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DreamShotz:
Phone Bruce at: (480) 544-6100
16211 N Scottsdale Road, Suite 442
Scottsdale, AZ 85254

Studio Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9:00AM to 5:00 PM.

Q: I tried to call you  several times but always seem to get your voicemail, what’s up?
A: I am assuming that you are calling me Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (my business hours) so my simple answer, I am busy working with a client. When I am working with a client, my efforts are 100% dedicated to working with that client. I don’t take interurptions from anything, including the phone.

Since my client is paying me for my time, I feel my time shuld be devoted 100% to working with them and consider it rude to keep taking interuptions and wasting time that they are paying for.

The absolute fastest way to get in touch with me is to leave me a voice mail message if you don’t reach me the first time you call. I return voice mail messsages in the order received and typically within 1 business day – and often on the same business day.

Fortunatley for me I am busy working with clients a lot during the course of a day.  Your best chances of catching me available to answer the phone are first thing in the morning (8:00 AM) or at the end of the day (5:00 PM).

Q: Why would any model consider paying a photographer to help them build a portfolio when so many photographers are willing to offer models a TFP session at no cost?

There are three points to consider when comparing a TFP session to a session that you pay for.

1.  First of all, DreamShotz does offer a limited number of TFP sessions. If you get an opportunity to do TFP with us GREAT! Jump on it, make the most of it. We prepare for a TFP shoot the very same way as we prepare for a paid shoot and you should as well.

2.   Secondly, you should realize that the truth is that any full-time professional photographer who earns their living solely from photography has to severely limit the amount of free work they do, so a TFP session is not real easy to get from ANY professional photographer.

Most photographers offering lots of TFP sessions are really just people doing it as a hobby. These people have a real job from which they earn their living and they do photography for fun. The results from these shoots can vary tremendously. Some amateurs are very good and others are not so good. The majority of the problems and horror stories that circulate in this industry come from these types of amateur shoots.

3.   A final consideration is that building your portfolio from strictly TFP sessions will take you a substantially longer than building a portfolio from sessions that you pay for. This is because very few photographers are willing to invest the time, cost and energy required to create lots of different sets / backgrounds for a shoot they are giving away free (TFP). Changing set design / backgrounds / locations all require time, effort and money and this is how we earn our living as photographers. As a result, you will typically receive many more "useable" photos per hour from a paid session. The sooner you complete an outstanding portfolio, the sooner you begin getting more paid offers for work.

Keep in mind that as a model, your portfolio should show you in a variety of wardrobes, positioned in various poses, with a variety of different facial expressions including different hair and makeup and set in a variety of locations / settings / environments. Art directors / casting executives aren't impressed by a portfolio that consists of a dozen photographs of you all in the same outfit, same lighting, same hair, same makeup, same location setting, with slightly different poses / expressions.

TFP Checklist:

Before scheduling any TFP session as a model, you should consider the following:

If the photographer is shooting digital images instead of film ask them which image format they will be shooting in.

Most amateur photographers do NOT photograph you in high resolution mode (RAW); they shoot images in JPG format. The reason for this is the high cost of the equipment required to handle and manage the larger file sizes when shooting in RAW format. Shooting you in lower resolution mode means you will not be able to get “print-quality” photographs from the session; you will only be able to use these images for Computer Monitor Viewing.

At DreamShotz, we treat every photo session as if we are trying to create the “perfect image”. With this in mind we ALWAYS shoot a session in RAW format so that we will be able to fully utilize every image we capture in print or on screen.

Ask the photographer about availability of prints (size, quantity and cost):
While having lots of photos on the many model web sites that exist does help your ego and impress industry newcomers, experienced models will testify that the single most important asset to a model in helping them obtain paying work is their PRINT portfolio.

Very few art directors or casting executives will even consider viewing a model's portfolio on-line, they want to see prints.

If the final results of a photo session is just a CD and not printed photos, the session should be considered a waste of your time.

The most popular portfolio print sizes are still 8x10, 9x12, 11x14 and 11x17. (The 11x17 format is very quickly becoming the new industry standard for portfolios). Receiving prints in any size other these industry-accepted standard sizes is pretty worthless for your print portfolio.

At DreamShotz, we provide you with a "Proof CD", typically that same day - immediately after your session is complete. This CD contains every photograph taken during your session. You can use this CD to select your final print choices. We allow you your choice of photo sizes listed above. You are typically allowed to select two photographs for each hour of a TFP session at no cost to you. We color balance sharpen and professionalize these selected photos for both screen resolution and print resolution. The final products is the completed prints and a CD containing web resolution images of the enhanced photos that you've selected.

We are happy to create as many additional prints as you desire, and will even offer you a substantially reduced rate for these additional prints-ask us for additional information.

Ask the photographer how the prints will be created.

Will it be on a $99.00 consumer model home inkjet printer, a professional photo lab or equivalent? The correct answer here should be obvious.

Q: Do you provide airbrushing and photo re-touching?
A: Yes, included with your photo session fee is basic re-touching, and airbrushing as required. Typical retouching / airbrushing includes: stretch mark removal, acne removal, scar removal and more. Using state-of-the-art digital technology we can manipulate your photos any way we may need to resulting in magazine quality photographs.

Q: How long does it take to receive proof copies of the photos taken during my session?
A: With rare exception, you will receive a proof CD immediately upon completion of your session.

Q: How long does it take to receive the photos that I select from the proofs?
A: In most cases you will receive your photographs within 5 business days.

Q: How do I reserve an appointment?
A: You reserve your appointment with cash, a check or major credit card by secure web site processing or by phone. At the time you book your session, we will bill your credit card for the session package of your choice. If you cancel your appointment with minimum of 3 business days advance notice, your session fees are 100% refundable.

If however, you do not cancel your appointment, but just do not show up or you fail to give us 3 business days advance notice, you will forfeit the session fee portion of you package. The remaining portion of your deposit can be either refunded or applied towards a future session.

Q: Can I purchase a gift certificate?
A: Gift certificates can be purchased in any dollar amount. Some clients prefer to purchase a session, while others choose to purchase the session and a selected package. Please call in advance, so we can have it ready for you.

Q: Do I bring my own clothing / wardrobe items or can you provide them for me?
A: Although we do have a variety of club wear, swimsuit, and lingerie items in most sizes, we recommend that you also bring some of your own. We have found that clients tend to be more relaxed and comfortable in your own clothing. You are welcome to make use of our wardrobe items as well. We have a variety of sizes and colors and even specialty items such as school girl, cheerleader, etc. Call us for more detailed information.

Q: Is there any special preparation required to prepare for my photo session?
A: When you book your session we will send you a detailed information kit suggesting tanning do and don’ts, clothing color recommendations, hair preparation and a host of other insider’s tricks and tips to make you look the best you have ever looked in your session.

Q: Can I bring a friend along to chaperone me?
A: Yes, however once we begin the session, your friend will be asked to leave the studio while we are photographing you. It is our experience that we can get you much more comfortable when you are posing for an experienced photographer, without worrying about what your friend is saying or thinking of you.

If we didn't answer your specific question, please feel free to call (480) 544-6100 or email us with any question you have.

   
   

Tips For Models:

  • If we are shooting for commercial purposes then you must not wear any type of clothing that contains a logo. A visible logo of any kind will create copyright problems, thus ruining the photo. If we are shooting for your own private portfolio then this is not an issue.

  • Light clothes will tend to make you look bigger. This is great for very petite models.

  • Dark clothes will tend to make you look slimmer. This is great for larger-sized models.

  • Light blouses will make your breasts look bigger.

  • Dark blouses will make your breasts look smaller.

  • Dark slacks, shorts, skirts will make your hips look smaller.

  • Black, red and white are vibrant colors and work very well together.

  • Green and yellow are typically not flattering colors on most models.

  • V necks are more flattering than straight or high necklines in a photograph.

  • High-sided French cut legs on swimsuits will make your legs look longer.

  • Good glamour clothing suggestions include: evening gowns, nightgowns, bathing suits, lingerie, silks, laces and satins.

  • Under or overdressing for a location creates drama in the shot.

  • Large bold jewelry typically looks harsh.

  • REMEMBER: Fad jewelry dates photos quickly.

  • Props can help create a romantic mood. Bring any props you would like to. Good examples of props to consider are feathers, boas, mirrors, brushes, combs, ribbons, towels, articles of clothing and masks.

  • Plan your clothing and any props you may want to bring ahead of time. You will be amazed how many times you will change your mind. When in doubt – bring it with you. I will help you decide.

  • You will be provided with a private dressing room on-site.

  • Plan for your own makeup – unless specifically contracted for in advance, I do not offer make services on TFP Shoots. A Professional Makeup Artist is available on paid shoots.

  • Bring your favorite music CDs – this helps you to relax, thus creating better photographic results.

  • Fact: The single most important part of a photograph is the expression on the model’s face.

  • Fact: Your eyes are your single most important feature to display emotion.

  • Fact: The more symmetrical your face is the more money clients are willing to pay you. This is because if your face is symmetrical, you will have no real distinguishing features. This is an important fact because then the person viewing the photo can’t identify you by any unique feature (which is the way people typically identify others). This means that the viewer can easily be tricked into envisioning themselves as being just like you. Thus believing that they will like the product or service you are portraying just as much as you seem to like it.

 Additional Tips:
  • Don’t bend legs or elbows at exactly 90 degrees.
  • Don’t aim elbows directly at the camera.
  • Don’t hold fingers together like a paddle.
  • Legs look best in profile poses.
  • All legs look heavier from the back.
  • Legs look slimmer from the front.
  • Sitting poses draw attention to your legs.
  • Natural looking, relaxed models make the best photographs.
  • Small breasts look their best when leaning forward and arms at your side.
  • Large breasts look their best when your arms are raised.
  • Hips look best when turned toward the camera instead of straight from the front.
  • Large sized legs look best when kept together.
  • Heavy faces are best turned ¾ to camera, with head tilted forward, and neck stretched out.
  • For standing poses, keep weight on rear leg and bend near knee.
  • Arching small of your back flatters your figure.
  • Vary poses to suit the situation. Don’t become locked into a half dozen poses. Your portfolio will benefit from variety.

Last Minute Thoughts:

  • Be sure to get a full night of sleep the night before your shoot – your eyes will tell the truth…
  • If you are doing any kind of swimsuit, glamour or nude or implied nude modeling, plan on avoiding any activities that can results in bruising body parts for a week before your shoot.
  • If you are doing any kind of swimsuit, glamour or nude or implied nude modeling, plan on traveling in very loose fitting clothing. Elastic in bras, waste bands and even panties or just wearing tight clothing can leave impressions that can ruin a otherwise great photograph.
  • Do not use any kind of “fake” or “paint on” tanning products, they look very blotchy in high resolution photographs. Natural tans (outdoor or tanning beds are fine). Your skin will look best if you avoid sun exposure for 36 hours prior to your appointment.
  • Be Sure To Arrive on time – late arrivals are subject to cancellation.
  • You must provide two types of Identification:
    At least one must be a Photo ID – such as driver’s license.  The preferred 2nd ID is a Social Security Card.


© 2007 Bruce Ciarleglio / DreamShotz Photography, All Rights Reserved.