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Package Sessions: A Word About My Approach
When I arrange and set up my equipment in preparation for our session, it is a time-consuming process, but a crucial one in building the foundation for a successful portrait. Unless otherwise noted, the following Packages all involve going through this process only once.* Because I do not charge by the hour for Portrait Package sessions, there are a few procedures, such as this, on which I must establish boundaries. Unless you choose a package offering multiple setups, if you decide that you would like to be photographed in more than one setting, and it requires me to construct a new lighting configuration, there will be an additional charge for the time/labor involved in doing so. For the same reasons, each Package comes with a set number of outfit changes which can be expanded for an extra charge (see specific rates on the Pricing/Services page under "Additional Equipment Set-Ups"). If getting your Portrait done with different clothes interests you, please note that when you see "pause our session up to 2 times," for instance, in a Package description, that means you're entitled to try up to 3 outfits at no additional charge, since we are including the one you start with. At any rate, these are details best worked out well beforehand, during your consultation.
As stated in the Hourly Rate section above, these boundaries do not apply to Hourly Rate pricing.
*You always have the option of getting shots using additional setups. Any additional setups beyond what is included in the package you purchase will incur an additional charge.
On-Location Sessions: Geographic Boundaries
To further outline the perimeter relative to my Buffalo Grove studio, consider Gurnee as the northern boundary, Wilmette to the east, Elk Grove Village to the south and Algonquin to the west. If there is any question regarding a location, please contact me to determine if it falls within this radius. (Contact-Us page)
Q: What are your Business Hours?
Q: What about the PRIVACY of my pictures? Who else will be able to see them?
Q: Can I bring someone with me when I get my portrait taken?
Q: Do you have any Makeup artists on staff?
Q: What type of clothes should I wear? Are there any clothes I shouldn't wear?
Q: How and When should I Pay you for the portrait session?
Q: What happens to the photos I don't receive on CD, such as the outtakes?
Q: My shots will be used for . . .
- To show me as (a member of some group, committee, vocation, etc)
- A gift to my boyfriend, husband, etc.
- To help me break into modeling or acting
- Just to make me look my best
. . . Can we do the Portraits with this in mind?
Q: What kind of Props and Backgrounds do you use?
Q: How do I go about arranging an appointment for a Portrait session?
Q: If the Portrait session is outside, does it matter at what time of day it takes place?
Q: What is your Cancellation policy?
Q: Do you photograph dogs, too? Among animals on your site, I've only seen cats!
Q: What should I have On Hand/Bring with me to the Portrait session?
Q: Can I see some of the pictures as you're taking them?
Q: What are your Business Hours?
A: I can be reached from 10:00am to 9:00pm, Sunday through Friday, and 10:00am to 5:00pm on Saturdays (see APPOINTMENT TIMES below for periods during which we can schedule Portrait sessions). If you attempt to reach me and I happen to be engaged in a session, be assured that I will return your call at the first opportunity.
Please keep in mind that when we plan shooting sessions which take place outdoors, specific appointment times are often dictated by the "look" we are trying to achieve in your Portrait, which in turn is controlled by the time of day we shoot.
If, for example, we're looking to achieve a warm, wistful, possibly dramatic color Portrait, shooting 1-2 hours before sunset is ideal (You may have read that movie makers hold up multi-million dollar productions just to wait for this precious window of light, in order to capture a certain mood). Due to color temperature and angle of light, as a general rule, outdoor shooting should be as far from the "high-noon" hour as possible. As such, most of our outdoor shooting appointments should be made for late afternoon (and at the peak of summer, early evening is also possible).
Also, sometimes we need to take this into account for indoor shoots. For instance, if we're doing your Portrait at your home, and the plan is to pose you or your kids by a window, then the time of day becomes very important. Obviously, these factors do not apply to Studio Portraits. In this case, only my normal Portrait session hours of availability are relevant (see below). You should typically plan on calling to book an appointment at least a week ahead of time.
APPOINTMENT TIMES:
- Late afternoons and evenings during the week, and throughout the day on weekends, are the times for booking Portrait sessions.
- Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri: 4:00pm - 9:00pm
- Sat: 10:00am - 8:00pm
- Sun: 12:00pm - 8:00pm
- Mornings and early to mid-afternoons during the week are typically unavailable for Portrait sessions.
PLEASE NOTE: If the above schedule conflicts with yours, let's discuss it and see what can be worked out.
Contact-Us PageQ: What about the PRIVACY of my pictures? Who else will be able to see them?
A: Your privacy is all part of the respect which I feel should help define our relationship. Chances are, there will be some especially outstanding photos produced by our session which I may want to use to promote my business. This would typically take the form of your photo(s) being posted on this website. However, if the public display of your photos would make you uncomfortable, I will certainly accommodate your wishes by withholding such a display. No one has to see your photos but you, if you so desire.
Q: Can I bring someone with me when I get my portrait taken?
A: Absolutely. I only ask that whoever accompanies you remain well out of our way and quiet during our session. Portrait photography can be a delicate undertaking, and the atmosphere needs to be controlled to ensure both my concentration and your relaxation. Also, from a physical standpoint, with all of the lights, reflectors, cables, etc., it often feels like we're on a movie set, which is all the more reason people not directly involved in our shoot should stay on the "sideline," for safety purposes.
Q: Do you have any Makeup artists on staff?
A: I have a network of professional Makeup artists available for advanced bookings. Please let me know if you're interested in this service at the time of our booking.
Q: What type of clothes should I wear? Are there any clothes I shouldn't wear?
A: When it comes to clothing, the type of clothes is up to you, and should be determined by the type of Portrait we are trying to achieve (i.e., appropriate apparel for a glamorous look, a formal look, a casual look, and so on). However, there are certain colors which can cause problems. Extremely dark or light colored clothes should generally be avoided, as they tend to limit the background and lighting conditions under which we can shoot. If there's certain attire you have in mind which you'd consider very important to the Portrait, and it happens to be a deep black or bright white, don't worry. We'll get around the photographic obstacles.
Q: How and When should I Pay you for the portrait session?
A: Please see the ORDERING section on the Pricing and Services page for an outline of the process.
Q: What happens to the photos I don't receive on CD, such as the outtakes?
A: Those simply get archived to a CD and stored away as part of the complete record of our shooting session.
Q: My shots will be used for . . .
- To show me as (a member of some group, committee, vocation, etc)
- A gift to my boyfriend, husband, etc.
- To help me break into modeling or acting
- Just to make me look my best
. . . Can we do the Portraits with this in mind?
A: Absolutely! This is where the consultation comes in. If you have such a specific goal for the Portraits, whether it's a certain look or just a particular "audience," we will discuss how to achieve this beforehand.
Q: What kind of Props and Backgrounds do you use?
A: For the In-Studio sessions, I have a variety of backgrounds to work with (e.g., black, white, textured, colored). For the location sessions, props and backgrounds tend to arise from the location itself, and that is typically something we will cover during the consultation. As for props in the studio, I prefer to limit their use to pieces of furniture, such as a stool, couch, chair, sometimes enhanced by an additional piece, like a pillow (depending on the context). My view is that props can sometimes be a problem in Portraits, in the sense that they tend to distract from the Subject. However, if there's a particular prop you would really like to incorporate into your Portrait, I'll make every effort to do so.
In providing a context for Portrait sessions, I prefer to emphasize setting over props. And for those who would like to further enhance their Portrait by "transplanting" themselves into another setting, take a look at some sample "journeys" some of these Portraits took, and where they started from, in terms of background (see Retouching Gallery for examples).
For an extra charge, nearly any of your Portrait images can be re-created with a background we never physically shoot in.
Q: How do I go about arranging an appointment for a Portrait session?
A: After you click on this , either fill out the form and include your desired/available times for a session, or phone using the number listed. If you don't get a hold of me immediately, I will get back to you within 24 hours.
Q: If the Portrait session is outside, does it matter at what time of day it takes place?
A: Yes - always (assuming we're not shooting on an overcast day, a scenario we really want to avoid). The first thing I will want to know is the location you have in mind. This can often be the deciding factor in determining the time of day we shoot. For instance, if your location is in a heavily wooded area, I would be more inclined to arrange a mid-afternoon shoot; if there is no shade at the location you have in mind, I will probably try to set something up within a few hours from sunset. Of course, the anticipated duration of our session will also be taken into account.
A: I strongly urge that you DO NOT get your images from me saved in .JPEG format. Why? Every time a .JPEG file is saved, a significant amount of data is "thrown out" in the process of compressing it, never to be recovered. Now in theory, you should not have occasion to make changes to, and therefore, need to save any of the images you receive from our shoot. However, you never know what circumstances will arise that will require a "save" or a "save as" to be applied to your file.
A really superior alternative to .JPEG is the .TIFF format. You can save .TIFF files as many times as you like, and there will never be any degradation or data loss. Your PC or Mac should recognize .TIFF files by default. If your PC does not, for some inexplicable reason, you can do the following:
- Open Windows Explorer
- Choose Tools from the main menu
- Choose Folder Options
- Click the File Types tab
- Under Registered file types, scroll down the list until you find both .TIF and .TIFF. Highlight the .TIF line under Registered file types. If you look under "Details for 'TIF' extension" and it's blank next to "Opens with:", press the Change… button.
- When the "Open With" window opens, look for the same application which launches when you double-click on a .JPEG file. If you don't see it, you can choose Windows Picture and Fax Viewer or Paint. Repeat these steps for the other .TIFF extension.
FYI: You always have the option of making .JPEG files from the .TIFF you will receive from me.
Q: What is your Cancellation policy?
A: Please refer to either the informal rundown of Ordering/Cancelling here (on Pricing & Services), or see the more painful version here (on the Terms & Conditions page).
Q: Do you photograph dogs, too? Among animals on your site, I've only seen cats!
A: Of course! By some strange quirk of fate, I simply have not yet had occasion to have a Portrait Session with a dog; but, needless to say, dogs of all types are welcome. I do not discriminate on the basis of breed, pedigree, social background, or lack thereof.
Q: What should I have On Hand/Bring with me to the Portrait session?
A: Think clothes, makeup and mood enhancers . . . Wardrobe changes can be incorporated into our session, and the extent depends of the package (see the 2nd bullet point of Package details). As for makeup, from a lighting standpoint, perhaps the most important aspect of makeup is ensuring your face does not have any shiny areas. While clothes and makeup are self-explanatory, by "mood enhancers," I mean anything which relaxes you and is conducive to bringing out your sense of well-being. This could mean some music, so bring those CDs. It could mean a special perfume or fragrance, so bring that. Whatever it is, if it contributes to a better frame of mind, that will show in the photograph.
While we're on the subject . . . You know all of those thoughts you've had about how awful you look in pictures? This is the one time when you MUST put those thoughts out of your mind. Instead, as a partial answer to the question of what can you bring with you, I would like to suggest that you concentrate on the things in your life you do best. Think of those things that, when called upon to do, tend to make you feel the most confident.
Confident, relaxed . . . these are the foundational feelings I'd like you to bring to our session. Remember, when you factor in my Retouching skills, we have more control over the outcome of your photographs than ever before.
A: There are so many variations of how a photograph can be enhanced, retouched or otherwise altered that it would be impossible to list everything. Whatever you might have in mind, be sure and describe it to me when you upload your photo. And please include the name of your uploaded file in the email.
A: Since each customer order is unique in certain ways, wait times will vary slightly. However, the time between our session and when I present your images will typically be about 1 week. Depending on the number of images receiving Retouching treatment beyond the Basic level, your retouched photos should be ready 1 week after you first see them, and prints should be ready 1 week to 10 days after you first see your photos.
Q: Can I see some of the pictures as you're taking them?
A: I can relate to the curiosity of wanting to check what we're producing during the session. However, there are a number of reasons it is best to wait until the images go through my post-production process before viewing them. For one thing, they are "unprocessed" as we shoot, since I photograph using the Raw file format. As such, viewing images at this initial stage would tell you very little about how they will eventually turn out. This is but one reason I do not let the images be seen at the time of shooting.
| Terms & Conditions | About Us |
| All Prices, Special Offers and Services subject to change without notice. | |
| Website Design and All Images (with the exception of two logos below)© 2006-2007, D.M. Zirnite. | |
| Capture Your Best and Capture Your Best Logos™; 2006-2007, D.M. Zirnite. | |
| All rights reserved. | |
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