COVID-19 Update

Individual portraits, involving just the photographer and the subject, have been less affected as Scottish Government's COVID-19 restrictions ease out of Lockdown.

• Outdoor headshots have been permitted for some time, although there will still need to be appropriate physical distancing. 
• Indoor headshots are now permitted in Phase 3, from July 10th, again with appropriate safety measures.

Before the internet  it was only certain people whose portraits mattered - actors, for example, got auditions based on whether their headshot stood out in a sheaf of 10x8 prints  - while the rest of us remained largely anonymous until a first face-to-face meeting. No longer. We are all judged based on what we look like whether it be online dating, promoting our own business or looking for a new job. And the simplest way to show who we are is the basic headshot, cropped in tight and then used in a variety of places as a first introduction.

It may be a small picture, but it's important to come across as friendly and approachable. Which usually means being comfortable in front of the camera so where better to take your head shots than in a familiar place where you feel relaxed and at ease? Instead of you going into a studio, I can bring the studio to you. We can work together to set up a space for the shots - don't worry if the room isn't completely clear as an object or two  in the background often provides a bit more texture that looks more interesting than a completely blank backdrop. We can look through the pictures together immediately, see what works and what doesn't, take a some more and then finally, when you are happy, select a shortlist for me to work on afterwards.

Basic Portrait Package - Individuals
Best for simple headshot session .

Session to include half an hour shooting, plus any discussion and set-up time required beforehand, at a mutually convenient location - probably between 1 - 1½ hours in total.
 
A headshot by definition will be cropped in close in the final picture and therefore can be taken in even quite cluttered spaces.  I can either keep the background out of focus or use a pop-up backdrop to help you stand out. Before the shoot we will discuss your requirements by email and consider the best  options  in the location. 
 
This discussion will continue in person at the beginning of the session before setting up and getting underway. A basic headshot session won't have time for changing outfits but should nevertheless give you plenty of shots to choose from. (If more variety is required consider a more expensive portrait package that will give you more time.) Select 3 or 4 images for simple retouching.
 
Selected retouched images supplied electronically in colour or black and white as requested, sized-for-web (800px, longest side) and sized-to-print (in proportions requested)
COST : £100 plus travel expenses beyond Edinburgh

While it is generally thought that an actor's headshot should not show too much 'character' in case that prejudices an agent or director against casting an actor in a particular role, for most other people we want personality to shine through the picture. That can simply be a matter of taking a little longer over the session or it could mean including a bit more context in the shot, or some of both.

Standard Portrait Package -
Individuals, Couples or Groups
Take a bit more time in a longer session.

Session to include an hour shooting, plus any discussion and set-up time required beforehand, at mutually convenient location - probably between 1½ - 2 hours in total.
 
Before the shoot we will discuss your requirements by email and consider the best location to take the image. 
 
This discussion will continue in person at the beginning of the session before setting up and getting underway. Select up to ten images for simple retouching.
 
Selected retouched images supplied electronically in colour or black and white as requested, sized-for-web (800px, longest side) and sized-to-print (in proportions requested)
COST : £125 plus travel expenses
 

Other requirements priced on request, in particular any prints needed. Please contact me for more details and to discuss specific requirements.