FAQ
How much notice do you need to schedule a session?
We can sometimes schedule a session for the same day or the next day. It just depends on our schedule when you call.
How long does take?
The shooting session takes less than 15 minutes. Of course we time to set up our lights before the shoot and break them down when we’re done, but we only need the subject to spend 10-15 minutes with us.
Where do you shoot?
We can shoot in your offices or in our downtown studio or on another location if you like. We’ve shot, for example, at the Union League Club and the University Club, and in various hotel meeting rooms and conference centers.
If you shoot in our offices, how much room do you neeed?
Usually the minimum space needed would be about 10’x10’. We can shoot in conference rooms, law libraries, private offices, and reception areas.
Can you shoot outside?
Yes, weather permitting. We’ve shot in front of office buildings, rooftops, and various other places.
How much does it cost?
A single-person session is usually $225.
Are there additional charges?
Not usually. If the location is far from downtown Chicago, we might add on a small location fee. Some clients send us to shoot in offices in other cities. Obviously we have to charge an additional fee to cover our travel expenses and the extra time required. The total is still quite reasonable and sometimes less than a local shooter might charge.
What does your fee include?
Fees for individual portraits include: Unlimited usage and reproduction rights (some photographers charge large extra fees for certain uses and for making prints), preparation of final images (color correction, cropping, sharpening), and retouching. The fees we quote for group shoots do not include retouching, which is usually about $25 per image.
How should we dress?
Dress the part. If you’re a lawyer dress the way you would to meet your ideal client. If you’re a CEO, dress the way you would dress for a shareholder’s meeting. Dark suits and light solid shirts always look good. A blue coat, a pale blue shirt, and a burgundy tie is a very successful look. Women can wear jackets or business like dresses. People in more casual businesses, might wear a blazer, and dress shirt without tie. Men should have their hair cut before the shoot, if possible. If not, we’ll fix it in retouching.
Can we do group shots?
We frequently do group shots, both posed and informal, working portraits.
What if I need a shot in black-and-white?
We’ll send you your final images in black-and-white and color. Many of the images in the newspapers and in the trade press are in black-and-white, so it’s always good to have black-and-white images on hand for those opportunities that arise. Sometimes media companies will offer to convert color images, but they don’t always do a good job. We prefer to do so ourselves, so our clients’ images look their best.
Do you have someone to do hair and make-up?
We book freelancers when requested.
When do I get my images?
We can prepare your disc immediately after the shoot, e.g. in your offices, or drop them off the next day, whichever you prefer.
Will the images you give us be hi-res?
The original files we furnish are hi-res. The final files are hi-res for print use and also low-res for internet use.
Can you fix the images and make them look better?
We retouch the images to make the subject look successful. We fix the images, the wardrobe, grooming, skin, teeth, and facial expression when needed. The final images would work well in a top national magazine.
I always take lousy pictures. What can you do?
First of all, by making our subject feel relaxed and comfortable, people take better pictures. Our experience helps us make them look their best. And finally, our retouching can fix almost any problem, including unattractive facial expressions.
Do you do special effects?
Yes. Most commonly we change backgrounds, add people to pictures or take them out, make changes in the background, etc.
Do you shoot events?
Yes. We’ve shot meetings, awards banquets. trade show booths, mock trials, and parties.
Can you do formal portraits during the event?
Yes. We set up a portrait area with studio lights. Sometimes companies have a hard time getting their people, especially their out-of-town people, together for their portraits. Shooting them during an event might be the most convenient way to do it.
How long have you been doing this?
We’ve been doing the photography since 1987. Before that time we owned and managed an agency doing marketing, advertising, and public relations. During that time we planned the portraits, but hired other photographers to shoot them.
