PORTRAIT FAQ’S

WHERE DO WE SHOOT?

We will shoot at my photo studio in Brooklyn, on the roof or streets nearby. If you want to book another location for our shoot, it is possible, however there may be an additional fee.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY SHOOT?

WARDROBE

Solid Colors: Simple solid t-shirts, shirts, dresses and tops work best. Bring clothing that fit you well and make you feel great wearing them. No logos, with the exception of tiny logos that can easily be photoshopped out and avoid heavy patterns that could be distracting

Layers: Bringing blazers, cardigans, vests and other layering items of clothing is a great way to get multiple looks in a short amount of time by taking on and off or swapping different pieces.

HAIR AND MAKEUP

If you’re doing your own make-up please keep it minimal, natural, even and neutral to start with. Bring mascara, eyeliner and a few tones of lipstick to play with if this is in keeping with how you would present yourself at a casting. A hair and makeup artist is available for $75/hour.

Get enough sleep, hydrate and don’t go out partying for a couple nights before the shoot. You’ll thanks me later.

WHERE CAN I SEE MY IMAGES

All proofs will be available online within 24-72 hours from our shoot day. Retouched images will be available online within one week although rush orders are possible for an extra fee.

HOW MANY IMAGES DO I GET?

For a standard session you will get 3 high resolution images from the shoot. One of the three images will be retouched. You will also get three color grading variations of the final retouched photo: standard look, black & white and a warmer look.

LIGHTING AND BACKDROP

The lighting, backdrops and overall photographic style will be custom tailored for you and your brand and we can discuss before the shoot in a consultation.

CAN I SEND EXAMPLES/MOOD BOARDS BEFORE THE SHOOT?

Absolutely, having an idea or direction you would like to go in beforehand can be very helpful. Please send samples to me in an email or Pinterest board.

HOW MANY LOOKS CAN WE DO PER SESSION?

As many as we can, but remember that changing clothing or hair takes time away from shooting. Dressing in layers that can transition quickly and easily is smart way to get multiple looks during a 30 minute session.

DO YOU DO OTHER PHOTOGRAPHY?

Yes! I’m a passionate street and documentary photographer as well as a cinematographer and director for film and video. I love looking at the world through the lens, connecting with people and storytelling.

PAYMENT METHODS

I accept cash, credit card, Venmo and Paypal.

CANCELLATION / RESCHEDULING POLICY

Due to the complexity of scheduling multiple shoots and the time preparing and setting up for a shoot I have a strict cancelation/rescheduling policy. For studio shoots, Deposits and Payments are non-refundable. Shoots can be rescheduled, but if you reschedule with less than 7 business day notice there will be a $75 rescheduling fee. If you want to reschedule with less than 48 hour notice The fee is $175.  Thank you for your understanding.

RIGHTS & USAGE

Unless otherwise agreed upon, the standard license will be for use on your headshot page, company website, social media pages, marketing materials (direct mail, email promos, etc). Third party use is not allowed in any way. That means you can't give the image to anyone else to use in any way or use in any type of media. Additionally you can not use the images in any paid advertising. These licenses are available if you need them at and extra fee. For more info check the Licensing page.

DIGITAL RETOUCHING

Q: What is Digitally Retouching and what can I expect from the images from our shoot?

A: Digital Retouching does what a hair & makeup team, wardrobe and even production designers do on set, only we do it digitally after the shoot. The goal is to present the best you, on a day without any skin breakouts, hair malfunctions, wrinkly clothes etc. Our focus with our Retouching is not to change the geometry of your face or body but to diminish distracting elements from your best and true features.

Q: How long does Digital Retouching take?

A: The amount of digital retouching needed for an image depends on variables like skin blemishes and blotchiness, under-eye bags, stray hairs, clothing issues and object removal. Every image will benefit from some level of retouching and color balancing; most images average 1-2 hours of retouching work to make them really shine. Check the images below to see how Digital Retouching and color correction enhances an image.

If your images are important to you and you want to direct attention to your eyes, features and body language and not on flyaway hairs or surprise zits, then Digital Retouching will be an important part of the image making process. Even images emphasizing ruggedness, wrinkles or skin texture can be improved with retouching that dramatizes lighting or skin tones.

LICENSING

How do I license additional photos?

You can easily license photos (purchase their use) by paying a licensing fee. This allows you to use & enjoy the images for your social media, profile photo, personal promotion and non-commercial prints, forever!

Why do I need to “license” photos? Didn’t I already pay for photos?

By US Copyright Law, when a photograph is taken, the photographer immediately and perpetually becomes the owner of that photo’s copyright. This protects us photographers as authors of our images. For the image to be used anywhere, the copyright owner licenses out permission. When you purchase a photo session, you are paying for the production of the photos, post production, coloring and Retouching as well as licenses for (3) images. Any additional image licenses are available for a licensing fee. Please download our Rate Card for updated licensing rates!

Wait, so I don’t OWN my photos? How does that work?

Photography is like other intellectual property licenses: When you purchase a music album, you do not own the songs to do whatever you want with, you’re licensing the rights to listen to them. It works the same way with computer software, you license the use of an app, you don’t own the app itself. A photo is also protected artistic property and the copyright owner is paid for usage. Our licenses are tailored for your needs and easily priced so you get the usage you need without paying for uses you don’t need.

How do I know you aren’t going to sell my photo and my face ends up on the side of a bus advertisement in Dusseldorf?

That’s a right the copyright holder (The Photographer) does not have, unless the model grants specific permission in a written agreement. The general model agreement we use does not grant us commercial or advertising rights to your likeness, so this is not a concern.

What if I do want to use these photos for a book cover or some other commercial use?

Licenses are available for commercial and other uses. We will design an agreement and fee for your needs; drop us an email for a quote for your specific use! Without that license you cannot use these photos for any paid advertisement or authorize anyone else to use them for commercial use. It’s up to you to make sure anyone you share images with is aware of this. In the meantime, enjoy unlimited use for social media, online profile images, personal promotion and non-commercial printing!

Please email us with any other questions about licensing or copyright.

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