Studio/Portrait Sessions

My digital modeling/portrait session is designed to create a variety of images for you to use in order to market your personal brand. We'll discuss looks and make a game plan for the shoot, so that we can capture a range of images tailored specifically for you.

THE SESSION

In order to do this, I like to shoot between 3-4 different looks during a session. Shooting a range of looks in this way will allow you to have multiple shots available for different marketing purposes. I’ll get into clothing a little later, but basically I ask that you bring a variety of your favorite stuff. I don’t put a strict limit on the number of shots I take per look, and generally shoot each look until I feel we’ve got it covered. For headshots, I like to shoot in a horizontal format but if you feel you need vertical shots or 3/4 shots during your session just let me know and I'd be happy to shoot them for you as well. Part of my process is to edit the session with you as we go. You and I will inspect each shot one by one to determine its potential use or not. When we are done I’ve usually shot anywhere between 100 and 200 shots during the session and you'll end up with somewhere between 50-75 final shots that you have approved as candidates for marketing yourself (and possibly a few fun ones in there that we just can't seem to delete!). By shooting and editing in this manner we can adjust the focus of the shots during the session to account for anything that you feel we may have missed up to that point. You'll know exactly what you will be working with when you walk out of my studio because we have approved each shot together. If you choose me as your photographer then you are agreeing that it's your responsibility to convey to me anything that you feel could be improved over the course of the shoot while we are shooting. I want nothing more than having you totally satisfied with the outcome and things are for the most part easy to adjust during the session. However, once the session is over then it's your responsibility to work with the images that you and I decided to keep. I'm a big deleter and want your shoot saturated with amazing shots, so I have no problem deleting shots in order to find the ones that are going to open doors for you. I do feel that I have an incredible eye and know my work is regarded as being the best available in this industry, however, I have no control of how others (agent, publicist ,friends ,etc.) will react to your session after you leave my studio. If, for any reason, something causes you to doubt the marketability of any part of your session and you would like to add another look or two, I charge a $100 fee for another hour of shooting. Anything that you feel could have been improved should've been brought up during the initial session and it is not the responsibility of the studio after you have left the shoot. This offer is only available for 30 days from your original session and after that you are free to update at any time by doing a discounted returning client session. Before you leave the studio the approved shots will be made available on your own password protected proofing website that can be accessed by clicking the client login link at www.sammuracaphotography.com. You will be able to give the password to friends, family, agents, casting directors and anyone else who might help you choose the shots you decide to use. Through my proofing site you can also share the images through social media via the links you’ll see next to each image in your gallery. The site is a perfect tool for choosing your shots and remains online for a minimum of 1 year from your shoot date. If you are using the site and would like it to remain online longer then just ask and we’d be happy to keep it active for you.

RETOUCHING AND PRINTING

Once you've chosen your final shots I will be retouching/printing your images. For quality control purposes all of my work is handled by myself and I don't release high resolution images directly to my clients unless you purchase a full buyout of the high res images from your shoot for $275. If you choose the buyout option you have the option to work with me or another retoucher/printer of your choice.  I have built a strong relationship with my photo lab and couldn't be happier with the results.  You can also decide if you need postcards or business cards in addition to your 8x10's. 

THE EQUIPMENT

All shots are taken with a Sony a900, a 24.6 megapixel digital camera. These cameras are considered to be among the best available, resulting in an incredible digital image. Shots come up instantly on a large monitor for your viewing during the shoot.  Of course, you don’t need to concern yourself with the technical stuff, I’ll explain everything as we go!

YOUR CLOTHING

I ask that everyone bring at least 5 to 10 different options for clothing. For headshots, you’ll just need tops (unless you’d like some 3/4 shots). For modeling sessions, make sure you bring a variety of both tops and bottoms. I like to decide what you will wear from a range of clothing. Rule #1: You have to love it! I don't want to shoot anything that you don't feel comfortable wearing. Never dress with the thought that you would book a certain role if you wore a particular outfit. If you don’t feel comfortable in it, you won’t shoot well while wearing it. Remember, be yourself because this is where you can get some of your own personal style into the shot. People always ask me what colours are best and I really don't have an answer for that. It's better for me to get a visual of something, so I suggest bringing a wide variety of colours. I have actually been surprised in the past by my clients bringing a top that off the bat I don't think will work and it turns out to look great on camera. Don't be seasonal; everything from t-shirts, tank tops to sweaters and light jackets can work. I love textures and layers, but would generally stay away from crazy patterns. If it's not in the studio we can't shoot it, so if you find yourself questioning whether or not something will work just bring it along. I also suggest having some fun with this, if you feel your wardrobe is missing something then go shopping and we'll keep the tags on it and you can return the items you don't want to keep after the shoot. I have a steamer, so don't worry about anything being wrinkled.

HAIR & MAKEUP

Women Makeup for the session is required for all women.  You’ve got to trust us in this area. We do this on a daily basis and the makeup is applied specifically for the lighting I use. We start very naturally to give you a very clean look and will add a touch of makeup in the middle of the shoot if you prefer a darker look as well. If you’d like to start a with a tad bit more than a natural look that’s fine too, just let us know. My makeup artist is there throughout the session in order to make sure the makeup is fresh and attend to anything while I’m shooting. We ask that everyone come in with their hair ready as if they are going to an audition. We want your hair in your headshot to match the way you will look in person. You are in charge here and your hair has to look like something that you can recreate for your auditions. I've found that it is such a personal thing it's best that you feel like you in the pictures, so feel free to bring whatever styling products you need in order to handle creating your look. I also love producing range by changing the hair during the session by putting it up, etc. If you walk in and are having a bad hair day for any reason don't panic, we will discuss it and the makeup artist will help work on it until it's where we need it to be in order to shoot well. My makeup artists are incredible with hair too, so if you need a major overhaul or you are naturally curly and want to go straight there is a $50 charge for the makeup artist to blow it out or create a new look for you. If you are hair needy then I suggest you go for this option, just let me know so we can adjust our schedule accordingly. Men It's not required, but men can hire a makeup artist if you feel you need grooming on the shoot for $75. Also, for the guys who grow decent scruff or feel you can market yourself in that direction, you can come in with a some growth and we'll shoot until we feel we've gotten it covered and then you can shave, so bring your razor, etc.

COST AND SCHEDULING

I've got a couple of pricing options, so check them all out. You can take a look at my session fee, my miscellaneous promotional and returning client discounts below.

PORTRAIT SESSION: My portrait session rate is $250 plus tax for the shoot. There is a $150 deposit required to book a session, this is non-refundable and goes towards the $250 total. The session is an hour and a half of shooting once you’re in front of my camera. You can do modeling, headshots, family portraits, or anything else during this hour and a half. Just give me a head’s up of what type of shots you’re looking for and I’d be happy to accommodate you.

RETURNING CLIENTS:

Once you've shot with me the first time you become eligible to take advantage of my discount offer to returning clients. Should you decide to work with me ever again, you will never have to pay a high price for shots for the rest of your career. All returning clients can take advantage of my mini studio session for $190. This applies to anyone that has ever shot with me in the past including those who weren't aware that I had this package available at the time of their previous session. The session is 1 hour of shooting and is designed to revamp your shots any time you feel you need an update. The cost of women's makeup for the returning client session is $100. 

KIDS FEE:

For kids 16 and under I offer the session for $190. If the girls would like make up it’s $100 for the session. 

SCHEDULE & WAITING LIST:

I shoot up to three sessions per day Monday-Friday and I begin the sessions around noon. I tweak those times depending upon the schedule each particular day, so I do ask people to be a bit flexible. When I'm shooting women, be aware that the sessions do overlap to allow for makeup. Women are in makeup for close to an hour, so I'm finishing my first session while my makeup artist is doing makeup for our next client. Make sure you don't have anything else scheduled close to the end of your session in case I feel we need more time with you. In order to get the session you prefer I suggest you book at least 3 weeks in advance. If you need to get in ASAP then just contact me about the schedule. I do try to accommodate everyone and you can always be put on my waiting list. As openings arise I contact people in the order they were placed on that list. If for any reason you need to change a scheduled session, I require 72 hours notice, otherwise you forfeit your deposit. However, if we are able to fill your slot with another client within the 72 hour period then we would credit your deposit towards your rescheduled session.

PAYMENTS

A non-refundable deposit of $150 is required to book a session and is due after you've chosen a shoot date and scheduled it with me. If it is not received at least one week prior to your scheduled session, the session will be granted to someone on my waiting list. I accept cash, checks, as well as email transfers. The remaining balance plus the sales tax is due the day of the session. The makeup artist requires cash the day of the shoot. All deposit checks can be made payable to: Sam Muraca Photography and mailed to the studio address: 19466 66A Avenue, Surrey, BC V4N 0C3

DIRECTIONS & CONTACT

You can always contact me via the following: email: sammuraca@gmail.com BC studio: 604.807.1516

 I like my clients to be 100% informed, so thanks for taking the time to read all this pertinent information (I know it's a lot!). If you still have questions feel free to ask! I would be happy to help you and I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks! Sam