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Here are some questions I'm often asked about how I work, charge, etc.
There are literally thousands of superb photography locations in and around the greater Chicago area. If you have a
location in mind (maybe your backyard, a neighborhood park, or Lincoln Park, for example), chances are it will work out fine.
If you don't have any ideas, don't worry. I have plenty. My two main criteria for choosing a location are (1) that it afford
good light at the time of day we want to shoot and (2) that it be aesthetically pleasing. I love locations such as parks and
gardens that have a lot of foliage. But also, consider locations like swimming pools or your favorite ice cream parlor. And
as long as they're not too far apart, we can often shoot at more than one location during a session.
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What's the best time of day for natural light photography?
There are several variables, so there's no single answer to this question. However, in most cases for outdoor shoots, I prefer
either the first two hours after sunrise or the last two hours before sunset. These are the times when the sun is the lowest
in the sky and therefore is filtered the most by the earth's atmosphere. It's this filtration that gives the sunlight a
softer look and, usually, a more golden effect.
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What happens if the weather is bad (or it's just cloudy) on the day of our scheduled shoot?
If the weather's really bad, we'll definitely need to reschedule. If it's only "just cloudy," then you'll have a decision to make. There's no doubt
that I prefer having at least partially sunny skies under which to work. However, I can still make some wonderful images when it's overcast. Several
of the pictures in my portfolio section were taken under cloudy skies. Including
this one and
this one.
If rescheduling is too difficult or inconvenient, then we should probably go ahead and shoot. If you'd rather wait for ideal conditions, then I'm happy to reschedule.
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What color clothing do I recommend my subjects wear?
Again, there are many variables here and no single answer to this question. Generally, though, I prefer bright, bold colors, such as red, orange, yellow, blue, purple, etc. More often than not, the primary hue of the environments I shoot in is green. And bold, bright colors usually look good against green.
Also, this is a good place to mention that I usually suggest bringing a couple of changes of clothing. This way we can get some completely different
looks from one shoot.
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What kind of equipment do I use?
I have an all-digital workflow, utilizing Canon's latest Professional cameras and best lenses, as well as the latest professional, archival
quality printers. Additionally, when working on location, I use an assortment of light reflectors and light modifiers to create the look
for which my photographs are known.
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Do I offer black & white portraiture?
Yes. Because I shoot digitally I have the ability to create prints in either color or black & white with excellent results. It's really the best of both
worlds and precludes you from having to make the decision until after you've seen the proofs.
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How many pictures do I take in a session?
It varies a lot, but for a session with one subject, it's common for me to take more than 100 photos. I usually like to create at least three or
four totally different "setups" and also shoot a number of candid pictures. This ultimately gives my clients a lot of very different photos to
choose from, rather than photos with just slight variations. If you haven't done so already, please go to my "Proofs" page and view the set of sample proofs.
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My minimum session fee for a comprehensive on-location portrait study is $200. For shoots done inside my studio, the cost is $140. There are many variables,
but this is what I normally charge for a comprehensive portrait study of one subject, or one group (only) photo. Additional subjects (siblings, etc.)
included in the same session can usually be added for _ price. And I will include group shots of the subjects as well.
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I'm confident you'll find that my print prices are very reasonable. They're considerably less, in fact, than the prices charged by many (if not most)
experienced professional photographers. The reason my prices are structured this way is because my clients tend to want to order several different
pictures, instead of multiples of only one or two images. My lower prices make this possible. You can download a PDF of my
Print Price Sheet. Also, keep in mind that although I don't do framing myself, I have an association with The Heritage Gallery and they offer a 20% discount on any custom
framing of my photographs and they do exceptional quality work.
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Do I guarantee my clients' satisfaction?
Yes, 100%. If you aren't completely satisfied with the results from your photo session when you see your proofs, I will gladly redo it. Or, if you're not completely
thrilled with any print that you purchase, I will be happy to reprint it.
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How do I book a portrait session?
Please call me at 773-233-5800 and we'll find a time that works and decide whether to shoot in the studio or on location. Once we agree on a
time and place, I ask that you mail me a deposit equal to one-half of the session fee. If you later cancel your booking, your deposit may be
reapplied to another booking within one year.
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How do I get answers to questions that aren't listed here?
You can email me at kirkshepherd@mac.com, or call me at 773-233-5800.
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