FAQs
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Every customer is different, and their needs for navigating the process can vary nearly as widely. While there are some standards that apply to all jobs in this industry, every job that I do is still custom-fit to the client. Part of my responsibilities is to flex, as needed, to make it as easy as possible for the client. While there are some common procedures involved for every client and job/project, each process begins with talking in real time (phone or in person) with the client to assess their needs and give them reasonable expectations; and from there, I do what’s necessary to provide the best experience and outcome. But here is a common scenario: • Meet/Speak with the client. • Ask questions to be sure I have a thorough understand of what they are wanting as final outcome. • Provide overview and expectations that customer should have re: both the process and the end product. • Upon hiring commitment from client, obtain retainer fee to lock in a booking/session/date/time. • Shoot for/with customer at agreed date/time/location. • Collect remaining balance for session fee, if client hasn’t already covered all in advance. • Back up, cull, sort, and do basic edits (global adjustments) for all culled images to create a set of proofs.* • Export and upload proofs to private, password-protected online gallery for client to review proofs.* (Proofs are typically printable up to about 8x10.) From here, they may accept everything as-is, as a set of proofs, or they may also select favorites for which they wish to have full-resolution, fully-retouched images.** • Client sends list of favorites for any full-quality images • Favorites are fully-retouched, re-exported, and uploaded to another client-downloadable gallery. • Also, any print orders are fulfilled using the highest-quality images. *Proofs are “basic-edited,” or globally edited, meaning adjustment across an entire image (no custom brush work) for things like exposure, color, clarity, noise, shadows, highlights, etc. Proofs are generally printable up to 8x10, as well as a screen/web-optimized set also provided for online sharing, slideshows, etc. **Full-quality images are full-resolution images, with full retouching applied by default to each image. They include all the aforementioned adjustments, plus: Cleaning teeth; clearing/brightening eyes, taming flyaway hairs; removing clothing lint; treating blemishes, dark eye circles/bags, evening skin tone; custom sharpening; etc. All of this while preserving true skin texture (no “plastic-airbrushed” images). At client’s preference, I can do such additional things as give/remove tans, remove strap lines, slim subject, etc. These are provided a la carte at regular flat retouching rates per image. These can be printed HUGE, as large wall art, high-quality 2-page album spreads, etc.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Always. I never stop learning, watching trends, keeping up with technology, keeping up with new methodologies, and searching for inspiration from other well-respected photographers.
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I have always been an avid photographer, starting with decades of hobby years. Professionally, I went from electrical engineering (great for my attention to technical precision in photography), to artist management/marketing for the major recording labels (Sony/Universal, Warner/Elektra/Atlantic/Nonesuch, BMG/RCA, EMI/Virgin, etc.), to web development, before I went full-time with my photography. Each transition allowed me to exercise more and more of the right side of my brain (while still having a solid left-brained education/background), and I loved it! I really enjoyed the business-development process. (I built my own artist management/marketing business from scratch after a couple of years working with a bigger management/marketing company and record producer.) I loved how much it let me go from the abstract idea to the final concrete process or product. My marketing/management business involved doing my own web development, which I also enjoyed and naturally transitioned into. And with web development, I saved a lot on costs by doing my own photography, rather than contracting that out. This is when I fell in love all over again with photography, both for all the technical and artistic aspects, and also for the shared experiences with clients from the most joyful to the bittersweet. Once I started to receive as many requests for my photography as for my web development work, I gracefully passed on my support accounts to other businesses, went full-time with photography, and haven't looked back ever since. :)