What is this page
Here I’m explainig the whole process: ie everything my clients go through by working with me.
That is usually the hidden and private part of every photographer, so I don’t know how other people process things, but I do it like this:
Need-to-know
I use manual lenses and do my best to focus quickly — miraculously I do it not too bad even in semidarkness of the studio, but many shots still have that fleur of film cameras — a bit blurred focus, some fringing, I add grain on top sometimes. It’s my choice to shoot with manual lenses, so there won’t be super crisp shots all the time
And about the editing — it is not perfect as well. Some colors work better, some are not, in many cases I choose creative concept over skin tones, or vibrance over smooth colour transition. If it’s too much — I can do less bright and more washed out though — tell me about that, but mostly in default I make it vivid.
01
Do you like my pics?
That is essential! I’m doing what I love and doing what I don’t doesn’t feel right, as well as I don’t expect everyone to like my wild editing. But if you do — cheers, let’s go to the next step
02
Booking
This is done manually — I don’t have any calendar widget for it, I just check with myself if I can do that or not on the dates you say. Even if I have another important appointment close to the only time you can, I’ll make it work. So just reach out via email or any of website forms
03
Who decides on future shots?
We discuss it and decide together. That’s why I always insist on meeting in person, or at least having a call — to talk to you about your craft, what you need photos for and what vibe you want to convey.
04
The meeting, why?
We meet not just to discuss shots and chit chat, but to see if we fit together at all. Usually we do! Also just for us to interact before the shoot, as it’s pretty vulnerable space especially for those who’s not a usual guest of photoshoots.
But mainly: you can prepare a bit: research references and vibes you liked to show me straight away
I ask what do you need your pics for, what do you do, what do you want to represent with them. I’m picking up the artistic vibe. It won’t change my style much, but it gives me the idea what kind of creativity we’ll be chasing
05
What’s the quote?
I have some standard basic quotes for weekdays — you can see them on the service page.
But when it comes to more complicated projects when I know I will have to spend more time and effort — I calculate it personally. For example: more people on the shoot. Or videos needed. Or some sophisticated editing with graphics. Or you only can on weekends: the studio hire is higher. Etc.
06
Who hires the studio?
I do the request under your name and forward you the invoice and confirmation email. I shoot in Offshoot studio and not a big fan of changing studios — it takes time to get used to other lights and space especially not being sure if they have coloured lights at all. But — can do that as well, I’m open to discussion.
07
Pre-production
It’s not just scrolling Pinterest! :) It’s also brewing the light setups in my head: I need to think how to build them technically, especially if there’s something I didn’t try before. Maybe get some props.
08
The shoot
You come to Offshoot a bit earlier than the booked time — to pull out your outfits, check out the space, chat a little bit and then dive into work. I help those who never stood in front of the camera as well as guide those who’s extremely comfortable in front of it to get best pics: we go with the flow. Get your playlist ready if you want to be comfortable with your own music! There’s a speaker at the studio. As well as Make up area, changing room, coffee/ tea/ or water, free wifi, bathroom and even shower if you need.
I’m mostly concentrated on lights — it takes the most time, so you will have time to change outfits or take a breather while I’m on them changing the light sets, and then I invite you into the shot again.
09
After the shoot
I’m following up the shoot with email with raw shots for review. I sort them from too bad ones: too blurry, blinked, bad composition, and leave those which I consider as good ones.
Then I give them to you to choose those you like: my main goal is for you to like yourself on photos — and even if I like the photo itself and the composition, it doesn’t mean you’ll ever use it if you don’t like how you look on it, so what I’ve found with experience is that my short list is surprisingly different from client’s shortlist. So — you choose the pics.
Oh yes! I use the professional platform for it where the pics appear in a nice online gallery where you can Like photos and click through them easily. No more google drives or other things. The example: link
10
Editing
It takes me up to 8 hours overall. If that would be just white light or one setup that would be great and easy! But no. With all the light setups, different colours works differently on skin and composition. So I have to tweak each photo individually and almost always erase a lot of things on the background if I take wide shots.
11
Delivery
I accept one round of changes — if you see something I missed (that happens when my vision got blurred after looking at one set of photos for hours). I’m changing it and sending you the final results in large original quality and web quality for easier use on socials and websites. That’s it! :)
12
Summing up:
Basically it’s all-included service that looks like 2h set for you, but appears 4 weeks-job for me. Let’s dive into what you’re getting and paying for:
- the studio and lights hire — the quote varies depending on weekday/weekend and the amount of hours. The $1040 quote is minimum: $240/2h for the studio, $800 for my services
- the pre-production meeting I told you above
- me getting the reference board ready
- the shoot
- follow up selection
- editing
- delivery
- the whole managing the projects and keeping it in my brain operation memory :)
