Frequently Asked Questions
I know you've got questions, and I've got answers. Whether you're wondering about pricing, the process, or how to look your best on camera, I'm here to help. There are no silly questions when it comes to your perfect headshot. I've worked with everyone from camera-shy individuals to confident executives, and I understand that choosing the right photographer is an important decision. Below you'll find straightforward answers to the most common questions I hear. If you can't find what you're looking for here or anywhere else on the site, please just give me a call or book a free consultation, I'm always happy to talk through your specific needs.
Step 1: Book Your Free Call
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How do I book my free consultation call?
It's really simple! Just click the "Book Your Free Call Now" button on my website, and you'll be taken to my calendar where you can choose a time that suits you. The call typically lasts 15-20 minutes, and it's completely obligation-free. During this call, we'll discuss what you need your headshots for, any concerns you might have, and I'll answer all your questions. There's no pressure whatsoever, I want to make sure we're the right fit for each other. If you'd prefer to email me first, that's absolutely fine too. I'm here to work around what makes you most comfortable.
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What happens during the free consultation?
During our free call, we'll have a relaxed conversation about your headshot needs. I'll ask what you're using the images for, LinkedIn, company website, speaking engagements, so I can tailor the session to your specific requirements. We'll discuss any concerns you have (and trust me, if you're nervous about being photographed, you're not alone!). I'll explain my process, show you examples of my work, and we'll talk about styling, background options, and what to wear. By the end of the call, we both know exactly what you need, and you'll feel much more confident about the whole process.
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Do I have to commit to a session during the consultation?
Absolutely not. The consultation is genuinely no-obligation. I want you to feel completely comfortable and confident before booking a session with me. After our call, take all the time you need to think about it, discuss it with your team if it's for business, or just sleep on it. There's zero pressure from me. I'd rather you book when you're ready and excited about it than feel rushed into a decision. When you are ready, we'll schedule your session at a time that works perfectly for you.
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Can I book directly without a consultation call?
Yes, you can! While I recommend the free consultation because it really helps us both prepare for a great session, I understand some people prefer to just get booked in. If you're camera-confident, know exactly what you need, or have worked with professional photographers before, you can skip straight to booking your session. Just drop me an email or use the contact form, let me know what package you're interested in, and we'll get you scheduled. Either way works, I'm here to make this as easy as possible for you.
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What if I'm really nervous about having my photo taken?
You are not alone, honestly, about 80% of my clients tell me they hate having their photo taken. But here's the thing, it's my job to help you relax and actually enjoy the experience. During our consultation, we can talk through exactly what makes you nervous, and I'll explain how I work to make it comfortable. I'll guide you through everything during the session, posing, expression, where to look, so you don't have to guess or feel awkward. I work at your pace, we can take breaks, and I'll show you images as we go so you can see you're looking great. You'll be surprised how quickly the nerves disappear.
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How far in advance should I book my session?
I recommend booking at least 2-3 weeks in advance if you can, especially if you need your images by a specific date. This gives us time for the consultation, allows you to prepare, and ensures I can accommodate your preferred time slot. That said, I understand sometimes you need headshots urgently, maybe you've got a speaking engagement coming up or your company needs updated team photos. If you're in a rush, just let me know and I'll do my absolute best to fit you in. I've turned around sessions in as little as 24 hours when needed.
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Do you offer weekend or evening appointments?
Yes, I do! I know not everyone can take time out during the working day, so I offer flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends. During our consultation, just let me know what times work best for you, and we'll find something that fits your schedule. Whether you're juggling a busy career, family commitments, or just prefer a Saturday morning session, I'll work with you to find a time that suits. Your convenience is important to me, this should be one less thing for you to stress about.
" The quality of the headshots and team photos was outstanding, capturing everyone in the most flattering light.
I highly recommend Shaun for any photography needs. His talent, professionalism, and dedication to customer satisfaction are truly commendable. "
Robin, Pinchbeck   ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Step 2: Prepare for Your Session
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What should I wear for my headshot?
Wear something that makes you feel confident and represents your brand. For most professional headshots, I recommend solid colours rather than busy patterns, they photograph better and keep the focus on your face. Think about where you'll use the image, if it's for LinkedIn or corporate materials, business attire works well. If you're in a creative industry, you might want something more colourful or with a bit of artistic flair. Bring a couple of outfit options if you're unsure, we can try both and see what works best. I'll give you specific guidance during our consultation based on your needs.
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Should I get my hair and makeup done professionally?
It's completely up to you! For women, if you normally wear makeup, just wear what you'd typically wear to an important meeting, perhaps slightly more defined so it shows up well in photos. You don't need professional makeup unless you want to treat yourself. For men, just make sure you're freshly groomed, if you normally have a beard, give it a trim the day before. The key is to look like the best version of yourself, not like someone else entirely. You want people to recognize you when they meet you in person!
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How long does a typical session take?
Most headshot sessions take between 30-60 minutes, depending on which package you've chosen and how many looks or backgrounds we're creating. I never rush you, we'll take the time necessary to get it right. If you've chosen the single headshot package, we might be done in 30 minutes. If you want multiple outfits or backgrounds, allow an hour. I'd rather spend extra time making sure you're completely happy than hurry through it. During our consultation, I'll give you a more specific timeframe based on what you're after.
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Can you come to my office for the session?
Absolutely! I offer a mobile service and I'm happy to come to your location, which is especially convenient for corporate team headshots or if you're time-constrained. I'll bring everything needed, professional lighting, backdrops, the lot. We just need a suitable space with a bit of room to set up. This works brilliantly for businesses wanting consistent headshots for their entire team. If you're an individual and prefer the convenience of me coming to you, that's fine too. We can discuss this during your consultation and I'll confirm if there are any additional travel costs depending on your location.
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Do I need to do anything special to prepare?
Just a few simple things: get a good night's sleep (it really shows in your eyes), stay hydrated in the days before, and wear your chosen outfit for a bit beforehand to make sure it's comfortable and not creased. If you wear glasses, clean them thoroughly, smudges photograph terribly! Beyond that, just turn up as yourself. I'll take care of everything else. Oh, and try not to stress about it, remember, I've done this hundreds of times and I know exactly how to make you look your absolute best.
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What if I don't know how to pose?
That's exactly why I'm here! I'll guide you through absolutely everything, where to stand, how to angle your body, where to put your hands, where to look, even how to position your jaw to avoid a double chin (there's a trick to it!). You won't be left standing there awkwardly wondering what to do. I'll demonstrate poses, adjust your position, and give you clear direction throughout. Most of my clients can't believe how natural it feels once we get started. By the end of the session, you'll have learned some great techniques you can use for future photos too.
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Can I bring someone with me to the session?
Of course! If having a friend, partner, or colleague there helps you feel more relaxed, bring them along. Sometimes a friendly face can really help with nerves, and they can give you a second opinion on the images too. Just let me know in advance so I can make sure there's space and seating for them. For corporate team sessions, I often work with a company representative present to ensure consistency and brand alignment. Whatever makes you most comfortable works for me.
Stand Out amongst the crowd and make the Perfect Impression
Step 3: The Photoshoot Experience
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How many photos will you actually take during the session?
I'll typically take 10 to 100+ shots during your session, depending on the package and how many looks we're creating. This gives us plenty of options to choose from. I vary the angles, expressions, and poses slightly to capture different aspects of your personality and ensure we get that perfect shot. You won't see all of these, I'll do an initial selection and present you with the very best images to choose from. This way, you're not overwhelmed with hundreds of nearly identical photos, but you still have genuine choice.
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Will I see the photos during the session?
Yes! I use live shooting so that your images are viewable as we go, so you can see you're looking great and we're capturing what you want. This is really reassuring, especially if you're nervous. It also means we can adjust things if needed, if you prefer a different angle or want to try a different expression, we can do that straight away. By the end of the session, you'll already have a good idea of what we've captured. This live feedback is part of what makes the experience collaborative and ensures you leave feeling confident about the results.
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What if I don't like how I look in any of the photos?
This genuinely almost never happens because we review images as we go, but it's a valid concern. Here's my personal guarantee, I won't let you leave until we've captured something you truly love. If you're not happy with what we've got, we'll try different angles, different expressions, different lighting, whatever it takes. I've worked with hundreds of clients, including many who were convinced they weren't photogenic, and I've always delivered images they love. That's not arrogance, it's experience. I know how to find your best angles and capture the real you.
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Can I change outfits during the session?
Absolutely! If you've booked a package that includes multiple images, changing outfits is a great way to create different looks. Even if you've just booked a single headshot, you can bring a couple of options and we can try both to see which photographs better. Just factor in a few extra minutes for outfit changes when we're scheduling. For corporate clients who want variety, different outfits, ties, or jackets can create a more dynamic set of professional images. We can discuss exactly what you want during your consultation.
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What backgrounds do you offer?
I offer several professional background options. Classic choices include plain white, neutral grey, or black, these are timeless and work brilliantly for corporate headshots and LinkedIn profiles. If you want something less formal, I can do softer, graduated backgrounds or even something more colourful if that suits your brand. For location shoots at your office, we can use your workspace or a clean wall as a backdrop. During our consultation, I'll show you examples and help you choose what works best for your specific needs and where you'll be using the images.
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How do you make people look natural and relaxed?
It's a combination of experience, guidance, and conversation. I'll talk to you throughout the session, sometimes about what we're doing, sometimes just chat about your work or interests to take your mind off the camera. I'll give you clear direction so you always know what to do, which eliminates that awkward "what do I do with my hands?" feeling. I also work quite quickly once we start, which means less time to feel self-conscious. Most importantly, I'll show you great shots early on, which instantly boosts your confidence. Before you know it, you've forgotten to be nervous.
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Do you do any retouching on the images?
Yes, all images receive professional retouching as standard. This means I'll remove any temporary blemishes, stray hairs, or distractions, and ensure the colours and lighting are perfect. However, I believe in natural-looking retouching, I want the image to look like you on your best day, not like someone else entirely. I won't change your features or make you look airbrushed to oblivion. The goal is an authentic, professional image that represents the real you. If you have specific retouching requests or concerns, just mention them during our consultation and we'll make sure you're happy with the final result.
"Absolutely amazing job done by Shaun. Really impressed with all the detail and the views achieved by this. Highly recommend!"
Sally, Grantham   ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆
Step 4: Receive Your Images
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How long until I receive my images?
Depending on the package you choose, you could receive your fully edited, professionally retouched images in as little as 48 hours. Larger groups are generally within 5-7 working days of your session. I know you're probably eager to see them and start using them, so I always aim to deliver as quickly as possible without compromising on quality. If you have an urgent deadline, maybe you need them for an imminent speaking engagement or publication, let me know in advance and I'll prioritize your edit. I've turned around images in less than 24 hours when clients have had genuine time pressures.
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How will I receive my images?
I'll send you a private online gallery link where you can view, download, and share your images. This is really convenient, you can access it from any device, download the high-resolution files directly, and even share the gallery with colleagues or your marketing team if needed. The files are provided in high-resolution JPEG format, perfect for both digital use (websites, LinkedIn, email signatures) and print (business cards, brochures, press materials). You'll have full usage rights, so you can use them wherever and however you need.
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What resolution and format are the images?
All images are delivered as high-resolution JPEGs (300dpi), which means they're suitable for any use, from your LinkedIn profile to large-format printing for billboards if you want! The files are professionally sized and optimized, so they'll work perfectly whether you're uploading to social media, adding to your website, or sending to a designer for business cards. You don't need any special software or technical knowledge, they're ready to use straight away. If you need specific sizing or formats for particular applications, just let me know and I can provide those too.
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Can I get the images in different sizes or crops?
Yes, absolutely! The high-resolution files I provide can be cropped and resized for any purpose. If you need help with this or want me to provide specific crops (say, a square version for Instagram, a landscape version for LinkedIn banner, and a standard headshot), just ask. I'm happy to provide these variations at no extra cost, I want you to get maximum value from your images. For corporate clients with specific brand guidelines or platform requirements, I can deliver files tailored to your exact specifications.
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Do I own the copyright to my images?
You receive full commercial usage rights to your images, which means you can use them anywhere and everywhere, your website, social media, marketing materials, press releases, business cards, you name it. However, I retain the copyright, which is standard practice for professional photographers. This means I can use the images in my portfolio and marketing (unless you specifically request otherwise, which is fine). The important thing is you can use your images freely without restrictions or ongoing fees, they're yours to use however you need for your personal and professional branding.
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What if I need more copies or different edits later?
No problem at all! Your online gallery stays active, so you can download your images again anytime. If you need additional retouching, different crops, or variations of your images months or even years down the line, just get in touch. I keep all the original session files, so I can always go back and create new edits if your needs change. There may be a small fee for extensive additional editing, but for simple requests, I'll usually sort you out at no extra charge. I want you to get ongoing value from your investment.
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Can I use the images on all my social media platforms?
Absolutely! Use them wherever you like, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, your company website, email signature, Zoom background, business cards, conference materials, press kits. That's the whole point! Your headshot is a key part of your personal brand, and consistency across platforms makes you more recognizable and professional. I provide high-quality files that will look sharp on any platform. Just remember to actually update all your profiles, you'd be surprised how many people get great new headshots and then forget to replace that grainy selfie from 2015!
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What's your guarantee if I'm not happy with the final images?
I personally guarantee you'll leave my studio with the right image that you truly love and that aligns perfectly with your brand. This isn't just marketing speak, it's a genuine commitment. If you're not completely satisfied with your images, I'll work with you to make it right, whether that means additional retouching, a reshoot, or whatever it takes. In over a decade of professional photography, I can count on one hand the number of times someone wasn't delighted with their images, but if it happens, I won't rest until you are. Your satisfaction and confidence in your new headshot is what matters to me.
Facilities
Yes. MPPHeadshots are located within Pinnacle House Business Centre in Peterborough. There is a large car park at the side of the building with a visitors parking area to the front of the building which includes disabled parking.
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Is there parking at the studio?
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Do you have toilets?
Certainly! Both male and female toilets are a very short walk up the corridor from my office/studio.
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Can I get a drink at your studio?
Of course. Tea, coffee and various soft drinks are available to my customers. If you arrive early and would like to get a drink and relax before coming to the studio, there is a fantastic cafe in the unit next door to Pinnacle House Business Centre. If you have any dietary requirements or allergies, please let me know during your free consultation call.
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Is your studio wheelchair friendly?
The business centre has a wide access front door. I am located on the ground floor, just a short distance from the reception area, with easy access to toilets As a disabled photographer, I always try my best to be disabled friendly at the studio. If you let me know your disablilty requirements during your free consultation call, I will try to accomodate your needs where possible. Having a fully mobile setup also means that I can bring the studio to you, or agree to meet at another location of your choice.
Still have questions?
That's what the free consultation is for! Book your call now and let's have a chat about your headshot needs. I'm here to help.
Get In Touch
You are your brand! Make sure that you are presenting yourself in the best way by choosing MPP Headshots. Let me help you stand out amongst your competitors and become a leader in your industry. Get in touch now to see how I can help you make an impact.
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