How do I book my photo session with you?

The best way of scheduling your session would be to click on the “Contact” tab at the top of the page, click on the email link, and shoot me an email!

From there, we will discuss your needs in detail, what you can expect working with me, dates that work best for you and your retainer method. Once scheduled, you will be sent an invoice for your retainer.

What is this about a non-refundable retainer for my session?

A 50% non-refundable retainer is required to reserve your photo session. You will receive a Venmo invoice to secure your session date, which will only be available specifically for you, so there are no double bookings. If you fail to pay within 48 hours of receiving your invoice, your spot will not be secured and will be offered to other potential clients. This fee also covers time spent coordinating our session.

The remainder of the session fee will be due the day of our scheduled session. If you wish to pay in cash, the remainder will be due PRIOR to beginning of our session.

Digital payments are only accepted via Venmo at this time. No exceptions.

I do NOT accept any personal checks, cashier checks or money orders at this time.

Do you shoot indoors, outdoors, both?

I primarily do my sessions outdoors, on location. I can be available for studio sessions at an additional fee.

For sessions outdoors, we know how crazy the weather here can get! Just be aware that we will have to work around Mother Nature and the chance of needing to reschedule, while has been super rare, may occur.

If you are interested in scheduling a studio session, please let me know! These sessions book about 4 weeks in advance, based on studio availability. Please be aware that there is an additional fee for all studio sessions. Fees vary based on your studio needs and time frame. Most studios require a 2-4 hour reservation.

Please note: Outdoor sessions take place at specific times of the day during the Fall/Winter & Spring/Summer due to where the sun is located in the sky, in order to achieve the best lighting for your images. With that said, as we do work with limited/certain lighting situations, if you are running at least 30 minutes late, you may be required to reschedule, and a new retainer fee will be required.

Why is weather important for our session?

Like many headshot and lifestyle photographers, I work with natural light, outdoors, on location, etc. So the weather REALLY affects your photos. I want your images to look their very best and for you to be satisfied with your session. We will keep an eye on the weather as time gets closer to your session and address accordingly.  The downside of working outside with natural light is that we can not control mother nature. I do try to keep one day open per week for weather related re-shoots, but do keep in mind it may take a week or two to get back on the schedule. I do hope you understand.

What is considered a look?

A look is a combination of changes in hair/makeup, outfits, backgrounds/location and lighting. Each type of change is considered a different look. Accessory changes such as removing a jacket or putting on glasses does NOT constitute as a separate look. 

I am no longer offering additional looks with packages at this time.

Do I need a hair and makeup artist?

If you are represented by an agent, I strongly suggest contacting them FIRST for this answer.

Otherwise, in short, that depends on you and if you’re doing major changes.

Overall, you want to look like you but on your best day, so hair styling and makeup is sometimes recommended to be done by a makeup artist who can provide you with a very natural look. This goes for men too. Makeup for photography is very different than everyday makeup due to many factors, such as lighting. The most minor skin blemishes (uneven skin tone, pop up acne, etc.) can become very obvious when photographed. Professional makeup and hair styling is extremely important for photography. It’s much less expensive to use a good makeup artist than it is to pay for more costly retouching after your session.

That said, you're NEVER required to have your hair/makeup professionally done.

Can you recommend a Hair/Makeup Artist?

I currently do not work with any specific H/MUA.

It remains your responsibility to research for a H/MUA and to see if they are a good fit for you and your needs. Each H/MUA has their own set rates, policies and schedules. Please be sure you communicate with them directly and are very concise in your needs for our session.

Please ensure they are also someone who works specifically with headshot or lifestyle photography. Glamour & wedding makeup are not the type of makeup styles that photograph well for headshots, model testing, etc.

*On the day of our session, IF at all possible, please meet with your H/MUA prior to arriving to set. This way, you will have your 1st look already completed. I have found it best to start shortly after you arrive to make the most out of our session and to not cut into the set session time. You are welcome to bring your H/MUA along with you to freshen you up and/or to make any changes to your look. As most sessions are on location, please be sure your H/MUA is able to make any needed changes offsite, which may include no electricity for hair styling tools.*

Can I shave my beard during the session?

You can, HOWEVER, keep in mind this: if you provide headshots, one with a clean face and one with a full beard, it CAN confuse casting directors. They may think "If I request this actor to come audition, will he have a shaved face? or will he have a beard? If I need a bearded face, can he grow one in time? I don't know? I may pass on this one as I can not afford to risk these questions." This is also part of your TYPE. You need to determine how you want to market yourself and your type. 

What should I bring for Wardrobe?

All wardrobe is REQUIRED to be approved at least 1 week prior to our session date, to ensure I am able to secure the appropriate location(s).

For represented models and actors, I strongly suggest you discuss with your agent/manager to know what looks you need, at least a couple weeks in advance to our session.

If you are not currently represented, please let me know and we can absolutely discuss further. I am always happy to assist.

All wardrobe mapping is done virtually, so that we can have everything set and ready to go when you arrive to your session. It is best to plan ahead, so that way you come as organized as possible and we spend less time picking outfits and more time shooting.

All wardrobe is to be steamed or ironed the night before and placed on hangers. Do not fold any article of clothing into a bag to prevent winkles and creases.

How can I/my agent/manager/etc. look at our images?

After your session is complete, within 72 business hours, I will send your agent/manager (or you if you have no representation) a link to a temporary online gallery of the proofs, where images will be viewable and where selections for images that wish to be edited can be chosen. From there, I will lightly retouch the images that have been selected.

As these are only proofs, you will not be able to download any images and you are not allowed to screen shot any of these images from or within the gallery. I retain full copyright of all images. This link will only be valid for 7 days. After 7 days, the gallery will automatically be disabled from future use.

Once your images have been retouched, your final hi-red images will be sent via WeTransfer for you and/or your agent to download and for use.

What about Retouching/Edits?

Depending on the session of your choice, you will receive a set amount of hi-res images that have been chosen by your agent/manager/you. I do in-house, MINIMAL, retouching to your selected images. I will color correct, remove blemishes and clinging, fallen hairs on your clothing but I will not remove moles, soften fine lines or wrinkles on your face/neck/body or clothing, remove massive amounts of fly aways, nor will I do extreme edits like background/sky/face replacement etc. I will not make your face completely smooth. Skin has texture and texture there will be. You are beautiful and handsome the way you are! 

If you are looking for additional retouched images, you have up to one week of receiving your proofs to notify me. Each additional image you are requesting to be retouched will be $50 per image. You will be invoiced and charged before you receive the final images. There is a a max of 4 additional images.

*Once you have received your final images, you have up to one week to let me know ff there are minor adjustments needed. I want to make sure you are happy with your final images and I will be glad to make adjustments. After that one week, future editing requests will not be accepted and you accept the images as is.

What lab do you use?

I do not use a lab or offer hard copy prints for my clients, BUT I can recommend the following labs, for models and actors, based off my own personal experiences of when I had my own images printed for my own acting headshots and my modeling composite cards: 

The Actors Photo Lab - https://www.theactorsphotolab.com/

Bunker LA - http://bunkerla.net/

PixelPusher - https://thepixelpusher.biz/headshots

Please note: if you have any issues with the above, you will need to contact them directly. These are only recommendations and are to be used at your own risk. I do not remain responsible for any outcome of service(s) you experience with the above labs for your printing needs. These are only recommendations.

Just please, DO NOT print images at CVS or Walgreens, etc. Their printing is great for personal use but NOT professional images.

What is your cancellation/reschedule policy?

I understand that things happen but since demand is booming and I only offer a limited number of shoots per week, it makes rescheduling sometimes difficult. I highly suggest you try to stick to your scheduled session. If you absolutely must reschedule, its may take longer to get back on the books since demand is high.

Cancellations made 3-7 Business days before your scheduled session: Your deposit may only be transferred ONCE to a new shoot day.

Cancellations made under 3 business days before your scheduled session: Your deposit will be forfeited. A new deposit is required to re-book.

I do reserve the right to refuse to work with anyone who does not respect my time and efforts to serve all of my clients fairly.

Do you offer Re-Shoots or Refunds?

I do not offer any refunds. This includes being unsatisfied with your clothing, hair and/or make up or how you perceive yourself in the images. I like to show samples of the images as I am taking them. It is your responsibility to be honest with me and to please speak up if you would like us to adjust or change something during our session. This ensures you are getting what you are wanting AND what you need. If you are still not satisfied and wish to reshoot, you will be responsible for paying for another full session fee.

*THE ONLY EXCEPTION FOR A REFUND IS IF "Samantha Sharpe Photography" NEEDS TO CANCEL IN ENTIRETY.

Do you offer any discounts?

I periodically throughout the year run promotions or specials! However, you will need to be following me on social media or be signed up to my newsletter to know when discounts will be available!

Can you help me break into the industry?

While I do help agencies scout for new faces/new talent, I do not provide meetings or agency referrals. It would best that you do your own due diligence and research to find the right agency and/or manager that would be an appropriate fit for you.

*Be aware and avoid scams! Agencies should never ask you for money upfront for representation!

Do you work with children?

At this time, I work with talent that is 16 years of age or older. Parental or legal guardian supervision will be required for minors BUT I will not allow parents on set to take cell phone images or to direct their children. These sets are meant to be fun, silly, joyful but if your child does not feel comfortable during the shoot due to helicopter parenting, I will end the shoot immediately and no refund will be issued.

Do you do maternity/ newborn/ wedding/ boudoir/ engagement/ couples/ seniors/ family photoshoots?

I do not offer photography for these types of services at this time.

Is there anything else I need to know?

I make all my sets a brave and safe space for all clients and crew. Racism and hate has no place here. Period. End of discussion. I believe that Black Lives Matter, that we need to stop AAPI hate, that we need to uplift the LGBTQIA+ community and end white terrorism. This is an inclusive environment.

To all future trans/non-binary/gender nonconforming clients, please feel free to let me know your pro-nouns so I can ensure your images represent you properly!

What are you doing during Covid-19?

I take the health and safety of all my clients very seriously.

I ask that if you are not feeling well or are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please rest and reschedule to ensure the health of everyone; as I will do the same. If you have tested positive for covid, the flu, strep, etc or have been exposed to someone who has tested positive, you are required to reschedule no sooner than 1 week following your positive test/exposure date, while being asymptomatic (you have no symptoms) and without fever for the last 48 hours.

If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact me.