Do I have to place a retainert to book a shoot? How far in advance do I need to book?
Your retainer secures a date on the calendar reserved for you. The retainer minimum is $100 and will be deducted from your total. The balance is due the day of your shoot. The retainer is non-refundable. If you must reschedule, you need to contact me 7 days prior to your scheduled shoot, otherwise you will lose your deposit. As long as there is ample notice, your deposit can be applied to another date within 30 days of your original shoot. I understand that things come up, but if you booked a shoot, it takes a date off of my calendar for someone else. In addition, I book hair and makeup for you, so those girls lose the day as well. I suggest booking your shoot at least 4 weeks ahead, 6 weeks ahead leading up to Christmas and Valentines Day. If you decide last minute that you absolutely want to book, contact me and I can try to accommodate you.
How can I place a deposit for my shoot date?
Once we’ve decided on a date, time, and package, you can either send a check (I will provide you with the address) or you can use this paypal link.
Do I have to be a model or have experience to work with you?
Absolutely not. As a matter of fact, most of the ladies that I work with have never done a shoot or have any modeling experience whatsoever. All of my “models” are girl next door or soccer mom types who are just looking to boost their self esteem, feel glamorous for a day, or to create an unforgettable gift for their significant other.
Where do you shoot?
We shoot in an adorable boutique style studio in Collingswood, New Jersey. We’ll provide the address and directions once we receive your deposit. We like to keep things private to avoid any creepers. You can also book a shoot on a location of your choosing, a room at a cool hotel, or even your residence. There is a travel fee depending on distance, but we can always bring our studio to you!
Do you have gift cards? Yes! We have gift cards available in any denomination or shoot package. These cards are perfect for a gal that has been considering treating herself to a shoot, and even for a bridal or baby shower gift! Gift card purchases are not refundable and expire after 6 months. Please don’t procrastinate on booking your shoot on a gift card!
Should I go tanning?
This one is an important one. If you use a tanning bed, please stop tanning at least one week before you shoot. Not only is using tanning beds dangerous, (I will spare you the lecture), they make your skin look extremely red on camera. There is nothing I can do to correct this. So please, please, please don’t go tanning before your shoot! If you feel that your skin need a little color, then I suggest getting a light to medium spray tan a day or two before your shoot. Be careful not to get your hands streaky, this is something else I can’t fix in photoshop. The ladies at Forever Bronze Tanning in Cherry Hill are awesome for spray tans.
Do I have to bring my own outfits?
Yes and No. I do have a variety of wardrobe items for your use, however most of the pieces are lingerie and are limited to sizes small and medium. I always suggest that you bring some of your favorite pieces from your own wardrobe such as jeans and a sexy top, dresses, as well as some lingerie basics like strapless bra and nude thong. Your outfits don’t need to be extravagant, a simple bra and panty set is perfect! In addition, shoes and accessories can add an extra edge to your images. We do have some accessories and shoes for your use, but again, having some things of your own is helpful. It also gives us an idea of your personality which helps when deciding your looks. If you need ideas or inspiration you can look though magazines and our website to see what some other clients have done. You can also check the links section for some places purchase items for your shoot.
What if I don’t know how to pose?
No worries! We don’t expect you to know what you are doing! Everyone is new at this, so we will walk you through the entire process. We suggest that you practice some facial expressions before your shoot, but I will tell you how to pose, where to look, and what to do. We’ll do a variety of poses for each set so we’ll have a chance to do a little bit of everything. You can always look through magazines and catalogs to get some posing ideas, too!
Can I do my own makeup for the shoot?
Make up for photography is extremely different from makeup for everyday or even a night out. Even “natural” makeup requires a lot of skill and expertise to apply. Having your makeup done by our professionals contributes to the overall look and feel of the finished photograph and is absolutely necessary for your shoot. You can contact our makeup and hair gal at any time to discuss particulars and are free to bring pictures from magazines for ideas. Depending on the package you choose, she will change your makeup “look” to compliment each different set/ outfit that we do. We can create anything you can dream up, from natural to all out glamorous! Remember, this is an investment in you, so every little thing should be absolutely perfect!
When do I get to see my proofs?
The same day!! As soon as we finish shooting, I will give you a little photoshop demo so that you can see what a “finished” image will look like and go over your print and product options. From there, you will be able to go home and look at your proofs online in a password protected gallery within 8-10 hours of your session. Once you choose your favorites for editing, it will take about 4-6 weeks to receive your final prints or products. Please, please, please be patient. If you are in a hurry to get your finals there will be a rush fee applied to your order.
Can I get all of my pictures on disk?
Because of the types of backgrounds and lighting involved, most images aren’t clean and need some type of retouching, airbrushing, cropping, or editing, to make them look like what you see on our website. We feel that unedited images are not “finished” and therefor aren’t a true representation of our work. Your proofs will be stored and available online for you to view for 30 days. Any images you order (whether print or album) will also be provided in low res form (with a watermark) via email free of charge. These are not suitable for printing, but perfect for viewing online, emailing, facebook, etc. If you want airbrushed images on disk for making your own prints, please ask about our digital collections.
Can I bring my boyfriend, husband, fiancé to my shoot?
No. Having an all female staff is part of what makes shooting with us special. I have allowed women to bring their significant other in the past, but the shoots never seemed to carry the same energy. It can also be nerve racking to have your man watching every move you make. Besides, I am sure he would be bored to tears after the first 30 minutes surrounded by a bunch of women. You can definitely bring a female friend with you to your shoot if you feel you need some moral support or assistance. (Please let us know if you will be bringing a girlfriend along in advance)
Can drink during our session?
I definitely prefer you didn’t. I don’t want to be responsible for someone drinking and driving. In addition, one drink may loosen you up, but it can always be seen in the pictures. You eyes get glassy once the bright lights hit you and the poses tend to get sloppy very quickly once the alcohol starts flowing. If you feel you MUST drink, have only one and do so before arriving. And in that case, make sure you have someone drive you!
What if I don’t want my pictures to appear on your website or marketing materials?
No problem. A lot of women are so thrilled with the outcome that they are proud to have their images displayed. However, there are also a lot of clients that don’t want their co-workers or families to see them or simply want to keep their experience private. This is not an issue. In order for me to display your images, you have to sign a consent form. If you don’t sign it, they won’t be displayed, promise!
Why is a shoot so expensive? I only want a couple of shots!
This is a question I answer a lot. There are a lot of “photographers” out there that have no real experience in shooting women the way I do. We have worked with over 400 women in 2011!! Most photographers are inexperienced with shooting boudoir and glamour photography. Just because someone has an expensive digital camera and has a copy of photoshop, doesn’t make them a professional. Believe me, I have been there! Each shoot we do requires time, skill, instruction, consulting with my client, set up of backgrounds and lighting, the hours of shooting, time spent downloading and archiving your images, retouching, designing albums and ordering prints. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes for each and every session. I believe in giving every client an unforgettable experience with the same high end retouching and printing techniques that are used by men’s magazines and Victorias Secret. The end result is a great boost in self esteem with magazine quality images!
If you have a question that hasn’t been answered here, please email me at info@glamourbitchphoto.com or use the contact form!