How I Shoot Portraits
My style of photographing people is often called “journalistic portraiture”, which basically implies semi-candid photos of people in casual settings. Ideas of where to shoot are urban areas, parks, cool interior locations and a bazillion other spots. If there is someplace that is special to you, that’s great, we’ll make it work!
Right now I live in downtown Phoenix and love to shoot around this area. It provides a unique combination of parks,grass, old buildings, abandoned areas, brick walls, train tracks, sidewalks and a ton of stuff. I absolutely enjoy photographing people down here.
The kind of things I like to shoot are families, kids, babies, couples, newly engaged and whatever else you can throw my way!
What to Expect
Most of my shoots occur in the very early evening hours, usually around 60 minutes before sunset. This is the ideal time for lighting, plus it allows for the potential for a beautiful sunset and silhouette shots. We shoot for around an hour and it’s a very casual kind of stroll around whatever location we choose. We’ll walk here and there, look for cool spots, pose a little, play a little and have a great time. My style is to let you guys have more control over what you want to do…if that’s what you like. I’d rather capture my clients in natural poses…hugging, walking together…laughing.
If the photoshoot requires we shoot indoors, then almost anytime is good, although it’s nice to have the sun big and bright outside so we have lighting coming through windows to help with our picture taking fun.
What to Wear?
This is completely up to you of course. I can go as far as to recommend someone like my friend Alexandra Evjen to help get you all styled up for the shoot, or you can just throw on some comfy clothes and head on out the door. See below for packages that include Alexandra’s styling.
Ideally though, you want to coordinate but not be identically matched. Of course, if you want to do that, go for it! Whatever you choose to wear should show who you are. You’ll have these pictures forever, looking your best but still being comfortable will ensure your pictures will undoubtedly showcase you!
If you want to switch clothes midway through the shoot, that is zero problem.
After the Shoot
Once our session is over, I will go through all the images and narrow my favorites down to approximately 40-60. These will be custom edited for color, black & white, blemishes and cropping. Unless you let me know ahead of time, I process images in color or B&W based on each individual shot and how I think it will look the best.
Next I will post around 10-20 of my favorites on my blog within three days of our shoot and then will proceed to edit the rest of the images and upload them to a private online gallery where you can view a full slideshow of all your pictures. The viewing of the final images can take up to a week and possibly longer during the Christmas season.
Most photoshoots I do can result in a lot more than 40-60 quality, “keeper” images, so the remainder photos will also be posted to your gallery, but will not have been custom edited. If you find some of those images are ones you’d like to see edited, there is additional cost for that.
You are able to change up to FIVE images from color to B&W and vice versa if you’d like!
If you asked for a package with the printing of all images on 4×6, those will be printed and mailed to you at the same time as the posting of the slideshow.
Pricing
The fee for a 60-75 minute photoshoot is $300.This includes the time for the session, post-processing, all high-resolution images and a release to print at your convenience . If you desire to have an extended shoot, for wardrobe changes or multiple locations, there is an extra $75 charge per each half hour. Please note that basic photoshoot includes up to six people, including children. Each additional person is $25.
Individual Print Pricing
If you would like higher quality prints than what you can do at Walgreens or Costco, you will be able to order them through your private online gallery once your photos are all processed. The gallery features basic prints, canvas wraps and very cool metal prints.
Styling Packages
Alex Evjen from Aves Style has packages available to style your or your family for the shoot:
- Couples Shoot (two outfits): $135
- Family of Four (four outfits): $150
- Family of 5-8 (5-8 single outfits): $250
All styling packages consist of a visit to the client’s home (Phoenix Metro residents only) where Alexandra Evjen, Stylist with AVE Styles, will select outfits based on what is available in the client’s closet. The stylist will also email additional clothing suggestions if needed.
If the client would like personal shopping assistance for their photo shoot, they can set up a separate appointment with AVE Styles (www.avestyles.com).
Ask a Question, Book a Shoot
Give me a call and let’s talk about your shoot! I’m available anytime: 480.220.1604
Or if you’d rather make a general inquiry, please use the form below to contact me regarding any questions you may have or to book a photoshoot with me. I’ll get back to you ASAP, probably quicker than you would expect!
Mike is a Phoenix Wedding Photographer based in Arizona and can be contacted via all the normal methods and then some.