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Capture Your Best

*PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY*

For nearly all of us, that's what it's all about in seeking to get a professional portrait done. But what does that mean?

One of the reasons people are so often dissatisfied with how they look in photographs is that they rarely see themselves as the camera sees them. When you look in a mirror, you see a reverse image of yourself, whereas the camera sees you - comparatively speaking - as everyone else sees you. And that helps to explain why people often counter your dissatisfaction with, "Oh, you look fine in pictures," since that is the way they are used to seeing you. Unfortunately, such reassurance from others does not tend to change your perception of how you look in photos - and that's where I come in . . .

My job is to make that "stranger" in the photograph - depending on what you have in mind - look more familiar, more appealing, more inviting, by accentuating what makes you a unique individual, and emphasizing your most positive features; in short, by Capturing Your Best.

"But I'm not a 'Portrait person'"

Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of posing for photographs. For many people who feel this way, they are concerned that the outcome will show them looking stiff and contrived. But when you work with me, and have such concerns, you'll find that there are ways around that, such as getting creative with how you are posed, or staging some action or dialogue which is then intermittently photographed. Sometimes capturing your best means capturing the moment.

*A Special Note for the Fashion Conscious*

Due to the fact that my experience in capturing Portrait images spans many years, some of the photographs posted here might reveal people looking a bit out of date. So, if you notice hairdos from a different time, please attribute it to the assumption that a fine Portrait remains timeless. And this, in fact, is my goal in creating your Portraits: that you will always be just as impressed when viewing them as the first time you see them.

Have any Photos that could be Improved?

*DIGITAL PHOTO RETOUCHING*

By now, we are all aware of the considerable "work" which goes into making people you see in magazine ads look so good - and by "work," I mean what is done after the portrait photography itself. Photo Retouching and Photo Restoration have reached astounding proportions in their ability to make the signs of all sorts of things disappear: lack of sleep, poor diet, overexposure to the sun, certain lifestyle choices, etc. As a member of NAPP (National Association of Photoshop Professionals), I am constantly honing my skills with the most powerful image-manipulation software yet invented. Whether you would like to add those "perfect" finishing touches to your portrait (by removing the unwanted and enhancing what you like), or if you like to get creative and fun with your image - whether it's Glamour Photo Retouching, Wedding Photo Retouching or just favorite snapshots - you will cherish the results (see Retouching Gallery).

Special Offers

First-Time Clients

For a limited time, I will give one of your photos my Premium Retouching Treatment free of charge with any Portrait Photography session totaling $250 or greater. (Please note that the digital image I will need to work with will have to be a certain minimum size/resolution if you intend to make prints from it. This means that if you only have a digital file, I will have to examine it to see if the Retouching is possible with the goal of printing in mind. If you have a print, it can be scanned to the appropriate size so this should not be an issue).

Seniors

Honoring the senior-most members of our society does not get the priority it deserves in our culture. If you are 65 years of age or older, you've been around for at least 12 presidents, 5 wars, the birth of Bebop, drive-in theaters and suburbia, and can remember when radio - not television - was the prevailing form of home entertainment. In paying respect to this formidable achievement, Capture Your Best gives a 20% discount off Portrait Photography services for persons in this age bracket. This includes all applicable Portrait Packages, or if you choose my Hourly Rate pricing, the discount applies to the rate itself. All images taken are limited to people in this age bracket for the discount to apply.

House Calls & Other Differences . . .

Why Capture Your Best? I will work with you to create photographs that you will feel good about and that you will always cherish without forcing you to compromise in some way. This means:

YOUR LOCATION

• Within certain geographical boundaries, I'll come to YOUR LOCATION without charging exorbitant rates or fees for the service. Specifically, if you would feel more comfortable being photographed in your home, for a price modestly higher than my In-Studio charge, I will simply stop by to discuss your photo shoot, see the setting you have in mind, and on the day of our session, show up with all the portable lighting equipment I deem necessary. I am also open to considering a third location of your choice, depending on the lighting conditions, weather conditions, and so on. See "Location Sessions" on Pricing/Services page for details.

PRINTS

• For every Package which interests you, I offer an equivalent Package that includes Prints. While my photography is digital, all my prints are created the traditional way, using state-of-the-art "darkroom" equipment which employs laser technology to transmit your images onto the finest professional grade Kodak (Endura for color) or Ilford (Multigrade IV Deluxe for Black & White) paper. Given this level of print quality, and the number/size of prints included in print Packages, you will find the price difference between them and Packages without prints to be quite reasonable!

HIGH-RESOLUTION FILES

• Some portrait photographers will state that a "CD of your images" is included in certain packages they offer. What is not always so apparent is that the images on that CD are low resolution only, which means you cannot make prints from them, but instead are limited to sending them via email or posting them on the Web. With few exceptions, the digital images you receive from Capture Your Best are high-resolution files large enough to produce high-quality 4 x 6 prints.

PHOTO RETOUCHING/PHOTO RESTORATION

• ALL images you purchase undergo a final retouching process - including removal (depending on your preferences) of any age spots, blemishes, and signs of eye strain, as well as color, tone and texture management of every image. In addition to an array of techniques to make you look younger, such as removing puffy/loose areas of skin, wrinkles, dark circles and giving your skin the kind of uniform radiance magazine models exhibit, in most cases, I have the ability to enhance your images well beyond these points. For an extra charge, I can realistically alter your hair or eye color, place you in a variety of settings, and even trim excess weight! The "makeover" potential is extraordinary - I can do a wealth of things or nothing at all - it's all at your discretion (see Pricing/Services page for details and Retouching Gallery for examples).

COMMITMENT

• In the unlikely event you are not pleased with your images after receiving your proofs for the first time, and it is possible to re-stage the subject of my photography (i.e. a Portrait session vs. portraits at an Event), I will offer to schedule a re-shoot of equal value at no additional charge. My first priority will always be to work with you in creating the finest portraits possible.

SPECIALTIES

MODELS - ACTORS - DATING SINGLES . . . Need Headshots? Seeking to build your Portfolio at affordable rates?

• Headshots, which by definition tend to put you under the microscope, must be done just right to ensure a flattering portrait. Knowing just the right lighting, choice of lens, filter and angle from which to shoot you, the individual, is where my many years of experience comes crucially into play. Whether you are an aspiring Model or Actor looking to create a Comp Card or build a Portfolio, or a Single wishing to look your very best in the online dating scene, you will be more than pleased with the outcome. (See Models Gallery page).

FAMILIES

• Have you ever glanced around your den, living room or family room, and wished you had a professional photo of the family sitting in a prominent place? Or have you thought about getting such a photo taken at a place meaningful to your family, be it at home by the fireplace or elsewhere? At Capture Your Best, location shooting is more the norm than the exception, and photographing kids and families in a comfortable surrounding is especially gratifying. These are the photographs cherished most, forming an intimate keepsake from generation to generation. So ensure you make that keepsake more than just a record: formal, casual or anything in between, when it comes to your family, I will bring you not only that special portrait, but an appreciation that it's more than just a photo - it's your family. (See Family Gallery page).

GLAMOUR

• Central to our popular culture is the dreamlike figure perfectly, oh so delicately painted with light. These icons grace our ads in magazines, and some - via Hollywood - seem to appear everywhere in the form of "publicity shots." This is the world of High-Fashion and Glamour photography, and it is not reserved for those elusive figures! Ever page through an issue of Vogue and silently see yourself, or at least wonder what it was like being on the other end of the camera? Having studied and practiced the art of Glamour photography for decades, I can turn your portrait session into a black & white Glamour shoot from the '40s, or a color High-Fashion shoot from current times. Whether you're seeking to realize a fantasy or present a unique gift to a significant other, we can discuss just the "look" you're after: High-Fashion, mysterious, sexy, elegant - it's up to you! (See Glamour Gallery page).

A Final Thought . . .

Unlike some experiences we've all had with certain service providers, in which the roles of customer and service provider are not always clear, the services of Capture Your Best are here to accommodate You, and that means working with you to meet your individual needs in the spirit of traditional customer service. This is at the core of my commitment to excellence, and the achievement of your satisfaction.

Serving the North & Northwest Chicago area and beyond . . .

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About Us

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All Prices, Special Offers and Services subject to change without notice.
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Capture Your Best and Capture Your Best Logos™; 2006-2007, D.M. Zirnite.
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