I've been asked a lot of questions about the Lux Studio session lately and thought it'd be helpful to write a post that explains my approach, how it works, and what to expect.
OVERVIEW:
When you book a senior session with me, you're booking an experience. You'll have my exclusive attention for the afternoon. I book a limited number of senior sessions (beginning in September) during the school year — all of which take place on Sunday. I only accept one client on any given Sunday.
The exclusive nature of the Lux Session affords the opportunity to use multiple lighting styles and for the senior to change outfits. Included in the fee is a hair stylist / makeup artist on-site at every session who also assists me in the studio. The hair stylist / makeup artist is present whether the session is for a male or female.
Here's 3 photos of Lexi photographed during one session on a Sunday afternoon with change of hair and wardrobe:
A good example of a typical Lux Session for a female looks something like this:
- 1:30 PM: Arrive at the studio.
- 1:30 – 2:00 PM: Hair styling / makeup styling. (The initial hair styling / makeup session takes the longest, after which it involves a slight "build" or touch-up between wardrobe changes.)
- 2:00 PM: Photograph wardrobe outfit 1 / session 1
- 2:45 – 3:00 PM: Change of clothes and change of lighting style. Makeup and hair touch-up.
- 3:00 PM: Photograph wardrobe outfit 2 / session 2
- 3:45 – 4:00 PM: Change of clothes and change of lighting style. Makeup and hair touch-up.
- 4:00 – 4:45 PM: Photograph wardrobe outfit 3 / session 3
I am very flexible during our time together and like to let the session take its own direction. I can pivot quickly, changing lights, clothes, and makeup. My experience has proven that males are not as inclined to change wardrobe as many times as females. Oftentimes males change outfits twice, but I do accommodate what the senior and parent want regardless of male or female.
Some seniors choose to have a sports portrait if they are an athlete. Again, I'm very flexible and will accommodate this. I have developed a specific lighting formula for sports portraits over the past few years. I do limit the session to a maximum of 3 wardrobe changes or a total of 4 hours. (Any longer and the session becomes too tiring for everyone and making good images becomes difficult.)
IMAGES:
I work hard to give you a variety of photos. After the session, I'll need approximately two weeks to select the very best and edit them. All images are re-touched to minimize skin blemishes. You'll notice from browsing my gallery that I employ a variety of image editing techniques. I take creative liberty in deciding what images lend themselves best to different treatments, and you'll receive some images in color and some in black-and-white. After I select and edit images, the best 20 – 25 are posted to a password protected gallery on my website. I'll send you an email stating the images are online and provide you the password. All images are high-resolution and will print well up to 8x10" in size. You can download (free of charge) all of the images and order high quality prints directly from my website. If you order through my website, I work directly with the vendor to ensure the resolution is sufficient and color is corrected, allowing you to print ultra-large up to 30x40" in size. If you download the images you're free to order prints through any vendor you choose. For large prints I highly recommend fulfilling the order directly through me.
LIGHTING:
As mentioned above, I'll use a variety of lighting styles during the Lux Session, ranging from hard fresnel spotlights to large softboxes for soft-light (and some styles in between.) Here's four images that are a good example of four different lighting styles.
HAIR & MAKEUP:
The Lux Session includes a hair stylist / makeup artist. The artist can do a quick change of hair and "build" the makeup throughout the session to change the look. Subjects should come with a "fresh face" with no makeup to the session, and hair neatly groomed and ready for styling (no wet hair please.) The hair stylist / makeup artist is present whether the senior is a male or female — she's able to assist me in the studio while photographing. Obviously females take greater advantage of having a hair stylist / makeup artist present, however, she has good input for males regarding hair, blemish touch-ups, wardrobe, posing, etc.
WARDROBE:
I'm often asked for input on wardrobe, and I do have some specific advice. It's common that females will change outfits 3 times during the session. Males often change 2 – 3 times depending on whether we do a sports portrait.
For females I recommend something formal or evening — think black tie gala. Included in the Lux Session is a complimentary dress rental from Rent the Runway. I will coordinate with you before hand to select the dress and appropriate size, and have it shipped directly to your home. You can visit Rent the Runway here. A formal / evening look lends itself especially well to the fresnel spotlight technique, which has a hint of vintage Hollywood glamour.
A second change of outfit might be jeans and a casual top. A third change of clothes is often something in between and a chance to have some fun. Options include a sundress, boho music festival look, romper, jumper, or a heavily accessorized look with leather jacket, boots, etc.
If you'd like something very unique, I can incorporate jewelry, feathers, and other items. Please let me know if you're interested in accessories. Here's a heavily stylized portrait of Olivia where I provided all of the accessories:
For males I recommend something dressy as well (at least a dressy as they're willing to be.) Ideally a suit and tie or a jacket and tie. A great second look for males is ultra-casual like jeans and a t-shirt. Because our time together allows for multiple changes of clothes, feel free to discuss wardrobe with me in detail after booking. I'm here to help and offer my advice. In fact, many parents or seniors snap a smartphone picture of their wardrobe choices and email them to me for input. When in doubt, take it with.
CUSTOM FRAMING:
I like to think of my portraits as family heirlooms — something for future generations to discover and admire. If you'd like help with large prints and framing, I can do that! I'll work with you to determine exactly what you want and handle the printing, framing, and delivery. (Large, custom prints are expensive to frame. Large format prints with frame start at $1,500.)
AGE OF SENIOR & RESERVATIONS:
If the senior is 17 years of age or younger, a parent must reserve the session. For those 18 years and older, they can have a parent book or book themselves. I also require a model release regardless of age. Seniors 17 and younger must have a parent present during the session. My contract states that I can use the images to promote my photography business as well as video the session. (After all, if I can't show people my work I can't grow my business.)
STUDIO LOCATION:
I teach Photography classes at Timothy Christian High School in Elmhurst, IL, which is also where I photograph. I've spent a lot of time, effort, and money to create the best possible studio environment for the students, and it works exceptionally well for senior portraits.
You do not need to be a Timothy student or family to purchase my services! Although I utilize Timothy's studio where I teach, my senior portraits are available to everyone.
Timothy Christian High School
Room 309
1061 S. Prospect
Elmhurst, IL 60126
PAYMENT & CONTRACT:
A 50% deposit via credit card is required when reserving online. Cancellations must be made one week in advance in order to receive your deposit back. This gives me the chance to offer the session to someone else and potentially re-book the afternoon. Deposits are not refundable for cancellations with less than 7 days notice. Final payment is due at the start of our session via check or credit card. After you reserve your session, I will send you a simple agreement reflecting your deposit, date of your session, and model release for you to sign and return. We'll also begin to correspond regarding wardrobe, number of outfit changes, special requests, and any questions you have.
FAQ:
How come my session fee is the same if we only photograph for 2 hours instead of 4? What if we don't want a hair stylist / makeup artist?
As mentioned above, I am very flexible in my approach during the session. I work hard to accommodate any realistic request. My experience has proven that oftentimes sessions intended to be short run overtime, and I receive a fair amount of last minute requests during the session. I have found that flat-fee pricing and one client on a Sunday afternoon works best. This not only gives you my exclusive attention, but allows all of us to incorporate last minute ideas or trying something experimental. That said, it's very common for males to not utilize the full 4 hours and you shouldn't feel as if your session wasn't a success if we don't go the maximum time limit.
Not only does the artist provide hair styling / makeup service, but she also assists me in the studio during the shoot. This is critical in order to deliver you the best possible images. There is no discount available for less time or requesting that the hair stylist / makeup artist not be present.
Can you provide references?
Yes. Please contact me and I can provide you with names and email addresses. I've posted very positive (and authentic) testimonials on my PORTFOLIO and RESERVE pages as well.
SUMMARY:
My approach to image making is all-consuming and I expend a lot of creative energy. I keep senior sessions very fluid and flexible, and am not bound by the clock. I work hard to ensure that every image is a work of art and becomes a family treasure. Again, your session with me goes far beyond photographing; it is an experience.
Ready to book? Visit the RESERVE page to use the online reservation system. If you have questions or a suggestion, please email me. Please don't hesitate to contact me with questions —whether it's about wardrobe, makeup, or payment, I'm ready to help!