Planning Session
Before your photo
shoot I'll coordinate a convenient time to meet with you to get to know you and start planning your shoot. I prefer to meet in person, however if that isnât practical due to your schedule, distance, other commitments or nasty virus situations, we can also meet over the phone, virtually on the web via Skype, Zoom, FaceTime or whatever connects us. For High School Senior portraiture or other imaging work (where the subject is not 18 years of age), I'll need to have at least one parent (both are welcome of course), present at this initial consultation. During this Planning session we can discuss your interests, activities and any ideas you may have on what you'd like to achieve photographically; all so we can translate these into an
actionable plan to create the images that you, your loved ones and family will cherish. Weâll discuss locations, clothing, timing and any concerns or requests. After weâre done, Iâll send you a copy of the plan to review and help you prepare for your shoot.
While the plan may change (and it usually does), it initially helps everyone involved stay on the same page and manage expectations. If you do have an idea before the shoot, please call me so we can include your thoughts and verify the plan. Just remember that any changes you may want to incorporate are absolutely welcome but could impact the plan in ways you might not be aware of so don't hesitate to reach out. Just a reminder, where the subject is not 18 years of age, please make sure at least one parent can be on the call as well.
Portraits, Headshots, Seniors
My process is designed to create a photo shoot and ultimately, unique images that are personalized and artistic, promote your personality and commemorate
what makes you or the occasion special. However, the best outcomes are the result of getting
to know you to allow me to plan so weâre in the right locations, at the right
time, with the right clothing and accessories to achieve your desired look. If you have a theme in mind, don't hold back, let's talk about it!
Locations
Iâd
prefer to be somewhere on location thatâs special to me so my pictures would
have more meaning. Don't discount places like your home, vacation home, places where youâve grown
up or spent a lot of time or places youâve always enjoyed visiting, like a stadium,
field, garden, etc. I have my own favorite locations as well so I can make
recommendations based on what you're looking for and in relative close proximity. While photographing on location is always great, shooting indoors at my studio gives us a whole range of different options.
Clothing
My general
rule for clothing is wear what youâre most comfortable in subject to the look you want to achieve! Extra
outfits are welcome and accessorize as much as you like, again, subject to the look you want to achieve. When shooting on location, the weather will, to a degree, determine the choices you make. Layering helps because you can remove or add as needed. Don't make it harder on yourself by shivering or sweating. Iâll spend time talking about clothing in your consultation and give you my opinions about what to wear and what to avoid so we can integrate this into your photo shoot plan. There are no limits on outfit changes; every situation is different and this is your shoot so I want you to be relaxed and comfortable with the outfits you've chosen. If perhaps there are too
many for the allocated time, Iâll advise you so we can make changes to
the plan as necessary.
Makeup
While this is definitely a personal choice, I recommend that some attention be given to makeup. In my experience, more females than males tend to take advantage of makeup of some type. At times, the weather may influence the use of makeup and makeup use can also be driven by wanting to achieve a certain look. Just remember, if you're coming already "made up" to an on location shoot, make sure you have back up supplies for touch ups as necessary. I can arrange a makeup artist for in studio work at additional cost.
The Shoot
Photo shoots range
anywhere from 1-3 hours in length whether in studio or on location. For location shoots, I prefer to shoot either early morning or later in the day and/or into early evening. Sunlight is less harsh and more flattering at these times. Iâll plan your
shoot to make the best use of natural light and augment when necessary. My aim
is to keep you in front of the camera as much as possible.
The shoot can include on location and studio. Some shoots are completed entirely on location while some are part on location and in studio. I try
to create a unique photo shoot experience for you that will differentiate your
images.
Availability and Waiting List
Photo shoots are scheduled subject to availability and these shoots are usually booked between 3-6 weeks in
advance. On occasion, existing bookings have to be rescheduled and appointment times do open up. Clients are welcome to add their names to a waitlist on a first-in basis and will be notified when these opportunities arise. Mini sessions are scheduled differently for different times of the year and these times and availability are published on this site.
Senior Commission Session
The session fee is not credited towards the purchase of any prints or products. Half of the session fee is collected when I commit to and reserve your photo shoot date on my schedule. The balance of the session fee is due one week prior to the shoot date.
My session fees include:
- consultation with you to discuss and plan your photo shoot
- all inclusive, up to max 4 hours duration (includes travel)
- photographing you in studio, on location or both
- multiple wardrobe changes (private booth for changing will be available on location)
- professional editing (retouching is optional at your request + additional cost)
- private, secure viewing gallery with your finished images can be provided
- low resolution images for sharing or use on social media platforms (up to 6) are included free of charge
- if you would like more than the included 6 free images, they are available for purchase
My commission session fee does not include:
- Any prints, wall art, albums, finished high resolution digital files or any other photographic products
Sessions are priced based on their duration. Minimum session duration is 2 hours, ranging to 3 or 4 hours max.
Rescheduling
The photo shoot
date can be rescheduled at no cost with a minimum notice period of 5 business days. Session fees are forfeited for missed photo shoots or photo shoots
rescheduled with less than the minimum notice period of 5 business days. Forfeiting session fees can be avoided only if I am able to fill your session reschedule request with
another client who is able to complete their shoot earlier than planned, on short notice. Rescheduling a session will always be subject to availability, which may extend up to 6 weeks.
Proofing
If you wish to
preview your images ahead of your ordering session, I can provide your images to
a secure gallery on my website for you to preview. If you choose the
image preview option, the establishment of your own private gallery is free, however Iâll require a $350 advance on
your order.
Digital Image File Policy
SKP iMages creates images during every commissioned session in the file format of "RAW", which is the native file format produced by the equipment in use by SKP iMages photographers. This "RAW" file format is straight out of the camera (SOOC) and is unedited. This file format contains data and metadata that is referenced and utilized during post processing (editing) of each image at the conclusion of a commissioned session. The final format of a created image is ultimately at the discretion of the image creator and is usually finished in the format of "JPG" or "TIF".
These high resolution finished image files are used as the basis of producing image prints or other photographic products for you, the client.
Please note that SKP iMages does not offer for sale, any "RAW", "JPG" or "TIF" files to our clients. This policy has been in place since SKP iMages was founded.
Ordering
After
your shoot weâll meet again, around 1 to 2 weeks later and we'll review your finished pictures. During this presentation, you can select your favorites. Weâll discuss and select the images that you like the most and look at product options that suit the image selection. I
can also recommend and help you select products, sizes and options that best suit
your needs. Once we've completed this, Iâll send an email detailing the items you've ordered with the respective details and options.
I will require payment for your order in full at the time it is placed. Image
ordering is done at my studio, however, if this is not practical, the session
can be conducted virtually where I will step you through your images, products
etc.
Prints, Products, Packages > Pricing
I have alliances with many photographic providers throughout the USA and have access to a (sometimes overwhelming) range of products, prints, custom framing, wall decor, coffee
table books, announcements, invitations and art prints. You can view the most sought after products and their descriptions on my website from one of my most trusted providers by clicking here. Prints are sold a la carte and can be combined into collections. Discounted pricing is available for bundling print collections and products. Pricing for available prints, collections > products is available upon request.
If you're feeling overwhelmed with the choice of products, don't be! I can suggest popular items and products that will be ageless and cherished by you and your family. Call me during business hours on (412) 889-0881 or email me and I'll do my best to help you figure out the best options.
Payment
I accept major credit cards Amex, MasterCard, Visa, Discover (except Diners Club), cash or cashiers checks. Unfortunately, personal or company checks cannot be accepted.
Pickup and Delivery
Print orders are
usually turned around in 2-3 weeks while photo products or other specialized items can take up to 4-5 weeks depending on the time of year and at times, impact of inclement weather. I'll provide a more accurate delivery estimate at time of order. I don't dropship directly to you as I prefer to inspect and quality control all ordered products before I hand them over to you.
To minimize costs, lost or damaged items, I prefer that clients pick up their orders at my studio, by
appointment. For client shipping requests to anywhere outside Pittsburgh, PA, I'll ship your insured order via UPS.