Gallery & Store Help
Tips for Portrait Session
Useful links
Gallery & Store Help
Entering a collection
- Click on ‘view collection’ in the email, if you have received an email link, or if you are looking for a collection from the Gallery & Store homepage, click on the heading categories or scroll down to find a collection. Then click on it to enter.
- When you enter the collection, scroll down to view the photos (You may be required to enter your email address and/or password, depending on the collection settings).
- The photos are arranged in ‘sets’ with headings above the photos
- Click on a heading to view that set.
- Click on any photo to view a larger preview
- To navigate between photos, you can click on the arrows at the left and right of the screen, or use the left/right arrow keys
- Press ‘esc’ or click on the ‘x’ at the top right of the collection, to go back to the gallery view
Purchasing
- When viewing a photo, you can click on ‘buy photo’ to view purchasing options. Available products/sizes, and prices are shown in the purchasing dialog box.
- Product category headings (packages, prints, etc.) Are shown at the top of the product list, which you can click on, to jump to that product category, or you can scroll down to view them.
- Available products include prints, digital downloads, canvases, mounted prints, and print packages, which give savings against purchasing individual photos.
- Click on a package or product option, to see its description and photos. (some large items may carry additional postage costs)
- To add an item to your cart, click the ‘+’ button next to the desired item, to increase the quantity required. This can be done for different products (e.g. Sizes etc.) When purchasing more than one size print of the same photo.
- If you wish to add a ‘Package’ to your cart, click ‘add to cart’, and another dialog box will appear and ask you to select the photos you require for each print size.
- You do this by clicking on the ‘+’ and then click on the photo that you want in that size, and click on select. Repeat this for all other items in the package.
- When you have the required quantities of the print sizes you want, you can click ‘Keep Shopping’ or ‘View Cart’
- You can continue to add items to your cart from the same set, or from other sets.
- You can also bring up the product list by clicking on the small ‘cart’ icon in the bottom left of each photo, without having to open the photo.
- You can also view the contents of your cart from the gallery screen, by clicking on the cart icon at the top right.
Checkout
- When you are happy with the contents of you cart (please check all photos/sizes etc. Before continuing!) You can then click on ‘Checkout’.
- At the checkout stage your address details are required to be filled out (all fields are required, so your county can be entered for ‘State/Province’, and enter ‘none’ for ‘ZIP/Postal’)
- Here you can also enter a coupon code, and also ‘add a note’ to seller (please specify your preference for matt or gloss photo finish, and preferred frame colour here)
- Click ‘continue’ to select shipping method.
- Select ‘collection/delivery in person’ if you have arranged this beforehand
- Or else select ‘standard’ or ‘tracked’ shipping as required, and click ‘continue’
- Enter your credit/debit cards details, or select ‘offline payment’, if you are arranging to pay by cash directly.
- You will receive a confirmation email of your order
Tips for Portrait Session
I'll start out by saying that plenty of rest and hydration is great preparation for any photo shoot. It may not be possible to fully address all the items below, before your session, especially if you are also preparing a large group or family; but accomplishing even some of these will greatly impact the resulting images.
What should we wear?
Try to avoid big logos or strong patterns as they can be distracting.
Solid colours are always a good choice.
Try to keep your outfit simple and comfortable. For example, a plain shirt/t-shirt and jeans will never go out of fashion.
Certain fashion trends that look great now may not look so great in 5 years’ time and will date the photograph.
If itf is a group/family portrait, think about clothes that will be complimentary to each other, so there can be a consistent 'look' to whole group/family.
Your clothes should fit well, be ironed and wrinkle free, and dust/lint & hair free.
How else should we prepare?
It is a very good idea to ensure that fingernails (plus toenails, if visible) and teeth are clean, hair is tidy, and any makeup is applied evenly and is not too heavy.
For men, it is a good idea to be clean shaven, unless you are particularly going for a 'stubley' look.
Eyes are the most important focal point in a portrait, so to ensure that they do not look tired or have ‘bags’ under them, it is important to get a good night’s sleep before your portrait shoot. It is also recommended to avoid cigarettes and alcohol on the day, or the previous day to your shoot. They will affect your eyes, skin and general appearance, and with modern Digital SLR’s with high resolution that capture the smallest details, they are best avoided altogether.
Please do bring along items such as brush/comb and moisturiser and lip balm.
Be sure to eat something before you leave for your session so you're not hungry during the shoot. You will look better, be more focused, and have more energy throughout the shoot. This is especially important for children. A good idea would be to bring crackers, nutrition bar, etc., but stay away from chocolate or coloured items/drinks, etc. to avoid staining the lips, tongue, and teeth.
How long does a photo shoot last?
A typical photo shoot lasts around 60 minutes, depending on the client’s requirements and the number of people.
If you wish to shoot more than a couple of ‘looks’, i.e. outfit changes and/or backdrop changes, it may be advisable to book additional shoot time, above the standard 1 hour.
This is available at a rate of €25 per ½ hour.
What is the best time for young ones?
Ideally children are in their best form after a good nap and a feed. This is usually mid-morning. You know your baby's moods so make an appointment around the time when they are in top form and full of smiles.
Young kids (approx. 2 – 5yrs) can ‘rebel’ against their parent’s wishes. So it can be a good idea to avoid pressuring them before/during a shoot, to ‘behave’ and smile’. Often the best shots can be achieved in a relaxed atmosphere where the child can get accustomed to the lights and camera.
Do feel free to bring a favourite toy or blanket etc.
Can we give input or ideas for our shoot?
Absolutely! If you see ideas in magazines, or on sites like pinterest etc., that really attract your attention, feel free to bring those, or pics on your phone to your session. How you feel about photography, what you like/dislike and what you gravitate towards, provides a lot of insight into who you are and your expectations. Never hesitate to share your ideas with your photographer
How many shots will you take?
There is no set limit. We take as many photos as needed to get the right expressions and capture the images wanted by the client. The best of these images will be selected for the client gallery. All images are shot in colour and can be changed to black & white afterwards if required.
When do we get to view the images?
The images are ready for initial viewing online usually within 5 working days. You will be contacted at this time, and you can then can pick your favourites, and make purchases of prints etc. online.
There may be additional editing, cropping, and colour grading etc. required, once you have chosen your images. Your final prints will be ready usually within 2 weeks from ordering.How do we pay?
The portrait session fee of €50 is payable at the time of booking, by cash, card or PayPal.
When purchasing prints online, you have the option to pay by credit/debit card, or to arrange to pay in cash
(Note that the order will not be completed until the cash is paid)
You wil also have the option to select delivery options, or collection of prints in person.Can we get Images on a CD / DVD / USB stick?
Digital images are available for purchase and download, from the store, (individually, or in packages). These are high quality, high resolution images, which you can keep, and use to make your own prints of any size at a print lab of your choosing.
(Digital images are for private use only, and are not permitted to be copied, reproduced, sold or used in any other way)If you do require your purchased digital images on a disc or USB, I can provide this to you for all previously purchased digital images, for a small fee.
Useful Links
Some more tips on preparing for a photoshoot from Zero Dean Photography (Particularly aimed at models)
http://zerodean.photography/photo-shoot-preparation/how-to-prepare-for-your-photo-shoot/
Some good information on Copyright from Unwin Photograhy
http://www.unwinphotography.co.uk/useful-information-about-copyright/
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