Q&A 1 – Private Photo Sessions
Find answers to questions that you may have about my photo sessions for private clients. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to contact me for personal attention.
To book or enquire, please go to bespoke photo sessions for private clients
To help you decide
Answers to questions that you may have before you decide to commission me. I am committed to providing my clients with the best service. Making sure that I am the right photographer for you is part of this philosophy.
I can photograph you at your home, another location of your choice or at my studio.
Your home can yield great results because it adds authenticity. Don’t worry about your home not looking right. Most potentially unsightly corners will gently blend and blur into the background. I will bring all the necessary equipment and lighting to the photo session. We will need some privacy and uninterrupted time. I need car parking, unless you are in central London.
The best place to leave the demands of your everyday life and your inhibitions behind is the photographer’s studio. My studio is not a cold, anonymous, frightening space. It was designed to support the right frame of mind.
I can also photograph you in any other location of your choice, perhaps a sacred outdoor location or favourite hotel. My equipment is portable and independent of mains electricity. You could even combine a photo session with a short break to Wiltshire or nearby Bath.
How long does a a photo session last?
It varies. Portraiture should not be rushed and works best, when the photographer and his sitter have enough time to get to know each other a litte. The number of clothes changes and different set-ups, number of people and specifics of the location will be some of the deciding factors. Lingerie and nude portraits, too, will require a little more time.
The price list on my website gives an indication of how long photo sessions may last. We may finish a little sooner than planned or take a little longer.
How many photos do you take during a typical photo session, and will I see all photos taken?
I take as many photos and as much time as I feel is necessary. In all professional photography, many more photos are made than are actually used. From all photographs produced, you will receive a carefully edited selection for you to choose from.
Do I have to be perfect and beautiful?
Our world is an image conscious environment in which only the beautiful seem desirable – and we have very limited vision of what beauty is. The arbitrary size, shape and age ideals, which we force on ourselves, mean that almost all preclude themselves from feeling and being beautiful in a conventional way.
True beauty is not a matter of looks – it comes from inside. It is this inner beauty, which I try to portray in my photographs.
I have problem skin
Very few people have perfect skin. All imperfections, such as large pores, rough texture, spots, skin tags and oily areas, will be visible to some extent in extreme close-ups. I can soften the impact of the most obvious problems in close-ups but there is a limit to what can be achieved naturally and what is justifiable before entering realms of makeovers in which the subject is largely unrecognisable.
Most problems are best dealt with at the stage of making the photograph by way of lighting and avoiding extreme close-ups. Professional makeup can play a part.
Am I too old to look good?
Portraiture is not about age. You should not impose limits on yourself just because of your age. I don’t.
I am disabled – can you still photograph me?
Portraiture is about character. A disability does not mean that you cannot look good in photographs. Some of my clients are disabled. Some prefer not to show their disability in photographs, others feel that hiding nothing will make for a stronger portrait. Whatever your view, I will always try to accommodate your requirements.
Being experienced in location work, it is easy for me to come to you and photograph you in any location, e.g. your home.
I am very shy. Can I still have attractive photos?
I am used to photographing people, who have never been photographed professionally before. I will give you all the time you need to get used to the idea. My photo sessions are not formal or intimidating events. We talk during the session, which will help you to relax. I will gently guide you. I work in a very calm, informal and relaxed manner and will help you to overcome your natural inhibitions.
Whatever the style of the photo session, I will do my very best to make it an enjoyable experience for you.
Will you arrange for professional makeup?
I can supply a professional makeup artist for most photo sessions. To find out about the cost, please refer to my price list.
Professional makeup can help, to some extent, to deal with skin problems and to emphasize facial features. There are many ways to create your look, from natural to very glamorous.
If you prefer a very natural look, doing your own makeup usually works. I will be able to advise on what works well in photographs. You may also want to take a look at the make-up tips in the models section of my website.
Or perhaps you prefer no makeup at all. I am dedicated to meeting your requirements.
For male portraiture I have found that makeup artists are not normally necessary although professional makeup can add the edge. You may want to read the skin care for men advice.
Can you do something a little different?
If you want to be someone else for the day, I will find the right approach. We can include themes, story lines and sequences and work with a variety of outfits.
I want sexy photos – do I have to take my clothes off?
You decide what sexy is and how much of yourself you want to give to the camera. Sexy does not necessarily mean clothes off. If you feel sexy, it will show. I can work with certain poses, angles and lighting that will allow me to photograph you nude without anything showing, if you so wish.
You do not even have to decide beforehand – we can do what feels right for you on the day.
I want explicitly erotic photos. What are the limitations?
Your imagination alone is the limit. It is your photo session and you decide how tame or outrageous you want to be. Some of my clients wish me to visualise a special and very private fantasy or fetish. I do not judge you, I am not prejudiced, I won’t make you feel embarrassed and I won’t tell anybody else about it. Of course, it has to be legal.
May my partner be present during the photo session?
I normally prefer partners not to be present during a photo session. Onlookers tend to distract and disrupt the flow of energy. Company is often an embarrassing and inhibiting influence on the photographer and his sitter.
Having said that, for some of my clients the presence of a partner is a strong turn-on. If you feel that you want your partner to be present and you are sure that you won’t feel inhibited, I am happy to accommodate your wishes.
If you think that it may all be a little awkward, then we should perhaps send your partner for a walk.
Teenagers can be very inhibited in the presence of their parents. A responsible adult needs to be on hand but not necessarily in the midst of the action.
Children must always be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Do you do any retouching?
Retouching as in airbrushing a plastic surface onto your face – no. I do not want to alter anything, I do not remove wrinkles or add waistlines, but you will still look beautiful. I correct the invariable spec of dust, the eyelash that has settled on a cheek, a temporary spot in your face and I may soften (but not remove) a wrinkle.
To book or enquire, please go to bespoke photo sessions for private clients
