HOW DO I FIND YOUR STUDIO ?
    Easy, we're located 2-1/2 blocks NORTH of Hampden, on the east side of the street.  We're in the middle of the block between Girard & Floyd, and you'll see all the portraits in our windows.

WHERE CAN I PARK ?
     There is usually parking right on the street outside our building, but we also have customer parking in back of our studio.  Just drive through the alley just East of Broadway and look for our sign.  Then just walk through our back door on the North East corner.

HOW DO I CHANGE MY CLOTHES ?
     We have a private dressing room for you with good light, plenty of mirrors, and electric outlets for your shaver or curling iron.  Hair spray, safety pins and extra combs are available.

HOW MUCH MONEY DO I BRING ?
    All you need to bring is your session fee on the day of your session.  This covers the cost of the photography only, and does not apply toward any portraits.

CAN I HAVE SPECIAL POSES ?

     Sure !!  We encourage you to bring sample photographs from magazines or album covers, or the pick out poses you like from the displays in our studio.   Or just tell us what you have in mind and we'll make every effort to oblige.   In a 20-pose session, we can do a wide variety of looks, and we want you to have plenty to choose from.

WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ?

  First of all, you should feel comfortable in whatever you choose to wear.  We encourage you to bring several outfits along with accessories like hats, sun-glasses, jewelry, scarves, extra tops, or sweaters, ect.

     You may want to bring something dressy and then something casual, sporty or funky.  Then maybe a band or team uniform, a letter jacket, a slouchy hat, or anything else you think would make your portraits unique and special.

     Do check your outfits before you leave home to make sure they fit properly, all buttons and fastenings are secure, there are no loose hems or open seams, and most important that they are PRESSED. 

We suggest you bring your clothes on hangers, or neatly folded, so they don't get wrinkled in the car.  Wrinkles will show in your photos, and removing them with extra artwork will cost extra.

     We advise you to wear solid colors, avoid big bold prints and dress to the feet, as some poses will be full length.

     If you have any questions about clothes or colors, just call us.

WHAT ELSE CAN I BRING ?

     Almost anything !  This is where the fun begins.  You may want to have a few poses with your cowboy hat, pet, car, sports equipment, musical instrument, a friend, or anything else that will make your portraits uniquely YOU !   Let yourself go and let your imagination run wild.

WHAT ABOUT MY HAIR ?

     GUYS, you don't want to be shaggy, but allow about a week after a new haircut to let your hair settle in a bit.

     GIRLS, wear your hair the way you usually do.  A new perm or different style may not work out exactly as you expected, and you might be disappointed with your portraits.  The most important thing about your hair is that it be squeaky clean.

WHAT MAKE-UP IS BEST ?

    Your normal daytime make-up will be the most becoming.  Apply it lightly and keep it as neutral as possible.  Eye make-up especially should not be too heavy.   Mascara and eye-shadow are fine, but if you use eye-liner don't apply it to to lower lid, as it will make your eyes look smaller.  Do not use frosted eye-shadows or frosted lipsticks as they can photograph white.

     And what if you break out with a ZIT the day before your session?   Not to worry!  Negative retouching and art work can remove blemishes from your portraits.

     GUYS --  you might want to use a little Cover-Up Stick on any blemishes you might have, but again, negative retouching can accomplish wonders.

     BOTH GUYS AND GALS need to make sure that their hands and fingernails are presentable and clean.  Girls wearing nail polish should make sure there are no chips or smears in the polish.  This is a great opportunity to show off that new CLASS RING.

WHAT IF I WEAR GLASSES ?

   If you wear glasses all the time, you'll want to wear them in your portraits.  We can correct most any glare or reflections on your portraits if you order our Collegiate Finish.  However, frequently your prescription can crete a line of distortion at the edge of your face, and this is not possible to correct.

     So, if you can, try to borrow a pair of empty frames without glass from your optician.  Most eyeglass suppliers are willing to lend empty frames for photography, and this will elimininate any possible problems.

     Also, tinted glasses or photo-grays will photograph much darker than they seem, so here again, empty frames would be better if at all possible.

WHAT ABOUT BRACES ?

    Well, there are several solutions.  For one, just keep a straight face for your photography.

     Better yet, if your braces are due to come off between now and Graduation, we'll do a partial sitting now so your Yearbook Photo will be done on time, and then we'll finish your sitting after the braces are removed.  NO EXTRA CHARGE, and then you'll really want to smile BIG then !

     Worst-case scenario, we can remove braces from your portraits with art-work, but it does COST EXTRA !!

WHAT IS THE SESSION LIKE ?

    For High School Seniors we do a 20 to 40 and sometimes more pose photography session in a variety of styles, with changes of outfits as desired.  Since our own outdoor photography area is directly in back of our studio, you can have a combination of indoor and outdoor poses at ONE convenient location with NO EXTRA CHARGE or traveling involved.

     Every session is different  --  we create poses that are designed to complement YOU, your coloring, your clothing, your personality.  We will create several poses that are meant specifically for yearbook photos, according to the requirements of your school.

     We allow a full hour for each session, to get the details just right and give you plenty of time to change outfits, fix your hair, touch up your make-up, ect.  Your session will be FUN, and you'll look great  -- GUARANTEED !

CAN I KEEP MY PROOFS ?

     Nope, your 'proofs' remain the property of the studio.  They are copyrighted images and may not be reproduced in any way.  If you wish to check them out so you can choose the poses you want made into finished portraits, a deposit is required, and they must be returned within one week.  The proof deposit will apply toward any order you place.

WHAT ARE PROOFS ANYWAY ?

    Sometimes they're called Previews, and sometimes just Originals.  They are the original photographs of your session.  They are first-run machine prints and may not be exactly cropped or centered, or accurately color-balanced, and of course the do not include any negative retouching or corrective art work.  But the are good enough so that many students like to purchase them to have a lot of extra fun photos without the greater investment in finished portraits.  Any proofs you purchase will be sprayed with a protective finish.

CAN MOM OR A FRIEND SIT IN ON THE SESSION ?

     No problem !  As long as it doesn't make you feel self-conscious, we're glad to let you have company during the session.  We'll even let them look through the camera at you so they can tell you how great you look.

WHAT IF IT RAINS ?

     If you plan to have some outdoor photos, but it looks like rain and yu think you should cancel.  CALL THE STUDIO FIRST.  Rain showers come and go quickly, or it may be raining where you are, but be sunny here.  Overcast days are actually better for photography than completely clear days, as the light is very soft and flattering.  So, if you have any doubt about weather conditions, check with us.   Naturally, if there's a real downpour, we'll want to reschedule your appointment.