Matthew has made headshots and studio portraits for over 20 years. His current process is the culmination of that experience; offering an efficient, cost-saving process that maintains a high degree of flexibility for the client.
The general flow:
Lux Umbra will come to your work space and set up a portable studio. In general, at least 10’x12’ of open floor space is required. The subject is then photographed, either sitting or standing, in front of a pre-selected background. Photos will be made tethered to a computer, and the subject selects their favorite image immediately while on site. We recommend scheduling subjects in 10-15 minute blocks, which provides leeway when subjects run ahead or behind schedule. Retouching of the selected image(s) will typically be done within 2-3 business days.
General pricing.
There is a set up fee of $500 to come to your office and set up. This includes an hour of photography. Each additional hour is $150. There is a $150 per image retouching and licensing fee. Under this structure, the per person cost decreases drastically with multiple subjects. A portrait of one person is $650. However, 4 people photographed within the first hour would be $1100, or $275 per subject. Similarly, 8 people photographed within 2 hours would be $1850, or about $230 each.
The small print.
Process and Prices listed below are a starting point. Larger groups can earn substantial discounts and the process can be adjusted based on your needs.
All prices are based on a single payer/payment. (i.e. the client). Please let us know if you intend to split costs amongst several payees.
Unusual lighting set-ups, 3/4 or full length portraits, group shots, and horizontal compositions require more physical space and equipment and need to be estimated separately.
In some situations a photo assistant may be necessary. The cost range is $300-$450.
Hair and Make-Up, stylist, and digital tech available upon request.
No room in your office? Contact me to find an available rental studio option.
What’s a Headshot?
For the purposes of this outline, a headshot is defined as a portrait of a person, taken from the midsection to the top of the head, against a plain studio backdrop (white, gray, blue, etc.), using studio lighting. Images are generally licensed for use for: the company’s own online and print collateral materials; publicity purposes; and social media profile pictures.
Other uses, including advertising, to be negotiated separately.
Business Portrait Process + Pricing
Headshots
Environmental / Location Portraits
At a time where employees may be working from anywhere in the world, environmental portraits–those that show some or part of a location behind the subject–can be a useful way to communicate to a client a sense of permanence and stability, that your employees work in a physical space, not in their slippers in the spare bedroom. (No judgement!) These more individualized portraits usually require more creativity, equipment, and planning to execute well. Because of this the process isn’t quite as straightforward.
Important things to consider when planning an environmental portrait shoot:
What do you want the background to say about the subject? Modern? High tech? Relaxed?)
How large will the images be used online or in print? Busy backgrounds can be hard to see if the images are running small.
Should all of the backgrounds feel/look the same? If multiple employee portraits are shown together, should they look like there were made in the same place or in different locations?
Availability. Environmental portraits sometimes have a smaller footprint than a studio set-up, they also often require moving furniture and that the background be free of clutter, people, distractions, etc.
The price for environmental portraits will vary greatly depending on the complexity, licensing, and overall production requirements of each shoot. We’d be happy to put together a personalized estimate for you.
