Business and Modeling Headshots FAQ

Being a Chicago headshot photographer has been a complete joy for me. It’s a great way to meet people, get to know a little about them and network without even having to leave my studio (insert a giggle). Working with local business owners, corporate employees, models, actors, opera singers, performers, authors and artists has been one of the highlights of being a photographer.

As a business owner and entrepreneur, I am quite aware of how important professional headshots are for your business and your profession. We live in a very visual world and with social media playing such an important part in our professional lives, you want to make sure that potential clients and employers get an amazing first impression of you and your business. If your photos are dated or are poorly lit, you can count on them to leave your site/profile and move on to one that is more visually appealing. Yes, your headshot is more important that you can even imagine. The old adage of “You never get a second chance to make a first impression” is so true.

Let’s put it this way, your headshot defines your brand, your business style, your personality. It is the picture that will represent you on your social media, website, at auditions and for submissions. It’s the photo that represents you on your LinkedIn page, the editorial article that recognizes your accomplishments in your field, or the photo of you that will run in a Playbill above your name. No matter what your business is, you will need a headshot…and it will need to WOW people!

What is the fee for a basic headshot session?

A basic headshot session is $375. This includes one outfit and you will receive 5 professionally edited downloadable JPEG images from your online headshot gallery. You also will have the right to use that image on the web, on social media, and in any other format that requires a headshot.

Do you offer a package that is larger than a basic headshot session?

If you’d like an extended session, that is $650. This includes approximately one hour of photography, two different looks/outfits during your shoot. The extended headshot session includes 15 retouched images, as well as the right to use that image on the web, in social media, and in any other format that requires a headshot.

Do you do headshots for dating sites?

Of course! Headshots are perfect for dating sites like Match, plenty of fishes, Our Time, Silver Singles and any other dating site where you need to make a good impression. For those purposes, you will need my basic headshot package. Be sure to tell me what your headshots are for, so that I can be sure to capture the appropriate look and style that you will need for your intended purpose. If you have any questions your headshots, don’t hesitate to call me. I’d love to hear about why you need a have a headshot taken, and help you find the right package to suit your needs!

Do you have a website or branding package?

I most certainly do!

My extended headshot/branding combo session package is perfect for a personal branding shoot. This package is $975. This 2-hour session includes 30 high-resolution fully retouched images ready for printing, web, and social media use. This includes up to three outfit changes, and a variety of studio and environmental images to be used for your website/branding/social media presence.

This session is perfect because it allows you to show off all the facets of your personality. If you’re an actor/dancer/singer, you can show off each of those three talents in great detail. If you’re a dancer, we can do a dance session. If you want to show off your pointe work as well as your contemporary work, we can do both. If you’re an inspirational speaker and you need images for your different website pages along with promotional work, this is the package for you!

What are the differences between your session types?

There are three types of headshot sessions:

• Basic Headshots $375
• Extended Headshots $650
• Headshot/Personal Branding Combo Session $975

The difference between the packages is time, number of looks, and final retouched image count.

The Basic session is 20 minutes, one look, and five retouched images.

The Extended session is one hour, two looks, and 15 retouched images.

The Headshot/Personal Branding session is two hours, three looks, and 30 retouched images.

If you’re not sure what session would work best for you, email me or call and we can talk about it. I’d love to hear what your needs are, and help you pick the right session for you.

Do you retouch the images?

Retouching is a part of the production process after your headshot session. I professionally retouch all images by hand. This entails smoothing stray hairs, removing blemishes, softening under-eye circles, and more.

I try to keep your images very natural, with the subtle retouching. I do not want you to look plastic or fake! It’s really important that detail and skin texture remain on your face so that your image looks natural. It’s extremely important that your headshot actually represent you, you do not want overly edited images that do not look like you!

Do you offer hair and makeup?

I work with a couple of THE BEST hair and makeup artists in the area. If you want to book our hair and makeup artists for your headshot session, let us know at the time of booking.

Before your Headshot Session

How do I prepare for my session?

Great question! If you color your hair or need a haircut, doing that a week in advance would be perfect. That way the cut can grow in and the color can settle before your shoot. If you are planning on spray tanning. Make sure that you use a tanning salon that you are comfortable using. I do not recommend trying a new salon before your session. Go several days in advance to make sure that the color fades to a natural look. You want to avoid that orange look for your session.

How do I select the best outfits for my session?

Here are a few tips for selecting clothing to wear for your session:

Solid colors are preferred. Black keeps the focus on your face. Be sure to keep your clothing simple!

Limit patterns to a minimum, they tend to draw the focus from your face.

No logos or branding on the clothing itself unless you are wanting to feature that business in your photos.

Go ahead and wear something seasonal. If it’s summer and you want to wear a jacket or sweater, do it. If it’s winter and love sleeveless tops, go for it!

Adding a favorite accessory to a few of your headshots can be a nice touch.

Together we will go through the clothing that you have brought to select the right outfit(s)for your shoot. We also offer services for a stylist. If you are in need of her services please let the studio know when you call to book your session. We will get you in contact with our stylist so that you can get your clothing in line before your session.

Have your clothing ready for your session when you arrive. Have them pressed and ready. We do have a steamer if you need it, but not an iron.

If we’re just shooting basic headshots and not a personal branding session, you don’t need to worry about your shoes but please be aware that your pants will show in your images.

Because my camera is full format, you want to make sure that you wear appropriate clothing on your legs. Pants or skirt that work well with your top half. Even though these are headshots, your pants Will show. You can crop your images tighter but it’s nice to have the option of leaving it the way it was intended. I can’t tell you how many people come in for basic headshots and wear jeans with their jacket thinking that the jeans won’t show. Trust me, they will. We can always crop them out in the final edit but your original image will show your pants.

Pack your clothes the day before. Check and double check. This way you won’t forget anything.

What type of jewelry do you recommend?

I recommend keeping your jewelry simple. The focus should be on your face.

Are Headshots taken at your studio?

Yes. All headshot sessions are taken at me studio. If you need me to travel for corporate shoots for an entire company please call the studio for information and pricing.

Can you make prints of my headshots?

Absolutely! We will give you a link to our color calibrated lab.

What time of day do you shoot headshot sessions? What day of the week? What about weekends?

I am available for headshot sessions in my studio from 10am to 5pm at night Monday through Friday. Typically, my last session appointment of the day is 4pm. Weekend sessions can be arranged in special cases for an additional fee.

What do you do for people that hate to be photographed?

I completely understand. I’m not a fan either!

I promise that I will do everything in my power to make you comfortable. We will talk and talk and talk until you forget that you’re even having your headshots taken.

Trust me, I’ve been there and I have felt uncomfortable too. So, because of that, I have some tricks up my sleeve to relax you and help you feel at ease. Don’t worry I’ve got this!

During the Headshot Session

What if I’m running late to my session?

Please don’t panic. Just give me a call. Lateness will cut into your session time, but hopefully not too much. The important part is that you let me know you’re on your way so I know you’re still planning on having your session!

I wear glasses. Should I include them in my session?

If you typically wear glasses, you should bring them to your headshot session. If you wear transitional lenses, those can be a huge issue in the light, so you may want to wear a pair that the lenses have been removed or have your eye doctor remove them temporarily for your shoot. Transition lenses are very difficult to photograph and still see your eyes.

Glasses are best with anti-glare lenses. Also, if you don’t wear glasses all of the time, let me know. We can do some shots with and some without your glasses.

After the Headshot Session

What is your turnaround time?

Proofs are just that - a proof set of everything from your headshot session. The images are color-corrected and exposed properly, but nothing is retouched. You’ll see flyaway hairs, blemishes, etc. in the proofs. They are provided to help you choose your final images, and are not meant to be your final product.

If you need these proofs sooner than the 48-hour time period, just let me know. We have options to rush your proofs same-day if necessary!

How will I receive my proofs?

Your proofs will be delivered via a password-protected online gallery. You’ll receive the gallery with whatever email address you use when booking your session.

What is your turnaround time for retouching?

It can take up to an additional 5 business days to retouch your final images.

What if I need to rush the retouching?

We do have an option where you can rush the delivery of proofs and/or the delivery of the retouched files. If you can let me know what your timeline is, I can let you know what your best options are for getting your finished headshots to you ASAP!

Once I have selected the images that I want retouched, how do I inform you of my selection?

The images will have an image number located under them. These are the numbers that you will communicate to us with your selections.

Will my headshots be horizontal or vertical?

I will shoot both during your session, in order to give you a wide variety of images to choose from.

Will my headshots be in color or black and white?

Your headshots will all be delivered to you in color. This way you have the ability to use it in color, or to have it converted to black and white.

Can I share my headshots on social media? Can I put my headshots on my website?

Absolutely! Of course, you can share your headshots! We just ask, if you share them on Instagram, please tag @aliciasphotographyy in your post. If you share them on Facebook, please tag @aliciasphotography. If you share them on any websites, please credit alicias.com and link them back to my site. If you share them in print and have the ability to add a print credit, please credit Alicia’s Photography.

How often do you suggest that I should update my headshots?

We recommend every time you dramatically change your look. You’ll also want to update it every few years as you age. If you feel like it’s time to get a new headshot then it probably is.