Portraits FAQ
- What are your opening hours?
- Where are you located?
- How long does a photo shoot take?
- What is the best time of day for young children?
- Important things about children
- What should I wear?
- What about hair and make-up?
- For Women
- For Men
- How many shots do you take in a photo shoot?
- How many different poses/combinations can we have?
- What happens after the Photo Shoot?
- What is a Preview Show?
- How long does a Preview session last?
- What size of print should I choose?
- What about frames?
- How long will it take to get the final framed prints?
- Do you sell Gift Vouchers?
What are your opening hours?
We are open from Tuesday to Friday 9am-5.30pm. Saturday 9am-5pm. Last appointment is 1 hour before close of business
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Where are you located?
The studio is at 62 Clontarf Road, Clontarf, Dublin 3. view our location on a map
If you are coming from the city centre, the studio is on your left hand side facing the sea front. If you pass the Yacht pub, you’ve gone too far. There is parking available right outside the studio and also in a free car park opposite.
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How long does a photo shoot take?
We schedule an hour for each shoot; however it does not usually take that long. Anywhere between 15 - 45 minutes, depending on the number of people in a shoot and the different combinations required.
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What is the best time of day for young children?
Children are usually better in the morning. It’s important that children and babies are well rested and in good form. You know when they are at their best, so if you have made an appointment at a time when you don’t think they will be at their best, please
re-schedule your appointment time.
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Important things about children
The idea is to make the whole experience fun.
Please don’t make a big fuss about the portrait shoot, it will have the opposite effect than the one you hope for. The more relaxed about the whole thing you are, the better your children will be in the studio. If you are stressed in any way, your children will pick up on this and we may not get the best from them.
Please don’t say anything to children during their shoot, like "smile" or "don’t do that" etc. Just sit quietly and allow me to work with them. I’m very patient and it can take a while for them to relax.
Please do not bring any food or treats into the studio during the shoot. Young children cannot be bribed, they do not undrstand the concept of "if you sit and smile now, you will get this chocolate later" they will just demand it now. Older children can be bribed and will be able to wait for their treat until after the shoot.
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What should I wear?
There are no right and wrong things to wear, but below are listed some helpful hints when planning for your portrait:
- A bad idea is, of example, one person wears all black and another person wears all white in the same photograph!!! Your eye will immediately be drawn to the white area of the photograph. Try to stick to the same tones, so all in black, or all in white, or all in whatever colour you like, the key word here is "all"
- Please make sure you clothes are new-ish, ironed and lint-free (fluff, dust, stray dog hairs etc).
- For clothes that crease easily, for example cotton shirts, carry them on a hanger and use our changing room at the studio. Avoid Linen at all costs!!!
- The simpler the outfit the better. Try to avoid big patterns, stripes, logos etc. as instead of admiring your wonderful portraits, everyone will be reading "Nike", "fcuk", you get the idea!
- Classic clothes will not date as quickly as the latest fashion.
- Beware of short skirts as you will probably be sitting down.
- Short sleeves will draw attention to your arms; do you want to draw attention to your arms? Sleeveless tops will make you arms look as big as a builders!
- Dark clothing with a dark background will emphasise the face, and can also have a slimming effect. Make sure everyone else is wearing dark clothing too!
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What about hair and make-up?
For Women
Your normal make-up is fine; it’s a myth that you need extra makeup for photography. Please have your makeup done before you arrive and bring some powder to remove shine on noses and foreheads. If you would like your make-up done professionally, we can recommend some make-up artists. Give us some notice.
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For Men
If you have dark hair or a heavy beard growth, don’t shave that day until just before your appointment. Avoid shaving twice that day, as your skin may be sensitive and show some reddening or a rash.
Hair should be washed and styled as you like it. Avoid trying a new style just before your shoot as it may end up being the one thing you don’t like about the photographs afterwards.
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How many shots do you take in a photo shoot?
There is no set limit. It could be 75, 100, 200. We will take as many shots as needed on each shoot to give you what you want. (Different combinations, individuals, etc)
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How many different poses / combinations can we have?
It is not always possible or advisable to try every single, possible combination. It’s much better to concentrate on a few poses and get the best from each one.
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What happens after the photo shoot?
After your shoot you will be asked to make another appointment for a Preview Show. Your images will be ready for viewing about 4 days later.
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What is a Preview Show?
The images from your Photo Shoot are projected onto a large screen in our Preview Room and through a process of elimination you will arrive at your final selection.
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How long does a Preview session last?
We allocate one hour for each Preview session. Depending on how many images there are, it can take between half an hour and an hour. Please give yourself enough time to enjoy the experience as if you are worried about, getting back to work, picking up the children etc, you will find much more difficult.
Please, please, please do not bring children with you. They will drive us all crazy!!!
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What size of print should I choose?
It’s entirely up to you how many prints you want and what sizes they will be, but please think about what you would like before the Preview session.
You need to take into account not only the print itself, but also where it will be placed in the home. What size would look good on what wall etc? Larger prints have more impact.
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What about frames?
Once you’ve made the selection, you need to choose a frame. We have a selection of different frames in the studio to suit most tastes. Again, think about your home and what frame colours would work.
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How long will it take to get the final framed prints?
Once the Preview session is complete, the framed and mounted pictures will be ready for collection about 4 weeks later.
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Do you sell Gift Vouchers?
Yes, gift vouchers are available in any denomination, and can be used for a shoot or towards the price of pictures. It is a wonderful gift and they never expire!
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Our website contains some great examples of what works, clothes, backgrounds, poses etc. Please use it to help you decide what to wear, what combinations of groups and what background you would like.