can really make or break a photo session. I always recommend wearing something that fits your style and portrays you in the way that you want people to see you. That might be a freshly starched suit and tie. Or maybe you’re more casual and like to wear a t-shirt and blazer. Or maybe just a t-shirt. Perhaps you want to be professional in a pantsuit or come off more stylish and fun in a cocktail dress or way more casual like a yoga outfit because you teach athletic classes. Whatever you wear should reflect you. I never recommend tight patterns or busy patterns as they can create an undesired optical effect in photos called “moire”. Also for family portraits I think it is important that everyone dresses to the same “level” as each other but not completely matching. Unless everyone is wearing matching windbreakers or something fun like that to be silly. You don’t want one person wearing a suit while someone else is in shorts and a t-shirt. I also always recommend bring at least two different tops or outfits that can be easily changed into in case one might work better than the other with whatever background we have.

Really it just comes down to looking at my portfolio. If you like what you see reach out to me. If you have something specific in mind let me know and I’ll tell you if that’s something I can deliver or if I think you should find another photographer.

Most of my sessions include 1, 5, or 10 photos. But just let me know what you have in mind and we can make that happen. Editing and delivering usually is a day or two after you have made your selections from the gallery that I provide for you to view and make your selections from.

Copyright and ownership is very confusing. As the photographer and creator of the image I am techincally the copyright holder of the images. What I do is then provide a shared license to use, and print, and post those images within reason. You aren’t allowed to sell them or use them for like a book cover or something without prior permission. I am not much of a stickler though with how you post or share them. I just prefer that you don’t do additional editing to them like using additional filters or editing them in ways that wouldn’t then still reflect my photography style. Will I sue you if you do? No. haha.

Typically this is a half hour or hour long session. I like to take my time and make sure you feel totally comfortable being photographed, and sometimes that can take a little while to warm up. I will try a bunch of different angles and stances to make sure we find your best angles. Moving from location to location also ensures that we provide you with a variety of backgrounds and looks to choose from. You will then get a gallery of all the best images. I delete all the ones where I might have caught you blinking or mid sentence talking. You’re able to then select your favorites and make notes on any changes you might want done in editing.

Honestly cellphone cameras have come such a long way and can do a lot of things editing wise that can provide you with a perfect photo that represents you. If you aren’t a fan of having strangers take your photo you can ask a friend to try taking some with your phone and see what comes out.  You might be surprised how well it comes out. BUT… if you are wanting to have a professional who really understands lighting, and angles, and poses, and understands how to bring out a natural smile then you should definitely hire someone like myself. Especially if lighting and editing is important to you.

If I had a million dollars for every time I heard that before taking someone’s photo I would have retired after my first client. Honestly mostly everyone is slightly tense when being photographed. It always takes a little time to warm up. But that is why you hired a professional like myself. My other natural skill besides photography is talking to people and making them relax. Perhaps that means we just have to take half of your session chatting and getting to know each other. But in the end, you should end up with some photos that you feel represents the person you are.