How long does a session take?

Most portrait sessions can be done in about 30 minutes. We start with a brief conversation about you and your goals. If you have any concerns, we can address them then. Time in front of the camera tends to be short and fluid in order to keep you spontaneous and expressive. Andrew will guide you every step of the way, so just relax and enjoy the process.

How do we get the best picture?

Most of the time we only need one great one, but of course we make more than we need and then choose the best one. If possible, we choose the best one at the end of the session, but if that's not possible we can create a web gallery. Once we have chosen the best portrait, we retouch to add a little polish. Things like stray hairs, blemishes, shine, teeth whitening, etc. can be retouched. Any lines in your face are part of your character, so we soften rather than remove.

What do you recommend for makeup/grooming?

Ideally, a professional makeup artist is the best way to look your best. We can recommend an experienced artist or you can do it yourself. Either way, for a business portrait, a light natural makeup look is advised. We usually have items like combs and clips to solve occasional hair emergencies or clip clothing that fits too loose. Feel free to bring products you normally use for your hair and makeup, as well as any accessories, jewellery, or wardrobe that you may need.

How can I get the most out of having my portrait made?

If you are really present and engage with the process, you'll get a result that you recognize as "you". I'm a portrait photographer because I'm curious about people--we'll be having a conversation, so hopefully you won't even feel like you're posing. My goal is to create a portrait that you feel great sharing--we work together to make that happen, so just relax and be yourself!

What about COVID?

We've been working safely since July--you can find our page on Safely Policies here: https://balfourphoto.com/COVID-Safety/1 (top left menu in this browser window)

Click through > for a few examples of successful sessions.