How do I get to the studio?
I am based at Philharmonic Rise Catharine Street Liverpool. This is directly opposite Agnes Jones House which is the student accommodation for John Moores University. Closest station Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool Central. From South Liverpool buses 86, 80A and 75. From Manchester Piccadilly 33, 352, 10, 86A
What to expect
We will have a discussion on the day before the shoot over a coffee or tea where I will find out what you need and what your headshots are required for so they can be tailored for your needs. I normally start the shoot in the studio and if the weather is good we will take some natural shots outside. I will be giving you some directions to enable you to have a range of different shots to choose from. If there’s anything more you’d like to know about my sessions give me a call or drop me an email and I’ll answer any questions you have.
How long will the session last?
Usually around 2 hours. Every session starts with a chat over a cup of tea so I can get to know you, find out a bit about your career, what kind of actor, musician or artist you are and what you're looking for before we start.
Can I do my own makeup?
Yes you can. Just please keep it very natural.
Will I get to see my images during the session?
Yes. It’s very important for me to review the images with you to see that we are going in the right direction and that we are covering all the looks you are after.
How do I pay for my session?
I ask for a £50 deposit to secure your slot. Ideally, bring the rest in cash for the shoot but if it’s a problem we can accept bank transfers as well or payment via the online payments on my website.
Do you give out unedited images?
No, sorry. I don’t give out unedited images because I want to maintain the highest possible quality that represents you and me at our best. But I keep your images on file so you can order extras as and when you need them for £20 per retouch.
Cancellation Policy
If cancelling or rescheduling your photo shoot is necessary please notify me at least 48 hours prior to your shoot date. If you cancel or reschedule less than 48 hours before the session time, or do not appear for the session, we will not refund your deposit. Thank you for your understanding.
How many retouched images will I get?
There are 3 retouched images included in the rate. Extras are £20 each. I keep your photos on file for a 2 years so they're available for a good while afterwards. All retouched photos are supplied to you high res and in 4 different versions: colour, colour with a 10x8 crop, black & white and black & white with a 10x8 crop. These can take up to a week to get to you.
What should I bring and wear?
Bring lots of tops. Lots of different tops. This is important - it's much better to have loads with you that we can pick the best ones from than to not have enough for the session. Also bring any hair products, shaving gear etc that you might need. Don't worry about this too much for now though, once you're booked in I'll send you a confirmation email that goes in to much more detail about all of this.
Can I bring a friend or relative?
I usually advise against bringing a friend as they tend to distract you rather that relax you in a headshot situation but it’s your call. Do let us know if you bring somebody. Previously we had people bringing over their mother, child, pet…etc but please note there are lots of equipment lying around in the small studio, that can be dangerous for a child if you leave them unattended and they wander around. Same with pets. We love pets but don’t want any accident caused by them running around.
What happens after the session?
We can review the images straight after the session time permitting or a few days after the shoot I'll email you a password which you can use to log in to your own private gallery on my website where you can view your proofs - usually between 100-150 in total and these are for viewing only. I always say to people it can take up a week to get the password but in reality it's never usually this long. If you're working to a deadline I can make sure I fit in with it to get you the images on time, but you'll need to let me know about the deadline at the point of booking in.
How often should I get my headshots done?
The common time is around every 2 years, but that's far from being a written rule. The most important thing to remember is that as soon as your headshots are out of date and no longer honestly represent you, your work hit rate will go down. However, if your current headshot is still a true image of you then unless you want add something different to your portfolio you probably don't need new ones.