Frequently Asked Questions For Portraits and Headshots
What is the difference between Headshots and Portraits?
The difference between headshots and portraits is primarily in their end-use. Headshots are used for business and branding purposes, while portraits are more personal and about you as an individual. With headshots, the subject is mostly photographed with the head and shoulders showing although you will find some headshots going all the way down to the waistline.
Headshot and branding photos are used to market you for employment or for the use of a business, or online profiles like LinkedIn or dating sites. They help future employers, clients, and personal connections get a feel for who you are. Headshots make a great first impression on your printed business materials and on online platforms.
Portraits are more about the entire person and the season of life they are in at the time of the portrait session. People celebrate milestones markers such as high school senior portraits, college graduate portraits, maternity, and newborn portraits, annual family portraits, generational portraits, and even portraits celebrating a new family pet. These images are usually turned into personal artwork for a prominent wall in your home.
Who needs headshots?
Most industry professionals need headshots. Headshots are used for a variety of purposes. They can be used on websites, identification badges, business cards, newsletters, blogs, email signatures, and social media such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Youtube. Plus a whole lot more!
Headshots are important for many businesses but just to name a few: accountants, actors, administrators, architects, attorneys, bankers, barbers, business coaches, CEOs, CFOs, chefs, comedians, content creators, dating profiles, dentists, doctors, engineers, event planners, executives, fireman, and florists.
Headshots are also great for hairstylists, human resource directors, influences, interior designers, lawyers, makeup artists, models, mortgage brokers, nurses, physical therapists, policemen, realtors, social media gurus, teachers, therapists, venue directors, web developers, wedding planners, writers, and yoga instructors.
This list of professionals isn’t exhaustive, but it gives you a good idea that just about everyone needs a good headshot.
How far in advance should I book my session?
I recommend booking at least one month in advance for portrait sessions. Headshots need to be booked typically 1-2 weeks in advance. This is not a requirement, however, I strongly suggest it as my schedule fills up quickly and I work on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Will you hold my portrait date?
Unfortunately, I cannot hold or reserve dates without a retainer being paid with a signed contract.
Can I cancel my session?
Retainer fees are required to book your session date and are non-refundable. Sessions can be rescheduled in the event of an illness or emergency. A 48-hour notice is required to reschedule and your retainer will be applied to your new date. Rescheduling will be based only on the Photographer’s availability. Sessions can be rescheduled one-time only before a new retainer fee is required.
Do I need to practice posing?
No! You don’t need to know any poses before your session. It is my job to pose you and make you look your absolute best. I know how to work with all of the different body types, face shapes, etc. to make sure that you look amazing in your photographs.
What do I need to wear?
Figuring out what to wear can be a daunting task when deciding to do a photography session. During our pre-session consultation, we will discuss everything from clothing choices, hair, makeup, nails, and even eyebrow grooming. If you look your best, you will feel great and that will translate into gorgeous photographs.
How do I book you?
Booking is easy. Just give me a phone call or email to select a date.
Are all of the pictures edited?
All selected portraits and headshots receive a high-end retouch.
How soon do I receive photos?
Your portraits will be available for viewing within two weeks of your session. Once you have paid your retainer for your session, I also book your viewing and ordering appointment. After your ordering appointment, products will arrive for pick up within 2-6 weeks with the exception of albums.
If you choose to order an album, I will design your album and will email you the proof for your approval. You are allowed to make revisions once, and any additional revisions will be charged at a rate of $350 per revision.
Are digital files included?
Digital files are available for purchase, however, I will provide a digital file with each image that is purchased in an 8 x 12 or larger.
How many photographs from a portrait or headshot session will I receive?
The amount of pictures you get to view in your proofs PDF depends on how much time we spend together. You can expect from a headshot session to view 10-15 images. With portrait sessions, you can expect to see about 30+ proofs per hour of shooting or more.
Should we meet in person for the consultation?
I recommend at least a phone consultation prior to your portrait session, however, if possible meeting in person is better. We will go over wardrobe selection and suggestions, hair and makeup styling, who will be in your pictures, date selection, and most importantly what you are looking for from your pictures. My goal is to not only make you look and feel your best but to deliver photographs that you fall in love with.
What are payment terms?
Your retainer fee is due at the time of booking. I offer payment plans, however, all money is due before products will be received by you. I accept payments by cash, check, Paypal, Venmo, and all major credit cards.
Is the retainer refundable?
All retainers are non-refundable. If you need to reschedule your photo session, I require a minimum of 2 days (48 hours) notice. Sessions may only be rescheduled one time or your retainer is forfeited and you will need to pay another retainer to rebook once again.
What does the session fee cover?
The session fee the pre-session consultation, the time of the photoshoot, all high-end retouching and editing, along with your ordering appointment. Please note, It does not include digital files or prints.
Do I get the copyright?
As the photographer, I retain the copyright to all of the images, but with the purchase of your products, I will also give you a print release, so that you may share or print images at any lab you choose.
Will you travel to a specific location for photos?
Yes! While I photograph sessions either in my studio or at beautiful local area locations, I am happy to travel to a specific location for you. Travel fees will apply. Any location more than 30 miles of Vacaville, Ca. will incur travel fees. For more details, please send me an email with your desired destination, date, and additional information related to the photo shoot.
What is an ordering session?
The ordering session is scheduled at the time of your booking. During your ordering appointment, you will come to the studio or book an online ordering session to view your images and select your prints, products, and digital files. At this time you will pay for your images or select a payment plan. All money is due before products or digital files are received.
Do you edit all of the images?
The editing process begins with me sending you an online gallery of your best images. Afterward, you select your favorites. Your chosen photos will be sent to our retouchers for a high-end edit that is magazine-worthy.
What is a high-end retouch?
With our high-end retouch, you can expect the removal of skin blemishes/ acne, facial shine, stray hairs, softening or removing of bags under your eyes, softening or removing fine lines, removal of braces, whitening teeth, smoothing of outfit, and removal of background distractions.
Do I get to choose my images?
Absolutely! I do the first round of culling the photographs and removing photos where the eyes are closed, the camera misfires, or other unflattering images. I send you proofs of your best shots and you select the pictures that you love and want to be retouched.
Am I allowed to post my pictures on social media?
Absolutely! Yes! I love when my clients are excited to share their images on social media. I just ask that you give credit to Rochelle Wilhelms Photography either by tagging the photo or writing it in the post.
How many photos do I get to see in my proofs?
The amount of pictures you get to view in your proofs PDF depends on how much time we spend together. You can expect from a headshot session to view 10-15 images. In other portrait sessions, you can expect to see about 30+ proofs per hour of shooting or more.
Can I have all of the RAW files?
RAW files are negotiated with corporate clients only.
What areas do you serve?
Rochelle Wilhelms Photography primarily photographs Weddings, Headshots, and Portraits in and around Vacaville, Fairfield, Dixon, Davis, Winters, Napa and Sonoma; and is also available to photograph in the following Northern California cities, specifically, American Canyon, Applegate, Auburn, Berkley, Bodega Bay, Brentwood, Calistoga, Cameron Park, Capay, Carmel, Cloverdale, Colfax, Concord, Cotati, Daly City, Danville, Davis, Discovery Bay, Dixon, Durham, El Dorado Hills, Elk Grove, Fairfield, Folsom, Foresthill, Fort Bragg, Geyserville, Glen Ellen, Graeagle, Granite Bay, Grass Valley, Guerneville, Half Moon Bay, Healdsburg, Hollister, Incline Village, Isleton, Kenwood, Lake Tahoe, Lincoln, Little River, Livermore, Lodi, Loomis, Mendocino, Mill Valley, Monterey, Mountain View, Napa, Napa Valley, Nevada City, Norden, Novato, Oakville, Olympic Valley, Oroville, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Paradise, Penryn, Petaluma, Philo, Placerville, Pleasanton, Redwood City, Rocklin, Rohnert Park, Roseville, Rutherford, Sacramento, Salinas, San Francisco, San Jose, San Mateo, San Rafael, San Ramon, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, Saratoga, Sausalito, Sea Ranch, Scotts Valley, Sebastopol, Soda Springs, Sonoma, South Lake Tahoe, St. Helena, Squaw Valley, Sunnyvale, Tahoe, Tahoe City, Tracey, Truckee, Woodland, Vacaville, Vallejo, Valley Ranch, Walnut Creek, Walnut Grove, Windsor, Winters, Ukiah,and Yountville. Available for destination weddings in The United States, Mexico, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Europe, and worldwide.