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digital headshot session
My Digital headshot session is designed to create a marketing tool that will capture attention from industry professionals and propel your career in a new direction. In doing so, I concentrate on using your own personal expression and creativity throughout the entire process. I become a director and guide you towards what will become a captivating headshot tailored specifically for you.
THE SESSION
In order to do this, I shoot between 1-3 different looks during a session depending on what you’ve purchased. I like to give everyone a wide range of looks so that you are able to use multiple shots for different marketing purposes, but at the same time not alienate anyone looking to just get a professional headshot. I’ll get into clothing a little later, but basically I ask that you bring a ton of your favorite stuff. I don’t put a strict limit on the number of shots I take and shoot each look until I feel we’ve gotten it covered. As you can tell from the shots on my website, I like to shoot in both a horizontal and vertical format. If you feel you need only vertical shots or 3/4 shots during your session just let me know and I’d be happy to focus the shoot around that particular style of photograph.
Part of my process is to edit the session with you as we go. You and I will inspect each shot one by one to determine it’s potential use or not. When we are done I’ve usually shot anywhere between 100 and 300 shots during the session and you’ll end up with somewhere between 25-75 final shots that you have approved as candidates for marketing yourself.(and possibly a few fun ones in there that we just can’t seem to delete!) By shooting and editing in this manner we can adjust the focus of the shots during the session to account for anything that you feel we may have missed up to that point. You’ll know exactly what you will be working with when you walk out of my studio because we have approved each shot together. I do feel that I have an incredible eye and know my work is regarded as being the best available in this industry, however, I have no control of how others(agent,publicist,friends,etc) will react to your shoot after you leave my studio. If for any reason something causes you to doubt the marketability of any part of your session and you would like to add another look or two, I charge a $150 fee for an hour of shooting. This offer is only available for 30 days from your original session, after that you are free to update by doing my mini session whenever you like(see cost and scheduling below for more details). If you feel you need more looks then I charge $100 per extra look after we’ve shot 3 different options.
Before you leave the studio the approved shots will be made available on your own password protected mini-website that can be accessed from the link we’ll email you after the shoot. You will be able to give the password to friends, family, agents, casting directors and anyone else who might help you choose the shots you decide to use. The site is a perfect tool for choosing your shots and remains online for a minimum of three months from your shoot date. By the time the site is no longer active, you will have received a download link given to you by my retoucher that will contain the jpeg proofs of the entire shoot should you decide to use any other shots in the future. If you are using the site and would like it to remain online longer then just ask and I’d be happy to keep it active for you.
TESTIMONIALS
You can see some reviews I’ve received from my Chicago clients by looking at their testimonials made here on viagra sales ireland
VIDEO PODCAST
Coming soon
RETOUCHING AND PRINTING
My assistant Steven handles all retouching. Included in each “look” of a headshot session are 4 retouched photos. Once the photos are retouched to your satisfaction and to the printers specifications you’ll receive a digital file to have printed at the photo lab of your choice. We work locally with Helix Photo.
THE EQUIPMENT
All shots are taken with an 18 megapixel Canon EOS 7D or Canon 5DmkII. These cameras are considered to be among the best cameras available, resulting in an incredible digital image. Shots come up instantly on a large monitor for your viewing. I’ve chosen a studio and a lighting modification set-up that I believe is unparellelled in the Chicago market and to achieve the look of the images that have gotten your attention on my website, all shoots will be photographed in the studio. If you require that I come to your large office or open space, we can do that too, but the look of the pictures will not have the same open air feel of what we can accomplish in the studio. Of course, you don’t need to concern yourself with the technical stuff, I’ll explain everything as we go!
YOUR CLOTHING
I ask that everyone bring at least 4 and maximum 10 different looks for themselves (tops only, unless you want some 3/4 shots). I like to decide what you will wear from a wide range of clothing. Rule #1: You have to love it! I don’t want to shoot anything that you don’t feel comfortable wearing. Never dress with the thought that you would book a certain role if you wore a particular outfit. If you don’t feel comfortable in it, you won’t shoot well while wearing it. Remember, be yourself because this is where you can get some of your own personal style into the shot. People always ask me what colors are best and I really don’t have an answer for that. It’s better for me to get a visual of something, so I suggest bringing a wide variety of colors. I have actually been surprised in the past by my clients bringing a top that off the bat I don’t think will work and it turns out to look great on camera. Don’t be seasonal, everything from t-shirts, tank tops to sweaters and light jackets can work. I love textures and layers, but would generally stay away from crazy patterns. If it’s not in the studio we can’t shoot it, so don’t fool around here. If you find yourself questioning whether or not something will work just bring it along. I also suggest having some fun with this, if you feel your wardrobe is missing something then go shopping and we’ll keep the tags on it and you can return the items you don’t want to keep after the shoot. I have a steamer, so don’t worry about anything being wrinkled.
HAIR AND MAKEUP
Women
Makeup for the session is recommended, but still optional for all women. The cost is $100 for my in studio clients and varies for shoots requiring travel. You’ve got to trust us in this area. We do this on a daily basis and the makeup is applied specifically for the lighting I use. We start very naturally to give you a very clean look and add makeup as we go(view examples in my headshot portfolios on my main site). The makeup artist is there throughout the session in order to give you a subtle range of looks. We ask that everyone come in with their hair ready as if they are going to an audition. We want your hair in your headshot to match the way you will look in person. You are in charge here and your hair has to look like something that you can recreate for your auditions. With hair I’ve found that it is such a personal thing it’s best that you feel like you in the pictures, so feel free to bring whatever styling products you need in order to handle creating your look. I also love producing range by changing the hair during the session by putting it up, etc. If you walk in and are having a bad hair day for any reason(we all do from time to time) don’t panic, we will discuss it and the makeup artist will help work on it until it’s where we need it to be in order to shoot well. My makeup artists are incredible with hair too, so if you need a major overhaul or you are naturally curly and want to go straight there is a $50 charge for the makeup artist to blow it out or create a new look for you.
Men
It’s not required, but men can hire a makeup artist if you feel you need grooming on the shoot for $75. Also, for the guys who grow decent scruff or feel you can market yourself in that direction, you can come in with a some growth and we’ll shoot until we feel we’ve gotten it covered and then you can shave, so bring your razor, etc.
COST AND SCHEDULING
I’ve got a couple of pricing options, so check them all out.
My Fee:
My 1 look headshot session rate is $250. There is a 50% deposit required to book a session, this is non-refundable and goes towards the $250 total.
Each additional look, is another $100. Meaning a 2 look session is $350 and a 3 look session is $450. You receive 1 retouched photo for every 1 look purchased. If you’re interested in additional retouched images, they can be purchased at $50 per image.
Returning client discount:
Once you’ve shot with me the first time you become eligible to take advantage of my discount offer to returning clients. Should you decide to work with me ever again, you will never have to pay a high price for headshots for the rest of your career. In order to do this I’ve set up what I call my mini session(2 looks) for $200*. This applies to anyone that has ever shot with me in the past including those who weren’t aware that I had this package available at the time of their previous session. The mini session is 1 hour of shooting and is designed to revamp your headshots any time you feel you need an update Any of my clients that feel they would like to return for an entirely new full 3 look session will receive $200 off the full session fee should they choose that option.
My Schedule and waiting list:
I shoot Monday through Friday each week and, 3 sessions per day: 9 am, 12pm and 3pm. I do tweak those times depending upon the schedule each particular day, so I do ask people to be a bit flexible. The session can last anywhere from 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on the number of looks you’ve purchased. Make sure you don’t have anything else scheduled close to the end of your session in case I feel we need more time with you. In order to get the session you prefer I suggest you book at least 3 weeks in advance. If you need to get in ASAP then just contact my assistant about the schedule, I do try to accommodate everyone and you can always be put on our waiting list. As openings arise we contact people in the order they were placed on that list. If for any reason you need to change a scheduled session, I require 7 days notice on weekday sessions, otherwise you forfeit your deposit. However, if we are able to fill your slot with another client within the 72 hour period then we would credit your deposit towards your rescheduled session.
Consultations:
I’m happy to meet with anyone for a free consultation as well. It is not necessary, but I do like my clients to get acclimated to the studio and it is nice to be able to meet and say hi. During the consultation we get to know each other a bit and go over some of the techniques I use in creating expressions during the shoot, as well as answering any other questions you may have.
* My prices do occasionally change according to demand, so if you return for a mini session or for the discount on the full session the initial rate may have increased slightly.
PAYMENTS
A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to book a session and is due after you’ve chosen a shoot date and scheduled it with us. If it is not received at least one week prior to your scheduled session, the session will be granted to someone on my waiting list. I accept cash, checks, as well as Visa, Mastercard and American Express. The remaining balance plus the sales tax is due the day of the session. The makeup artist requires cash the day of the shoot. All deposit checks can be made payable to: Michael Schacht
and mailed to the billing office address: 300 N. State St Unit 2910, Chicago, IL 60654
DIRECTIONS & CONTACT
The Chicago studio is located in the Chicago’s West Loop at 212 N. Sangamon, Chicago, IL 60607 (between Lake and Fulton Market)
You can always contact me via the following:
Email: info@312elements.com
Chicago studio: 312.546.3582
I like my clients to be 100% informed, so thanks for taking the time to read all this pertinent information.(I know it’s a lot!) If you still have questions feel free to ask! Either myself or my assistant, Steven would be happy to help you. I enjoy meeting with anyone who would like a free consultation as well, so if you are interested let us know. I look forward to hearing from you!
Thanks!
Michael