Headshot Photography Session FAQ

+ Understanding the FAQ: Who are the questions geared towards and what is the goal of the FAQ?

The FAQ is mostly geared for those who are new to headshots to fully learn about the whole process and what to expect. If you’re experienced in doing headshots please still take a look, a lot of this may be extremely helpful on a question by question basis and you are required to review policies before booking. A lot of the wording, phrasing and context isn’t quite geared at experienced actors and I want to be able to provide a space where new actors can dive in and understand/learn everything they can BEFORE the shoot so it doesn't feel like such a new/foreign process.

I personally think that many of the FAQs you'll find regarding photography are woefully inadequte and they don't even attempt to explain the reasoning/logic behind any of the policies. New clients just see a bunch of rules with no context OR some extremely generic advice that probably hurts as much as it helps. You typically don't really get much info at all about how the photographer works or what their shooting philosophy even is. I do NOT hide opinions and try to paint a rosy picture to lure people to book with sweet words and cute visuals. Everything in the FAQ is geared towards two main principles: helping clients understand policies and helping clients avoid mistakes. None of my policies are outside of industry norms and a vast majority of them are actually quite actor friendly. I do NOT act like headshots are a simple thing and that if you book me I'll be able to magically take care of everything. I probably could, but as you'll see in the FAQ (and if you end up booking in my guide) there are a LOT of moving parts to this. This is ulimately why I have great success and so many happy clients; I acknowlege the challenges, provide practical information to help as much as possible and excecute the vision as well as I can the day of the shoot. I also have an amazing assistant who is always happy to help and she is constantly in contact with me if she is unsure how to answer your question. I sign off on every email that has technical answers.

The FAQ is long, detailed and should have everything you need. The goal of this is so that come shoot day there are literally zero unanswered questions. You can come right in ready to go.

All clients should be 18+ and will be treated as such. I typically will assume clients know everything on this FAQ unless I’m told otherwise or unless you let me know that something doesn’t make sense. I’m also going to assume the clients are ready to start auditioning and have a good understanding of acting- again if you do not please let me know so I can approach the shoot in accordance to your experience level. By default I avoid lecturing, belittling or assuming clients do not know what they’re doing or are not capable of having a vision for themselves. A lot of my clients are experienced actors and it’s important for them to be treated like so and with the amount of respect an experienced working professional should expect.

If you are NOT an experienced actor this is a super fun time to start your career and learn a lot and I’m happy to be a part of that and help. Any questions or concerns should be forwarded to my email whenever they come up if it’s not addressed by the FAQ- especially questions that would be specific to your shoot.

I do not expect clients to be experts in photography, lighting, makeup, wardrobe or backgrounds the same as I wouldn’t expect a client would think I’m an expert at what it takes to do an epic monologue or be on stage. If you have a hard time explaining something, don’t know something or are struggling on something after reading the material let me know and I can help fill in the blanks as best I can. Usually sending reference photos or visuals can help. Explaining your concerns in detail- even if it doesn’t make sense to you will probably make sense to me and there will have probably been countless other people who’ve had the same concerns addressed previously.

For those who don’t understand anything on the FAQ, or didn’t have time to read it outside of the required policies that’s totally fine and I’ll get you up to speed on shoot day. Just be honest with me and let me know what you’ve already read or didn’t read so I know where and how to help.

+ What is your shooting philosophy? How do you approach the shoot itself? What is your personality like during shoots?

This is very important because it only helps if clients know what to expect going into the shoot. Once in a while people get in their head and they're thinking "why is this guy so calm, why are things going so smoothly" and people overthink it WAY too much.

The way I approach headshots comes down to acknowledging and adhering to what I consider three facts about headshots:

• The subject needs to be COMPLETELY comfortable. Comfortable enough doesn’t cut it. “I think they’re comfortable because they say they’re comfortable” isn’t good enough. The subject needs to feel as if they can do anything without judgement or without being looked at.
• Expressions need to be natural. I’d rather take shots that have less variety of expression that are true to the subject than waste time trying to force a bunch of expressions for the sake of “variety” when you know damn well you’re probably going to use one of the more subtle shots anyway.
• It needs to be done as quickly as possible; with as little wasted time and as few mistakes as possible because the subject will get fatigued otherwise.

To accomplish the first thing, the actor is never going to be fully comfortable if I’m spending the shoot telling them what they’re doing wrong.

Of COURSE I’m going to give feedback if things are obviously wrong; hair, makeup, wardrobe are things that I get really focused on. But I’m not going to nitpick, I don’t make comments on people’s appearance and if someone looks uncomfortable I’m not going to say “wow you look uncomfortable”. That’s something a LAZY photographer would do because they lack the emotional intelligence to make the environment comfortable for the subject in the first place. OR they don’t understand how they can redirect the situation to make someone comfortable so they just dump the issues with the shoot on the subject.

Also, I'm not your acting coach. I'm not here to critique your career. That should be done another day; expecting to do that on the day you're getting pictures taken of yourself is a crazy thing. Your headspace shows through the pictures.

There’s an alternative way to do things: I provide a calm, peaceful, confident energy for people to feed off of, positive feedback and a LOT of patience. This is why I don’t recommend a 30-minute or 1 look session to new clients. I’d rather patiently wait for 20-30 minutes for the subject to settle into a shoot than try to dance around and do a bunch of games to get a good expression out of them. How is someone going to settle in if I'm immediately pointing out their flaws? It doesn't matter how nice I say it; subconsciously it says to the subject “I must be doing really bad if he needs to do all that to make it work”. The subject starts to do WORSE and whatever naturalness they have disappears because they start to rely completely on me for the expression because at this point they’re checked out.

That said, my general style is DEFINITELY different from other photographers and I think you can probably understand this just by looking at my portfolio. I’m VERY focused during a shoot. I’m actually changing the lighting, changing the background, changing the depth of field and making sure each look really speaks on its own. I'm a true photographer at my core. I’m not just keeping the same light up on the same settings while swapping out the background paper and expecting the actor to do all the work to provide all the variety from look to look. All the while, I have a razor-sharp eye on wardrobe, hair, makeup, demeanor and expression. I approach this very similarly to how I approached my previous career as a Fire Command Officer.

If it turns out that you DO need direction, I can do that too. It's genuinely extremely easy to give you a few thought experiments or some expression ideas. It's not the best way to get natural looks or expressions but it's better than no direction or leaving clients to fail. I've seen some of the MOST nervous people go from stiff to really loose an natural when you just give them the time and space and allow them to just exist in an area where they can move, experiment and be free without feeling watched or critiqued. In fact- it's usually the nervous people who benefit the most from having quiet, anything goes, wide open space so I always let that happen first before injecting a bunch of outside interfere into your photos. I give a very long time before interfereing, especially if I'm seeing improvement- it's very imporant to not interfere while someone is naturally improving unless I have a genuinely good idea or unless I'm moving positioning or posing or the setup in general. Waylon will probably side eye you but only because he wants tummy rubs and while you're busy taking photos.

I also put a massive lighting empahasis on the eyes. You'll see it in the photos and it's extremely common positive feedback. When your eyes are glowing and alive as they are with the lighting I have, you just don't even have to work that hard to get there (I genuinely think that sometimes you don't have to do anything sometimes). You'll see this in some of the pictures I take of waylon- he's literally just sitting on the stool waiting for a treat or just looking at me waiting for more direction with no expression but people often describe his look as "soulful, deep, beautiul etc". That moment isn't ruined by trying to force some wierd look or angle. I've done this with my own photos plenty of times, it's gotten extremely easy: I just stand there, look at the camera comfortable without forcing anything MAYBE focus the eyes a little and it just works.

During the shoot I’m not the “loud/obnoxious” guy. I’m not going to pressure you or guilt-trip you into having fun. I’m calm, steady, focused, confident and empowering the person I’m working with. I'm really making sure I'm not overwhelming you and just being chill and present for you. I’m chatting the whole time and having a conversation because I want the subject to be distracted (and not feel like they're just standing there in front of a camera).

The process works for 99.9% of my clients because they can just feel this by looking at my portfolio and that’s why they’re drawn to work with me but it DOESN’T work for the general public. If you feel like you absolutely need a high-energy, a bunch of specfic direction, a loud environment and you prioritize it over the final result, that's totally okay but I’m not your person. My process ONLY works if the subject trusts me.

+ Do you provide or recommend a hair/makeup artist? Can I bring a makeup artist?

I have a referral list for hair and makeup- this is extremely underrated, but it’s one of the biggest perks of working with me. Since I don’t set the makeup artist’s rates, I can work with pretty much anyone I want to. My referral list is full of extremely talented artists who do outstanding work, have VAST experience shooting headshots, will find a replacement for you if anything happens, do natural makeup, and can work on ALL skin types with ease. AND you get to pick the person you vibe with, you’re not stuck with the person who happens to be at the studio. Prices range from $125 to $400. The people I recommend are INCREDIBLE people, with great talent and very fair prices, and I really don't recommend booking someone not on my list. The people I recommend will also find replacements for you in case they can't make the shoot. I take responsibility for them. In the very rare case that they cancel at the last minute and we can't get a replacement, I'll get you rescheduled, and you will not be penalized for that. I do not take responsibility for makeup artists who are not on my list, so keep that in mind if you're bringing someone outside of my recommendations.

In general, my policy is to do whatever I can to help you while you contact makeup artists on my list. If you need to move your session time a little to make it work with an artist you really want to work with, I'll do my very best to make it work. I can reschedule you completely with two weeks' notice. If this is intimidating for any reason, email my assistant, and we will be happy to assist. If you decide that at the very last minute you want a makeup artist, that's not very smart, but we'll still help get someone in for you ASAP as long as it's within my assistant's hours (I respect her free time so much that I've literally never contacted her on a weekend). Please keep in mind, the makeup artists I work with are booked too; they're awesome and in high demand, don't wait until last minute.

Regarding makeup; if during the shoot there’s something you don’t like, you need to tell us, and please trust me that this is NOT a bad thing at all. We actually expect this, and it’s quite routine, honestly. Makeup is personal, and we are here for YOU. The artists on my list are NOT here to make a statement; they all genuinely want you to feel like yourself, and that’s why I love them. Adjustments are easy to make and if you don’t even know what you want changed, we’ll use our expertise to try to figure out what it is.

If opting out of makeup, please note that you're putting that responsiblity 100% on yourself and it limits my ability to point out hair/makeup issues. Without a hair/makeup artist on set I now need to judge for myself if you have the tools and abilities on you to make the corrections that are needed. If I point out an issue that CANNOT be fixed- clients start fixating on that for the rest of the shoot so I tend to only point out obvious, easily correctable issues whereas if a makeup artist is on set, I recommend those that have the kits that generally have everything I could possibly want to make any correction I need, you do not have that luxury doing hair/makeup yourself.

I do recommend makeup artists for a few situations:

• If you’re someone who feels more like themselves while wearing makeup (this is common and totally acceptable!)

• If you can afford and prefer the convenience of having someone do hair/makeup

• If your looks require specific hair/makeup that you’re not capable of doing yourself

• If your manager wants you to hire a HMUA.

• If you’re looking for personal branding photos for your website/social media. Good hair/makeup will REALLY help these photos pop!

• If you want your photos to have an extra "pop"

• If you just want to look good or you're doing stuff more for PR/Social media, its needed for studio shoots

I recommend NOT hiring a makeup artist if you are comfortable doing makeup yourself, you have overall good skin and hair, you have good knowledge, the idea of making corrections doesn't intimidate you AND if you already have a makeup look that you do routinely that you know works. Doing makeup for headshots really doesn't really require special work- it just requires knowing what looks natural and elevated on yourself, maybe with a little extra blush.

+ Do sessions require a retainer? Am I allowed to reschedule? What is the cancellation policy?

Every session requires a retainer to hold the date. For all headshot sessions, I require a 50% retainer. It’s important to note that retainers are not refundable once you commit. The retainer will be forfeited in the case of a cancellation, lateness beyond 30 minutes, or no-shows. You may reschedule the session once with at least 7 days (168 hours from the appointment time) notice and apply the retainer to the rescheduled date. Rescheduling in my 7-day window from the shoot date incurs a $150 rescheduling fee. It’s important to note that the rescheduling fee is implemented so you do NOT lose your retainer. Instead of unreasonably taking the full retainer, I created the rescheduling fee to be a fair middle ground.

If you reschedule the day of or the day before the shoot, your retainer will be forfeited, and you will have to book a completely new appointment

Bereavement for immediate family is considered on a case-by-case basis for obvious reasons, as it’s very weird to put a time frame on that- but I’m going to do everything I can to help there.

I will not hold a new date until the rescheduling fee is paid. You may only reschedule the shoot once. If you can’t show up to the second date, you will forfeit the retainer. Those who reschedule are highly likely to do so again. If the session is more than a month out, it won’t count towards the previously stated allotment. I can still easily fill those slots.

You have 30 days to pick a new appointment date once you notify me of your intent to reschedule. If there’s some kind of hold up, please let me know so my assistant and I can help.

You can make any adjustments or cancel the shoot (with retainer returned) within 24 hours of the time of booking.

For giveaways or comped shoots, rescheduling within 1 week of the shoot date forfeits the session completely. Again, odds are pretty slim that I'm able to fill a slot and give the other actor less than a week to prepare. Dedicateding 2 slots to a comped shoot just doesn't work compared to the aamount of available sessions I provide per week.

05/20/2026 update: I’m just realizing that I’ve never had a policy for what happens if I cancel or reschedule on YOU. I’ve never had a policy for the simple reason that after 1,500 shoots, I’ve quite literally never rescheduled/canceled on someone at the last minute. If I ask you to cancel/reschedule your shoot at ALL and you can’t make it to ANY new time, I will pay you back the cost of the retainer. But I’ll do whatever I can to get you into a new slot, even if it needs to be after hours or on my days off. Dead simple. I respect your time; hopefully, the same is returned. I understand that you’re making arrangements as well. If I’m asking to cancel or reschedule without exception, something very serious has happened, or I’m very sick.

When you create the appointment, you must acknowledge that you understand all of these policies. I cannot provide a refund to people who did NOT read the FAQ and later decide they disagree with the policies after booking. If you are unsure about anything, please email me.

Understanding Policies:

When you book a session, I stop offering that time to anyone else. Unlike a product, that appointment cannot be resold after the date passes. Because headshots require clients to coordinate haircuts, wardrobe, makeup, and schedules in advance, last-minute openings are difficult to refill. The retainer protects the reserved time, not just the final photos.

I'm only doing two shoots per day and only one of those is a longer session. I’m not packing in as many actors as I can like an assembly line, and rescheduling/cancellations affect me more because of that- there are simply fewer slots to absorb the hit. I do not force you to hire my hair/makeup artist so that also means I can't just shuffle appointments around as they all have their own unique needs and logistics with different people. Since the rescheduling fees are already so lax in comparision to the damage rescheduling creates, there is zero room for exception unless for obviously very, very serious events. There are many studios that charge the full balance of the shoot in the days leading up to the shoot, which means that you'd be out of the full balance of the shoot depending on when you rescheduled had you booked there. My policies are much more relaxed. It's expected for you to inform your management of your headshot obligation so they don't double book you, I am not responsible for those who do not do so. Since it is standard to notify agents/management of auditions, it's typically easy to get the audition moved to better time as it is a obligation casting understands. Remember; late minute rescheduling puts me out of work for half a day, I'd hope the clients respect the time I've been holding typically for weeks for them.

On the back end; if something legitimate comes up that requires rescheduling, nothing will be held against you and I'll be excited to work with you when the new slot comes up. Rescheduling happens through my assistant Bianca, who is very responsive to make that as easy as possible. You do not need to provide a reason for rescheduling.

The fee lets you keep your retainer and transfer it to the new date rather than losing it completely. We've found that those who reschedule once typically end up with about a 40% chance of needing to reschedule a second time so that's why we have that limitation, losing two slots over the same person is a risk I cannot take.

Day-before and same-day cancellations are treated as cancellations because I won't even attempt to fill the spot at that point as it's virtually impossible. The retainer does NOT transfer to a new appointment.

+ What is a look? Does layering count?

What counts as one look?

One look includes one top, one lighting setup, and one background combination.

Headshots and artists portraits do NOT fall under the same look. If you'd like portraits or PR images this falls under a seperate look. Always feel free to clarify with me before booking or before a shoot. I'm happy to help, policies aren't here to make life difficult, I just want to preserve quality and give each look the time it takes without frantically trying to force a bunch of stuff within stated guidelines and pushing polcies as far as they can go every look- that gets exhausting and really wipes my own creative thinking and ability during a shoot. It gets more exhausting for the client who'll typically lose their luster quicker than I lose steam. Having an obnoxious amount of photos also makes editing a consistent gallery VERY difficult.

I'm very aware that a lot of people aren't aware of what the difference is between an artist portrait and headshot and where the lines blur, so again please reach out because I'm happy to help clarify for your individual vision. I really try to get a lot out of what I consider in the "headshot" realm so don't be afraid to ask- it's just not a great idea to expect things without asking. That's what Bianca & I are here for

I generally aim to photograph approximately 100 images per look, so the available time needs to be divided thoughtfully. PR, branding, or portrait images may count as a separate look if they require a change in lighting or background.

Can I add or remove a layer during a look?

In general, adding or removing a clothing layer counts as a new look. This policy exists because layering can quickly turn one planned look into several substantially different wardrobe concepts.

That said, I always apply common sense.

For example, removing a blazer from a professional outfit without changing the hair, makeup, or overall intention of the images is usually fine. However, removing the blazer specifically to transform the concept from professional to editorial would be considered a new look.

There is naturally some gray area, and the final determination is at my discretion. I am very fair about this, and the goal is not to give anyone a hard time. The goal is simply to make sure every client receives the time and attention included in the package they booked.

Can I change my wardrobe after seeing test images?

Yes. You may change your wardrobe after the first one or two test images if something clearly is not working. Those test photographs will be deleted and will not count as part of the finished look.

Once we have approved the setup and begun photographing the look, however, you cannot change your mind and restart it with another outfit. Please speak up immediately if you have concerns about the wardrobe, lighting, hair, or makeup.

Can I change my hair or makeup during a look?

Each look allows room for one small hair or makeup adjustment. Examples might include putting the hair up, adding a braid, or making a small makeup change.

We cannot make several different changes and then photograph a complete new set after each adjustment. We may take a few test images to see how an idea photographs, but once we begin shooting the final version of the look, we cannot repeatedly change it and start over.

If you are planning any adjustment during a look, please tell me before we begin so I can divide the time and image count appropriately.

How many images are photographed per look?

I generally aim to photograph approximately 100 images during each look.

That number includes the different poses, crops, expressions, and reasonable variations we create within the setup. If you are planning a wardrobe layer, hair adjustment, chair setup, or other variation, it is important to mention it before we begin so I can allocate the session time properly. Final delivery will include 50-100 images, depending on how many get cut, they get cut if I deem them unasable.

What about major hair changes?

Please notify me in advance if you are planning a significant hair change during your session.

In most sessions, we can accommodate one major change, such as adding extensions, curling, straightening, or blowing out the hair. Larger changes require additional time and may affect the number or order of looks we can complete.

If you are unsure whether your plans will fit within the session, please let me know before the shoot. Bianca and I are always happy to help you plan it.

+ Is there a time limit on looks based sessions?

Yes, typically I'm doing multiple shoots per day (2 or 3) so we don't have unlimited time for each shoot, we'll both get fatigued and it's not fair for my other clients. However, the goal of the looks-based sessions is to not feel as time-crunched as time-based sessions, so if you do have concerns that your plan may take longer (a lot of hair/makeup changes for instance) just let me know beforehand and I'll try to adjust my schedule accordingly by seeing if I can slot you in earlier or later. I avoid client overlap at all costs, while common in the industry, I think it's unacceptable to have someone coming in while you're still shooting and doing so requires not overbooking and good schedule management- so please keep me posted!

+ How do you help clients prepare for their shoot? What are your wardrobe recommendations? What do you recommend would help me get ready for my session?

All clients who book with me receive my guide, which covers everything I can think of.

This is an easier way to do things because there is SO MUCH info that I have available that I would be on the phone for hours with each client if I were to consult each person individually.

That is TOO MUCH information for someone to take in at once, so I have everything written down in a guide that clients can access at their convenience.

The guide works for everyone, whether it's their first session or if they've been doing headshots for years. If you've been doing this for years, please don't overlook it. If you have your process and know what you're doing, I respect that but at least take a glance at it. I constantly update the guide if I find any bit of knowledge that can be of help. Clients that don't read the guide end up being dramatically unprepared compared to the ones that do. I don't even need to ask if people have read it or not because I know.

In short, the guide covers the following:

Creative direction Wardrobe Hair/Makeup Hiring Professional Hair/Makeup Posing

If you have more specific questions I'm more than happy to answer those! That's what I'm here for! I often pick out wardrobe once I can actually see it in person and give makeup advice if I feel like something can be better.

I just can't direct or dictate your shoot from scratch.

I also ask/request for moodboards before each shoot; these are optional but the more detail the better. It's not required and if you just screenshot a few shots you like from my portfolio that helps WAY more than nothing. I also love to see old headshots or just general pictures of you so I can get an idea of what worked in the past and what didn't and start a little bit of a color analysis. I can't do a full color analysis until you're in my studio with my lighting, it's just too hard to do accurately and a wrong result will steer you wrong. Before each shoot I'm studying that moodboard and photos and the questions on your appointment form so I can be prepared. I have a slightly annoying request about clients not showing up before their appointment time and this is excatly why. I'm usually spending that time digging into all their info so it's as fresh in my head as possible.

+ What are acting headshots?

An acting headshot is a professional portrait made specifically for getting you considered for acting work. It’s usually a color photo framed around your head and shoulders or upper chest, with the attention on your face, eyes, and expression. It should clearly show your current appearance while giving someone a sense of your personality and presence.

You use these photos on casting websites, when submitting for roles, and when reaching out to agents and managers. When you or your representation submit you for a project, your headshot appears alongside your other materials, such as your résumé and acting footage. It’s often the first thing someone sees, sometimes as a very small thumbnail among a lot of other submissions. They need to be able to quickly picture you as someone who could fit the role.

That’s where the choices during the shoot become important. Wardrobe, hair, makeup, lighting, background, and expression all affect how you come across. A casual, approachable photo gives a different impression than a more polished, authoritative one. Both can be completely natural to you, but they may be useful for different submissions. Having a few options gives you and your representation more flexibility.

You’ll usually hear headshots described as commercial or theatrical. Commercial headshots are used for advertising work and commonly emphasize warmth, personality, and approachability. Theatrical headshots are used for film, television, and theater, with the direction depending on the kinds of roles you’re pursuing. There’s plenty of overlap, and the right expression depends on the person and the intended use.

The limitation is that we’re communicating all of this through one still image with very little context. Your face needs to stay clear, your expression needs to be believable, and the styling and retouching need to represent how you actually look. A headshot can suggest where you might fit, but your footage and audition show how you perform. You don’t need one photo to explain everything you’re capable of doing.

+ What do you shoot with?

I have a Nikon Z8, Canon R6 MK II, Fuji GFX 100S II and a Sony A7RV. The Nikon is used the most, I love that color science and if it leans to red for a specific client I move to the Canon. The Fuji is amazing for more artsy headshots or portaits but can be a real pain to use. My Sony system is mostly for myself and for video. That system has really unique lenses I love to use and sometimes adapt to the Nikon.

I'm going to gatekeep my main lens because it's a freaking gem- but I have a large variety of 85mm 1.8 AND 1.4 lens. 50mm lens and on Cannon an EF 70mm 2.8 Macro that I love.

For film, the main camera is a Pentax 645N and the 35mm cameras are a pair of Nikon F100s.

+ Do you only work with actors?

Yes, I have very limited availability and all of my systems, lighting, guides and processes are for acting headshots only.

+ What is the difference between editing and retouching?

Okay, honestly kind of sad that I even have to address this because this hasn't been a big issue until recently. But there are photographers in LA telling clients that they are giving them "unedited" photos and they've clearly been edited. It's just flat out wrong information, very misleading, and as you'd expect that's pretty dang confusing for people. But the short, simple versions:

Editing: any color, lighting adjustments, sharpening and all other basic adjustments usually done in Lightroom or Capture One. Also called color grading. All my photos come edited. Individual retouching is separate.

Retouching: a more advanced form of editing, also known as photoshopping, usually sold individually or part of a package. This includes blemish removal, teeth whitening, skin smoothing, eye enhancement and all other more detailed, individual tweaks in Photoshop. This gives images a nice final polish- more information can be found on retouching below.

+ How much does retouching cost, do any of the sessions include retouching?

Retouching is a flat rate of $40 per image. To keep my prices lower than everyone else in the same tier of quality, I don't include any retouches with any session.

As of 2026- my process, recommendation and view on retouching has changed a LOT. I actually now highly recommend retouching for all images. The lighting and style I use now has more definition, realism and more of an overall pop; but with more depth it tend to emphasize more flaws (under eye, side lighting empahizing bumps etc). The opposite would be flat lighting, but its hard for a flat image to look good and espically to stand out. Even unretouched, people react more positively to the images with depth/pop/flaws than images that are flat and but more clean.

Additionally with the rise of AI slop and garbage retouching found everywhere, I do it myself now and do it very detailed so it doesn't look fake. I'm not focused on creating a look with retouching, AI slop has made realism more coveted than ever. My goal is to reduce micro distractions in the image to the point that it polishes up extremly well and has a really professional, real result. The big things I'm looking for- pimples, flakes, marks that arent natural, undereye, werid transitions in lighting (espically side lit and dramatic shots) hairs that stick out too much (not always flyaways though as they can be natural) veins in eyes, localized skin tone issues and whitening yellow teeth. IF it's possible to do more advanced color grading I will do that as well- this is more rare though.

BIG CAVEAT: IF you're someone who prefers a heavier hand with retouching please let me know first. I don't mind at all- it's actaully easier to do a heavy retouch vs a suble one and I'm happy to do what makes you happy.

At $40 it's a heck of deal and this is something that bogs up a LOT of my time. I think clients deserve retouching that's accessible price wise, so I remain committed to doing it at a low price point and doing it myself. That said, I can't discount at all, not even bundles.

IF you know how to retouch or if you have retouchers you work with, that's actually fine by me. It's not recommended but my goal is always to not make things more difficult than it needs to be and to have common sense policies.

+ Do you do any model shoots? PR type shoots?

In general, not for random people. I prefer to work with actors, and my studio is currently set up specifically for headshots. That said, if I've worked with you before and you need some PR shots, there's a good chance that I'd be able to work something out for you! Just email me, and we can set that up. Heck, even if you're a friend of a client who has a good relationship with me, that's enough. It's a lot of fun! This is where my 35mm or medium format film offerings REALLY shine.

If you're already in a modeling agency and you were referred to me, please feel free to reach out to me! I always love working with quality referrals.

I just try to avoid doing model/PR shoots for entirely random people because it's always disastrous (people trying to take advantage of my pricing because photographers who focus on models charge more because it's a more involved process).

+ Can you waive the rescheduling fee?

I can waive the rescheduling fee if you find a replacement for your session!

The policies regarding retainers and rescheduling are extremely strict, with only the exceptions described in this FAQ. All of my deliverables and policies are extremely actor friendly, especially when you start comparing them to other studios. I just expect people to show up to a time they committed to and be on time. With my previous career, if I was a single minute late I would automatically get written up. That previous career gave me the tools both mentally and physically to be here right now.

In order to give me time to edit photos and have a quick turnaround, I typically accept 1-2 full sessions per day, occasionally adding a 30-minute session. Every instance of rescheduling typically costs me way more than the fee costs. Please be professional and prompt in communicating with me if anything comes up and treat your appointment like it’s a booked job.

+ Do you have any financing options?

Yes!

PayPal & Afterpay offer monthly payment options for up to 12 months, pending credit approval.

They both have the "Pay in 4" feature that lets you make 4 biweekly payments.

You can use PayPal in the scheduler on the website for the deposit only. If you'd like to finance the whole shoot, it's best to contact me first.

+ Can I see the photos as we take them?

Yes! The photos will be tethered over to a laptop and large screen where you can see instantly see the photos AND the adjustments that I make to them. This will also allow you to make any hair/makeup/posing changes if there’s something that you don’t like. There’s also a mirror where you take the pictures to help with making changes. I upgraded to a HUGE OLED display, its sick, it's absolutely beautiful and it really allows you to see what's going on and make adjustments as needed- you're not in the dark!

+ What is your typical turnover time?

Since I keep the number of daily sessions low and sessions are typically quick & efficient, I typically deliver the Hi Res & Low Res photos the next business day but at night, typically 5-9pm. Wednesday shoots are the exception: those photos are delivered on Monday unless you purchase same-day delivery. Editing happens very briefly in between shoots if there is time but mostly after the shoots are wrapped up, the photos also need to have time to upload and be double and triple checked. There are typically hundreds of them so they get checked throughout the day and a couple of times after uploading for the best consistency possible given the amount. This is NOT a guaranteed delivery date. Shoots can run long, I can lose power or internet service or have personal emergencies. If something happens I will let you know, you don't need to check in on me unless you don't receive the images by 9:30pm-10pm (I've needed to send photos that late before, it takes time).

Also; it is virtually impossible to match exposure exactly the same throughout hundreds of images. I come pretty damn close, but there isn't a scientific reference point to match a photo's exposure to the next and perceived brightness is affected by ambient brightness of the room you're in, the type of screen technology of the device you're viewing on and for me, the background of the border/program I'm editing with. There is AI tech that can match exposure of images- it does an unbelievably bad job compared to me doing it myself manually.

Retouches take 2-3 weeks, I really take a long time working on those, I wish I could do it faster, I've been searching for a solution for years but it either makes it more expensive for you, makes it AI retouching or outsources it and lowers the quality and finishing. Expedited service for retouches is offered at an extra cost based on availability.

+ Do you have any pets at the studio?

Yes! My dog Waylon is here. He is a small Cavapoo and he absolutely loves people. If you have any issues with dogs (such as being allergic), please let me know beforehand so I can make sure he's crated during the session. If you have a severe allergy to dogs it may not be a good idea to book with me, unfortunately. Waylon is extremely smart, if you love dogs, he'll be your best friend during the shoot, if you don't love dogs he'll say hi but kind of get the point and hang out by himself- you won't even have to really communicate that to me; he understands and he does this on his own.

+ How many different background options do you have? Where do you shoot?

I have over 100 different background colors to choose from including 70+ custom hand painted canvas options (these cost $300-$500 EACH but I love them). It's kind of needed too. There are SO many different skin types, hair colors and eye colors and when you combine that with wardrobe you have infinite combinations. Honestly I could have more but the studio would be taken over with backgrounds. You don't need to worry about backgrounds- I'll figure that out for you. I may ask for the general vibe or color that you're looking for but I'll still get the right tone. I have way more options than other studios and here is a category that I don't think is even close.

I shoot most of my images in the studio, but we can also go outside and shoot around the Art District. There is a TON of outdoor options around here and usually some really nice lighting.

+ Do you have a phone number that I can contact you with?

I no longer have a publicly listed phone number. I used to have one posted everywhere, but since I’m a business it ends up getting completely full with spam calls and for the people that aren’t spam- they’re usually calling me when I’m with a client and unavailable. I typically answer my emails immediately if it’s within business hours. If you have my number, please text before calling- I don’t want clients that are in the studio being interrupted as it’s not fair to them. Also, to be fully transparen't, it's extremely easy to forget what was spoken over the phone. When we email I have a full record of the conversation that I can look back on before the shoot for a full refresher. You will receive my number in a reminder the day before the shoot in case of an emergency or if you need to contact me getting to the studio.

+ Do you play music during the shoot?

Yes of course! Feel free to send me any playlists or recommendations! It's super fun to make a playlist for the shoot too! Or you can send me your spotify profile. Or I have some playlists made for shoots with all the bops that I love. Spotify has the best connectivity but I can also play Apple Music or YouTube. The speaker system is sick. Good music and good vibes on shoot day! If you're nervous or new, music or soundtracks can also get you into the zone you need to be in.

+ Can I take BTS photos/videos in the studio?

Absolutely! This is encouraged too, I’d love if you tag my Instagram @headshotsbymatt or Tiktok @marcheski

+ What happens if I no-show my appointment?

This is probably one of the worst things that can happen to a photographer. Not showing up to your appointment makes you 100% responsible for damages to Matt Marcheski Photography for affecting the time allotment for appointments and a loss in productivity. Clients that don’t show up to their appointment will lose their retainer and may not be able to book again pending review of circumstances. If you ask to reschedule but don’t confirm the rescheduling arrangement with us before your appointment and don’t attend, you will be considered a no-show. Once your rescheduling request is confirmed, the 30-day window to choose a new date still applies, even if your original appointment date passes. Any applicable rescheduling fee must be paid before I hold the new date. You are considered a no-show if you arrive 15 minutes late without any notice. Clients that are 30 minutes late with notice may be considered a no-show. If there are any issues on the day of the shoot or the day before, please communicate with me as I'll do whatever I can within my reasonable power to get things right.

If you're late please don't sweat it- just let me know of your arrival time and I'll make sure to have everything ready to go BEFORE you arrive to save some time. I normally setup when people arrive to see what they're wearing and the type of lighting/background I need, so just let me know the first look and I can save a good amount of time just like that. I get that things happen and I can usually speed things up a little to make up for lost time. If you're going to be 5 minutes late or less there's really little need to even let me know, I probably won't even notice but a heads up never hurts too! Lateness cuts into session time but it ends there, Waylon won't care that you're late and you definitely won't hear anything about it from me (outside maybe a reminder that we'll start asap) so please don't stess.

+ Do you hop on a call or video call before each shoot?

No. My preparation guide is more effective than a call. If you need more extensive help beyond that guide, an acting coach or wardrobe stylist may be the right person to work with. It would be comical for me to claim to do what an acting coach or wardrobe stylist can do in just a quick call, but my guide gets into why this is a problem. A lot of photographers will claim "oh don't worry, I'll figure that out all for you!" and that's when you get the cookie cutter results we ALWAYS see. I'm not going to lie to clients that are maybe a little unsure to con them into booking a shoot. EVERYONE is unsure before a shoot. It does require a little bit of planning on the client's side and my material equips and empowers ANYONE to handle that.

I do like to learn everything possible about my clients; which you'll see in the booking process and my guide gives you more ideas about how you can forward your vision to me if you have one. If you don't have a vision for your shoot that's fine too! I'll get you some good basics to start with!

Before each shoot, I reread all of the communication that I had with the client as a quick refresher. If we did a call instead, I typically DON’T have that information available and in front of me and it just ends up being counter-intuitive.

That said, please don't be afraid to ask whichever questions you need to my email. If Bianca isn't sure she texts me and we can have an answer for quite literally any question you have. While my days don't have the time to accomadate calls between shooting, editing, cleaning, file management, social media and trying to find time to eat at some point; between either Bianca or myself we aim for a 2 business hour response time, which usually takes longer if it needs my review.

+ Do you provide discounts?

For return clients yes!

10% for the 2nd shoot 15% for the 3rd and beyond

The discount for the full session gets taken off when you pay the balance. I'm not sure why my scheduling system, Acuity, stopped reducing the retainer amount when using a coupon code but they did so the retainer reflects full price. I don't love that, Acuity has been amazing but that's been weird. So far it hasn't been an issue but if it is, please let me know. I love working with return clients and I'm always happy to apply it. You don't even have to mention it anymore, just make sure you answer the appointment form accurately and I'll put in the discount day of the shoot!

+ Can I provide feedback during the shoot?

Absolutely!!! You're going to be the one using these photos, not me. I want you to be happy with them, you should always feel like these shots look like you. I very much prefer when this happens. You can even show me photos in my portfolio and I’ll try my best to replicate them. Alternatively, you can show me your past headshots and what you DO and DON’T like about them. Typically, the only time that someone has a negative experience is when they hold their tongue and DON’T provide any feedback until they’re gone. Please let me know if there’s anything in my control that you do or don’t like during a shoot. Some examples:

You don’t like the background.

The lighting is too hard or too soft

There’s too much or not enough shadowing in the light.

You feel like your hair, makeup or wardrobe needs to be adjusted.

I show the photos as we shoot so I can make any adjustments if necessary. During a shoot, it’s important to review the photos constructively. Negative and self-deprecating talk can quickly derail a shoot and lower your self-esteem.

I can do literally anything with the lighting; if I can't, I can explain to you why. I won't be upset if you don't like something because I have the ability to fix it with ease.

If you make a suggestion, I typically will describe why a setup was created because everything has a purpose for casting that you may not know about- but that does not mean that I am discrediting your opinion and it's usually an opportunity for me to learn more about what your vision is regarding the shoot. A benefit of hiring me is the experience that comes with shooting a lot of actors and learning what agents, actors, managers and casting directors want.

An example of this- it's common for people to ask me to do closer framing without thinking about needing the room to crop into a square for Actors Access. You might like the feel of a closer frame but agents will find a picture unusable if they can't crop it correctly. If you crop a 2x3 image into a 1x1 aspect ratio you lose 33% of the image area in a photo. If I explain that- it doesn't mean you can't speak up for the rest of the shoot. That back-and-forth is a normal part of collaborating.

If possible, I try to help actors avoid choices that could limit how they can use their photos or limit the flexibility of them. I believe in true collaboration, and explaining those tradeoffs is a healthy aspect of it. However, my ultimate policy is that the actors that I'm working with are adults and they do have final say over the images.

During the shoot- you'll have the ability to pick my brain and learn as much as you can while you're here. Take advantage of that. You're not expected to know as much as I do about photos and you won't be judged about asking questions, that's something I expect to get a good outcome from a shoot.

+ How can I use the images?

In general, you can use them however you’d like. Clients receive a perpetual license to use the images in any way. It helps a TON if you tag my Instagram @mattmarcheski or mention my name if you’re posting on other platforms. If you’re posting to your own website, crediting my work and providing a link to my website helps my website SEO a lot. This isn’t required, nor would I ever chase someone down because they didn’t credit me, but it is always very much appreciated. I DON’T provide a licensing contract, if you’d like one to feel safe, you’re more than welcome to ask and I’ll provide you with one no question at all.

Clients do NOT get the copyright to the images unless something is worked out beforehand BUT does NOT affect your ability to use the images in any way, it does protect me if I ever use them or post them to social media (but I ask for permission from every client while you book!). Also, if you ever get the photos stolen and they get posted online to social media you can contact me and I'll get them taken down.

FOR ANY OTHER SHOOTS, mostly commercial shoots; different licensing terms will almost certainly apply and it gets worked out on a case-by-case basis depending on client need.

If anyone uses these images without your consent and you can't get them taken down please let me know.

+ Where are you located?

In the Arts District in Los Angeles.

+ How do you accept payment?

I accept cash, credit card, Zelle, Paypal, Venmo, Cashapp and Afterpay.

+ What is the "Curated Folder" add-on?

This folder is where I place my hand-picked favorite images from the shoot. I usually take anywhere between 150-500 images per shoot, so it takes QUITE a bit of time to pour over that many images and narrow them down for you.

Typically I end up with 4-6 images per look, but I can do as many or as few as you'd like.

It can be overwhelming for people to see that many images of themselves. It's an excellent option for people who want to skip to the best shots. I've been doing this for a while, and I know what people prefer to see in images. It's excellent non-biased, professional feedback from your shoot.

+ Can I bring a friend to my session?

Yes! I am one of the few photographers that actually allow this. HOWEVER; there is a reason that most photographers don't allow guests; they can easily be a distraction and really take away from your experience in a lot of cases.

Additionally, I highly recommend not bringing an agent or manager unless they were someone who recommended me or is familiar with my process. They tend to be a complete nightmare during shoots, constantly telling their clients that they're not doing enough or asking for weird, over-the-top expressions (it really brings down the confidence of someone getting their shots done constantly being told that they're not good enough). This directly goes against my process- I prefer to give constant positive reinforcement and show the clients what they are doing well. I have exercises that help people who need it, and I'm very aware of how much I can get out of each person for their experience level. I don't ask people for more than I think they can give and that's why the photos all look personal and natural. Lighting and backgrounds do WAY more to tell a story than a forced, tacky expression. Agents and managers also tend to just stare at their clients, and it makes a lot of people really uncomfortable. If they have any requests I really want to know what it is, but having them there just never helps unless they're there to be positive and reinforcing.

Another type of person I HIGHLY recommend against taking is a parent who is not actively involved in your career. They typically deeply misunderstand acting headshots and end up giving ridiculous feedback that does more harm than good. Also, it depends on your relationship with your parents, but some people are just uncomfortable with their parents around and never fully open up or feel comfortable.

To ensure that this doesn't happen here are a few tips for guests:

• Make sure they realize that they are not the center of attention. I've had clients bring guests that come in and talk to ME so much that the client literally gets left out.

• Make sure that the guest is ONLY there to support you. I've seen clients that bring guests that say things like "I don't like that angle on you" and it ruins the client's confidence or gets them in their head.

• Make sure the guest doesn't make you late or hold things up.

• The guest's input almost always slows things down and wastes time. Optimal results come from JUST the client and I communicating.

There ARE a few times when having a guest is actually quite helpful and I LOVE to have these people here:

• If you're nervous and they're there to unconditionally support you and hype you up and they know you well.

• If they have a role such as styling, touching up makeup, or helping you with posing. (I can help with posing but I am by no means a modeling coach).

+ I'm coming in from out of town, out of state, out of country. Will that be a good idea?

Yes! This is a point of pride for me and it happens quite often! I genuinely don’t think I’ve ever canceled a shoot with a client at the last minute. I take care of my body, I don’t drink often, and I don’t do anything crazy, and with that, I get to be extremely present. You can count on me to be there at your scheduled appointment time. I’m not going to decide that something else is more important for me that day. I think the closest to the shoot I’ve ever asked someone to reschedule was two weeks out, and that was with their express permission; they would not have been moved if they couldn’t. That said, if I do ever cancel or reschedule at the last minute, I can promise something very serious has happened, or that I’m very sick (I very rarely get sick, though), and I’d do everything in my power to compensate you for your lost time AND ENERGY. As I’d expect actors to show up for their appointment, I take it 20x more seriously for me to show up for you and also be on time.

+ Are sessions refundable?

No. Completed sessions are not refundable. You’re expected to voice any concerns you can identify during the shoot. Once I’ve completed an entire shoot, edited and delivered hundreds of images, I can’t go back and change what we photographed. If you have concerns regarding something I have direct control over, please communicate them during the shoot so I have the opportunity to address them. I’m extremely fair and reasonable, and I take my responsibility to you seriously. I need your feedback and cooperation, too. You’ll be able to see the photos in live real time on a very large OLED monitor and they’ll look somewhat similar to the final edited versions (you’ll actually see me editing the photos in real time so I can simulate what a final version will look like). Retouching also fixes a lot of additional concerns you may have, and I recommend it as the finishing step for your selected images (although a lot of clients still like photos unretouched, and you are welcome to use those, too).

If you choose not to hire a hair/makeup artist, you’ll be responsible for your own hair/makeup. I can voice opinions and feedback, but I am not a hair/makeup artist. Your wardrobe, hair, makeup and overall presentation affect the images greatly, and those are things you’re responsible for preparing. The preparation guide that I have goes out of its way and is beyond industry norm to help you there. My goal is to get natural, real expressions and I do not advertise a massive range of expressions as deliverables- in fact I speak against that often. My goal is to get a natural photo of what you actually look like for walking into auditions. If I were running a glam operation I’d have a team of makeup, wardrobe and hair, but that is not my style. It’s important that the session you book matches what you’re looking for. It’s expected that you’ve read the FAQ and understood my shooting style before booking the shoot.

I cannot complete an entire session unaware of any problems, edit hundreds of photos and then neatly organize them on multiple platforms, prepare and clean up the studio for you only to then tell me that there was an issue that they were aware of while we were shooting that a client didn't tell me about after the fact. Assuming that nothing can be done is NOT a valid excuse for a refund. Out of about 1,700 logged clients I've only had 3 ask for a reshoot or refund and all issues could have easily been addressed during the shoot. All three admitted there were issues that could have been easily addressed during the shoot; one even ignored all of my prep material and instructions to accessing the building and then entered my studio immedietely complaining about access to the building.

1 client has been proactively issued a reshoot with film because only half a roll of film was completely botched- I 6x their value on the cost of the film vs what they were comped with without them even needing to ask. Their digital photos were completely fine but I figured that since they came into the shoot expecting quality film photos, a refund of the film was not an acceptable outcome. Again, I'm extremely fair but I do expect good communication so I can even get a fair opportunity to handle issues and issues MUST be vocalized before the end of a shoot.

Photography is a completely subjective meduium. If I was in this for the money I'd just double my amount of bookings available (I constantly need to turn people away because of lack of availbility) and take everyone who reached out to me, not just adult actors.

+ Can I bring a pet to my session?

Yes! My dog Waylon will be here, so if your pet is nervous around other animals it's not a good idea. Also, Waylon is extremely social and playful so if you bring a pet they will probably be running around together and playing which can be distracting, especially during shorter sessions. Make sure the pet is trained and well-behaved. There is a lot of very expensive equipment and you don't want them knocking anything over because it will break.

+ How many headshot sessions do you book per day?

Typically I will book 2-3 per day. The 3rd would be the 30 minute session if I can squeeze it in. This allows me to give full focus on every shoot while also giving me free time during the week for other tasks including, marketing, networking, content creation, social media management, website development, community outreach, test shooting, maintaining the studio and administrative work. Between shooting, editing and finding time to eat that usually leaves about 1-2 hours per day for the other things, so even fitting in a 3rd 30 minute shoot can be very difficult and it affects the next day since there is more editing and administrative work/file management that needs to be done.

I do shoots only 3-4 days out of the week. I lean more on 3 days a week to avoid creative burnout. When I add a 4th day it's normally just a single shoot and sometimes just an hour session. Lately I've been very strict about a 3 day week, since the days usually last about 10-12 hours 4 day weeks can be tough and don't leave me with the creative energy I'd like. This kind of schedule lines up with research I've found about getting peak performance and creativity.

+ Can I wear glasses without it affecting the lighting?

The short answer is yes but there are some caveats to this.

If you have high-quality anti-glare lenses- it typically won’t affect the lighting. If it does, it’s usually easily photoshopped out.

If you DON’T have anti-glare lenses, I can raise the lights above the glasses and shoot them downwards; however, this is really not optimal and affects the quality of the image. A workaround for this would be to find a cheap pair of reading glasses that match your frames and pop the lenses out. It is 100% worth the extra effort to do this.

+ Do you accept tips? Is tipping necessary?

Yes, I accept tips, but it definitely isn't necessary. It's not expected for photographers either, I'm not expecting it at all, but I have enough people who want to send a little extra after a great experience.

+ Do you charge sales tax?

Nope! It's not necessary for this type of service.

+ Who made your website? Who does your SEO?

I do everything! I learned this all myself because I felt like it’s very important to be able to update the website whenever I want. Everything written on this site is all written by me. A large majority of the clients that book me are reading through every word on this site (as they should!), it’s very important that this information is coming directly from me. All of my policies and procedures were created by customer feedback and experience. If I ever feel like a session could have gone smoother, I change my policies to lay the groundwork for a better customer experience in the future. I’m very happy with the current process and the reviews definitely reflect that.

You might have noticed it's a bit harder than you thought to find the right headshot photographer. This is because the skill itself is very hard to learn. The expectation is amazing images, but there are quite a few limitations to achieving this goal because these need to be tools for the actor to get bookings, and there are a lot of guidelines and rules to meet industry standards. A good headshot photographer gets MAXIMUM results regardless of those limitations, and that's just really hard to do and takes experience. It helps going into the shoot if you're aware of that.