Not The Only Way, Just My Way
The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography: Timing & Price
The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography is simply my approach to headshot photography. Please know it is not my intent to either purpose or suggest that my technique is definitive. The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography is nothing more than a narrative of the mindset and systems that have worked best for my clients and me.
Since even in my youth I never worked for another photographer, and I’ve been a family man nearly all of my career (i.e. not one to hang with fellow photographers), nearly all my practices and procedures were a product of personal invention. In short, The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography is not the only way, just my way.
For instance, regardless of creating tens of thousands of headshots for nearly four decades, I still undertake each session with a fresh approach and passion. My service not only encompasses planning and photographing every headshot session, it extends itself to performing every facet of the headshot creation. From the myriad of aesthetic decisions regarding the raw digital files to retouching and final file preparation, I personally attend to every detail. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
My portrait sessions are routinely described as “comfortable,” “enjoyable” and “painless.” I think this may be attributed to that, far from being treated as a nameless face in a portrait mill, my only concern is the person right in front of me – a person deserving my full attention and every ounce of my skill set.
Since the One-Size-Fits-All approach does not work for most people, we have designed our headshot services to meet a wide range of needs and budgets. Price, therefore, is largely a function of matching your headshot needs with our price and design options.
Our only “agenda” is to supply you with what you need (the very finest in headshot photography) while making it quick and cost effective. Providing options to pick and choose the degree of session coverage, image file size and level of retouching, gives you the flexibility to make the best choices to meet both your headshot needs and budgetary requirements.
If you are unfamiliar with our Award Winning Headshots, these links to our PROFILE, REVIEWS, and PORTFOLIO will be most beneficial.
The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography will get you up to speed regarding the TIMING of your headshot, and the PRICE.
TIMING
The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography would not be complete were we to fail to address the first key component to your headshot – timing.
Headshot Sessions are scheduled every day of the week, except Sunday. Generally speaking, most clients are able to schedule an appointment within a few days of requesting one. Even if we are booked, we will always do our best to carve out time for the last-minute, emergency headshot session. The only day that routinely requires a few weeks notice to schedule is Saturday.
After your headshot Session, your Previews will be posted online within 24 hours, if not sooner.
Once we are informed of your favorite expression, your completed digital file will be mailed to you within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the degree of retouching and quantity of digital files ordered.
If scheduled early enough in the day, it is possible for a headshot to be ready by the end of the day. Rush Fees may or may not apply, depending on several factors, which we can identify beforehand.
PRICE
There are THREE Universal Elements to the cost of every and any Headshot.
A. Session – the time and talent to photograph you. Mark Jordan creates every headshot personally.
B. Image – we offer both Digital Files and Photographs.
C. Retouching – pre/post production refinements and digital manipulation of facial features, clothing, and background.
We provide Headshot Pricing in two approaches:
- FasTrak Package with All-In-One Pricing – ideal for those with simple needs, with each Package including the 3 essential elements to any headshot: Session, Digital File, Retouching.
- Personalized Package with A La Carte Pricing – offered for those who have specific needs not met by pre-set packages. Each component of headshot photography (Session, Digital Files, Retouching) is offered and priced individually, and easily accommodates every possible combination.
Since The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography provides detailed and thorough pricing options for the 3 essential elements to any headshot (Sessions, Digital Files, Retouching), the primary focus of this blog is on Personalized Packages with A La Carte Pricing.
To quickly review our FasTrak Package Pricing, which is simply a combination of A La Carte pricing, please visit out FasTrak Package Pricing webpage.
A. SESSION
We provide FOUR levels of Session Coverage. Regardless which coverage best meets your needs, Mark is your personal photographer for all four.
1. Single $50
Where a simple headshot is needed, a Single session is your best choice. Single sessions meet the needs of most clients and is by far our most preferred headshot session.
- 30 Exposures Minimum
- 1 Outfit – Unique Look
- 20 Minutes
2. Double $90
- 60 Exposures Minimum
- 2 Outfits – Unique Looks
- 30 Minutes
3. Trio $125
- 90 Exposures Minimum
- 3 Outfits – Unique Looks
- 40 Minutes
4. Quad $160
- 120 Exposures Minimum
- Not quite a portfolio session but enough exposures to create 4 Unique Looks
- 50 Minutes
B. DIGITAL FILES
Next in The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography, we offer three levels of Digital File Resolution (and one Raw)
1. Web $75
• our most requested and most required digital file
• included in all our Headshot Packages and price quotes
• a Web Resolution Digital File (WRDF) is ideal for Websites – 75 ppi
2. Medium $135
• our least requested digital file
• a medium resolution digital file (MRDF) – 150 ppi
3. High $195
• frequently requested but sparingly needed digital file
• a high resolution digital file (HRDF) is 300 ppi and is ideal for publication needs
• HRDF-PR: $350 – purchase rights for printing of photographs
• on those rare occasions where you actually need an HRDF, following is our “No Charge Provision”
Since the vast majority of digital needs are for web use, an HRDF is needless and extravagant. In those rare instances where an HRDF is required (e.g. for brochures/large printing needs), just as long as the HRDF is not in your possession, we are happy to forward the HRDF to any designated third party printer/designer at no charge.
Our No Charge Provision offers unlimited, complimentary usage of your HRDF.
4. RAW: $195
• Raw, UNprocessed digital image.
• Offered for design professionals who demand in-house production.
• PROCESSED Raw File: $250 (i.e., we’ve made all the color corrections for you).
For nearly everyone, the only digital purchase required will be our least expensive Web Resolution Digital File.
DIGITAL FILE DELIVERY
Your finished digital image file is cropped to the traditional 1.5 proportion and will be emailed to you directly.
LIFETIME WARRANTY
Our “tweaking” service carries a Lifetime Warranty for as long as you are using the headshot we created for you.
PAPER PHOTOGRAPHS
We also offer a wide arrange of Paper Photographs with 50% off all reprints.
C. CONVERSATIONAL RETOUCHING – Pre & Post Production Artistry
ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL
Though every face requires an application of retouching, we thought it beneficial to our clients to allow them to decide what degree is best for them. Rather than offer a one-size-fits-all approach (as has become the norm these days), we afford our clients the option of choosing what level of retouching is most relevant for them.
Keeping with our tradition of personalized service, we offer FOUR distinct degrees of retouching. Our four levels are designed to accommodate a wide range of facial demands and the ultimate objectives of your headshot.
Regardless of what level of retouching is most appropriate for you, you can rest assured knowing that every detail and stroke of Conversational Retouching is considered and applied to your headshot personally by Mark Jordan.
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WHAT IS CONVERSATIONAL RETOUCHING?
Appropriately applied retouching is designed to render your face when seen on your best day. Your headshot works best when it naturally reflects how others remember your face when interacting with you, conversationally.
Because everyone’s peripheral vision is active when conversing with others, faces are not remembered in excruciating detail. However, when viewing an unretouched face in a headshot, this same peripheral vision is disengaged… Suddenly the face is scrutinized as if seen in a vanity mirror! Thus, the necessity for effective, natural retouching.
ADDITIVE VS SUBTRACTIVE RETOUCHING
Subtractive and Additive are nothing more than the pre and post digital manipulations applied to your headshot. A conversational face is best accomplished by a painstaking combination of both retouching techniques.
In brief, while subtractive retouching is the process of softening and removing the facial features we do not normally notice when conversing with someone, additive retouching is the art of bringing out and lightly enhancing the more attractive/striking features people do recognize.
Conversational Retouching, therefore, is intended to render your face as friends and associates think of you, not to alter your character.
Since a more thorough application of retouching equates to a more conversational appearing face, expertly applied Additive and Subtractive retouching is essential for those who wish to look natural, professional, and at their very best.
Retouching is a design element that does not lend itself to a quick summation. We offer the following information below for those who are interested and enjoy learning.
Should our retouching details prove too much to absorb, please relax and know we’ll help you through, every step of the way. For most, everything you need to know about retouching can be quickly discussed and determined when we meet and/or after seeing your previews (digital “proofs,” which we post online within 24 hours of your headshot session).
All our digital files and encompasses our large/soft studio lighting with pre and post production refinements (primarily color, contrast, and clarity along with approximately 60 other fine-tuning considerations).
1. ExPress $ 0
exPress includes all the pre/post production refinements of our Basic level plus an additional focus on removing minor facial blemishing.
2. Prime $ 75
Prime includes ExPress plus a thorough application of softening skin & facial lines (forehead, eyes), removing all facial blemishes, and vignetting image.
3. Pro $125
Pro Retouching renders you on your best day, and is by far our most requested, most complete, and most cost effective level of retouching. Pro offers a fastidious concentration to an accurate portrayal with an emphasis given to perfecting the color, depth, contrast, clarity, brilliance, and pop!
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- In addition to Prime retouching, every detail in Pro is considered and executed personally by Mark Jordan. Meticulous attention is given to:
eyes – iris color, catchlights, whites, eyelashes, eyebrows, glare, bags, crows-feet, remove redness/bloodshot, watery
nose – softening, removing redness, pores, blood vessels, spider veins, shine/grease/glare, straightening
teeth – whiten (i.e. remove yellow), fill, straighten/align, even rough edges, remove discoloration
lips – define, lightly soften, add contrast/depth
ears -remove glare/shine to lessen attention on ears
jewelry – remove glare, saturate color, restore clarity/sparkle
clothing – especially collar area, ties, shirt/blouse/jacket contours, smoothing wrinkles, balancing color
stray hairs – around head, ears, nose, chin, forehead
neck/chest– soften lines, removing double chin, thinning, narrowing width, reducing jowls, darkening
hair – highlights, brilliance, sheen, glow; as well as mustache/beard/goatee: shaping, filling, removing strays, coloring
background – lightening-darkening, vignetting, toning, contrast, color, blending, replacing
color – skin tone, glow, contrast, shadow, highlights, brilliance
- In addition to Prime retouching, every detail in Pro is considered and executed personally by Mark Jordan. Meticulous attention is given to:
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5. Premier $250
Pro-Premier exudes all the attributes of Pro, plus Mark’s Tailor-Made, personal interpretation of your headshot. It’s the ideal choice for those looking to Stand Out From the Crowd with a unique, one-of-a-kind headshot.
NO “GOOD – BETTER – BEST.”
Please note that our retouching levels are not seen as “good-better-best,” but are rather a genuine approach to accommodate the individual requirements of every face.
WE’RE NOT HAPPY UNTIL YOU ARE DELIGHTED
Determining the degree of retouching best suited for each face is either a function of listening to my client’s concerns and attending to their specific requests or simply proceeding according to my aesthetic appraisal. Usually, it’s a combination of the two. Regardless, we are happy to tweak your headshot until you are thoroughly delighted. We guarantee our retouching for the life of your image.
As always, should you have questions regarding any aspect of The Complete Picture to Headshot Photography, no concern is too small.
Mark Jordan
Master Craftsman Photographer
American Society of Photographers
International Photography Hall of Fame & Museum
Orange County Photographer of the Year
3-Time Honoree -EPCOT’S World’s Greatest Photographers Exhibit
When looking for a professional Orange County Family Portraits photographer, or Orange County Headshots Photographer please call 949-888-8071 or complete our online request form.