DIGITAL HEADSHOT AND PORTRAIT SESSION
My headshot and portrait sessions are designed to capture the attention of onlookers, fans, agents, judges and more. Whether it’s a photo for acting, pageants, personal or some other sort of medium, we will work together to create images that make you happy. Throughout the session, I focus my attention on using your own natural expressions and creativity throughout the entire shoot. I give simple directions to help guide you towards what will eventually become a portrait personalized by and specifically for you.
STANDARD PHOTO SESSION:
My digital headshot and portrait session rate is $250.
At the end of the session, we will cull and select the final images you'd like to keep from the best of the best. The price of each image that you select to purchase is $225 and that includes unlimited licensing of the image for personal use as well as professional retouching to my specs.
Should you feel the need look through and choose images on your own, we can set up a proofing site for you for $200 where you will be able to choose the images you'd like to purchase at your convenience.
HAIR AND MAKEUP:
If you'd like professional hair and makeup, the very talented Abbi Chartrand of Lethal Looks Salon is available. Please allow 2-3 weeks advance notice for booking.
Hair and Makeup Rates: $130 with and additional $75/hr for touchups if you'd like.
This is optional, but highly recommended.
RETURNING CLIENTS:
Returning clients are eligible to receive a discount on future one-hour sessions booked within 12 months of the original shoot date. A one hour session is $150. This one hour shoot is designed to revamp your current portfolio and add additional styles and something that may have been missing from your portfolio.
GROUP / CORPORATE RATES:
Group and corporate rates are available upon request. Please use the "Contact" page to receive details.
PAYMENTS
All deposit checks can be made payable to: Christian Berens Photography
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THE SESSION
In order to have a shoot tailored specifically for you, I like to shoot a minimum of 3 different looks per session. This allows you to have a variety of shots for many aspects of marketing or for fun. We will visit clothing later in this document, but just make an effort to bring a variety of outfits. I don’t put a stringent number on how many shots per outfit I take, I just shoot until I feel we covered what we wanted to and will be satisfied with the session. I usually prefer to shoot headshots in a horizontal format, but if you feel you’d like a vertical headshot or a ¾ shot, please let me know and I’d be happy to accommodate. At the end of the session, I’d like to have you take a look at the shots to make sure I have satisfied you and to even let you pick out photos that you like and are must haves! For on location shoots, we will browse through the back of my camera, unless a laptop is brought to the session and can view the RAW files. In Studio sessions can be downloaded to my office computer and we can view the images on a large monitor and go through the photos easily. When we are done, I’ve usually shot anywhere from 100 to 200 and maybe more in some instances during a 1-2 hour session. You may end up with 20-50 photos that you have approved for marketing yourself [maybe some fun ones in there that we have deemed impossible to delete]. Through this manner, you will have a fair amount of information and idea of what you will be receiving after the session. By choosing me as your photographer, you are agreeing that it is your responsibility to let me know if there is anything you feel may be improved on over the course of our shoot. I want nothing more than to have my clients totally satisfied with the outcome of their photos. After our shoot I go through our selection and usually look again myself to see if there are any I really like that may have slipped through. After the final edits are made, I usually keep a backup file, however when space becomes an issue, I will go through a mass deleting session, only ordered photos will be backed up. I take photos to the best of my ability, and since you have seen my work and hired me, you must have a inclination to enjoy my work as well. I take photos and edit photos to be pleasing to myself as well as you, however, if this photo is for an agent, publicist, grandma etc… I have no control over how they will react, just something to keep in the back of your head. If for some reason you doubt the photos we have picked out or any other part of the session, I will only charge $50 for an additional hour of shooting. Anything that previously bugged your or made you apprehensive about the previous session, must be discussed during this updated session. This offer is only available for 30 days from the notification that your photos are finished (facebook, e-mail, text, phone call or any other form of communication between you and myself). After that you are free to book another session with me and receive a discounted session for returning clients. After you leave your session, approved photos will be made available through your own website link. Once you have decided on photos you like, please contact me and I will edit those particular photos and upload them to your own portrait gallery. Photos and digital files may then be purchased for print and/or web use. Digital files are available for personal or commercial use.
RETOUCHING AND PRINTING
Once you've chosen the shots you'd like to retouch and print can send me a message on facebook, e-mail, text, call or schedule an appt with me. I am only one person and edit my own photos. I try to increase my ability, skill, knowledge and know-how weekly if not daily. If you have any concerns regarding retouching, please let me know during our session or as soon as possible
THE EQUIPMENT
Currently, all of my photos are taking on a Nikon Z6ii Mirrorless 24 megapixel camera and Nikon D800 full frame 36 megapixel camera. I shoot with a variety of lenses to best fit the scenario and either use natural lighting or Profoto lighting for portraits and LED panels for headshots. To some that may just be jibber-jabber, to others, it may be interesting, but if you’re ever curious about what I’m using or the how’s and why’s, I’d be happy to discuss and converse.
YOUR CLOTHING
Clothing is always a funny topic, overall it should reflect you and your personality! Usually you want to avoid clothing with large and distracting patterns. I love textures and layers, but would generally stay away from crazy patterns. If the outfit is an absolute must, we will work with it and make it happen to the best of our ability. Solid colors do tend to photograph better for the most part though. Bring a variety of colors, sometimes something you don’t think will necessarily work, will become your most favorite photo. Don't be seasonal; everything from t-shirts, tank tops to sweaters and light jackets can work The most important thing to keep in mind though is to wear clothes that are flattering on you. Photoshop is a powerful tool and can do marvelous things, but it’s not magic! Glasses can also tend to cause issue unless you have non-reflective lenses. If you do need to wear your glasses, make sure that they do not tint or shade your eyes. For the ladies, hair and make-up is also important. I highly suggest having a professional hair and makeup appointment setup for about an hour or so before our session. For studio sessions, I ask that you bring a variety of choices. Usually 5 to 10 different outfits and options are good. For just headshots you will only need a top, you can wear shorts or sweatpants if you choose. If you’d like full body shots though, you must bring a bottom that works with the top. I like to be involved in the outfit choosing so feel free to bounce ideas off of me. Like I previously mentioned, you need to love what you have to wear and you should never shoot in anything you don’t feel comfortable wearing. Never trap yourself in a corner with photos that you will not use for your given purpose (example: Runway models should not wear sweat pants and soccer shirts, or maternity clients shouldn’t wear long baggy shirt). And the most important part, oh so cliché but oh so true, be yourself because this is where you can get some of your own personal style into the shot. We can always not shoot something if you bring it, but if you forget something we can’t shoot it. If you’re questioning something, bring it along. I am about having fun, easy going and letting things flow as they do. If you feel your wardrobe is missing something then go shopping and we'll keep the tags on it and you can return the items you don't want to keep after the shoot.
HAIR & MAKEUP
Women
As stated earlier, makeup for women is important. I usually like to discuss makeup and build an idea/inspiration board to include hair and makeup prior to our session. I ask t hat you come in ready to go, however touchup and minor fixes can be made prior to the session.
Men
Makeup isn’t required for men, however getting your head ready or as close to ready prior is a must. Do not shave immediately before our session, razor burn and other irritations do occur (I know) so keep that in mind.
SCHEDULE & WAITING LIST:
For studio sessions I usually shoot on weekends or after 3 o’clock on weekdays (1:30 if we have previously discussed). I have a somewhat busy life and cannot always fit a client in within a week or two of booking (although there are exceptions, feel free to ask). I ask that clients be a bit flexible and please book atleast 3 weeks in advance, more if possible. If you have the need to cancel please call more than 72 hours prior to our session. I will then credit your deposit towards a rescheduled date. Cancellations made within that 72 hour period will not be given a refund, however special circumstances to arise, please call to discuss further. Only if the session is rescheduled will the deposit be transferred.