J. Michael Photography - Frequently Asked Questions


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General Info

How does the entire process work?
It's pretty simple! When you're ready to book your shoot, you can book online here or by calling us at 832.245.2347. Then we'll call you to go over what to bring and answer any questions you might have. The day of your shoot, you'll arrive at the studio and we'll give you a tour of the facility and some of our portfolio books to look through to get ideas. We'll sit down with you and go over what type of pictures and looks that you'd like to get done. Then if you ordered hair/make-up, you'll sit with the MUA for your make-over. Then it's off to the shoot! We'll help you with outfit selection, props, etc. Then once we're all done with the shoot, we'll show you some of the pictures we took and create a CD of all of the images (except for the portrait package) to take home with you. Now at your leisure, you'll look through the CD and choose the ones you want prints of and what sizes. Once you have chosen your favorites, you can go back on the website and click on "Order Prints". You will need the file numbers of your favorite images and what size prints you would like. From there, we will begin working on your prints. Your prints will be available within 3-5 days. However, in some cases you may make arrangements to receive then in as little as 48 hrs of shooting. When they are all done, you may pick them up or we can mail them to you. It's as simple as that!!

Can you do on location shoots?
Absolutely. We can do shoots virtually anywhere in the Houston Metro area. Depending on the location, a mileage fee may apply. For more info, see the rates page.

Do I need any modeling experience?
Not at all! We will guide you through every step of the way to insure the most flattering images.

What are your business hours?
Our studio hours are Monday thru Saturday 10am-7pm. We're closed on Sundays.

Are my pictures private or will anyone else see them?
Your privacy is extremely important to us. When you hire us for your pictures, you are the only one that has access to your pictures. They will never be distributed to anyone else. As such, if you'd like we are happy to provide a confidentiality agreement at no additional charge.

Can I bring a friend, Mom, Husband, etc to the shoot with me?
Sure you can! You can bring anyone you'd like.

Do I get the rights to pictures afterwards, like to use in a magazine or something?
You have unlimited rights to your final images and can use the pictures for anything that you'd like. Exceptions: Model and/or Actor bookings will have limited rights and will depend on individual client contracts.

About Us

Do you do child / infant photography?
Yes we do. Our photographers do an amazing job with children of all ages!.

Can you take pictures of me and my friend / boy/girl-friend / spouse?
Sure! Just let us know what type of photos you want to have done when making your reservation.

Can you do nude/erotic/couples photography?
Yes, we do couples, both nude and non-nude as well as erotic and sensual photography. Due to the privacy of our clients however, we do not place any samples on our website.

What about commercial print photography?
We sure do. Just let us know what type of shots you're looking for when scheduling your session.

Do you have make-up/hair artists on staff?
Yes, we do have two make-up artists on staff. Please see the rates page for rates. Please let us know at the time of booking if you would like a make-up artist for your shoot (either on the online booking form or over the phone).

What props do you have?
We have tons! Here are a few: green upholstered wall, mirrored walls, graffiti wall, industrial scene with chains hanging from ceiling, queen size bed (with silk sheets), red tiled wall, beach theme (sand and such), tons of different backgrounds ranging from fur with sparkles to silk to plain paper and much more!

What type of camera do you use?
We shoot with high-resolution Nikon cameras.

Can you shoot in black and white?
Yes, with the digital equipment we use, we can transform any image into B&W, Sepia or Color.

Appointments

Do you accept last minute bookings?
Yes we do, and in some cases, emergency same day bookings are available.

How do I schedule a photo shoot?
You can make an appointment online by clicking here or via phone at 281.913.5843.

How does the payment process work?
A deposit equal to 50% of the total will be required at the time of booking to hold the appointment. This will be applied towards the total amount due. The remaining balance will be due at the completion of the photo shoot.

I don't look anything like the people on the website, is that ok?
Of course! We have done photo shoots with many different types of people ranging from magazine cover models to real estate agents to soccer moms!

I don't have a credit card, can I pay cash?
Sure! But we do require a deposit to hold the appointment, so you would need to either drop off or mail a deposit.

What time can I schedule a photo shoot?
Anytime really, we take appointments that work around our customer's schedules, even if that means staying past closing time.

What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. We also accept corporate checks. Personal checks must clear before release of print work, sorry.

I just want a few pictures, can I have a lower priced package?
Our least expensive package is the basic package for $169. We do offer custom packages, but keep in mind that for 1 good picture, it may take 50 shots to get it. For instance, on a magazine cover, it may take over 1,000 shots just to get that one final picture.

What is the cancellation policy?
A 50% non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking which is applied towards your total. The deposit will be forfeited if you cancel your appointment. But rescheduling can be made at any time with no penalty up to a year in a advance.

Day of Your Shoot

Do I need to bring anything to the photo shoot?
This is a great question. You want to try to look your best so bring all necessary beauty supplies, including lotions, make-up, hairspray, etc. Be sure to bring a large selection of your favorite outfits and any props that you might want to include in your photos. Also, it's a great idea to bring your favorite music CD so that we can play it during your shoot to help you relax. Last but not least, bring a great attitude, an open mind and lots of confidence!

Is there anything I can do to prepare for my shoot?
While we know what poses look good in general, some poses just don't look right on some people. So take some time to look at magazines for posing ideas and practice posing and your expressions in front of a mirror as much as possible. Pose the same way the models are posed in these magazines and try to improve the pose. Know what poses and expressions that "YOU" look good in.

When will I get to look at the pictures?
The same day! We can break mid-way through your session to show you the pictures, and once the shoot is done you can see them on our dual wide-screen monitors. Then we will go through them with you and create a proof CD. Then you can look at them at home or with a friend and choose your favorites to get prints!

Can you remove my acne or tattoos?
Yes, our digital retouching artists can digitally remove any scars, tattoos, acne, stretch marks, skin blemishes etc. We can even make you tanner! Please see this page for more info.

Do the packages include airbrushed images?
Some do include BASIC touch ups like blemish removal, color correction etc. This is only for the prints that are included in the package. Larger jobs like tattoo removal, background changes, etc are extra.

After Your Shoot

How long does it take to get prints if I order them?
Once you choose your favorite pictures and order your prints in the sizes that you want, they'll be ready within 3-5 days. Often they are available sooner.

Who makes your prints?
We don't use a third party company to do our printing, we do everything in house with state of the art dye-sublimation lab equipment. This allows us to keep our prices reasonable and keeps our turn around time within 48 hrs and allows for reviewing by the photographer to make sure colors are 100% accurate prior to order pickup.

Can I order more than one CD of proofs?
Sure, we can provide you with up to 5 for free to give to your friends!

Do you make composite card up and if so how much are they?
Yes we sure do. However, our lab only prints in high volumes with a minimum order of 1,000. The price for 2 sided full color UV coated comp cards (8.5" x 5.5") are as follows:

1,000 - $299 = $.29 cents each
2,500 - $349 = $.13 cents each
5,000 - $399 = $.08 cents each

Keep in mind that most commercial printers charge approx $1.00 per comp card!

What if my question is not answered here?
Please send us an email by clicking here or give us a call at 281.913.5843.

Last Updated: 10:04 AM 7/19/2006

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