FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We create packages depending on the need of our clients. Typically, we include a 1-2 hour shoot with up to 3 outfit changes with the option to add our Professionally Certified Makeup Application. In addition, that package would include a CD/flash drive with all edited images on it for your personal or professional use and an option for AT LEAST one, but up to three professionally created portraits in varying sizes (depending on you needs) Other packages will not include any PORTRAITS at all due to the fact that the client will be using the images online only or to give to their modeling agent. Every client is different and so are their needs. We custom design a package that is the most cost efficient and best suited for your needs.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
1. The first step that I take with my client is to find out what they envision as their final images, as ultimately I want to give my clients what they are looking for. This process can be done over the phone or via the internet. 2. Once my client and I decide we are the right fit for each other, I write up a "Portrait & Photograph Agreement" which lays out the agreed upon terms of your shoot; how many edited digital images are included and how you will receive them, if there are portraits included in your package, if you will be utilizing our Professional Makeup Application prior to the shoot, as well as the price for any additional portraits should you decide you would like more after viewing your completed images. I create this agreement in order to avoid any confusion on either end and to be sure everything is spelled out clearly for both parties. If there is ANYTHING the client would like to discuss changing, this is the best time to do so. I am as flexible as possible. However, ordering professionally wrapped canvas portraits does take time, and the more advance notice I have that you will be wanting portraits similar to that (or one of our many other portrait options), the better cost I can get them at and then hand down my savings to you. My ultimate goal is to make my clients happy, therefore spelling everything out in writing is the clearest way to be sure there are no miscommunications. 3. In order to finalize the booking process, 50% of the agreed upon total is required in order to secure your personalized date for your photo shoot, or shoots and pay for any special locations you may want. This can be done in person, via the phone or internet as I accept cash and all major credit cards. 4. If you will not be taking advantage of our Professional Makeup Application, Il Volto Images ask that you arrive at the agreed upon location 10-15 minutes before your shoot time with between 1-5 outfit changes (we will discuss this well before the shoot and it will be clearly written out in you "Photo Agreement." This allows you to get acclimated to your surroundings, perhaps seeing some ideas you would like to try out, do some personal primping and assist children with clothing or hair. No need to worry though, I will fix any flyaway hairs, draping of clothing and come prepared with tools to assist in any touch-ups we may need to do before, or between, shots. 5. If there are outfit changes, we will have planned a place for you to have your privacy and prepare for your next group of shots. If there are location changes, Il Volto Images asks that you use your own transportation due to insurance liability. 6. Once I feel like we have all the shots that we have discussed, and those that come naturally from an artistic viewpoint, I will ask you if there are ANY OTHER SHOTS you had in mind before we wrap up the shoot. I want to be sure I have offered you the opportunity to get the photographs you have envisioned and any variety of combination of family members that may be participating in the shoot. 7. Once we wrap up your photo shoot the remainder of your agreed upon initial total is due. Again, I accept cash and all major credit cards. Any additional portraits, a 16X24 1.5 inch wrapped canvas portrait, for example that has not been previously discussed and included in your package on your written "Photo Agreement" may be purchased at this time. Or, you may pay just the remainder of you agreed upon package and decide whether you would like additional portraits after seeing the edited images. Il Volto Images offers many more options than canvas, although that is our most liked by our clients. We can offer your images on aged wood, metal, curved glass, as well as multiple novelty options like coffee cups, calendars and throw blankets to name a few. 8. The time it takes depends on the total number of images taken but the MAJORITY of the work in creating an exemplary portrait, or portraits, comes in the editing process. Therefore, after I eliminate shots that are out of focus or have just not captured what we were going for, I will begin editing between 5-15 images per outfit/location change. This process can be time consuming. However, I do my best to stay within a 3-4 week turn-around time. Once I have completed the editing process I will provide you with DIGITAL images of the completed photographs. I prefer to do this by mailing, or personally giving you, a CD or flash drive with your edited images on it. I can, by request, send them via the internet. However, due to the high quality of the completed images, it may take a very long period of time for these images to download onto your computer and you would not have a "hard copy" of your shots. 9. Then comes the hard part for you, deciding which image/s are your favorite and finalizing a decision on which of them you would like enlarged and metamorphosed into a time-honored portrait. Keep in mind, you will still have the CD (or flash drive) with the total of completed images on it with which you are free to share images via the internet, create holiday cards or create enlargements at your local drugstore. The FAVORITE image or images you will be choosing for us are those you want transformed into a polished and stunning translation or the photo shoot we worked on together just a few weeks before. Remember, YOU CAN ALWAYS CHOOSE MORE THAN WAS ORIGINALLY SET OUT IN YOUR PHOTO AGREEMENT! If you simply cannot narrow it down to 1 or 2, or decide you would like coffee mugs to give to family any of our other portrait options, YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME TO ADD THEM ON. As I mentioned, the sooner I know you are interested in more than was originally agreed upon the better. I like to give my clients the absolute BEST PRICE OPTION available for the product they want. I ALWAYS pass any savings I get down to my clients and I typically get this savings by having a heads up as far in advance as possible. (The same payment structure stands with add-ons as with your photo package, 50% at the time you order and the remainder upon reciept or your portraits.) 10. Tenth and FINALLY! I will give you a Signed Photo Release. This Photo Release will allow you to share any of your images online, use them as your profile pictures on social media websites or order prints for a photo album or enlargements upto an 11X14. It does, however, state that although you have free use of the images for personal reasons, you may not sell any of the images for profit. If you are a model and are using them as your headshot or for your comp. card, that is completely acceptable. (Il Volto Images also offers comp. cards for our models if you would like to simplify the process) The only thing that is not allowed is to sell the images. If you are interested in selling any of the images simply contact me and we can come to an agreement which I can guarantee will be fair and give you the freedom to branch out.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Yes, I take many online courses in photography and subscribe to several photography magazines to stay abreast of new techniques and products in our profession. I am also planning to take more courses at a local college in the fall.