A strong headshot opens doors to opportunities. For an actor, you quickly give a casting director an idea who you are and what roles you’ve got a look for. For corporate professionals, you offer the proverbial “first impression”. But regardless of what you are using a headshot for, you should look your best, feel your best, and be proud to show it to the world. To that end my headshot sessions are designed to remove pressure and encourage creative collaboration. So that we are always moving towards the best possible images.

The Session

A headshot session takes anywhere from two to three and a half hours. It varies based on what your final needs are and how many looks (outfit/hair/make-up changes) you are hoping to come away with. I don’t have any set limitations on looks, or photos taken in a session, but it’s something we talk about prior to the sessions and make sure we are on the same page.

Upon arrival, we’ll lay out any outfits you’ve brought and come up with a plan for the session, usually starting casual and building up towards anything more serious or dramatic. 

While shooting, I’ll have my camera tethered to the computer and we’ll be able to instantly see how the lights are looking, and you’ll be able to get a sense of the directions we are going, and if the images suit your needs. Throughout the session, we’ll take around 100 images and then sit down to review what we’ve done, marking our favorite images. These breaks are a chance to get out from in front of the camera and connect with things we are doing that are working.

Processing and Retouching

Once a session is complete I will send you all the images from the session via dropbox, as well as the images we marked as favorites broken out into a separate folder. You are welcome to use those images, send them to others for feedback, whatever you want. The session fee includes one retouched image, with additional images retouched at $25/per. You can take as much time reviewing your images and once you make your selections, I just need the file name and if there are any specific edits you’d like made.

My ethics on editing are to only fully remove things (like pimples) that are temporary. Anything that is part of you, your features, will remain. Though I may use some techniques to draw less focus to anything distracting.

Clothing

I recommend bringing whatever items you think you might want to be photographed in. Typically speaking, earth tones are good, items that match your eye color, and items without logos or loud patterns. Layering is good, textures are good. Don’t worry about the seasons, we can shoot sweaters in summer and tank tops in winter. 

There are exceptions to every clothing rule, so I’m always happy to take a photograph, review on the computer, and decide after we see it.

Hair and Make Up

I always recommend hiring a hair and makeup artist for your session. You can either have them come to do your hair and makeup and then leave, or stay for the duration of the session to do touch ups as we go. We can talk through the best options for your situation. I work with several and I’m happy to offer recommendations. Cost will vary, but is typically between $100-$300.

If you are comfortable doing your own hair and makeup, I recommend arriving with the most casual and basic look, and building up from there.

And if you are bearded, feel free to bring a razor to the session and shave after we photograph your bearded look.

Package Cost

A session costs $325 and includes one high resolution, retouched image. Additional images from the shoot can be retouched for $25/per.

Payment

I accept cash, check, venmo, paypal, zelle, and credit (Mastercard, Visa, Discover, and American Express).  A non-refundable, $150 deposit is required at the time of booking to schedule a session.  The remaining balance must be paid at the beginning of the session.

Directions

My studio is conveniently located on Oakley Ave. near Addison and Western and is accessible by the Brown Line (Addison Stop), Addison Bus, and Western Bus. Ample street parking is available.

If you've gotten this far I hope you've got a good idea how a session works.  If you've got any additional questions you can email me directly at greg@greginda.com, call me at 773-726-2143, or fill out the contact form to the right.

I look forward to working with you!