hey everyone so glad i have a place to talk i am new to la and have old black and white pictures and was told color is very important out here i am looking for a very cheap but very good place to getmy headshots done the only one i have found is pearl retouch do you think that is my best choice are there any other options or recomendations? for same price range

Do you need a new photographer to have photos taken, or do you want your black/whites just reproduced into color?

What are you willing to pay? I have my son set up for headshots next week, and it's going to cost around $275. That is for several looks, and all color.

I put together a list of photographers I looked at and the prices they charge.

http://www.photographychick.com/
up to 200 images for $400.00

http://www.amonterotti.com/
No prices but he's not that good. He post in this forum using the name jixxer and constantly puts down other photographers even though thier work is excellant.

http://www.headshotsonly.com/
unlimited number of looks
3 hours of shooting time $350.00.
mention myspace and he gives you a $50 discount.

http://www.zaughphotography.com/
portrait rates begin at $650.00

http://www.blakegardner.net/
4 looks for $415.00

http://www.loridorn.com/
$425.oo for men and $550 for women/includes hair and make-up.

I was originally going to shoot with Lori Dorn but she couldn't fit me into her scheduale so I ended up shooting with Ken at Headshots Only. I'm totally happy with the results and I'm glad to say I was able to get great representation. Although it has been slow the past few months, I did audition for national commercials on a regular basis.

She did ask for super cheap photographers. I doubt she is wanting to pay over $300.

quote:

Originally posted by alexander_p:
cheapest / best guy around

Sigh! Another twit promoting himself. Just be honest.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Tomster,

I understand we all want to save money, however don't just go with the cheapest. Bec. It may end up costing you more in the long run if you have to re-shoot.

I personally shoot with ALAN WEISSMAN. WWW.ALANWEISSMAN.COM

Photographers are like hair stylists. Going with the cheapest in town may be a crapshoot but there are good ones in that bunch. You can easily find a good photographer for under $200. Remember anyone can charge what they want, there is no industry standard or tier. So you can have a person who knows nothing on framing and lighting charge $500 if he wanted to.

Why people put there noses up on photographers who charge AFFORDABLE rates is beyond me. It's like they feel you have to get ripped off to be an actor. That's BS! Look at their portfolio, talk to them on the phone and get a sense of their personality, and tell them what you are looking for.

Just like a hair stylist it is hit or miss even with expensive professionals. If you don't have a clue yourself going in you are more apt to have a haircut that may not look good on you. Unlike hair stylist though you can actually see their previous work and compare.

I have personally found some great photographers in the LA area that charge no more than $150. Just be confident, make yourself comfortable, and know what you want going in. And to protect yourself ask what their reshoot policy is ahead of time. If they don't guarantee their work then walk away.

What these people don't realize its not about getting lucky its experience . I know what people need. Everyone need basically the SAME THING AN HONEST PICTURE THAT LOOKS LIKE THEM WITH GOOD PERSONALITY but knowing how to get that out of a beginer or someone who had bad pictures in the past is an art. It took me years to get to where I am now. Now I get what I need every day and as you know if they don't have the expression that we view on the monitor I shoot more.
I don't need to talk to people in advance or meet them I know my job. I know when a person has a good look and they should take a risk. I know when you should photograph someone and make them look like a working actor a casual guy or a leading lady and its not necessary the clothes but lighting approach and energy. I know about make up on a woman and retouching to enhance their best features only not to over retouch. I do not send the person away with a disc and wish them luck I make sure they get a perfect product all the way to multiples. . The people that have experience work with people with experience so you are hiring knowledge and experience all around . I had to shoots tons of bad shots before I learned how to get what I do now. Tell them to hire a beginning acting teacher or even a Dr. See how far their carer will go. I hired a beging contacter because I liked him and he seemed cool. I had a six month disaster and we still are not happy. Thanks for recomending me
ALAN WEISSMAN

Who said anything about hiring a beginner. I said price isn't everything. Who makes these prices anyhow? The photographer. That means a beginner can charge $500 if he wanted to. What matters is the quality of work which is what you see in their previous work and whether that is the style they want to go with.

You can't tell me that everybody in this business is universal and wants the same look. Some photographers are better than others at certain styles, framing or lighting. That is why you look at their work to see if it matches what you want as an actor.

I don't doubt you have experience in helping to determine what you think is best. But that doesn't mean that a photographer that charges less than you doesn't have the same eye or experience. So I hope you are not trying to state that.

Did you try Wayne Rutledge? I heard he does LA (also Seattle). He did mine about a few years ago. It costed me about $200-300, back then.

The next time I get new headshots, I plan to use Greg Crowder. I think his work is amazing.

www.gregcrowderphotography.com

I found that Precision Photos was an excellent place for headshot reproductions. Their turnaround time was EXCELLENT as well as their prices. I had some retouching done and was impressed!

this mike guy is everywhere.... Again, here's what I wrote about Precision in all of his posts recommending them...

I DO NOT recommend Precision Photos. I made the mistake in trying to get cheaper repros made, so I ditched Reproductions and thought to give Precision a try. HORRIBLE quality, bad lithos. Just try holding your headshot, it goes limp like bad school lunch pizza.

I said okay maybe it was just one experience, I tried again and after retouching it was WORSE. They were rude to me throughout the entire experience, and snapped at me - a paying customer bringin them business! Pssh. Bad customer service, even worse quality, you get what you paid for with Precision. I learned the hard way with those people.

And look at mikesterc posts... ALL of them have to do with recommending Precision. RED ALERT people. Why are there tons of businesses signing up just to "recommend" themselves?

http://www.amonterotti.com/
No prices but he's not that good. He post in this forum using the name jixxer and constantly puts down other photographers even though thier work is excellant.

Superhotstar, Please get your facts in order before you make such ill-advised statements.. LOL , You are comedy ! !