FAQs

Louise Down Photography
Q: What colour of clothing should I wear for the session?

I want you to wear clothes that you are comfortable in, that reflects your personality. However, there are some styles that work better than others. Solid blocks of colour work best. Clothes with bold logos and writing or clothes with excessive stripes or complicated prints can distract the viewer’s eye from your face.

Q: What should the colour of my suit and shirt be?

For corporate portraiture, I recommend a dark suit and pastel or white coloured shirt with long sleeves. Please make sure your shirt is crisply ironed so that a smart, crisp, professional portrait can be achieved.

Q: Can I wear my glasses for the photoshoot?

Of course, if you wear glasses on a day to day basis it is important to wear them for your photoshoot. They will frame your face and enhance your unique portrait. However, it is really important that you give your glasses a good clean prior to the shoot, as any smears or smudges are extremely difficult to remove during the editing process.

Q: Will you be shooting outside or inside?

Part of the pre-shoot consultation is to discuss locations for your photoshoot. I often ask my clients to provide me with a shortlist of locations so we can have a plan B if the good old British weather makes a location unsuitable on the date booked.

Q: Can you provide professional studio lighting?

Depending on the nature of the photoshoot it is possible to provide mobile studio light in an interior setting. I can set up a portable studio in, for example, a boardroom, using a black or white backdrop in partnership with studio flash lighting. I can set up a continuous studio light with a softbox in, for example, your living room, if the light conditions are poor. This can provide additional illumination to your face and provide catchlights in your eyes.

Q: Will my portrait be retouched?

I will professionally edit all photos that I present to you. The digital retouch will be sensitively done, and I will only remove items such as blemishes, stray hairs and marks or creases on clothing.

Q: Will there be hair and make-up at the photoshoot?

You can book a hair and make-up artist for your shoot for the additional cost of £75.

Q: How long will my photo session last?

Timing will be agreed prior to the day of the shoot. I approach portraiture in a relaxed way and will spend extra time with anyone who is not comfortable in front of the camera. I want to put you are ease so I can capture natural, authentic portraits.

Q: How will the portraits be delivered?

I usually deliver the images electronically, using either Dropbox or We Transfer. With some of my photography packages, I offer secure, password-protected galleries where you can view your images. From this online gallery, you can order a large range of additional print and wall art packages including framed prints, canvas prints as well as premium large scale acrylic and aluminum photo prints.

Q: How can I pay for my photoshoot

You can pay via Paypal, bank transfer or cash. I do not accept cheques. Deposits are usually 50% of the total cost of the photoshoot and the balance is due on receipt of the images. Business customers will be sent an invoice on receipt of the images and will have the statutory 28 days to pay.

Q: Can I postpone or move the date of my photoshoot?

Due to unforeseen circumstances, it can sometimes be necessary to move the date of a photoshoot. Please give me as much notice as possible if this is the case. Please provide me with at least 12 hours’ notice if you need to postpone. Your deposit is transferable to another date or style of the photoshoot but only up to a maximum of 3 times.

Q: Do you have a cancellation policy?

I encourage all customers to try to rebook their photoshoots if they can. However, if a photoshoot is cancelled then within 7 days or more the customer will receive a full refund. If the photoshoot is cancelled within 2 – 6 days the customer will receive 50% of their deposit. If the photoshoot is cancelled within 24 – 48 hours of the photoshoot the customer will receive 25% of their deposit. If the photoshoot is cancelled less than 24 hours before the agreed time and date they will not receive any of their deposit back.