“The camera is an eye in the head of a poet.” Orson Welles 

FAQ

What is your portrait style?

My style is formally called Pictorialism and, as it applies to portraits, is also loosely called the Old Master or Renaissance Aesthetic. It is an approach to photography that emphasizes the softness and beauty of subject matter via tonality and composition rather than evidentiary documentation as is done in journalism, headshots, and editorial work. The Pictorialist perspective was born in the late 1860s and held sway through the first decade of the 20th century. It approached the camera as a tool like the paintbrush and palette is to an artist. A tool for creating art rather than recording reality. I shoot Fine Art Portraiture. The photographer, in these types of shots, is an artist. We don’t just operate the camera equipment. Instead it becomes the “Paint Brush” that facilitates the artist’s vision. The photographer’s vision is central to the resulting shot. A fine art portrait photograph is intended for wall art.

My portrait work isn’t beach photos, headshots, engagements, weddings, families groups, high school seniors, or swaddled infants. If this is what you need, I can happily recommend a fabulous local photographer.

Art and Reality

Reflecting reality, with its warts, flubber, and stained teeth, isn’t our goal. You can check out some Before and Afters here. Also, please read our Photoshop Policy. Each person I photograph shares a little piece of their soul’s magic and it is this enchanting part of you that my work seeks to capture.

What happens first?

We start with a conversation. We can meet for coffee or just have a phone conversation, and texting works too. You can contact me at 800-843-0201. If I’m shooting, the phone will go to voicemail but I’ll call you back as soon as I’m out of the studio.

I’ll also ask for your clothing and shoe sizes. It’s important you don’t fib.

Let me know if you have any allergies to make up or other products.

How soon should I schedule my session?

I recommend reserving your portrait session as soon as possible, as I limit my number of sessions due to the heavy time commitment of each session. My clients often schedule several months ahead of time. Depending on your schedule and mine, we may be able to fit in something on short notice, and I do typically reserve time in my schedule for less predictable situations. If you need to travel overnight, I can suggest local lodging to fit your wallet. The Hilton Head island Beaches are 20 minutes away, so it’s a good place to schedule a vacation.

Do you have an actual photography studio?

Yes. I’m a professional commercial photographer. My studio, however, is in its own dedicated space at my home. My home is in a gated community. I’m not open to the public and all visits to the studio must be by appointment. You’ll need a coded pass to obtain entry to the community. My home studio has a more relaxed feeling and I really prefer that for my clients. Plus, there are no strangers walking in a on a session. You can see the studio in this video.

Booking the session:

Bookings are scheduled about 2 to 3 weeks in advance so the we can plan and shop for the shoot. EVERY shoot has a mapped out plan with wardrobe changes, make up and hair session, and posing plan. I spend HOURS planning each shoot and every aspect of the shoot.

I’ll email a pre-shoot list of instructions for you prior to your session. It includes items to bring with you and a few dos and don’ts.

At the session:

You’ll usually meet my assistant(s) who help you look your best as the session progresses. We’ll go over any questions you might have. I usually play classical music that is beautiful, calming, and timeless. I usually do my own make up artistry and my assistant does hair but I may have brought in both hair and make up people for your particular shoot.

Your suggestions for how you’d like to be shot are important but most of the time, however, your shoot is a mystery to you. You won’t know for sure what I’ve planned until after we’ve photographed you and you arrive at your reveal session. Trust me, your uniqueness always shows me something amazing about you that simply must be captured in my art. It might be your warrior heart. It might be your wildly feminine side you keep hidden. It might be the quiet joy that bubbles softly in your heart.

There is only one of you on the planet, even if you’re a twin, and my goal is to capture a shining bit of that God given soul inhibiting your beautiful form.

After the shoot:

The hand-editing begins. I personally edit the best of each wardrobe change we shot before anyone sees the images. My aesthetic usually leans toward Old Masters, Renaissance, and Impressionist Paintings. Classically beautiful art that is meant to adorn the walls for generations. I follow my heart for each image of you. Nothing is automated or sent to a photo lab. There are usually around 12 to 25 images that end up being edited from which you may choose.

I eliminate duplicate images, test shots, missed focused shots, shots with bad expressions and other images that may have gone awry. I don’t expect you to have the expertise or the time to zoom into each image to select the best ones for editing, so I spend hours doing that. You know, candid laughs and emotional tears are often some of the best images from the day. Unfortunately, they can also yield some unflattering facial expressions. I might snap a few extras of any of these moments to make sure I have a great shot with the ideal expression for the moment. With my expertise of processing bunches of images each year, I’ll always eliminate the less than perfect ones and only deliver the best ones at your reveal session.

Your reveal session.

Unless you’ve traveled to be photographed in my studio, we’ll always do an in-person reveal session of the final images. You’re welcome to bring your spouse or other person to see what we’ve created. You’ll get to see all of the images that have been edited. Some will be simple images of just you and some might be composited with nature or fantasy scenes.

You aren’t required to buy any or all of the images at your reveal session. After your session fee, you are under NO obligation to buy one more thing.

FYI: I do not offer digital-only packages. All my work is printed and matted, however, my medium and large print packages do include small digitals designed to be shared on your website or social media channels.

The investment:

My work is expensive because I’m not a “shoot and burn” digital camera operator. I’m a trained, award-winning artist who spends days of work on every single portrait I produce. There are plenty of other photographers out there who will charge a minimum price for their work and you will get decent shots. I’m happy to suggest alternative photographers that may better suit your budget. My work and style isn’t for everyone and that’s okay. No one gets mad over that.

Affordability:

I take all major credit card. I do not make payments plans widely available at this time but please ask if you think you might need a layaway plan for your package.

Do you photograph pets, or allow pets in the studio?

Yes! I am happy to include pets in your photo session. Please mention this during the planning phase of your session so I can be prepared to welcome your pet properly. Similarly, if you are allergic to animals, know that we do take special care to clean the studio after animals visit for portraits. Please mention any allergies during the planning phase so we can take extra care to prepare our space before your arrival!

What if I need to cancel my session?

Your session retainer holds your session time exclusively for you.  Once you book I take that date off of the calendar and start to plan. I do not take any “backup” bookings during that time because I’m devoting my time to you. As such, session fee deposits are non-refundable.  If you cancel with 48 hours or more notice that fee can be applied to another session, provided we reschedule when notice of cancellation is given.

What else should I know?

When you book your session you will be asked to sign a Studio and Model Release and Studio Policies agreement.  As an artist, I will only photograph those who sign a model release as I may use the images I create on my website or to promote the studio, in advertising, in marketing materials, for training purposes, contests or exhibitions or in numerous other ways. For minors, a parent or legal guardian’s signature is required.