Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your Studio located?

The Studio is located at 575 Riverside Ave (next to Saugatuck Sweets) in Westport CT. It’s right off Exit 17 on I-95 and a 2 minute walk from the Westport Metro-North train station.

What does my headshot session fee include?

The session fee covers your dedicated studio time and photographer’s time, talent, and expertise, plus 1 retouched headshot of your choice. At your appointment, you'll be able to view your headshots and make your selection, as well as, purchase any additional images you’d like. There are no minimum purchase requirements, no obligations, and a Satisfaction Guarantee is included.

What is the price for additional headshots?

If you want more than the one included headshot image, you are welcome to purchase additional headshots for $325 each. There is a 20% savings if you buy 3 images or more.

What is your Satisfaction Guarantee on headshot sessions?

During your headshot session, you will have the opportunity to review your images throughout the photoshoot. In the very unlikely event that you don’t like any of your headshots for reasons in the photographer’s control (lighting, posing, etc.), you will receive a full refund of the money paid with our 100% money-back guarantee. Please make the photographer aware of your concerns right away so we have the opportunity to make adjustments.

At the sole discretion of the photographer, we may book a reshoot appointment and you can give your headshots another try on another day at no additional cost. The second option is to make use of the 100% money-back guarantee for the headshot session. If you do not wish to give it another try, you will receive a full refund of your headshot session fee. No images will be delivered.

The client is responsible for bringing the wardrobe they wish to wear and the hair style and makeup application they prefer for their headshots. The Studio is not responsible for providing reshoots because clients are unhappy with their choices in clothing/makeup/hair.

If you have already chosen favorites and the retouching process has begun, this confirms that you are satisfied and the session is now complete. You are welcome to book additional sessions at the standard headshot rates if you wish to have a larger selection of images or if you wish to try out different wardrobe choices, hair styles, etc.

What is your Satisfaction Guarantee on retouching?

Image retouching services have a satisfaction guarantee. This means that changes can be made to your retouched images until you are satisfied with the level of retouching work including:

• Stray hair removal

• Removal of blemishes 

• Reducing shine on face

• Reduce under eye bags

• Reducing wrinkles

• Whitening teeth

• Whitening eyes

• Removal of glare in glasses if needed

• Image cropping

• Exposure and color correction

Every person prefers a different level of retouching. You will receive unlimited retouching changes on your images until they are retouched to the level that meets your satisfaction.

What can I expect during my headshot session?

Not everyone loves to have their photos taken! The photographer is here to guide you into the most flattering poses with best lighting and styling (wardrobe/background). You’ll be able to review your headshots throughout the process and immediately following your session, at which point you will make your selection.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to change your photoshoot date, please use the link in your appointment confirmation email to reschedule your date/time using the online calendar (or reach out via text or email). There is no penalty to reschedule your photoshoot. If you are not feeling well, or have been in contact with someone with COVID-19, please postpone your photoshoot to keep everyone safe. If you would like to cancel completely, please note that your session fee is non-refundable, but you can request a headshot gift certificate if you would like to transfer your session credit to someone else. Please note that there are no refunds for missed appointments.

What happens if I am late for my appointment?

Please try to be punctual to allow for proper time and attention during your session. If you are late, it may cut into your session time if there is another client scheduled after you.

How long does a headshot session last?

The headshot session lasts about 1 hour total and includes approximately 30 minutes of photoshoot time and 30 minutes for image review and selection.

What does a typical appointment look like?

When you arrive for your appointment, the photographer will greet you and go through your wardrobe selection, styling your outfits and pairing them with the best background color. You are welcome to try several outfit changes and you will be guided through a variety of flattering poses specifically for the type of headshots you need. You will be able to see your headshots on a laptop screen as they are captured and are encouraged to provide any feedback you have throughout your session. At the end of your session, we will sit down and go through all your images to select your favorites.

If you’d like to show your family or team your headshots before you make your decision - no problem! There is no pressure to pick your photos at your appointment. You can request to be emailed a PDF of your images to choose from instead.

Are bathrooms and change rooms available?

The Studio has a dedicated client bathroom/change room with a place to hang your clothing and a full-length mirror.

Should I bring wardrobe choices to my photoshoot?

Yes! It’s always a good idea to bring a few wardrobe choices to your photoshoot so you can have a variety of looks to choose from. Occasionally, fabrics can have a pattern that does not photograph well (causes moire), so bringing a few options allows us the flexibility to choose the outfit(s) that work best in front of the camera and that are the most flattering on you.

What should I wear to my session?

Keep it simple, classic, and well-fitted. You can’t go wrong with a clean pressed collared shirt and blazer for either men or women. For some quick guidelines, you can view the Blog post here: https://www.nlalorphotography.com/blog/how-to-pick-what-to-wear-for-headshots

You will also receive a 30+ page “What to Wear Guide” when you book your session that goes over how to prepare for your photoshoot and how to select the best outfits with some examples.

Please note that the Studio is not responsible for your wardrobe choices. If you come to your session with wardrobe choices that you are not happy with, you are welcome to book a second session at the standard headshot session rates to have another opportunity to try a different set of wardrobe choices.

Can I have the RAW files?

RAW files are unfinished images and are not supplied to clients. Final retouched photographs are delivered in high-resolution JPG format suitable for print material, business cards, billboards, flyers, buses, etc. and in web-ready JPG format suitable for LinkedIn, email, social media, websites, etc.

If you prefer that your final headshots are not retouched at all, you are welcome to request no retouching for your images. Please note that retouching is complimentary and no discounts can be applied as a result.

Do I really need professional retouching for my headshots?

Yes! Retouching is the final polish that make great headshots look amazing and professional. Even if you wake up looking your best on the day of the photoshoot, professional retouching will create that final polished look that can’t be achieved any other way. Some photographers choose to take retouching too far to the point of where the person looks like they have no pores, their pupils are glowing, and every line on their face has miraculously dissapeared. The goal is to capture you in the best light, and provide professional retouching that looks just right as well as natural.

How long does it take to get my images?

For individual headshot sessions, you will receive your final retouched images 48 hours after your photoshoot (provided in high resolution and web-ready formats). If you need your photos sooner, please select “Same Day Delivery” when booking your session.

How will I receive my headshot images?

Your photos will be uploaded to an online Google Drive folder and you will receive a link to access them once they are ready. This allows for almost permanent online storage and easy sharing, but please make sure to download and back up your files on your end as well.

How does copyright work?

N. Lalor Photography maintains copyright ownership of every image, however, when you purchase headshots, you have permission to use them personally or professionally both in print and online to promote yourself and your business with an included full commercial print release.

Is there anything else I should do to prepare for my headshot session?

Make sure to get a good night’s rest the night before your photoshoot and drink plenty of water which will hydrate your skin and help you feel and look your best. Don’t forget to iron or steam your clothing and refer to the “What to Wear Guide” (provided in your session booking email) on how to make the best wardrobe selections and fully prepare for your photoshoot.

Can I share my headshot session time with a friend or colleague?

Yes! When you book your session, you can select “Plus-One” to add a friend or family member to have their headshots or portraits done at the same time with an addition of extra 30 minutes to your appointment.

What if I have a group of people who need headshots?

Whether your company is a small firm or an international brand, booking company headshots is easy and simple. Please review the Team/Company page for all the information you need.

Do you offer re-shoots if I’m not happy?

Throughout your headshot session, the photographer provides several opportunities for you to see your headshots and provide feedback, as well as a final review and selection process immediately following your session. If you are not happy with the headshots taken for reasons that are in the photographer’s control such as lighting and posing, please tell the photographer promptly so that that adjustments can be made during your session.

If you are unhappy with your headshots for reasons in your own control such as your wardrobe, hair styling, and/or makeup choice, you are welcome to book another photoshoot at your convenience at standard headshot session rates. At the next photoshoot, you will have another opportunity to make adjustments to match your styling preferences and will have a new set of headshots to choose from.

Often it’s also difficult to envision the final result if extensive retouching is required, at which point please communicate all your preferences/concerns to the photographer. It’s often possible to adjust quite a bit in post production and the photographer will be able to let you know what’s possible, at which point that headshot that isn’t quite there can turn into the perfect photo once those edits are made.

Do you offer retouching changes if I’m not happy?

Yes, you can request as many retouching edits/changes as you like until we get your headshot images looking exactly as you want them. And if you need different file formats that weren’t provided, please don’t hesitate to ask.