Tess Steinkolk

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

Maya Angelou

ALL SESSIONS INCLUDE:

-Private online gallery link with editing, sharing and full resolution and downloading option.

-Professional retouching at your discretion on images included in package, includes 1 add. revision.

WHAT TO EXPECT:

• Booking is easy.  Studio or location options.  Natural light or classic studio beauty lighting. 

• You should expect to like who you are...have a few different flattering poses, good clear direction, a comfortable session location, change clothing if desired, work with hair/mu artist if requested. 

• It's a custom portrait session experience.  www.tesssteinkolk.com 

SESSION FEES ARE PAYABLE DAY OF SESSION.

VENMO OR ZELLE (PREFERRED) MC/VISA or CHECK (ONLINE PAYMENT OPTION PENDING)

TO SECURE STUDIO TIME FOR YOUR SESSION A DEPOSIT IS DUE 5 WORKING DAYS BEFORE YOUR SESSION AND REMINDER WILL BE SENT.

HAIR & MAKE-UP ARTISTS & CONSULTATION  

  VIRNA ACOSTA: Vmabeauty@gmail.com  917.374.6365

JODY FORMICA: Jody.Formica@gmail.com 347-249-8886

Both are on Instagram.  Their fees range from $225-$375 and can be negotiated once session package and date is agreed upon.

Booking:      Tess@TSteinkolk.com  (give deadline or dates open)

We all want to present an image of ourselves that is authentic, flattering and charismatic.

What kind of experience are you looking for?

As a New York City headshot/portrait photographer, it’s been a privilege to work with the creative artists and business people I’ve had the good fortune to meet over the years.

What have I learned? There is little in the way of truth in 1/125th of a second of your life, the fraction of a second that is a still frame.  We are each multi-faceted, unique and dynamic human beings.  That said, we all know a good headshot or portrait when we see one. The most successful images emerge from a genuine and collaborative session that is productive, fun and uplifting.

Executive Photos, Actors Headshots, PR Profile Photos, Commissioned Portraits…they are all in the same family. Your likeness…what you want to convey to viewers, it says something about you. It is a salutation.

The term “headshots” is accurate in that the subject’s face is the focus and the image usually involves direct eye contact. And typically, it is composed head and shoulders. However, depending on intended usage, it may even be framed waist up or full body. Usually, if the image is online, it is relatively small and should be powerful and interesting enough to catch the viewer’s eye.

The accepted style of modern headshots has shifted from time to time.  The styles have gone from a close-up headshot to a chest or waist up image.  It has changed from vertical to horizontal and back, glamorous images to casual outdoor lifestyle images that look natural, relaxed and like “caught candids.” 

The description of the headshot is a flattering and identifiable image of you. Whether you are a corporate professional, an actor, a musician or author or you need a personal portrait for social media, to get a well-made headshot or portrait, you might consider the services of a professional photographer.

Promotional photographs are not cookie cutter images and thanks to the internet we are all more visually sophisticated than ever before and we have ideas and artistic preferences of our own to apply to our representative image.

Our approach is to produce a selection of complimentary, compelling professional photographs from which you and/or your industry/agent/consultant can choose to convey your own unique qualities.

WHAT IS A “MOOD” BOARD AND HOW TO SHARE?

After brief consultation, we might suggest our subject prepare a “mood” board (folder) of images compiled from relaxed (or studied) cyber surfing or your own photos. 

A mood board is a tool that filmmakers often use to set up and describe the feeling or mood of a scene. It is simply a gathering of a few images that you particularly like for one reason or another - style, pose, type, etc. and that you pull from the internet.  This gives a general idea of what you prefer and like and also the “type” you are most interested in conveying through the promotional headshot.  Very easy to do and helps both of us refine the “looks” that are professionally best for you.

Very easy to do and helps refine the expectations in your session for both you and your photographer. 

As far as the “photographer’s style” and choice…We will always get the photos we think are most professional, interesting, creative, contemporary and personal.  By using the “mood board” we enjoy a collaborative experience if our client is willing. 

WHAT ARE SET-UPS?

Set ups are changes in lighting, clothing, hair/mu and/or location.  Generally, we are looking for an arresting, charming and modern representation of you as an artist or corporate executive.  Two images and variations on those two images.  Warm, energetic and charming you and serious you.  The mood board helps and it’s fun to prepare.  For executives it is simply a change of clothing, hair, make up, background, location, direction, etc.

-We suggest simple, well-fitting clothing that doesn’t pull focus away from your face and ask to avoid graphic prints.

-Within 48 hours you will receive a link to a private online gallery that offers options to edit, share and download images of choice.  In that email you will also receive information on the Zenfolio Gallery interface and how to order the images you’d like prepared and a receipt for session fee.  Rush turnaround available.

-The first few images on the gallery interface will be photographer’s selects.

-Facial & body retouching done at your discretion, backgrounds of choice dropped in if requested. 

WHAT IS A “COMMISSIONED PORTRAIT?”

The most important rule when making a portrait is that there are no rules. You can pose subjects or capture them naturally. You can choose to alter lighting in a studio or use natural lighting. There are no rules, but each decision we make changes how the viewer perceives the photograph.

The Commissioned Portrait Session offered here are generally for people who’d like a full portrait experience, more varied style approaches and a wider range of final choices for multiple usage.  Stylized clothing, hair/lighting/mood. Natural looking, full body, partial body, very tight portraits.  These are images that are not necessarily specifically designed to “sell” but to “reveal.”

Primarily it is in the style of the photographer and conveys a mood and “look” that may or may not require direct eye contact, need not be a close-up. Stylistically, it can be anything at all. Portraits are made from the perspective of the photographer and their idea of their subject.   Headshots are a business version of a commissioned portrait.

The Met states that “Portraiture is about expressing the concept of a person.  Sometimes a portrait might be the absence of a person, focusing instead on their belongings or environment.  No matter what the subject, the positioning, facial expressions, composition, and lighting are just a few things that will affect the outcome of the photograph.  Slightly changing any of those things can drastically shift the mood of the photograph.”

Email or call/text with any questions. tess@tsteinkolk.com 917-821-7576

 Photo Session-Upper West Side Studio, Mid-Town Studio, location-Outdoors NYC