Info for the curious
Okay, I’m On board. Now What?
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My approach is to represent you as you want to express yourself to the world, and to do so as authentically as possible. For many people, this translates into natural looking images that have an almost candid feel; for others, this means more stylized conceptual sessions that invoke different aspects of their personalities. I aim to create images that capture your essence, and to do so without digitally retouching you into some plastic cartoon. The more you know about what you want from our collaboration—be it mood, tone, subject—the more productive we can make our session. I want to capture whatever you want to share, and if you’re willing to play, we’re going to have a great time.
Being photographed can be stressful and unnatural; I recognize it’s a lot to ask you to ‘just be yourself! while a bunch of lights go pop-pop! and I hold a big camera in front of you!’ My goal is to make it as relaxed and as, dare I say, fun? as possible for all of us.
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A ‘look’ refers to an outfit or overall appearance.
Each look should be a different representation of you. Think of each look as one facet of your personality prism.
Creating distinct looks within a session empowers you to be intentional & specific about how you’re expressing yourself in each image so that you can showcase everything you have to offer. Think of a cover story about your favorite artist, and all the cool photos of them in that one spread.
For headshots, looks may correspond to archetypes or roles.
For portraits & branding: same, but, also… the possibilities are endless!Layering an outfit with a tie, jacket, or glasses? Still one look, as long as the base layer remains the same.
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So, I love creating portraits.
Collaborating to create images that authentically capture whatever you’d like to share of yourself is my passion. These images can be: branding, album art, boudoir, business, editorial, LinkedIn headshots, website content, high concept, recreations, reimaginings, reenactments, show promotion, special skills on display, personality, just ‘cause.
Bring me your ambitious imagination & let’s put our heads together to figure out how we can bring your vision to life! I have a selection of props, chairs, and stools, but (eagerly) welcome you to bring anything you might want to use with you (from knickknacks to balloons, donuts, and beyond…).
For family portraits, proposal shoots, engagement shoots, wedding photography inquiries, or ongoing collaborations for blog or social content, please inquire about your needs and I’ll be happy to provide a quote!
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Cultivating a safe, creative atmosphere is incredibly important to me, and I have so much appreciation & respect for the trust you put in me as your photographer.
My studio space is located in Long Island City, closest to the 36th St M/R stop.
If you’d like to shoot on location, I’m on board. Please let me know up front so we have time to book the space & discuss your ambitions for the shoot. Note that you will be responsible for the space rental cost, and this fee will be dependent on the rate of the agreed upon space.
A session can last anything from forty five minutes (single look session) to three hours (larger sessions). If we’re collaborating on portraits with multiple extensive set-ups, or drastic hair & make-up changes, our shoot may run longer.
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Let me know if you will be getting glam in the studio! It is absolutely not necessary to use a hair & makeup artist for your session. You know yourself, I can’t make that decision for you. Initial application can be done by someone of your choosing prior to arrival to my studio, or in the space. Some recommended artists are:
If you’re utilizing a HMUA in the studio, assume an additional 60 minutes when setting aside time for our shoot.
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Things happen! As soon as you know of a conflict with your scheduled session, please let me know as soon as possible.
If you have to cancel within 72 hours, you will forfeit your deposit. ‘But Jackie, what if I wake up feeling sick the day of or day before my session?’ Respect your health, my health, and the health of my other clients by emailing me to reschedule and your deposit will be transferred. (Yeah, there’s an honor system going on here – because cancelling on short notice is rough, but a deposit should not be a reason to show up feeling sick; not worth it!)
Blemishes are never a reason to reschedule a shoot – a pimple? on an important day? groundbreaking. But seriously, between lighting and retouching, you’ll never know it existed.
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I do not offer free reshoots. Throughout the session I check in to ensure you’re satisfied with the images as they are being taken. I will show you test shots to approve of hair & makeup, as well as backdrop colors for each ‘look’. We are in constant communication & collaboration – if there is anything you’re not super keen on, or want to see for yourself, I encourage you to speak up during your session.
This is your time; it does nothing for me if we shoot an entire look with a backdrop you don’t really like because you really liked the first option that you initially felt ‘meh’ about and now feel self-conscious asking me to change it back. I’m here to support you!
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A $100 non-refundable deposit is required to confirm booking via Zelle or Venmo. The remainder of your session fee can be paid by Cash, Zelle, check, or Venmo and is due at the end of our session.
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Take care of yourself. Hydrate!!!! Your skin (and energy levels) will thank you.
Make time to consider what you want out of our session so that you know what you want when you show up.
Rest: try to get a good night's sleep (easier said than done, I know, but what I'm really saying is: if you can, make a conscious effort to take it easy on yourself).Consider your undergarments!
I have a steamer on site and will hang & steam your options so no need to worry about wrinkles in transit.If using a hair & makeup artist (HMUA), coordinate with them to make sure you're on the same page.
If we're creating portraits, let me know what backdrop colors you're interested in so I may have them set prior to your arrival.
Have a talk with your representation about what they would like for you.Maybe put together some inspo photos or a mood board to share with me, and plan outfit options so that you aren't scrambling the morning of our shoot. Maybe you make a playlist for the general mood - or just give a thought to what you'd like to listen to while we play. Don't: try a new haircut/hairstyle/hair color/skin product/shower product/trendy extreme physical activity.
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Running late? Shoot me an email! Running early? Earlier than ten minutes - bless you, please feel free to grab a coffee or tea nearby and message me to see if I can bring you in early. Grumpy? Join the club.
Being photographed can be stressful and unnatural; I recognize it’s a lot to ask you to ‘just be yourself! while a bunch of lights go pop-pop! and I hold a big camera in front of you!’ My goal is to make it as relaxed and, dare I say, fun? as possible for all of us.
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You will float out of the studio in all of your glowing post-shoot glory and feel the world is full of radiant possibility. At the end of your session, you will pay the remainder of your fee and we'll part ways. I will stare at your face for many hours, swoon, narrow down the hundreds to a reasonably sized gallery.
Within a week, you will receive your gallery of color corrected, watermark-free, high resolution images in an email from me via Pixieset – the site makes it easy for you to share your gallery with friends, family, & reps, who can all make favorites lists on the site to help you narrow down your options. The photos are all yours to download and use as you wish.
Your proofs will be available in the gallery for two months, so be sure to download them all to treasure til the end of time.
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Based on the package you selected, you have a certain number of retouches available. Once you decide which photos (if any) you'd like retouched, shoot me an email with the file name(s), and be as specific as possible about what you'd like me to touch up or change (crop, adjust coloring, etc). We all have things we notice about ourselves that others do not, and I will never assume you want something removed/blended/altered without your say so. I will email back your retouches within two weeks.
Returning clients receive 20% off of regularly priced future sessions.