Why Digital? What’s so great about digital photos?

Instant Results
With digital photos you get to see results immediately. Because we can view shots as we go along, it’s easy to experiment with angles, clothing, lighting—all the elements that make a great headshot. If you don’t like a photo, we just delete it and it’s gone. There’s no worrying or guessing whether we’ve gotten the right shot. We’ll work together on the spot to discover the best possible headshot for you.

Convenience
On film you’d normally get an 8x10 print which you’d then take to a photo lab that would make reproductions. The lab scans the print, does the retouching on the digital file, and then prints multiple reproductions. Digital headshots allow you to skip this step. Retouching is done directly on the original file and this file is sent to the photo lab of your choice. So no matter many how many reproductions you want, each one is printed directly from the original file, so you don’t have to sacrifice quality.

More Bang for Your Buck
Digital headshots can also save you money. When you leave the photo session you’ll have in your hand a CD containing the digital shots we’ve taken. You won’t be buying negatives or worrying about tracking down the photographer in the future if you happen to need more.

Will my digital headshots look as good as film?

Guess what? Every image you see in magazines, on posters, and on the cover of your new CD is a digital image. The image either started out as a digital image or originated as a film negative that was scanned and turned into a digital image. This is standard procedure for the graphics design industry.

For your photo session we’ll use a 12 megapixel Fuji S-Z camera which captures sharp, high resolution files that result in impressive prints. A photo-quality 8x10 print made from a high quality digital file is every bit as good as a print produced from a negative.

Many things look even better with digital photos. A high quality digital camera captures more information on highlights and shadows than a traditional camera. Digital images also record truer and more consistent color. Another neat thing about digital photos is that digital copies are exact copies, unlike duplicated negatives or slides. The quality remains the same no matter how many copies you make. And once again, you’ll have your own digital copies on a CD so that all the photographs from our session are immediately available to you.

Where do you shoot?

You can choose to have photos taken inside in my studio or outside. If we shoot indoors, you can choose from a variety of backgrounds best suited to you. Again, we get to look at shots as we go along so we can pick out the backgrounds that look best.

What about lighting?

We can use studio or natural outdoor lighting if weather permits.

How many photos will we do?

Depending upon the package you choose, we may shoot anywhere from 100 – 300 images. We can move quickly with digital photos and get a wide variety of shots.

How long will my photo session take?

Depending on the headshot package you choose, we may work from 45 minutes to 6 hours. Add one hour to that if you’ll have hair and makeup done at the studio.

Can I see my photos during the session?

Absolutely. First we’ll take about 20 shots at the beginning of the session and check them out on a computer. Then we’ll talk about what angles, expression, clothing, and so on looks best for you and let that guide us for the rest of the shoot. If you don’t like a photo we’ll delete it and it’s gone. We’ll also review shots we’ve taken between individual looks. At the end of the session, we’ll see what we’ve got and delete any photos you don’t want.

Where is your studio?

My studio is located in Manhattan’s Flat Iron District. For map and directions, click here.

How do I know what kind of headshot I need?

Think about the roles you might want to play. Are you interested in commercials, film, industrials, theater? Take a look at other people’s headshots. Thumb through magazines and make a list of your likes and dislikes. If you’ve had a headshot made before, bring it in so we can discuss it.

Headshots fall into two categories: “commercial” and “legit”. In the first kind of shot, used for commercials, your smile is important because you want to communicate enthusiasm. The legit shot is used primarily for film, television or theater. In this kind of shot you can appear more dramatic, focused, and intense. You get to show attitude.

It’s generally a good idea to have both types of headshots available.

Any advice on how to look my best for the photo session?

It’s important to be well-rested and avoid alcohol and tobacco the night before the session. Drink plenty of water because dehydration can affect the look of your skin. If you’re using our in-house stylist, come with a clean face, no make-up, and your hair as close as possible to the way you want it.
Makeup and hair for women takes about an hour, for men it takes about 20-30 minutes. We also have makeup available at the studio if you want to do it yourself. For men this usually means just a little base to cover blemishes and powder to cut down the shine. Women get the best results by using a stylist. You not only get a more polished appearance, but also another pair of eyes to guide you in achieving a variety of looks.

How should I dress for a photo session?

The number of different looks we will do depends on the headshot package you choose, but it’s always best to bring a variety of clothing so we can find out what works best. Some tips to keep in mind:

- Clothing should be simple and not detract from your eyes.
- Avoid wearing jewelry.
- Bring clothes you feel comfortable in and fit you well.
- Bring different necklines so we can choose the most flattering.
- Black is okay, but try to avoid white.
- Solid colors work better than patterns or prints.
- Colors darker than your skin tone tend to look best.
- Bring jeans or pants for 3/4 shots.
- We have an iron, but it saves time if you avoid clothes that wrinkle easily.
- Have your hair cut and styled to your liking unless you are bringing a stylist or using our in-house stylist.

Do I need a stylist?

You can arrive at the photo shoot camera-ready or bring a stylist. We also have an experienced in-house stylist available for makeup and hair. The charge is $150 for women and $75 for men.

Can I get extra CDs?

You can order additional CDs for $15 each.

Anything else I need for a photo session?

A relaxing environment is essential to a good photo session. Feel free to bring your own music or choose something from the extensive collection at my studio. Some people like to come with monologues to read to put them in the mood. Bring anything that makes you feel comfortable and at ease.

Can I order traditional printed proof sheets from you?

No problem. We offer photo proof sheets for $10 per page. Each page will contain 30 shots and can be printed in black & white.

Can you recommend a photo lab/printer?

Yes. We recommend:
Reproductions
6 West 37th Street, 4th Floor
NY, NY 10018

How much do you charge?

See individual packages for pricing. Get a $25 discount by booking online.

What payment method do you accept?

Book online with a credit card and you’ll save $25. Our current credit card processing company is PayPal.

What if I need to cancel or re-schedule?

There will be a $25 charge for cancellations and re-scheduling within 48 hours of your photo session. Please do so by logging in to the client section at digitalheadshotsnyc.com. Alternatively, call (212) 683-4853. After 48 hours you will loose your deposit.