10 Tips to the Headshot Quote

Recently, I was asked by a young headshot photographer how I go about offering a quote for my services for a commercial portrait session (usually headshots). As a leading portrait photographer in Orange County, my headshot division, Orange County Headshots, has been creating headshots for business and the arts throughout Southern California and the much of the nation since 1981. Consequently, we receive such inquires on a regular basis and from just about every corner of the world (at least where they speak English).

My response to this particular photographer was that providing a headshot quote depends on what the potential client needs. Whether they are in business or the arts, the best possible way to provide a quote is to first discover precisely what they are looking for. No duh...right? Regardless of how obvious, I have to say it. You'd be surprised at how many times this advice alone is a bolt of lightening.

Orange County Headshots Website Banner - Potential Clients Introduction to Mark Jordan Photography

What many photographers are surprised to learn, however, is that much of the time the inquiring client does not know precisely what they need. This is good thing. Why? Think Golden Opportunity! It's your time to shine and demonstrate why you are the right portrait studio. 

It is at this juncture in your conversation you can seize the old adage, "People don't care what you know until they know how much you care," and put it in full throttle. It's also one of those rare moments where you can accomplish the former (they'll care what you know) while stressing the latter (showing you care). 

By asking a series of professionally prepared questions, you'll not only clearly demonstrate a genuine concern for the client's project, but in the process you'll reveal to them the width and breadth of your services and your supreme competency to satisfy their need. 

They care what you know as you make evident your interest in being an integral agent in their success.

Ultimately, this means the right questions must be asked. Thus, the questions you offer must be prepared and detailed. 

The next step, and all depending on the situation, is to either forward the questionnaire to the client (for them to answer and return, which I would try to avoid) or conduct the interview over the phone. By all means, do your best to conduct the interview by phone.

Most likely the client will also prefer the phone interview approach. If you receive an email inquiry, reply promptly and inquire as to a good time for you to connect by phone to discuss the myriad details. 

To date, I've not had a single email inquiry decline a phone conversation to acquire the vital details.  

The phone call interview, whether via their call or your's,  will also help in developing a mutually beneficial relationship and expedites the process. The questions you ask will quickly show that you mean business and respect their time, as well as your own.

Once the interview has been completed, I'll ALWAYS ask that if it is acceptable to the them that I take the time to review and absorb all the information they've given me, and that I'll email them a "Quotation Of Photography Services" by day's end. This technique serves four purposes:

1. Demonstrates you genuinely care and want to get it right.
2. Gives you time to think and consider every contingency, which equates to an accurate, effectual quote.
3. Having a written quote not only holds you to your word, but establishes a document of understanding should questions arise later. 
4. Odds are most photographers are not offering a written quote. You'll stand out from the crowd.

To date, I've not had a single client decline allowing me to forward them a written email quote. Just ensure the quote your promise is thorough and arrives on time.

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At the risk of sounding redundant, I feel a need to stress the importance of my approach once again. What may not be obvious are the intangibles. Namely, your extensive inquiry to their specific needs communicates to your client that you truly have their best interests in mind, and are thus, the consummate professional.

In today's highly competitive marketplace it's not enough to merely answer inquiries regarding cost, like everyone else. You're going to be the studio that goes beyond the call and walks the extra mile. Instead of simply citing prices, you're the studio that demonstrates in a clear and unambiguous way that you are listening intently and that you are ready to serve them to the best of your ability.

This sort of attention to detail not only ensures your quote will be accurate, but that your client will get everything they had hoped for and reflects your commitment to excellence. It will also establish you as the headshot expert in your field, and in ways no self-promotional piece could offer. 

The following questions are by no means exhaustive, but only ones that have worked for me in my portrait studio here in Rancho Santa Margarita. You may brainstorm other pertinent questions that might better reflect your style and expertise. I trust that you will. As always, should you have any questions, no concern is too small.

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1. CONFIGURATIONS or GROUPINGS

Will the session be of a group, individuals, and/or combinations?

• Individuals headshot sessions only?
• Or add Groupings of staff/team members.
• Images of offices, lobby, warehouse, walls, etc.
• Product images?

2. PEOPLE

Information about the people you will be photographing?

• Obtain the number of people will you be photographing.
• Names of everyone in sessions.
• You many also want to ask about their position with the company.
• If someone's name makes gender ambiguous, ask!

3. DATES and TIMING

Is there a specific date and time required for the actual session?

• Any Specific Session DATE (most likely they will).
• Any Specific Session TIMELINE (most likely they will).

4. LOCATION

Has a specific location been established for the session?

• Obtain Site Location Name/Business and Address
• Telephone Numbers, office and cell.
• Special instructions, security, gate, parking, entrance

5. PRODUCT

What is the end product you have in mind? Please be specific.

• Will you be needing Photographs?
• Sizes? Quantities? Qualities (if applicable)?
• Will you be needing Digital Files?
• Resolution: web-75, medium-150, high-300?
• Quantities needed of each?
• Any Digital Specs to a adhere to?

6. RETOUCHING
Will you be requiring our studio to perform digital retouching?

• Discuss the differing degrees of retouching application (where applicable).
• If an 'in-house' graphic designer will be employed, inquire tactfully as to their familiarity and skill with the idiosyncrasies of the human face? That is, are they portrait savvy, or primarily design design  focused?
• b. Are there any special alterations, blemishes/facial features, and/or design concerns we need to be made aware of?
• If so, please tell us.

7. DEADLINE

Will the finished product be required by any specific due date?

• Date FINISHED images are needed by?
• Determine delivery preferred (email, dropbox, disc, etc.)

8. DISTRIBUTION

For what purpose are these images needed?

• To what extent will they be utilized?
• This may also be a good to review your distribution policies regarding differing fees.
• Frequently, use/distribution will also dictate the resolution quality required.

9. CONCERNS

Are there any circumstances or concerns you have or might foresee that could pose a challenge on the day of your session?

• This might present itself in the form of location issues, time of day, personality differences, timeline, etc.
• Any special concerns (weight, glasses, physical limitations, etc.)

10. CONTACT 

Please email us complete contact information, including address, emails, phone...

• Obtain Office phone number, AND Cell. 
• Also offer your contact information. Don't ASS U ME anything.

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Too much detail for you? I know, it might seem so. However, in my three plus decades of creating headshots for business and the arts, I have found that not only will ascertaining detailed information better insure that you'll amply meet the needs of your clients, but will also elevate your stature in the hearts and minds of those businesses and artists who employ your headshot services. 

You may want to check out my four Part series on the 4 Key Factors of Headshot Photography. 

All the best,

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portrait

Orange County Headshots

Tie Color Reveals the Man

Head Shot Tips - Tie Color Reveals the Man 

has been moved to Mark Jordan Photography website.  

This link will get you there, licketysplit. 

Head Shot Tips - Tie Color Reveals the Man 

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Men Are Bluetooth - Women Are Wi-Fi

One placard says it all...

Men Are l\Like Bluetooth...yet one more way to express the differences between Men and Woman. 

Men are like Bluetooth:
He is connected to you when you are nearby, but searches for other devices when you are away.

Women are like Wi-Fi:
She sees all available devices but connects to the strongest one.

Hope you don't mind the whimsy of an Orange County portrait photographer. It's not the original idea of Mark Jordan Photography, mind you, but rather a kind of variation on a theme. I was compelled to do my part to make the original more appealing - just for the fun of it...

ADDENDUM: the answer is YES, you have my permission to copy my design and forward to whomever you like. It would kind to cite where you received it, or click LIKE below or at Mark Jordan Photography.

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

12 Keys To The Successful Entrepreneur

12 Key to Success

12 Keys To The Successful Entrepreneur

I came across an outstanding article today that I thought would be of benefit to not only my Mark Jordan Photography Marketing Group, but for my blog readers as well. As photographer/business owners, we are very much the entrepreneur, and therefore must conduct ourselves as such. The author, Helen Raptoplous, offers us a relevant look into the heart of the successful entrepreneur we have residing within us all.

Though the author states that, "Anyone can be a successful entrepreneur..." and all it takes is "hard work, determination and unwavering persistence..." I have a suspicion that she's either being a tad lose with reality or she is emphasizing that anyone can succeed IF ONLY they are willing count the cost and undertake a tally of enterprises that most people are unwilling to do - the chief triait being is sacrifice. Also of which, for me, is conspicuously absent from her list.

Following then is the list of key characteristics ("essential entrepreneurial qualities") that you may want to considering measuring yourself, to see where you stack up, in the hopes of being best prepared for success:
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1. Independence
This is the most common denominator. Entrepreneurs want control of their future; and they decide to become their own boss instead of working in a thankless job. They have a strong sense of independence and will keep moving forward with a purpose to accomplish something great and meaningful on his own.

2. Visionary 

An entrepreneur has a vision for the future. This vision is for both the short term and the long term great ideas and accomplishments that are next on the horizon. They are always dreaming up new ideas.

3. Persistence
An important quality of a successful entrepreneur is the persistence to continue pursuing a goal despite some setbacks and obstacles that may be encounter along the way. Persistence is demonstrated with action and is then followed up with more action.

4. Determination
Persistence needs a best friend and that would be determination. Determination is the inner drive and mindset that pushes persistence to keep moving forward. Determined is different then its negative cousin Stubborn so make sure not to confuse the two.

5. Creativity
Entrepreneurs tend to be curious and inquisitive. They know that the name of the game is not to fit in, but to stand out. Creativity is a skill that can be learned and developed. Everyone has it in them to be creative and think outside the box from time to time but entrepreneurs tend to do that more then others.

6. Honesty
Winning and keeping customers is all about being known, liked and trusted! This has always been an important characteristic of success. Honesty with yourself and with others is a key ingredient of a great entrepreneur.

7. Self-Confidence
Entrepreneurs believe a great deal in what they are capable of. Self-confidence is build on tiny wins that lead to bigger wins and is the fuel to momentum. A successful entrepreneur goes after what they want with a strong desire and sense of self worth that supports their efforts and their determination.

8. Risk-taking
A great entrepreneur realizes that loss and failure are part of any business endeavor. An entrepreneur is always ready to make calculated risks and face whatever consequences those risks might have. They know that to win some they have to lose some.

9. Tolerance
Entrepreneurs must have the courage to face failure and start again no matter where they may face setbacks. The qualities of a successful entrepreneur include never giving up and also in picking up the pieces and continuing the journey even if failure momentarily gets in the way.

10. Perseverance
They do not stop moving forward. When they know what they want and they know why they want it they do whatever it takes! Entrepreneurs do not give up! There can be no real success without perseverance.

11. Commitment
An entrepreneur will not achieve success if they gives up at the first sign of hard work. A 100% Commitment is absolutely essential and that means a willingness to do whatever it takes. Doing whatever it takes includes all the things that they would rather not do or are uncomfortable doing.

12. Organization
An entrepreneur knows the value of being organized. Systems, resources, time management and action plans are all part of being organized and are vital for success. Being organized both mentally and physically is a skill that needs to be cultivated in order to make significant progress.

by Helen Raptoplous

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So then, do you have what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur? Our checklist is brimming with key characteristics and a great place to begin. I encourage you to check-in within yourself and see where you rate. Where are you the weakest? Strongest? What area can you muster improvement on you own? Which will require you to seek professional assistance? Asking the hard questions today can possibly save you considerable hard-ache tomorrow.

Understandably, as meaningful and powerful as these 12 Keys To The Successful Entrepreneur are, none of them will amount to a thing until they are followed by action! To simply think a thing will not make it so. Yes, believing in oneself is a great start, but unless these guidelines are put into an doable plan of action, stamped with the seal of commitment and repetition, these characteristics will continually elude you.

I suggest reading back through the list and then noting which of the 12 Keys To The Successful Entrepreneur you'd like to add to your tool belt. You man want to do as I have done over the years and mark each with the plan of action designator: PIP. It means "Put Into Practice." PIP reminds you what's most important and that to do it TODAY! Once you do you'll be well on your way to making success a reality and just not one more thing "to do" languishing on Someday Isle...

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

mentoring/guidance.

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About Helen Raptoplous Please enjoy the FREE bonus gifts that are available for you by visiting http://www.ActionHabits.com You'll receive a 20 minute reply of a webinar called "Keep moving forward", a free report of '200+ Action Habits of successful entrepreneurs' and also a '7 day simple start' action plan to take action now! Helen Raptoplous has been called a Muse Mentor by her clients and the premier catalyst for business owners to grow and keep moving their business forward.

Article Source: http://bit.ly/A0InMb

Seduction Of Power

Transmogrification of a Soul

-The Obama-Gollum DNA Connection-

A STRONG CASE FOR TERM LIMITS
Admittedly, term limits is not a hot topic in the minds of most Americans today. Regardless, I came across the "headshots" of two faces recently, where the resemblance of their singular expressions struck me (please note the neither of the portraits were created by my portrait studio, Mark Jordan Photography) - I was compelled to share them.

Obama - Gollum Connection? 

The first face I saw was of Gollum, from Lord of the Rings, while the other was of President Obama, from Lord of the White House.

Gollum, you might recall, was once a Hobbit. He became corrupted by the One Ring. What you may not know is that Gollum's life was extended far beyond its natural limits. The effects of possessing the Ring does this for both Hobbit and politician alike.

After pondering a bit, it then occurred to me why an across-the-board Term Limits, for every branch of government, is so vital to lifeblood of American politics today. Power and politics, like the Ring, has its redeeming qualities, but prolonged exposure to it leads to corruption.

Regardless of how good intentioned or stalwart one's character, sooner or later the susceptibilities of Washington will wheedle its pernicious tentacles into even the most resolute of virtuous souls. Add to this recipe an insatiable appetite for power, and even a one time community organizer could fall prey to its lustre.

Transmogrification of the Soul by the Seduction of Power 

Odd that Washington, the man, when offered to wear a crown, refused, shouting, “Abhorrent! Power-lust is for little fiends. A moral man does not rule, nor can he be ruled by men." 

Even more noteworthy, though Washington was the only president to ever receive 100% of electoral votes, he declined a third term. Washington knew well to eschew the seduction of power. 

Mark
©Googtoon - the photographic and personal observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan

The Real Life Story - Behind Our Christmas Card

Steve Jobs and A Man Who Has Indelibly Changed Our Lives

Each year I am presented with the daunting task of creating the "Mark Jordan Photography" Christmas card that is on a par with the previous year. Some contend that my attempt should be more lofty, and that I should strive to top each year's card. Whether or not I embrace such pressure is not my concern, but instead prefer to simply concentrate my efforts on designing and expressing something new, fun and creative. I don't think in terms of better - only that a Mark Jordan Photography Christmas card represents excellence. It's to this aim I commit myself, each and every year.

The Inspirational Headshot of Steve Jobs

With that said, this year was especially challenging. Why? Believe it or not, my goal is to not only create impactful family photography, but that my design in some way reflects a meaningful event of the year. As you might recall, the third leg of the Mark Jordan tag line, immediately proceeding Timeless and Simple, is Meaningful. As such, it's not only relevant for my family portraits, it's important for me to infuse meaningfulness into the various facets of my portrait photography. 

This year, one of the most significant events of the year for me, and millions more throughout the world, was the passing of Apple's progenitor, Steve Jobs. Say what you will about Jobs, no one can argue he was not solely responsible for altering the way the world goes about its business. There's not many men in history who have left such an indelible mark.

The challenge then was how might I intertwine a portrait of my three children into the untimely departure of the behemoth icon? What possible design element could I pull together to render the faces of my most cherished gifts in a relevant manner to the "God of the The New Apple"?

To be candid, after mulling it over in my noggin I figured the contrast was too diverse and there was no feasible way to draw a parallel. I nixed it from the list of possibilites and went on to the next. Regardless of putting great effort into the another interesting concept, the challenge of making a credible link to such a strong divergent contrast kept nagging at me - unrelenting so.

The internal pestering refused to diminish, which had me wracking my brain for an apt allegory. This, in turn, had me scanning Google images for photos of Steve Jobs, hoping it might trigger the hook I was looking for. As fate would have it, I came across the headshot above. The proverbial light went on - ideas began to formulate. 

Now then, I don't know if anyone is all that interested in what transpired over the following weeks and the detailed narrative of incubation, but suffice it to say, the journey from initial concept to execution was anything but linear. It was one revision after another. Or put another way, re-vision after re-vision. Each time I thought I had it tacked down, a new wrinkle surfaced, causing me to question my interpretations and approach the divergence in an unlikely way.

Once my concept solidified into a workable cast, another seemingly insurmountable obstacle arose: how to overcome the limited dimension of the card in relation to the substance I wished to incorporate - too little space for too much content. I then began to chip away, but to my surprise the answer was not in elimination but expansion. Instead of incorporating only the kids, the answer was adding our two dogs to the mix. Synthesis then became my operative taskmaster!

The Front of Our 2011 Christmas Card 

At that point, having already overcome the dilemma of identifying relevance and design, other quandaries could no longer generate sufficient friction to slow this train from chugging forward. I didn't question whether the vision was possible and instead bulldozed ahead feeling confident the solutions would arrive. You know, a kind of "build it and they will come" scenario. 

The trick then was to synthesize every detail relating to the inference of Steve Jobs, while maintaing a subtle, clean aesthetic, which might tickle the eye as well as the heart. Tall order, but doable. John Wooden, who knows a thing or two about success (and who I had the joy of photographing), once said, "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." 

The snowflake for instance, a minor detail, yet actually has greater significance than simply suggesting winter. Without revealing too much, let me remind you that snowflakes are six-sided. Did you know the price of the very first Apple was $666? I'm sure you also recall that Jobs designed his logo which conspicuously reveals a bite taken out of an apple...

First Apple Computer: Price tag - $666 

Possibly, Steve Jobs was telegraphing his intentions all along, hiding in plain sight. I've even heard him speak from his pulpit, expressing his plans of global domination where every human will be touched in some way by Apple's reach - which arguably has "indelibly changed our lives."

Clearly, I also strove to craft each portrait as a parody to the much celebrated and renowned studio portrait of Steve Jobs. I'm not much for relying on assumption, but reasoned my astute friends would readily detect each kid/dog costumed in Jobs' trademark uniform. 

Even our card's sentiment, "Homage To A Man Who Has Indelibly Changed Our Lives," was carefully designed to direct the reader into connecting the dots, making the association to Steve Jobs. On the one hand I wanted to make sure there was no possible way for anyone to miss the tongue-in-cheek reference, yet plant just enough ambiguity so that when the tables were later turned, all would make sense. 

Snowflakes are Six-Sided - This one has a bite taken out of it...

At the risk of being too apparent, I couldn't resist taking a bite out of the snowflake. I questioned whether I then rambled over the top by posing our Schnoodle's paw upon her chin. However, if all the questions I've received is any measure, apparently not...

I know what many of you were thinking, but no, Kacy cannot actually touch her chin with her paw. And in case there are any PETA campaigners reading this blog, we did NOT forcibly contort Kacy's paw into this position - I accomplished this feet [sic] in Photoshop. 

As to our verse, once I baited the viewer into concluding that our Christmas card was in honor of Steve Jobs, the next step was to flip that understanding - in an instant. The abruptness of the small lone word, Jesus, at the top the verse, quickly proclaims that we are not as whacky as it would seem, and that any other possible focus of our affection the reader supposed was simply a product of an overactive imagination. Everything is as it ought to be - of course. 

Tension...followed by resolution.

The Inside - Verse 

Lest you're wondering why I would invest my time to write this blog post to simply explain a Christmas card, I'm doing so to save time and sanity. This way, each time I either meet someone on the street, get an email, or receive any sort of inquiry, I can quickly point them to my blog. I would appreciate greatly if you might consider doing the same.

Mark

©Googtoon - Life • Popular Culture • Politics • Entertainment • Public Figures

Mark Jordan Photography

Orange County Family Portraits

Orange County Headshots

Four Keys to Headshot Photography - Part Four

Four Keys to Headshot Photography - Expression

Four Keys to Headshot Photography - Part Four

EXPRESSION

Choose any option to open in Mark Jordan Photography website blog:

1. Planning - Consulting
2. Positioning - Composition
3. Painting with Light
4. Expression

Mark Jordan
©Googtoon - the photographic and personal observations of Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography
Mark Jordan Photography
Orange County Headshots

Orange County Photographer, Mark Jordan Photography, an Rancho Santa Margarita Photographer, specializes in crafting stunning contemporary, traditional, classic, and storytelling family portraits (high school seniors, children portraits, babies, maternity, pregnancy), headshots and pets. Mark Jordan, a Photography Hall of Fame photographer (with a Rancho Santa Margarita portrait studio), and provides portrait photography throughout Orange County and Southern California. Mark Jordan's Orange County portrait studio also serves San Diego County and Inland Empire. Studio Photography Services are also provided in Riverside County and Los Angeles County. Local Cites where Mark Jordan photography studio services are offered are as an Aliso Viejo Photographer, Anaheim Photographer, Costa Mesa Photographer, Coto de Caza Photographer, Dana Point Photographer, Dove Canyon Photographer, Huntington Beach Photographer, Irvine Photographer, Ladera Ranch Photographer, Laguna Beach Photographer, Laguna Hills Photographer, Laguna Niguel Photographer, Lake Forest Photographer, Mission Viejo Photographer, Newport Beach Photographer, Northwood Photographer, Orange Photographer, Orange Park Acres Photographer, San Clemente Photographer, San Juan Capistrano Photographer, Santa Ana Photographer, Tustin Photographer, Villa Park Photographer, Westminster Photographer, Yorba Linda Photographer, Corona del Mar Photographer, Riverside Photographer, Temecula Photographer, Chino Hills Photographer, Loma Linda Photographer, Rancho Bernardo Photographer, Carlsbad Photographer, Coronado Photographer, Del Mar Photographer, Escondido Photographer, San Diego Photographer, San Marcos Photographer, Solana Beach Photographer, Carmel Mountain Ranch Photographer, Rancho San Diego Photographer, Rancho Santa Fe Photographer, and San Diego Country Estates Photographer, Turtle Rock Photographer, Shady Canyon Photographer. Portrait Photographers everywhere (photographers in O.C. as well) are welcome to contact our portrait studio for mentoring/guidance.