FAQs
- What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Please think carefully before choosing your photographer. Thumbtack is awash with amateurs who like to undercut professionals with greatly discounted rates. Just remember, there's nothing more expensive than having to have your photos retaken, or having to settle for mediocre work. I charge an average of $70/hour for most of the work I do. I do this because the level of insight, equipment, education, and experience that I bring to each shoot is worth that. You won't be disappointed. Depending on the nature of the job, I may offer a flat rate for the project rather than an hourly rate. I may also offer a discounted rate if the project is particularly interesting. * Be sure to ask about availability, while I am generally open 8am - 5pm daily, I do have some evenings available, particularly on the weekends.
- What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
After an initial discussion about the nature of their project (typically by phone or email), I will quote them an estimate for the cost of the job, and we will set a date to shoot. At that point, I give them some advice for the shoot, what to wear, and any other preparations that may be necessary, so they can come into the shoot ready to go. On the day of the shoot we will go over the plan for the session, and any last minute details before we begin. We'll move swiftly through our shot list and get the images we need and more for variety. After the session, I go through all of the images we shot, selecting the best of these to present in a preview gallery online. I forward this link to the client and we discuss their choice of photos. Once payment is taken care of, I will provide a thumbdrive, CD, or DVD with the photos, or a link from which they can be downloaded. To give you an idea of the turnaround, a typical Headshot session that requires 5-6 final photos, we'll end up shooting 100 or more, from which I will select the best 30-40 for the preview gallery. Depending on the amount of retouching necessary, the final images should be ready in a few days, or sooner if urgently needed.
- What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
My father introduced me to Photography as a teenager, I learned to shoot on a film camera that was older than I am (which I still have). Later, during my time at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design, I received a more formal studio education including fundamentals of photography, film development, and lighting. Since then I have spent a extensive amount of time on continuing education to develop my understanding of digital photography, studio lighting, retouching, photo manipulation, and direction to get the most out of my clients. I have also had a great deal of learning on the job throughout a variety of types of photography (portraits, headshots, commercial, product, real estate, event, editorial, sports, landscape, etc.). Learning in this field is never ending. I currently have a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from MIAD. I am also a member of the Professional Photographers of America.