Where do I need to come to for the photoshoot?

At Scott Barron Photography, we come to you! This approach ensures a less disruptive day for you and, if involved, your team. Depending on your requirements for a chosen background, your images can be taken indoors or outdoors, or both in the case of personal branding photography. We'll discuss and agree on a suitable location prior to finalising the shoot details.

Why do a few photo snaps cost so much?

The price of a professional photoshoot includes much more than just the time spent taking photos. Here's a breakdown of what's included in our pricing:

• Travel time to and from your location

• Setup and breakdown of our mobile studio equipment

• The actual photoshoot time

• Top-quality, hand-retouched editing time for each selected image

• Our expertise and use of professional-grade equipment

When you hire Scott Barron Photography, you're not just paying for "a few snaps," but for a comprehensive, professional service that ensures high-quality, polished final images.

Why do I need my photos taken by a professional photographer?

While many people believe they can achieve good results with a mobile phone selfie, there are several compelling reasons to choose a professional photographer:

• Quality: Professional equipment and expertise result in significantly higher image quality than what's possible with a mobile phone.

• Lighting: We use a sophisticated three-point lighting system, customised for each assignment, to ensure consistent, flattering results. Proper lighting is crucial for a high-quality image and is often overlooked in amateur photography.

• Posing expertise: We assist with posing to ensure the best results and to capture your true personality. This guidance helps you look your best and feel comfortable in front of the camera.

• Professional appearance: A professionally-taken headshot will elevate your professionalism and set you apart from your competition and from the crowd.

• Consistency: For business or team photos, professional photography ensures a consistent look across all images.

• Personalisation: We tailor each shoot to capture your unique personality and brand, something that's difficult to achieve with self-taken photos.

Investing in professional photography is an investment in your personal or business brand, helping you make a strong first impression in today's visual world.

How long does a typical photoshoot take?

The duration of a photoshoot can vary depending on the type of session and your specific requirements:

• Individual Headshot: Typically, an individual headshot session takes between 60-90 minutes. However, we're flexible and will take as long as needed to capture the best shots.

• Personal Branding: These sessions can be more extensive, potentially lasting a full day, especially if multiple locations and outfit changes are involved.

• Team Headshots: For team or corporate headshots, we estimate approximately 15 minutes per person.

Remember, these are general guidelines. We always aim to work at a pace that ensures high-quality results while respecting your time. The exact duration will be discussed and agreed upon when planning your shoot, taking into account your specific needs and preferences.

What happens to my photos once they have been taken?

After your photoshoot, we follow a careful process to ensure you receive the best possible final images:

• Initial Selection: From the hundreds of photos taken during the shoot, I carefully review and eliminate those with issues such as bad poses, blinking eyes, or unflattering expressions.

• Client Review: I'll present you with a handful of the best shots, and you'll have the opportunity to choose your favorites. These selected images will move forward to the editing stage.

• Basic Editing: I adjust the brightness, contrast, and white balance of each selected image to ensure consistency and optimal quality.

• Detailed Retouching: Each chosen image is individually edited in Photoshop. This process includes:

  • Retouching blemishes

  • Smoothing out unwanted wrinkles and double chins (while maintaining your natural character)

  • Detailed work on hair and beards as needed

  • Tidying jewellery and creased clothing

• Colour Grading: Finally, I apply color grading to make your features 'pop' and enhance the overall look of the image.

This meticulous editing process can take between 30 and 60 minutes per headshot, depending on the level of retouching required. The result is a set of polished, professional images that present you at your best while maintaining a natural appearance.

Why do I only receive a select few images rather than the full photoshoot?

There are several reasons why you receive a curated selection of images rather than all the photos taken during the session:

• Quality over Quantity: Not every photo taken during a session turns out perfectly. We carefully select only the best images that truly capture you at your finest.

• Professional Curation: Part of our expertise lies in identifying the most flattering and effective shots. We use our professional judgment to choose images that best represent you or your brand.

• Focused Editing: The editing process for each selected image is intensive and time-consuming. By focusing on a smaller set of the best images, we can ensure each receives the attention to detail it deserves.

• Package-based Delivery: The number of fully edited images you receive depends on the package you've booked. This allows us to offer different options to suit various needs and budgets.

• Option for More: If you find additional images you love, you can purchase them individually for £25 per image.

This approach ensures that you receive a set of truly outstanding, professionally edited images rather than a large number of unedited or lower quality shots.

In what format will I receive the images?

We deliver your images in formats suitable for both print and digital use:

High-Resolution Format:

• File type: JPEG

• Resolution: 300 DPI (dots per inch)

• Quality: Full quality

• Usage: These files are suitable for large format printing, including posters, and provide maximum flexibility for various uses.

Web-Optimised Format (upon request):

• File type: JPEG

• Resolution: 72 DPI

• Usage: Optimised for online use, such as websites and social media

• Note: These are provided at no additional cost if requested

The high-resolution files we provide are versatile and can be easily scaled down for web use if needed. However, we're happy to provide web-optimised versions to save you time and effort.

What should I wear for the photoshoot?

Choosing the right outfit for your photoshoot is crucial for achieving the best results.

Here are some recommendations:

• Color Choice: Both bright and dark colors can work well in headshots and personal branding photos. The key is to choose colors that match your character and personality.

• Solid Colors: We recommend wearing solid-colored clothing. Avoid patterns or multi-colored outfits as these can clash and detract attention from your face.

• Complement the Background: Your clothing should complement the chosen background. We can discuss this when planning your shoot to ensure a cohesive look.

• Personal Style: Wear something that makes you feel confident and comfortable. Your comfort will show in the photos.

• Multiple Options: If you're unsure, feel free to bring a few different options. We can help you choose the best outfit on the day of the shoot.

Remember, the focus of the photograph should be on you, not your clothing. The goal is to choose an outfit that enhances your appearance without overshadowing you.

Do you take care of my hair and personal grooming?

While we don't offer professional hair and makeup services, we do provide some basic amenities to help you look your best:

• Grooming Tools: We bring unused combs and a small mirror to the photoshoot for last-minute touch-ups.

• Personal Preparation: We recommend that you come to the shoot with your hair and makeup done as you prefer. Here are some tips:

  • For men: If you shave, do so carefully on the morning of the shoot to avoid cuts or missed spots. If you have a beard, please trim it beforehand.

  • For everyone: Style your hair as you normally would, but perhaps with a bit more attention to detail.

• Makeup (if worn) should be applied as you would for an important business meeting or social event.

• Attention to Detail: Please take extra care with your grooming. Most of our editing time is spent tidying up stray hairs, so the neater your appearance, the better the final results will be.

• Touch-ups: We'll have the mirror available for you to check your appearance before and during the shoot.

Remember, the goal is to look like the best version of yourself. If you have any concerns about your appearance for the photoshoot, please don't hesitate to ask us for advice when booking your session.

What background options are available?

We offer a variety of background options to complement your headshot or personal branding photos. The choice of background can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your images. Here's an overview of our background options:

White:

• Clean and contemporary look

• Slightly more casual and less formal

• Ideal for catering industry, health and fitness professionals, or general workforce

Off-white / Grey:

• Less clinical than pure white

• Softer feel while maintaining professionalism

• Understated and doesn't detract from the subject

Warm/neutral colors:

• Softer and more inviting than off-white/grey

• Less corporate feel

• Allows the warmth of the subject to radiate

• Timeless appeal

Dark grey:

• Makes colors pop

• Enhances all skin tones

• Suitable for corporate boardroom looks

Cool colors:

• More conservative, corporate look

• Generally blue tones

• Similar effect to dark grey

Black:

• Can be stark but excellent for bringing out facial details

• Used to isolate the face, especially with dark clothing

• Face becomes the primary element in the frame

Office/Interior:

• More relaxed, casual look

• Background is generally blurred

• Good choice for entrepreneurs and business owners

Outdoors:

• Suitable for those involved in outdoor work or activities

• Examples: dog walkers, outdoor tradesmen, etc.

The choice of background should complement your skin tone, features, hair style, and clothing. It should enhance your headshot rather than distract from it. We'll discuss the best background option for you based on the purpose of your headshot (e.g., corporate executive, actor, social media) and your personal style.

Remember, the goal is to choose a background that enhances your features and aligns with your professional image. We're happy to provide guidance and discuss the best options for your specific needs during our pre-shoot consultation.

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How long does it take before I receive the final, edited, images?

Our standard turnaround time for delivering your final, edited images is within 5 working days after your photoshoot. This allows us to carefully select and edit your best images to ensure the highest quality results.

If you require your images sooner than our standard turnaround time, please contact us directly to discuss available options for expedited delivery. We understand that sometimes you may need your photos quickly for a specific deadline, and we'll do our best to accommodate your needs.