I've recently been doing modeling portfolio shoots.  Most of the people I have shot have little or no experience and none is required.  These shoots are ideal to enhance your portfolio or just to have some nice modeling oriented photos of yourself. They are constantly evolving to add new styles and concepts.

Guests

I encourage you to bring a friend with whom you get along well -  this makes you more comfortable and actually helps the session along.  If you are under 18, your parent/guardian is required to at minimum drop you off  but they are also welcome to attend the session.  Boyfriends are welcome but typically are bored by the whole process and bring down the mood.  If you know that might be a possibility and still want that in your session, it is your choice.  Keep in mind that if you are self conscious with whomever you bring, you picture results will show this.

Model Release

You will be required to sign a model release before the session.  This release ensures your rights to use the photos forever in your own self promotion as well as grants me the right to use your photos in my own promotion of my photography.  The release form is available here:

Model Release

If you are under 18, your parent/guardian must sign the release before the session.

Times

For the summer months, studio shoots are available Monday to Thursday at 8:30 PM until 11:00 PM.  Once the weather gets cold, weekends will also be available to book.  Currently, weekend shoots are outdoors and invitation only.  To be invited,  you have to have done a studio shoot with me first.  If the weather is not encouraging, studio shoots may be done on weekends.  Contact me about your desires in this regard and I will try to accommodate you.

What to Bring

Bring the clothes that are appropriate for the shoot.  Also, bring age appropriate clothing.  If you're over 18, anything goes, if you are under 18, don't bring anything too sexy - I won't shoot you in it.  This is fully at my discretion.

Studio

Your studio shoot will consist of whatever clothes you wish to bring.  You may bring as many changes of outfits as might fit in the time allotted.  Variety is good.  A space will be provided to lay out your outfit selections for easy choosing.

Outdoor

Typically, outdoor clothes fit the season.  Summer clothes specifically are summer dresses, bathing suits etc.  Fall, spring outfits are whatever fits the temperature of the day of the shoot.

Bring shoes that are comfortable for walking and easy to slip in and out of.  High heels are nice if the location/outfit calls for it but are not necessarily useful to get to the locations. 

For outdoor shoots, there are no change rooms, so you will be typically be changing wherever we are.  This maybe on the boat, field, wherever.  You will be given all the privacy you need at the location for changing but sometimes bringing a large towel to change under can be useful.

If we use the boat for traveling to a destination, bring warm clothing.  Temperature on certain bodies of water (specifically Lake Ontario) can be WAY colder than you might find well inland.

Accessories/Preparation

For studio or outdoor shoots, bring appropriate shoes, socks, jewelry, sunglasses etc.  Again, more variety is better.

Makeup

Makeup should not be too heavy unless this is your style.  I can often do very convincing makeup in Photoshop if a picture warrants it.  If you are using makeup to cover up acne, it's often not terribly convincing on closeup photos.  If that is the nature of the shoot, then it will be as much work for me to fix the acne covered by makeup as without.  It is your choice at that point.

Makeup for Nude/Glamour/Lingerie

For shoots where more skin is present, it is VERY important not to overdo your makeup on your face.  Face makup is often used to compensate for normal lighting situations.  Since you have not likely applied these same concepts to your entire body, then the lighting required to make your face the most beautiful may not be the same lighting as required to make your body the most beautiful.  So again, not to heavy is the best option here as well.

Acne

Young skin (and sometimes old) is prone to acne and this can be discouraging but due to the wonders of Photoshop, there is no need to be self conscious about this.  Pretend the camera doesn't even see it.

Scars

If you have scars and like them let me know.  If you don't like them, let me know.  I can go either way.  I think scars are cool so I usually leave them in unless otherwise instructed.

Weight and Body Shape Issues

If you think you are overweight, the odds are you aren't.  However, if you have specific things you want me to be conscious of then tell me.  I would much rather have you be comfortable during a shoot than trying to "suck it in" the whole time.  I can take care of these issues too if you feel its a problem and often do this without anyone even knowing it was done.  Keep in mind, you are very likely WAY more conscious of your own perceived issues than is anyone else.

Nails

Make sure your nails on your fingers and toes are clean and polished.  Clear is best.  If they are chipped and they ruin a picture, I wont fix them in Photoshop - I will just discard the picture.  If you're too lazy to fix them, so am I.

Tattoos/Piercings

These are personal preferences that may or may not enhance a photo.  These are also things that may or may not appeal to you as time goes on.  In my opinion, if you have a beautiful face, its extremely rare that face piercings do anything to enhance that.  They also have a tendency to leave odd shadows in photos that can actually change the entire mood.  On some occasions, they look like bad acne.  If you want them left in the shot, ask.  However, I typically remove them if I like the picture other than the piercing.

Tattoos are similar - but I rarely modify these.  If you don't like your tattoo, let me know.  If it's not much effort to change, then I will.  If it is, then you should have thought of that when you got the tattoo.

Multiple Clients Per Studio Session

I don't shoot multiple clients per session unless the session is specifically about a multiple shoot.  It is often very tight to fit one person in the time allotted.  Everyone is different, but sometimes it can take a while to get used to the process and relax enough to start getting good pictures.  I try to get as many shots as possible in the time allotted and this will be reduced by more than half if two people are shooting due to prep time for two people instead of one.

References

All my photos on Facebook have links to the person in the photo.  Feel free to ask anyone about their experience.  I encourage it, but please don't be harassing.  Since most people are on Facebook this is almost a universal method of getting references.  If you're not, you should think about joining up.  Friend me on my Facebook Account to see the photos with people links.

Fees/Other Questions

If you wish to schedule a session or have any more questions, please email me using the link on the contact page.  Alternatively, you can add me and contact me through my Facebook Account.

Current Studio Pricing:  $100.00 + GST