I hate having my photo taken. Is there any hope for me?

Believe or not I hate it too so I know exactly how you feel! In fact I get a little bit Chandler from Friends when the camera points in my direction and start to pull strange faces! Argh! However, somehow I have developed the knack of getting people to relax and almost forget the camera is there. It’s not like that old idea of a studio shoot where someone (usually a man) shouts out instructions you. It’s very relaxed. And fun! Every single person I’ve worked with says this to me so trust me, we can get past it together…

Why do I need photos of myself for my business?

Because people buy from people. They want to know the story behind your service or product but even more than that the images themselves can communicate your brand values and approach through the aesthetic. I talk more about this over on my personal branding section. Also professional images give you a sense of authority and being taken seriously in your industry.

Why do you not supply more images in the packages?

I personally don’t think you needs hundreds of images. You will get to see that many in the gallery to choose from but there is no need to have 10 or 20 of the same location. Two is usually sufficient. I also really believe that when you are encouraged to choose and narrow down those photos are more precious and you use them more. I have tried lots of models and find this one works best for both you and I. It also means I can spend lots of time bring my professional editing skills to each image for a truly colour corrected and professional image with all distractions removed. For example on a mini-brand shoot I will spend at least 4 hours preparing the gallery and final shots for you. I adore editing and love the creativity of both the shoot and post production!

When is a good time to book in photos with you?

Well I usually need a month or two’s notice (sometimes I can come to the rescue in an emergency too). But this also depends on when you get to that point where you need better quality images for your website or social media and know you need need to outsource it to a creative. I always find that once you get excited about getting your website live or a new launch is a great time to use that enthusiasm to fuel your photo shoot as the images will really bring everything together and bring your website to life!

How do I prep for the shoot?

Beside chatting through all your concerns and questions, I’ve actually written my own Photoshoot Tips Guide which you can access once you’ve booked in your shoot! And you also get my new resource You are the Brand to really help you get to the heart of your business and get the most out of our photo shoot.

What will actually happen on the shoot?

It’s a million miles away from possible previous experiences of a guy standing miles away behind a camera in a studio shouting monosyllabic instructions at you under bright lights! We chat, consider what’s around us, move around various locations, have a coffee break/costume change, experiment. And you most certainly can check the images as we go. You might not even realise I’m taking them half the time!

How long from the shoot date can I get my images?

Normally a few days, definitely within a week of the shoot but if you require a quicker turnaround, say following an event, I can try my best to accommodate that.

What if it rains on shoot day?

In nearly 100 shoot days, I have NEVER had to cancel or postpone! However if we have outdoor shots and the weather is windy and wet we will reschedule at no extra charge for as soon as possible. Indoor shoots can go ahead as overcast weather is better for flattering lighting and exposure anyway.

And if the weather does catch us out, we can always find cover or get creative like what happened with Audrey below!

“I really enjoyed my photo shoot with Donna! Even a bit of rain didn’t put us off - instead I love the quirkiness of the shots with the umbrella and all her fantastic urban backdrop suggestions. It was a really fun session and I would recommend Donna to anyone looking for photos with a creative edge!”

— Audrey Wheelan, Interior Designer

FAB! how much do you charge?

Packages start from £175 for a 55 minute Headshot session in London (including fully edited and colour-corrected images). You can view my branding packages below so see what suits your needs best. Any shoots in the school holidays incur a £30 charge. Available for travel in the UK and beyond for additional cost. Please get in touch here and I can create a specific quote for your project.

Can I edit your images?

Mmm, no. You are allowed to cut out the image for marketing purposes but adding a filter or even converting into black and white and then crediting your photographer means that their name is attached to an image that isn’t actually work they have created. Editing is as much part of the creative process as taking the photo. I’m happy to make amends for you if you ever feel you need to. Black and white versions are always available for free on request. For cut-outs you can find out more here.

DONNA DO YOU SHOOT MEN?

I don't not work with men. In fact on the teams page and here you can see a few examples. I loved that a client asked me this as it is such a great question. I think it's because of the conditioning against and the difficult journey that women and non-binary people have with their own confidence is the reason that my work has a heavy slant towards that. I love being part of that process of transforming and awakening confidence but I believe that everyone has the right to tell their story.