Book a Photo Shoot

I have over 25 years experience doing photo shoots for a wide range of people and I am regarded as one of the best photographers in Southern CA. People regularly travel from all over the US and occasionally abroad to work with me rather than other studios they've looked at because of the creativity of my work, and they recommend their friends afterwards because they had a great experience and loved the photos.

What I offer is unique:

BEAUTIFUL PHOTOS - Would you rather have an established photographer with a great reputation who
cares about the results, or an impersonal company that only cares about getting as many people through the door as possible? Compare my work with other photo studios and you'll see the difference.

INCLUSIVE PRICES - My prices are clear, up front and include all the best photos. Student discounts available.

THE PHOTOS YOU WANT - Unlike makeover studios, your photos will be tailored to whatever you want.

FEEL COMFORTABLE - My studio isn't a giant warehouse with 20 people watching! It's a relaxed, informal environment so you feel as comfortable as you would at home.

WARM-UP SHOTS - We do as many warm-up shots as necessary. You don't need to know any poses or have any experience. It's my job to make you feel comfortable and look good.

REVIEW - I show you the photos as we go along, to make sure you're happy with them. The process is fully interactive.

RETOUCHING - Most of my packages also include retouching in Photoshop.

How It Works
For a shoot, I work according to your requirements and together we come up with whatever style of images you want, whether that's fashion, portraits, headshots, dance, glamour or something else. Or if you're not sure and just want a portfolio or variety of styles, I'll offer you guidance on what clothes and accessories to bring. Some people have specific looks in mind that they want me to create; others aren't sure yet and want my input on what styles would suit them. Either way, we will discuss it when you first arrive for the shoot and together pinpoint exactly what photos would be most beneficial and fun for you to do. We'll also do test shots as we go along that you can see, so you can make sure that the photos are ones you like.

There's a lot of good looking people on my website, but you don't need to be a model - most people who work with me aren't, and the majority have never done a photo shoot before. Plenty of them are convinced they're not photogenic and certainly not all are skinny! I'm used to working with all shapes, sizes and ages. So don't worry if you're a bit camera-shy - everyone is at first. I'm not expecting any previous experience or knowledge of poses.

Retouching
Retouching of the best photos is fully included in the price of the shoot (except for the Budget package). The number of images retouched depends which package you book. Each additional image outside the package is $35.  

What You Get
Professional Photo session, You get a CD of the best images retouched, There is also an option of an additional CD with all 350+ outtakes from the shoot for just $275 extra.

Please note that apart from the specific Headshots package, we can do any styles you like in any of the packages. So a Standard or Budget shoot can include head shots as well as other portfolio photos - you don't need to book a separate head shots shoot. 

Studio Location 
I'm based out of Southern CA and Rosartio Mexico. I have repeated clients throughout USA. I travel often to LA, NYC, Las Vegas, Philadelphia and DC two or three times a year. I have access to pro studios throughout the U.S.  If you'd rather work on location somewhere else (indoor or outdoor), I can do that instead. Just let me know what you have in mind.

Student Discounts
Student discounts are available on all packages. To qualify for these, you must let me know that you're a student when booking, and bring a valid student ID card on the day of the shoot.

Current Rates and Packages
Please note that unlike most studios, my prices include the photos posted as proofs online. Each package offer a # of retouched images. 

BUDGET is only $450 
($350 student rate), which is a 3 hour photo shoot at your location. You get 6 retouched images with this package, plus all the photos from the shoot will be online as proofs. If you later decide you want some retouched, I am happy to do it for just $35 per image.

STANDARD $700  Holiday Special Now $500
gets you a half day (4 hour) Location of your choosing. We do a variety of looks, whatever styles you like, including head shots and full body shots. So it's perfect for starting or adding to a portfolio. This package gets you the best 13 images retouched on a CD, plus all photos will be posted online as proofs. You have the option of an additional CD of all the unedited outtakes from the shoot for just $275 extra (approximately 450 images).

STANDARD WITH FRIEND If you want to do a shoot with a friend and split the cost, it'll be $350 each / $700 total. Gets you 4 hour photo shoot with the two of you alternating outfits/ideas. There will be a total of 12 retouched images on the CD, 6 retouched images each.  It's entirely up to you how many of the photos are you both together, or separate. I also do group parties shoots - tell me what you have in mind and I'll quote you a price.

DELUXE $1000 
gets you a full day photo shoot ($800 student rate). Location of your choosing. You get 20 best images retouched on the CD, enough to create a whole portfolio from scratch. As with the other packages, you get the additional CD of all the outtakes from the shoot for free included. If you want to do the Deluxe package with two or more of you and split the cost, that's possible - ask me for details.

HEADSHOTS $250 
gets you a 2 hour mini shoot of professional headshots and includes retouching of the 5 best images. All images online as proofs


BODYPAINTING $1300 
gets you a unique bodypainting shoot, which includes all the bodypainting & makeup and retouching of 15 images. This will be 6 hours session. This can be based on your ideas or we'll come up with something together. Typically we do either your front, your back or your face - whatever you like.


ULTIMATE I can shoot anywhere in the world as long as expenses are paid. So if you want ultra glamorous photos, we could do the shoot on a tropical beach or some other exotic location. It sounds extravagant, but package holidays and flights are often very cheap, so it might be more affordable than you think. You can get holiday deals to a Greek island for less than the price of some USA train fares. And the photos will put your portfolio in a class of its own. I may offer a heavily discounted rate if it's somewhere I want to go!

Please note that the images come on CD, and not as prints. If you require prints I do offer high quality prints (and cheap). Similarly, if you want a physical portfolio book to put the photos in, I can recommend good places to buy one.

What Happens on the Day
On the day of the shoot you bring a variety of outfits/accessories/props that suit the looks and ideas you want to go for. I don't provide wardrobe, so you need to bring your own clothes. If you're not sure exactly what you want, we can discuss it, either on the day of the shoot or on the phone beforehand. When you arrive, we'll discuss the outfits/looks/ideas. Then you'll have makeup and hair done (if you've opted for a makeup artist). We'll do some warm-up shots to get you comfortable in front of the camera, and then proceed with the shoot. The whole process is fun!

With each outfit/idea there'll be a different lighting setup, and you'll get a chance to review the pics we've just taken to make sure you're happy before moving on to the next look.

In the days following the shoot I'll edit the best photos and post you the CD within approximately a week. Then you can recommend me to your friends!

Make-up for Men and Women
I only use the best, fully trained professional make-up artists. Professional make-up will make you look your best in the photos, and you can also ask for glamorous and exotic make-up styles that you wouldn't be able to do normally. Booking a make-up artist is optional, because sometimes people prefer to do their own make-up and hair, or to bring a friend to do it, all of which is fine. Please ask about our rates.

Men often wonder whether it's normal for them to book a makeup artist on a shoot. The answer is yes, just as you would have make-up done on TV or in a movie. The makeup will be more subtle than on a woman, and will enhance your features and skin complexion without looking like you're wearing make-up. It is optional though.


How to Pay
In order to book I'll need a non-refundable deposit (Paypal) from you usually half now and then the remainder you just pay on the day of the shoot. (Or earlier if you prefer.)

Availability
I tend to get booked up 1-3 weeks in advance on weekdays. I can also do weekday evenings. I charge a weekend supplement of $25 if you want to do your shoot on a Saturday or Sunday (any package). Please bear in mind that weekends tend to get booked up the fastest, as much as two months in advance.