HEADSHOT - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How long does it take to get my pictures back?
I’ll be emailing you a password protected link to view all your images within 7 business days of our shoot! That being said, I do try to get them to you sooner, but life happens, so I say 7 just to be safe.
Will you do any retouching for Headshots?
My packages include retouched images, so check out the agreed upon number of retouches included. If you want more, it is only $20 an image after the included images. I will deliver retouched images within 7 business days of the request.
Where are you located?
I am located in Brooklyn! I shoot out of my apartment in my second bedroom which is the dedicated studio. This helps keep my overhead low and, therefore, my prices low! Check out highlights on my Instagram stories @shanihadjianphotography to check out what The Studio looks like!
Is it true you donate some of your profits to a Black Lives Matter organization?
Yes! I donate 10% of my profits to Black Lives Matter Global Movement. I did a lot of research on which organization to donate to and there were so many! I may end up rotating between a few others that were close contenders!
Why is Makeup so important?
I work with amazing Makeup Artists and they seriously understand what needs to be done to a face to make it appear just as wonderful in 2D as in 3D. We want you to look your best in your photos and makeup aids in that drastically. Also, it’s really nice to sit back and let someone else do all the work for you! My makeup artists stay for the photoshoot to help adjust things here and there and to build up the makeup if necessary. For the Basic Makeup Application, they will reduce redness and help groom without making you look like you are wearing makeup. The Full Makeup Application includes foundation, eye makeup, blush and lipstick.
What’s your favorite thing about taking people’s portraits?
Gosh, I love the people! I really love working with different personalities and just having a good time. I love getting what the client wants/needs and having such a fun time with it. I seriously walk away with so much energy after a shoot!
We had an amazing shoot, but what’s the next step?
The next step would be to sort through your pictures. From the link I send you within 7 business days of our photoshoot, you can download individual high resolution images to keep, or you can quickly download all the high resolution images to keep forever! You can favorite the ones you love into the favorites folder. You can send the link and password to anyone you like to ask for advice. You can load the images that you download onto facebook and poll your friends. Whatever you want! But you’ve got to narrow it down (this is the hardest part). Remember to choose images that represent YOU, and that you would feel confident handing over to a casting director. Then, you can email me the file numbers of the images you’d like retouched and I will then email back the retouched images within 7 business days. You are more than welcome to have an outside retoucher handle your images, the high resolution photos you receive from me should be perfect for what they need.
What can I do to prepare for the session?
I send you a questionnaire before the session to find out what I need to know about you as a person in your given field, but that is not just for me, it’s for you also. I want you to really focus on what you want to convey. We can then focus the session from there. Also: sleep, eat, and drink water beforehand and leading up to it. Exfoliate and moisturize. Don’t get a hair cut right before the shoot. Don’t participate in Fight Club right before the shoot. And don’t freak; we’re going to have tons of fun! If you’d like to meet in person or have a phone before the shoot, this can most certainly happen, just let me know!
What about clothes?
These days, almost anything goes. Colors are super helpful. Black is also acceptable, despite popular belief. People say no patterns, but I’m a fan! Just understand that it may be too busy on camera, so bring options. If you think accessories (ie hat, scarf, glasses) will be helpful, bring them and we can see if they add to or take away from what you want to achieve. But I do suggest also bringing solid colors if you have them. Different types of fabrics and cuts. Bright colors for commercial stuff, deeper colors for more classic stuff. I am more that willing to assist with this beforehand if you'd like to send an email with options.
What is your favorite movie?
Oh goodness, this is difficult as I like many movies. I’m a fan of Harry Potter, duh. But also Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Hidden Figures, Hercules, The Professional, Moonlight, Boys Don’t Cry, The Court Jester. I kind of just like movies in general.
What is your favorite memory of a client?
Well, no one in particular, I love them all, but I just simply love it when we achieve what the client wants. When we are having a blast and getting shots that will knock those casting directors’ socks off! I love hearing back from clients telling me how they booked a role and their headshot helped get them in the room.
Do you allow reshoots?
I generally do not offer free re-shoots. Throughout the shoot we will always check in with you before moving on to ensure you approve everything. If there is something not to your liking, it is your responsibility to let us know so we can fix it to your approval. That being said, if there are technical issues on my end, then yes we can re-shoot.
What can I expect on the day of?
Ok. You will arrive on time and freshly cleaned. We will laugh and hug and be merry for a little while. Then we will get to business: we will look through your clothes and discuss the different looks and decide which tops we will go with. This is the hardest part of the day. We will then get started on makeup if necessary. After that we will begin shooting! I love to play music so you can relax and we will have a ton of fun! I tend to say weird things and attempt accents. And I dance. a lot. The images will be displayed on the screen as we go so you can always say whether or not you want to move forward. If I sense that you are super hard on yourself, I will not show you the images. This is up to my discretion. After we are done, you simply pay the remainder of your balance, hug and kiss goodbye, and await the arrival of the email with all your images!
Do you have a bathroom? A steamer? Water?
Yes. Yes. Yes.
