My photographer list - help me narrow it down!



Hello backstage people!

I've been making a list of photographers (in the LA area) that I will possibly use for my new headshots in February. I'm having difficulty deciding though. I know ultimately it is my decision, and it most likely will come down to availability and pricing. I have seen good and bad reviews on most of my choices; some I haven't seen any reviews at all.

So I will provide you with what I'm looking for, and who is on my top list. Feel free to express your honest opinion! I know that no one is perfect, what I'm looking for is someone that is prefect for me. I know, only I can decide that too. If you have heard of or worked with anyone on my list, let me know. Or, if there is someone I left out, let me know also!

I need someone that can do dark brown hair, green eyes, and pale skin well.


My photographer requirements:

- Price range: $200-300 sounds reasonable for 2-3 looks.
(I have to leave room in my budget for makeup artist, retouching, and printing).
By the way, it is a huge pet peeve of mine when the photographer does NOT include pricing on their website. That tells me "I'm so expensive, I don't want to list my prices in fear of scaring you away". There were two on my list that did not have prices- when I called/ emailed to find out, they were very high. So no price on website = over $500.

- Personality.
Someone that is kind and easy to work with. I'm still quite timid in front of the camera, and I need someone that can help me forget that I'm having my photo taken. If anyone has seen that episode of "Friends" where Chandler is having his Christmas photo taken- you'll know what I'm talking about. If I'm feeling tired/ scared/ stressed/ distracted, etc., I need someone who is positive and can connect with me. I don't want a male photographer who is very flirtatious or creepy; and I don't want a female photographer who is going to remind me of my mother and be overly critical.

- Good portfolio.
I'm very picky when it comes to how photos look. I have experience in taking photos myself, so I notice every detail- the lighting, the background, the composition, the type of camera used, the zoom & focus, the color tones. I'm also quite good at Photoshop, and have a good eye for how well touched a photo is. I know the retouching is not always done by the photographer- but the photos they chose to display on their website should be a good example of their finished work.

- Makeup artist.
I prefer the photographer to offer their own favorite makeup artist (unless they are also one themselves). I've seen a few websites that don't even offer one, and tell you that you are on your own to go find one. This is just one extra thing I'd have to make a decision on. Plus I want a makeup artist that regularly works with the photographer, and knows how to do makeup & hair for headshots. It would also be nice if they offered to do your hair, or at least touch it up. One photographer quoted me $150-200 for a makeup artist, and said they will not touch your hair, at all. I have straight thick hair that won't require much work, but they should at least touch it up and make it camera ready.

Here are my top 9:

Bradford Rogne
I've seen a lot of great reviews, photos look great, seems like a very friendly & easy going personality.

David Muller
Again, seen several good reviews on the board, the work is excellent, very pretty studio

John Strand
Zero reviews of this guy on message board. He is a much shorter drive for me, one of the few photographers located in the suburbs instead of downtown. Only $275 for 3 looks and $50 for makeup artist, plus free retouching. Some shots are very good, some not so go though.

Kevin Mcintyre
I really like his work, he has a few examples of females that look very similar to me, so it gives me a good idea. I really like his lighting.

http://www.bokehstudios.com
Wow, very close to me. Prices reasonable. Not a very big portfolio online. Plus the guy himself comes off kind of creepy. Just the vibe I get. Never heard of him either.

Robin Emtage
Good quality photos, plus she is also a makeup artist. Right now she includes makeup for free. Seems like a nice person to work with.

http://www.anthonymongiello.com
Some really great shots on there. In my price range. Lighting nice.

http://www.laphotospot.com/index.html
Ok- the females who have brown eyes have this reddish tint to them. I have green eyes, but don't see any examples of those.

http://www.zampanophoto.com/index.html
These are ok, not many examples of people who look like me though.

For personality, why don't you set up a meeting with them IN PERSON. If you can't gel over coffee, you probably won't gel during the shoot.

For makeup artists, you can ask the photographers for a list of makeup artists they trust. Bradford is the only one on your list who wears both hats as a photographer and makeup artist. Though the sharpness of his photos is amazing, there have been reviews on here of the girls who used him wearing too much makeup. So even with Bradford, you might want an independent makeup artist.

I'm NOT impressed with John Strand or Bokeh studios. I'd make it easier on yourself and focus on the other 7.

Thanks, I think I've got it down to my top 4 now.

What do you all do about parking in LA? I don't go to downtown often, but when I do, parking is never fun.

Based on the website there is no way you'll get David Muller for $200-300 for that many looks. Maybe $300-400.

david muller, bradford rogne, robin emtage---my faves, just sayin your may be different

I thought this was a NY post - I'm new on here and I guess they're all in the same place HOWEVER even though I just moved from LA, the last photog I shot was Felle. She was awesome - and she totally had packages in that price range. I especially liked using a female photographer this time because the vibe was totally different - easy, fun, and great shots. Check her out. Sorry to make your list longer! Oh - and yes, meet with them beforehand!!
http://fellephotography.com
and another woman I used a few years back - also great
http://www.bridgemihalik.com

Anyone use Robert Raphael? I like his shots in Judy Kerr's book.

http://www.headshotsbyrobert.com/