If being photographed is difficult

Most people tell me they hate having their photograph taken. It is so common that I have stopped treating it as something to talk anyone out of.

For some people it goes further than that. Anxiety, past experience, how you feel about your face or your body, being autistic in a room set up for somebody else’s comfort, a period of illness you are still coming out of. Any of these can turn a headshot from a mild inconvenience into something you put off for two years.

This page sets out how I work, so you can decide before you contact me rather than after.

Before the session

We talk first. A phone call, a message, or you come and look at the studio without a camera in the room. There is no charge for that and nothing attached to it.

Tell me whatever is useful. You do not have to explain yourself or give me a reason. If there is something that would make the session harder, or something that would make it easier, I would rather know in advance than find out halfway through.

If you would rather put it in writing than say it out loud, that is fine.

Bringing someone with you

You are welcome to bring somebody. A friend, your partner, a parent, a support worker. They can stay in the room the whole time.

For anyone under 18, a parent or legal guardian must attend the session.

In the studio

Some things that are always true, whoever is in front of the camera.

• I do not touch you. If your collar needs straightening or your hair has moved, I will tell you or show you on myself. I will not do it for you.
• Direction is given out loud or demonstrated. I will tell you what to do with your hands, where to look and how to stand, so you are never left guessing.
• You see the pictures as we go. They come up on a screen during the session, so you are not waiting a fortnight to find out what happened.
• We can stop whenever you want. For a minute, for ten minutes, or for good. You do not have to give a reason and it will not be awkward.
• You can keep your coat on until you are ready. Nobody is being rushed.

If you need to leave, you can leave.

Choosing the images

The photographs go into a private gallery that only you can see. You choose what you want from it. Nothing goes on my website, my social media or anywhere else unless you have specifically agreed to it, and you can say no without explaining why.

If you agree to something and change your mind later, tell me and I will take it down.

The studio itself

The studio is at Base Business Park in Rendlesham, near Woodbridge. It is a private room rather than a shop floor, so nobody is walking past or watching. There is free parking directly outside, so you are not hunting for a space beforehand with the clock running.

There is space to change, and somewhere to sit down.

If you want to ask something first

You can ask me anything before booking, including things you think might sound daft. I would far rather answer six questions by message than have you sit in a car park talking yourself out of coming in.

You can reach me on 07884 366 342 or through the contact page.

The Chiaroscuro project

Some of this comes out of Chiaroscuro, a personal project I have been working on about mental health. It is a series of portraits made with people who agreed to be photographed about something difficult.