Matthew Stucky Photo

Rates Include:

A digital link to your ONLINE PROOFS delivered via Dropbox, high-resolution copies of your FINAL IMAGES for print and digital use, RETOUCHING on 2 images of your choosing ($25/image for each additional), adjusted and color balanced standard-resolution COPIES OF YOUR PROOFS delivered with your retouched finals, and 1 year of ARCHIVAL PHOTO STORAGE of your session just in case you misplace your images in the future.

Quick Sessions include 1 Look and one Retouch and generally take 30-40 minutes. Great for people who need a last minute shot or a specific look to round out their portfolio.

After confirming our session booking, I will send you my GUIDE TO THE SHOOT with helpful advice on clothing, makeup, choosing looks, showing images to agents, what to expect from our session and further details on payments and our upcoming shoot.

Payment is due at the time of the session and no proofs will be made available to you until your balance is settled.

Info

Hair & Makeup

While not always necessary for men, I highly recommend professional hair and makeup for women to take your images to the next level. If you are comfortable applying your own makeup or your makeup and hair needs are minimal, please arrive to your session hair and makeup ready. If you have already arranged for a hair and makeup artist , you are welcome to use my studio to get ready before the session - one hour for women, half-hour for men - just let me know so I can build in time to your shoot. If you need a makeup artist and/or hair stylist for your session I will gladly reach out to someone in my network and make an introduction, just ask. All hair and makeup payments should be arranged privately between you and the Hair and Makeup Artist.

Retouching

I offer in-house retouching for $25/image. I highly recommend that any images you plan on using for casting sites, submissions or professional use be retouched. Keep in mind that casting directors are more often than not only seeing a small thumbnail of your headshot, so it’s important to make sure your image stands out. My retouching includes brightening of eyes, eye-whites and teeth; background smoothing and evening when needed; removing stray hairs and blemishes; perfecting and evening out skin tone and texture; and color balancing the image. Clients always have final say on retouched images and your notes are always welcome.

Location

I primarily shoot in and around my home studio in Studio City, Los Angeles, but arrangements can be made to shoot at another location if made in advance. Just email me with any questions or ideas. After your session is booked, I’ll email you with the exact address and parking information for our shoot.

FAQ

Looks and Clothing

• What Is A Look?

  A look is any change in wardrobe or hair/makeup during the shoot mixed with a change in lighting and backdrop or location. Ideally, each look should showcase a different side of yourself and be distinct from the last. You only need to consider wardrobe, hair and makeup when choosing looks.

• Can We Take Commercial And Theatrical Looks In One Session?

  Yes. However, I ask that you discuss with your agent exactly what style you are both envisioning so you can narrow down your clothes and style choices to be concise - agents tend to want to cast a wide net, otherwise. Also, be aware that many agencies now require commercial photos to fall within a certain style (e.g. “Studio Light Only,” “Indoors Only,” “Centered Images Only,” “No Colorful Backgrounds,” “No Landscape Orientation,” “Full Head In Frame,” “No Jean Jackets,” “No Jewelry" the list goes on…) so its a good idea to check in with them before the shoot so everyone’s happy.

• Can I Change My Hair Mid-Look?

  Yes and no. It is fine to wear your hair down and then up, however, larger changes in style will need to be discussed before the shoot as they often take additional time to accomplish with or without a hairstylist. Please discuss hair changes with me before the shoot if you have concerns.

• Can I Shave?

  Yes. There is a well-lit bathroom at my home studio. I recommend all male clients arrive with a little scruff if they are normally clean shaven and then shave for one or more looks. Please bring your own shaving kit and supplies.

• Does Adding Or Removing Layers Constitute A Change Of Look?

  Generally speaking, adding or removing one layer does not constitute a change of look. However, that may depend on the layer and how dramatically it changes the image. If you have a specific question it’s best to ask. Additionally, while I everyone wants to make the most of their session, please do not take-off or layer-on in every look.

• Can I Wear Glasses?

  Yes, however be aware that most glasses create strong reflections so I ask that you bring eyewear with non-reflective lenses or remove the lenses before the shoot.

• What Should I Wear?

  That is entirely up to you. I only care that your clothes fit and reflect who you really are or want to communicate to your audience well. Please clean, iron and steam clothes before arriving for your session. I recommend pulling clothes from the wardrobe you already own rather than buying specific clothes for the session. It’s important to be aiming for clothes, not costumes in most cases. Above all, wear clothes that you feel good in and make you feel confident or showcase something specific about who you are. In the end we are taking photos of your face, your clothes are just there to give us some extra flavor.

• Are There Colors Or Patterns I Should Avoid?

  Wear whatever colors speak to you. I don’t have any color preferences, only that you like them. That being said, do avoid busy patterns and closely spaced stripes - they often create strange optical effects in thumbnails of your images on certain devices. In general it’s a good idea to bring one item that is close to your natural eye color, but not necessary.

• Should I Arrive Early To Discuss Clothing Options?

  No. Please stick to our pre-arranged shooting time. There is additional time built into our session to discuss looks and details when you arrive.

The Shoot

• How Long Is The Shoot?

  Each shoot is different but, in general, you can expect each look to take 20-30 minutes plus additional time if hair and/or makeup are being adjusted.

• What If I’m Late?

  If you’re running late, I get it, it’s LA after all - just let me know as soon as you can. If I don’t have another session immediately after yours I may be able to extend, but that’s not always the case. I hate for anyone to be rushed through the process so I’ll do what I can but please try to arrive on-time to give us the time we need to work at a comfortable pace.

• Can I Reschedule?

  If you need to reschedule please do so within 48-hours of your session. I understand that things often come up last minute in the life of an artist and will try to reschedule you for the earliest available session that works. If you have made arrangements with a hair and makeup artist, you will need to reschedule with them separately.

• How Do I Get Access To My Images And What’s The Turnaround?

  You should receive proofs of your images within a week of your session. Usually, clients receive their proofs within a few days but it can take longer if I have a lot of edits for other clients. If you need a fast turnaround on your images, please make me aware before your session. If you have not received your proofs within one week, please phone or email me immediately.

• How Many Images Do I Get?

  It’s not an exact science but you can expect between 70-100 images per look. I’m not one to count shutter-clicks though and tend to shoot until we have the shot. Sometimes that takes 50 shots. Sometimes that takes 200 shots.

• How Long Does Retouching Take?

  After I have received your selections for retouching, it usually takes two days but can also depend on the number of images being retouched from your session. You can expect 2 day turnarounds on any retouch notes you provide me.

• Do I Get To Keep My Original Images?

  Yes! You will receive a link or data download of your entire session including all proofs and final images at the end of the process. If you have not received these materials or need them to be resent, please contact me directly.

Social Media & Third-Party Usage

• Can I Post Images From Our Session To Social Media And Industry Sites?

  Yes! Please do! However, please credit me where appropriate as Matthew Stucky Photo. If posting to Instagram please @mention me instead of tagging me in the image using @matthewstuckyphoto.

• Someone Wants To Use My Image For A Poster/Marketing/Branding/Lunchbox To Make Million$$$!

  Please have any entities interested in using images from our shoots in any for-profit content contact me directly to ensure that the image(s) are being licensed appropriately and lawfully - so we can all get rich!