A portrait of you
My concept of what makes a good portrait is that esthetically there should not be anything in the frame that distracts, but if any environment or "props" are used, they should complement the personality in the frame. We can choose a certain style/lighting that you prefer, although I always suggest to keep in mind a portrait of you and your loved ones should be timeless.
Emotionally, I try to create a sense of intimacy in my studio where the subject can feel comfortable and confident enough to drop the mask, and show a genuine expression. I feel a good portrait is one where we feel the subject is looking at us just as much as we are looking at their photograph.
A tangible, long lasting memory
Every session includes an A3 size print.
There is no comparison between seeing a photo on a (usually tiny) screen and seeing a big print you can hang on a wall and is always visible, always there.
I print all photos myself, on a professional 12 ink photo printer using the highest quality paper which uses no optical brighteners (it will not turn yellow with time). The inks are museum grade meaning they are guaranteed to keep their colors and tone for at least 200 years. Both my printer and my monitor have been calibrated to ensure the best quality output.
I use mostly matte or semi-gloss types of paper. This is because a high gloss paper, while it can look very vivid, will also be very reflective and if you hang it in your home where you don't have controlled lighting, you will mostly see reflections instead of the photo.
Process
Conversation
We first have a chat to organize the shoot, and also to understand what your tastes and expectations are.
We can do this over the phone, or preferably in an online meeting where I can show you my screen and we can discuss the types of images you like, the styles of lighting, esthetics etc.
Session
I do not have a time limit for portrait sessions, as some people can take a much longer time to get comfortable, but usually for a single person, we spend about 1 hour.
For a family we may spend about 2 hours to have different variations.
I also do not limit the number of outfits so we can try different ones and see which one photographs best.
After you have chosen your favorite photo for printing (from a private online gallery), it will be personally printed by me on a professional photo printer using the highest quality fine-art paper and museum grade inks.
Pricing
To keep things very simple and stress-free, there is a base session fee, and pricing per chosen image. I do not like to stress people over time, which clothes they should try and so on. The more relaxed you feel, the better your portrait will be. The session fee also includes an A3 size print of one chosen photo. Prices include VAT.
Personal / Family Portrait
500 lei
✔ No time limit in the studio
✔ No limits on number of outfits
✔ 1 A3 size print (29.7 x 42 cm)
✔ 150 lei / image (edited and retouched)
✔ 50 lei / black & white version of chosen image
✔ Online Gallery
✔ Online Proofing
Extras
Makeup / Hair
Highly recommended! For an extra fee, you will have professional hair and/or makeup done - guaranteed to take your portrait to the next level.
On location
I can also bring my equipment to your home or a location of your choice which can include the outdoors. The fee will depend on the distance travelled. The base fee is an extra 200 lei.
Extra prints
A4 size: 150 lei
A3 size: 200 lei
A2 size: 300 lei
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you offer a cheaper option, without the print?
No. I wish to offer my clients a tangible result they can see and hold in their hand. I also don't wish to confuse people (or myself) with too many options and offers.
What should I wear?
It's recommended to wear unicolor clothing, it can also be a bright color, not necessarily only black or white. The style can be whatever makes you feel comfortable but avoid clothing with logos, brand names, or very busy patterns. Remember, this portrait is ment to stand the test of time.
Avoid wearing a shirt with a very fine line pattern - this will create a strange effect in the final photo.
For accessories, it can sometimes be interesting to add something that enhances the portrait, for example unusual or extravagant earrings, a crown of flowers, a tiara etc. I can show you examples when we have discuss your session.
How long does it take to receive the edited images?
I usually try to send you the online gallery for rating the images the same day - or the next working day at the latest.
Once you have made your selection, it will take between 1 and 7 days to edit and retouch each image and make the print(s).
Do you also do maternity shoots?
Yes, and I emphasize again that in personal portraits I promote a classic and timeless style, without too many elements of decor. Especially not those added with AI. We can however style the shoot to make it more creative and special.
Can I bring a friend during my session?
Yes but please try and limit this to one person. Otherwise it will be difficult to create a personal report with you and a sense of intimacy when they're all staring at you and I also point a camera at you.
Can I take a picture with my pet?
Yes, that can make for a very interesting and charming portrait!
Can I get the unedited RAW photos?
No. An important part of making the image is the editing and color grading. I also wish to maintain a consistent quality in the photos I display on the site and social media.
Book a portrait session with me
For details and pricing of portrait sessions, please see the information above.
