The info in this
FAQ is for individuals’ portraits only. For graphic design, commercial
photography,
wedding photography, and other genres please email or call for a quote.
HOW
DOES IT WORK?
First thing’s
first… Here’s a general description of how things go.
First, check the
FAQ below. This should answer most of your questions about rates, packages,
proofs, prints, and everything else.
After that you can email or call me to set up an appointment or
ask any unanswered questions. When we’ve set up your day & time, I’ll email
you a Paypal bill for all of, or a portion of,
the amount of the package you’ve chosen. After your shoot, I’ll email you a
link to a web gallery of your proofs. From here, you
can browse your shots and decide which ones you’d like to order. After you’ve
ordered and paid for your shots, I’ll get to work! I’ll email each shot to you one by one as
they’re finished.
Now… check out the
FAQ in case I’ve missed anything!
INDEX
& FAQ
Click to jump to a section
1.
Rates
a.
“What’s the difference
between untouched, retouched, and edited?”
b.
“Do I get copies of the proofs too?”
d.
“I want a TON of photos, but I don’t
want to spend a ton of money.”
e.
“Can I get a group
discount if I bring more people?”
a.
“Do I need to sign up for a Paypal
account?”
b.
“When and how will I get
to see my proofs?”
c.
“How long will it take
to receive my retouched or edited photos?”
d.
“Do you provide outfits and makeup?”
4.
Contact info
RATES
You’ve got several options, but the following packages are the quickest,
cheapest, and easiest…
“What’s
the difference between untouched, retouched, and edited?”
These prices are for emailed,
digital copies only. For info on prints, click here.
To inquire about rates for
videos & graphic design work, please contact me at the email address or
phone number at the bottom of this
page.
UNTOUCHED
– Traditional Portraiture
Often referred to as “proofs.” Fast, easy, and affordable. Basic white
balance & exposure correction.
Click here if you’re interested in getting
copies all your untouched shots.
RETOUCHED
– Standard Glamour
Modern glamour retouching. Includes
skin, make-up, & hair touch ups, figure contouring, teeth whitening, etc.
This is by far the most popular of the 3 options.
Almost any photo you see in a magazine or a print ad have been retouched
in this manner. Essentially, it is a must
for high-end, polished, professional looking portraits.
EDITED
– Special FX
The works… Includes high quality photo-manipulation, tone adjustments,
high-dynamic-range effects, clothing color changes, removing foreground or
background elements, the addition of stock photos and/or graphic design, and
other techniques, as well as all the standard glamour retouching listed above. Rendered in the highest possible resolution
for prints up to and over 4 feet wide.
Click here for a low-res before/after
example.
“Do
I get copies of the proofs too?”
Some packages include them, some don’t. Proofs (also referred to as “untouched”
shots) are usually just used as an online catalogue so that you can choose the
shots you’d like to order. If you’d like copies of your proofs, you can either
choose a package that includes them or tell me beforehand so that I can arrange
it for you.
“Can
I get prints?”
Yes! Prints of all sizes are
available. See this link for a list of print items &
their prices.
NOTE – In compliance with copyright law, anytime professional photos are
taken, all prints *MUST* be ordered through the photographer.
“I
want a TON of pics, but I don’t want to spend a ton of money.”
The Economy
Package is your best bet. You’ll get
copies of every single shot that we take, untouched, either on CD or via email
immediately after the shoot. For studio shoots I normally shoot around 75-125
shots per hour depending on the number of outfit changes.
The hourly rate
for the Economy Package is $95 per hour.
That comes out to
around $1 per photo!
Discounted rates are also
available for large numbers of edited or retouched photos.
Contact me at the email address or phone number at the bottom of this
page if you’d like to
discuss a large-volume discount.
“Can
I get a group discount if I bring more people?”
Yep! Any of the packages above can
be purchased as a group. Basically you’ll be splitting the cost of the shoot
amongst your friends. This is definitely the best way to do it. Cheapest and most fun. And you can
shoot together or individually. Your choice.
SCHEDULING
& BILLING
When we are going through the process of scheduling your shoot, I’ll email
you a Paypal bill.
You do NOT need to have a Paypal account to make this payment.
*IMPORTANT* -- That initial payment covers the package of your
choosing. It also reserves your timeslot, so the sooner you’re able to pay, the
more likely you are to get the day and time you want.
“Do
I need to sign up for a Paypal account?”
No. In the Paypal email, there will
be a link to a page that looks like this. If you don’t have a Paypal account, just
click the link in the red circle and on the following page fill out your
credit/debit card info.
“When
are you available?”
I shoot Monday-Saturday and edit Monday-Friday. Please email or call to set up an appointment.
SHOOT DETAILS
I’m in Oak Park, about 9 miles directly west of the Loop in Chicago. It’s very easily accessible from 290, the
Metra, or the El.
Search Google Maps for “RJO Photo”, or see this link for exact directions.
“When
and how will I get to see my proofs?”
If you have chosen a package that does not include copies of all proofs,
you’ll be emailed a link to an online photo gallery that same day. Then you can
browse your shots and choose which ones you’d like to order.
See this link for a sample gallery.
If you’ve chosen Platinum or Hourly packages, you’ll be emailed a ZIP file
of your proofs about 2 hours after the shoot.
“How
long will it take to receive my retouched or edited photos?”
About 2 weeks from the time you order your shots, depending on the number
of shots you’ve ordered. Exceptions can be made if a deadline is in effect, but
2 weeks should be allowed for retouching or editing time. Untouched shots,
however, normally take less than 24 hrs to receive.
“Do
you provide outfits and makeup?”
I do not use a makeup artist. If
you choose retouching or editing for your shots, during that process makeup is
always touched up or changed slightly in order to suit the tones or style in
the rest of the photo.
So for all the photos on my websites, the model did his or her own makeup (or
it was done for them beforehand) and I modified it, if need be. However, if you are interested in hiring a
makeup artist or hair stylist for your shoot, I know several and can refer you
to one.
The same goes for outfits. You must
provide your own clothing, and I can usually adjust the colors to suit the rest
of the photo if it’s required.
CONTACT INFO
I prefer to do as much online as possible so that I can keep a record of
any ideas or requests that you have, but feel free to call if you’d rather.
Email: 
Phone: 