The Preparation

Looking your best for a photo session
Here's how to look your best before we get together:

Finally, don't stress. Being photographed should be fun.

What to wear
Headshot, portrait, and modeling clients should bring a few outfits to the shoot so I can help you pick the right one(s). For headshots, bring comfortable pants, even jeans or shorts, as I don't have to shoot you below the waist. For portraits or modeling portfolios, bring shoes (and socks) to match each outfit.

Make sure your clothes are comfortable and fit well — nothing baggy! For men especially, a shirt that seems a little too tight is better than a shirt that's too baggy. (A shirt generally fits right if the seam where the sleeve starts sits exactly on the bend of your shoulder; short sleeves should always end at least an inch or two above the elbow, long sleeves should end just below the bend of your wrist.)

For caucasians and light-skinned people, dark colors are better than lights; those with darker skin (African-Americans and Pacific Islanders, for example) can get away with clothing lighter than their skin tone. Solid colors look better than prints, but texture and layering clothes looks good. Please remember that these are all rules of thumb — some men look great in a clean, white t-shirt, and some women can pull off a subtle print. Use best judgment. Men should not wear jewelry and women should wear it conservatively. Try to think of something that you'd wear to an art-gallery opening or on a first date.

Skin care and make-up
Digital photographs pick up every pore and blemish. If you don't moisturize, your skin can have a red, cracked surface. Exfoliation helps, allowing the moisturizer to penetrate the skin. If you don't currently have one, please start following a skin care routine for a week before your appointment. Personally, I'm a big fan of The Body Shop, which has various skin care regimen for women and men. Trader Joe's also carries good products, and even Neutrogena or St. Ives products (available at any grocery or drug store) are better than nothing. Also watch your lips (chapped lips can't be retouched easily in a photo). Use lip balm.

Locations
In Indianapolis: I currently have a 330-square-foot studio in my home. Weather and time permitting, I am open to shooting outdoors in urban, rural, or park settings. I'll even shoot in your home as I understand that sometimes being there can make you more comfortable.

In Chicago: I am open to shooting anywhere within the Chicago city limits, and can rent theater space for a studio setting.

Time requirements
A typical photo shoot is between takes one to three hours, depending on how many looks you want to capture. But I will spend as much time as necessary with each client. My shoots are casual, we'll talk a lot and I'll be taking photos of your natural expressions. We can take as many breaks as you like. My work is guaranteed. If you cannot find a great picture I will shoot you a second time at no extra charge.

The Rates

Sitting fees
Here are the general rates that I charge for various photo sessions:

A few details:

• A "look" is considered a clothing or location change.
• College student special rates apply to any full-time college or post-graduate student with a valid college ID.
• You can use your images from the online proof page anywhere on the Internet as long as SCOTT BARNES PHOTOGRAPHY is credited.
• Models posing for my own fine art projects may qualify for reduced rates on other photography. The rate reduction depends on the individual circumstances and/or my ongoing art projects at the time, but for the best and most adventurous models the discount can be considerable. If you have any questions about my rates, don't hesitate to ask. I am negotiable in special circumstances.

Extra costs
These are the only additional charges you may incur, other than hiring the makeup artist (see above) or failing to cancel an appointment (see below):

• Payment via credit card or PayPal requires an additional 3% service fee.
• I will retouch additional images from your shoot for $8 each.
• You can purchase a disk of all shots from the shoot (original size and unedited) for $25 each.
• I can do the printing for you with an additional charge, that varies by project. It's actually more cost effective for you to do that yourself as I'd recommend you go to the same printers that I use.

A word about retouching
With the right lighting, makeup, and posing, my photos require very little editing. On the flipside, I've seen other photographers completely ruin a perfectly good image by over-Photoshopping (and it's very obvious!). I'll generally only do the following light retouching:

• Brightening the whites of the eyes
• Cleaning up loose hairs
• Softening of lines
• Smoothing of skin/reduction of pores
• Whitening of teeth
• Removing of blemishes
• Changing color to black and white, or other toning
• Softening of background
• Cropping the overall image

The Final Details

Scheduling
I generally need no less than a week's notice to schedule a shoot (two weeks is ideal). But if you have an immediate need for your photos, don't hesitate to contact me and we'll see if I can get you in.

Rescheduling, or failure to cancel a shoot
I understand that things come up and sometimes you're going to have to cancel a shoot, and I am very flexible when a client communicates with me. But please note that failure to tell me you're not going to show up for a shoot will require you to pay a non-refundable $75 no-show charge before you rebook a future appointment(s). This applies to all clients. The $75 will be applied toward the cost of your rescheduled shoot, but will not be refunded if you cancel or don't show again.

Copyright
I own the copyright to all images that I create. As a model or subject, you are allowed to use the photos for marketing and personal purposes and make (and distribute) as many copies as you like, however you are expressly forbidden from selling any images taken by me, for any reason, without my written consent. These rights may be purchased, per image.