Richard McPeak Photography

Below is what a session looks like, set up in an office lunch room. I need a space a least 10' x 6', so even a hallway can work!

doing business

For information about Senior Portraits, please visit www.mcpeakphotography.com

The idea of Richard McPeak Photography is to take advantage of digital photography and the very latest technology to reduce your cost and provide a really good product. In another era, a photography business depended on the sale of prints and reprints. But now, you pay for only the photography service itself, and the product is often not a print but a CD. You control printing -- and I do not depend it for income.

Fees: Business portrait on location with studio lighting and backgrounds, $28.24 plus sales tax (equals an even $30 in Lake County) with a minimum of 5 persons or a minimum charge of $141.20 plus tax. If you have a large number of employees, we can of course discuss quantity discounts! Other work, $75 per hour plus tax for special events, public relations, annual reports, etc. See samples.

When doing portraits, I bring a laptop so you can see results immediately and choose the best picture on the spot, from a choice of 4 to 8 poses. Your portrait will be fully retouched to remove distracting lines, wrinkles, blemishes, "five o'clock shadow" on men, or whatever other enhancements are needed. My goal is to let your personality shine through, without over-glamorizing, but with some thoughtful touches as needed. We both want the finest possible portrait! See tips for portraits, below.

Whether we are doing a portrait or other assignment, you will receive a CD with all images, plus whatever prints you want me to make (at a negotiated fee for prints depending on your needs). I can custom-make superb prints up to 12"x18" using the best inks and paper that are rated for a 100-year life with proper storage. But as a test, I have uploaded image files to online services such as Walgreens Drug Store with really good results, and at really cheap prices. I recommend that approach for most clients who need only a commercial grade print. (It appears to me that Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Kmart, etc., all use the same or very similar online photo services, so it probably does not matter which one you use. You can also just take the CD to the store or photofinisher!) See print and package prices at www.mcpeakphotography.com

Your CD is copyright free, so you can have prints made anywhere. A copyright release signed and dated by me is on the CD label.

Your CD will have two file sizes: full-size high resolution image files good for having prints made, and small files of the same images for use on the Internet or in emails. I can also make images to exact specs for business cards or other uses. You can of course play with the images using your own computer and software. The files will be in the standard JPEG format unless you specify otherwise.

Other details: I accept cash, check, Mastercard, or VISA, due at the time of the portrait session. For larger special events, I may require a 50% deposit refundable with 3-days notice, as well as a purchase order or other contract. I carry a special liability insurance policy designed for photographers, and will provide a certificate of insurance if requested by you or the facility where you are having your event. I currently work primarily with a Nikon D80 digital SLR, but always have backup cameras and flash units.

Tips for portraits: Above all, you should be comfortable! Wear clothes that you like, and that you think make you look like you want to look. Wear your nicest business attire. Men should shave an hour before the sitting and have a haircut that is a few days old. Women should wear normal street makeup and whatever jewelry you like to have on. Necklaces should be short and follow the neckline of the blouse. If I see a distracting element, we'll take care of it during the session. Regarding colors, I think solid neutrals work best, avoiding pure white if possible. An exception is a white shirt or blouse under a jacket. Jackets or sweaters in blues, grays, browns, or black will be fine. Avoid busy patterns if possible. We want your face, not your clothes, to be the most interesting part of this portrait!