Question 1

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Accepted Answer

I am happy to disclose that I am fully vaccinated and take rapid flow tests weekly if not more frequently. Similar care and consideration is very much appreciated and if you are able to take a rapid flow test the morning of your shoot please do so.   You won't be able to wear a mask during your shoot and therefore do not need to arrive wearing one. Unfortunately I am unable to wear a mask for long periods of time due to an underlying health condition. However, I tend to keep my studio's large sliding door open (weather/temperature permitting) to promote good air flow.   Don't hesitate to get in touch with any concerns you may have.   For information on COVID symptoms please visit:  https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Question 2

Where are you based?

Accepted Answer

I am based in Camden. The nearest station in King's Cross. Address details are sent in my booking confirmation email.

Question 3

Can you shoot on location?

Accepted Answer

I am happy to shoot both headshots and portraits on location however this will come at an extra fee dependent on location. Let me know where you're thinking of shooting otherwise I have plenty of London shoot locations I can suggest dependent on the style/photo type you're looking for. Please get in touch to dicuss details.

Question 4

Can I arrive early?

Accepted Answer

Aim to arrive on time. If you do arrive early shoot me a text. My phone number is available in the booking confirmation email. If I'm able to start early I will let you know, otherwise The British Library is a great place to wait or I can reccomend nearby coffee shops.

Question 5

How do I choose my final images?

Accepted Answer

You will receive an email with a link to a password protected online gallery of the full shoot including instructions within 1-3 days of your shoot. These images are watermarked and unedited. I ask that you don't use or post any of the watermarked unedited images publicly, but please DO share the gallery link and password with anyone you need to get an opinion from. If you're struggling to choose, friends, past teachers and agents are all great resources. However family members aren't always objective! If you're still struggling I'm happy to lend a quick opinion between shots once you'e whittled it down to 10 or less.

Question 6

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

I'm not currently asking for deposits and am therefore working by the honour system. If you need to cancel/reschedule for any reason I ask that you try and give me at least 48 hours notice. However, you're likely an actor/creative. I'm an actor as well as a photographer, and last minute auditions/meetings can come up. Since we're in the same boat, I'm always sympathetic when it comes to them. If one comes up (for either of us!) I always endeavour to reschedule same day, or if not as soon as possible.    IMPORTANT: If I need to reschedule for an audition of my own I will let you know ASAP and do reserve the right to do so even up to and on the day of the shoot. If this policy poses an issue for you let me know ASAP and we can discuss. I should note it is very unlikely that I wouldn't have at least a couple days notice to let you know and in all my time shooting it's yet to happen same day. However, if this does happen and you would prefer to cancel rather than reschedule I will of course refund any transfer you may have made in full.

Question 7

How can I best prepare for my shoot?

Accepted Answer

A good night's rest is key. Don't wait until the last minute to prep, make sure to stay hydrated the day before, avoid alcohol, and get an early night.    For actor headshots Spotlight has a great video to help you prep: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGsfTjlxKA4

Question 8

What clothes should I bring?

Accepted Answer

Bring as much as you'd like. We may not get to shoot it all, but the more options the merrier.   For headshots bring your standard more plain 'headshot' type options, meaning plain tee's in more muted colours and make sure to bring a range of necklines and fits, both tigheter and looser. Think different textures - texture above print. In solid colours interesting fabrics, drapey fabrics, different sheens, leathers, knits, these can all look brilliant on camera without distracting too much from you like say a neon rave print will. Don't forget to bring layers. Sometimes a jacket makes a picture and helps break up boring solid colours. When in doubt, bring it. Lastly, don't shy away from also bringing a few more adventurous tops, patterns, colours. Big bold brand logos are generally a no-go, but a small Nike swoop is easy to retouch out if need be. Have a look at my online galleries to see what kinds of tops past clients have brought.   You'll only ever regret not bringing something along. Even though we won't shoot it all, I never bat an eyelid at suitcases. If you're wanting to shoot creative portraits make sure you're happy with your looks head to toe in case we do any full length shots.   Above all make sure what you bring feels like you. You never know what might work and I'm very much of the mind that rules are made to be broken.

Question 9

What about my hair?

Accepted Answer

Come with it pretty much sorted, but there will be time to fix anything your journey to the studio may have messed up. A bit of spray or hair oil can be great for taming pesky fly-aways.   Make sure you bring anything you need to do minor hair changes, pins, hair ties, etc. Changing hair from up to down, doing simple braids, etc, is all good, but if you're determined to do anything more elaborate let me know in advance and we can discuss.   A professional blowdry before your shoot can be a great investment especially if (like me!) you're not very skilled with hair. Plenty of London salons offer reasonable blowdry prices and it can really take your final image results to the next level.

Question 10

Can I shave halfway through the session?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely happy for anyone with facial hair to make changes throughout the shoot to make sure we cover a variety of looks, but please bring everything you need with you and clean up after. Make sure to bring your own face towel as well as I cannot provide one.

Question 11

Any skincare advice? Spots? Shininess?

Accepted Answer

Spots. If you've got em' don't worry about them! Easily retouched, however dry lips are not. Seems like a small thing, but can be very difficult to retouch to look natural. So if your lips tend to get dry scrub em' and put some lip balm on at least the night before.   Shininess. Invest in some powder and bring it along with you especially if you tend to get shiny. This is something I recommend for everyone, not just makeup wearers. You can get it at Boots fairly cheaply. If you don't know your shade translucent powder is best. Don't rely on the retouch to get rid of shininess. Retouching shininess usually also means retouching out skin texture and if I'm forced to do that the final image can end up looking unnaturally airbrushed.    Lastly, the night before the shoot is not the time to try out a brand new skincare product! You never know how skin might react and you don't want to come to your shoot mid bad skin reaction.

Question 12

What makeup should I wear?

Accepted Answer

For headshots come wearing the makeup you would normally wear to an audition. In a headshot you want to look as most like the person who will be walking through the door in as possible. Generally the less the better. Casting director's and agents want to see YOU, wonderful you!    For portraits the makeup is totally down to you and the kind of shots you're looking for. You can go as wild, as muted, or as bare-faced as you'd like. I love it all!   For both, try to avoid thick or cakey foundation. The best thing is to come with nice hydrated skin. There’s not time to reapply a whole face, but if you want to add more mascara or change a lip that’s fine. In fact a lip colour is a great simple way to majorly change a look up quickly.   Don’t be overly concerned about covering individual spots! If you have large red areas on the shoot day it’s helpful to even out skin tone, but individual spots are easy to fix. Avoiding cakey makeup is far more important than covering up individual spots.

Question 13

What is your retouch turnaround time?

Accepted Answer

My turnaround is usually 10 working days from the day you send your final image choices. If you're on a deadline let me know as soon as possible within the process. I cannot make guarantrees, but I can bump you up on the priority list if possible.

Question 14

Do you shoot weekends?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Both Saturdays and Sundays. Just get in touch and we'll find a date shoot that works for you dependant on availability.

Question 15

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Payment is via bank transfer on or before the day of the shoot. My bank details can be found in your booking confirmation email.

Question 16

I'm really nervous! How can you help?

Accepted Answer

I've worked with many first-timers. I always strive to create a welcoming, low-pressure, and fun space for all my clients. I don't have just one way of working and it really is a collaboration. We'll have the time and space to find a way of working that is best for you. You certainly don't have to come already comfortable in front of the camera. We'll have a good long chat and a coffee before we start shooting to go through any concerns you may have. I'll make sure I have a good understanding of all the things you're looking to get out of the session. All I ask is you that bring yourself, a bag of clothes, and leave any stress at home. Leave the rest to me!

Question 17

I really like a certain style of photo. Can I bring you examples or a mood board?

Accepted Answer

If there's anything in particular you like on my website let me know! Take some screen shots and we'll have a look through at the start of the session. If you have any other images you'd like to bring for inspiration I'm also happy to take a look. It can be a great way for me to get a sense of your tastes and help guide me in the right direction. Mood boards welcome!   Make sure to let me know at the start of the session that you've brought examples.

Question 18

Do you shoot indoors or outdoors?

Accepted Answer

Both! Whether or not we shoot one, the other, or both is totally down to client preference.

Question 19

Can I have the unretouched photo files?

Accepted Answer

I am unable to send any unretouched photo files, hence the watermarked image gallery. Please do not share or repost any unretouched watermarked images publicly. Unedited RAW files are unfinished examples of my work. It’s important that all images released are of a standard that fits my professional discretion. Distributing anything less than a fully retouched final image affects my ability to maintain that standard in the future. I retain copyright of all images.   I'll store your images for three months so feel free to purchase any extra retouches within that time frame. I may still be able to retrieve images after three months and you can always check in after this time, but no guarantees.

Question 20

Can I modify/filter my final retouches myself?

Accepted Answer

I retain copyright to all images. That can be a little strange to clients at first since it is your beautiful faces I'm photograpging. However a portrait photographer continues to own the copyright to all images they snap even after they are sent to clients. They cannot be modified or retouched without the photographers permission. It’s important that all images released are of a standard that fits my professional discretion as this affects my ability to maintain that standard in the future. Please avoid using filters!   If you're after any specifics in your retouch let me know. That way I can be sure your final images are exactly what you need them to be.   That said I am totally open to any cropping of images you may need to make for your professional use.   Get in touch with any further questions you may have.

Question 21

How do I recieve my final images?

Accepted Answer

You will receive your edits via a WeTransfer link which expires after one week. Make sure you click the link and download the images before it expires as your photos may have gone into external storage and there may be a small access fee of £5 to retrieve them.

Question 22

Can I buy more retouches?

Accepted Answer

Extra retouches are £20 each, £30 for couples photos.   I'll store your images for three months so feel free to purchase any extras within that time frame. I may still be able to retrieve images after three months and you can always check in after this time, but no guarantees.

Question 23

Things are a little tight. Can I pay in installments?

Accepted Answer

If you're able to pay the amount in full please do. However, if you're struggling, get in touch and we may be able to work something out, but I cannot offer any guarantees.

Question 24

Can I reschedule?

Accepted Answer

I'm not currently asking for deposits and am therefore working by the honour system. If you need to cancel/reschedule for any reason I ask that you try and give me at least 48 hours notice. However, you're likely an actor/creative. I'm an actor as well as a photographer, and last minute auditions/meetings can come up. Since we're in the same boat, I'm always sympathetic when it comes to them. If one comes up (for either of us!) I always endeavour to reschedule same day, or if not as soon as possible.    IMPORTANT: If I need to reschedule for an audition of my own I will let you know ASAP and do reserve the right to do so even up to and on the day of the shoot. If this policy poses an issue for you let me know ASAP and we can discuss. However, I should note it is very unlikely that I wouldn't have at least a couple days notice to let you know and in all my time shooting it's yet to happen same day. However, if this does happen and you would prefer to cancel rather than reschedule I will of course refund any transfer you may have made in full.

Question 25

Who is Nina?

Accepted Answer

Nina is my cat. I don't let her into the studio whilst we're shooting since she gets a little over curious about clients, but she can make a dastardly prison break once in a while. I'll woo her away with treats. She is a rescue cat and even though she's a sweetheart she can be a little deceptive and become over stimulated and scratchy. If you're a seasoned cat-person you'll be fine, otherwise leave the cat handling to me and I'll gently remove her.

A DUNLAVY
Photography

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