Frequently Asked Questions

· What type of photography do you do?

I specialize in customized and unusual portraits and in portfolios for actors, models and dancers. I have spent a number of years doing advertising photography as well as commercial photography including products, construction progress and photojournalism. I still do commercial assignments other than my portrait work but only if the assignment is one that allows me to bring something new and creative to the client.

· What should I wear to a session?

It is best to come to the studio in something that is loose fitting and comfortable. We will discuss the session and decide on how you should do your makeup. After you have applied your makeup and, if necessary, used curlers or a hot iron for your hair, then you will change into the outfit we decide to use for the first shots.

· Is there a place to change clothes?

Yes - there is a large dressing room with a full length mirror and a place to hang the clothes that you bring with you. There is a separate place for you to apply your makeup and do the finishing touches to your hair.

· What can I do to get ready?

Get a good night's sleep and eat a reasonable meal. You should arrive at the photography session well rested and comfortable. Use coffee or soft drinks in moderation before a shoot. Caffeine drinks may make your eyes bloodshot and too much sugar may make you more nervous or even more tired during the shooting.

· How should I fix my hair?

Your hair should have been recently trimmed and styled. On the day of the shoot be sure that your hair is clean. If you prefer, you may finish your hair after you get here. We have curling irons and hot curlers in the studio but you are welcome to bring your own.

· What make-up do I need to bring?

Your makeup will need to be much more dramatic than you use during a work day or school day. You will wear makeup similar to what you would wear to a night club or special party. It is good to have choices of eye shadow and to have your mascara and eyeliner. Lipstick pencils are important to give definition to your lips. You will have to stop at least once to freshen your makeup and we might decide to take off one style and go a different direction for some of the session.

· What outfits should I bring with me?

Bring some of the things in which you feel special. If you have a dress that you wear to feel sophisticated, bring it. If you really really like a particular blouse - bring it. If you feel special in a skirt that you wear to go clubbing - bring it. If you have some old shorts and a halter that you wear to work in the garden but you like the way you feel in it - bring it. If you have a football jersey or an advertising cap (a "gimme cap") that you wear when you are having a good day, bring them. Pin stripe suits, bathing suits, lingerie for intimate portraits, cargo pants, wool sweaters, spike heels, western boots - whatever puts you into a dramatic mood or lets you feel good about yourself is perfect to bring. Props that suit your lifestyle and interests are also helpful. A tennis racket, a nautical chart, a cookbook, ski poles, a garden rake, a "… for Dummies" book about a hobby of yours, all of these things are nice to have around at the time we shoot.

 · May I bring my own music?

Please bring any CD's or cassettes that you really enjoy. The photography session is about you feeling the best you can and my capturing those feelings. Music that enthuses you is good.

· May I bring someone with me to watch the shooting?

Yes, bring anyone with whom you are comfortable. Please do not bring pets, children under 12 or anyone who is not able to stay still for long periods. Your guest will have a chair in the studio to watch while we are shooting and, if you wish, may help you with your clothing changes and makeup. I discourage conversations during the actual shooting but you are welcome to have company with you.

· How long does a session last?

A Regular Session is usually about two hours. A half hour of preparation is first, where you are working on your makeup and hair and we are discussing the goals of the shoot and the things that I think will make it go best. The actual time in the studio, then, is about an hour and a half.

A Long Session is at least four hours and not more than five. There is a half hour of preparation, just as there is in the Regular Session and there will be break of approximately half an hour near the middle of the session. During the break we will discuss the progress and you will have a chance for a cigarette if you'd like and we may use the time to go to an entirely different wardrobe direction. For the Long Session break - you may want some kind of snack to nibble on as well.

· Are there soft drinks there?

We keep several kinds of soft drinks on hand as well as bottled water and some juices. If there is a particular brand or flavor of refreshment that you want to have on hand, just let us know.

· Is there a smoking area?

There is a patio for taking smoking breaks during the session. If you need to stop for a cigarette, please say so

· What if I don't know what kind of pictures I want?

If you do not have particular things in mind before the shoot - then we will simply work from the outfits that you bring and from any ideas that come up as we are visiting and preparing for the shoot. If you have particular celebrities or movie characters that inspire you or whose lives feel like your own - bring pictures of them that you tear out of old magazines. If you see photographs in magazines or newspapers that remind you of yourself or that look the way you feel you would like to look, bring those photos with you for us to discuss.

· Can I get a photo session done outside of the studio?

We often do location photography. The backgrounds add a lot to the photographs. The temperature, humidity, wind and the direction of the sun at different times of day sometimes limit the options for different types of shots. Location shoots are always Long Sessions and sometimes the actual camera time will be no more than an hour and a half of that.

· When can I see proofs?

Generally, your basic set is ready to view within five business days.

· What if I want other enlargements later?

Original files from the session are kept for five years. You can order reprints or enlargements at any time during that time. Files from any particular session will be kept longer at your request, for no additional charge.

· Do you hire models?

Most of my work is custom and creative portraiture. When I do have a commercial assignment, I may hire models for it.

· Do you trade modeling services for the cost of a session?

I will sometimes do Time For CD (TFCD), if the shoot is for a particular artistic project of my own. Inquiries regarding TFCD or TFP may be made by email or regular mail and should include a head shot.