EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SHOOT: YOUR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
There are no stupid questions:
if one would not be answered here, fill in the form to receive our brochure or contact us directly!
I ABSOLUTELY HATE BEING IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA, I AM NOT PHOTOGENIC AT ALL, IT MAKES ME SO SO NERVOUS …
As we love to say, our thing is not to photograph perfect people. It is to photograph real people. Ambitious people. The ones who dare to dream big. And most of the real people (me included) do not feel naturally photogenic. Good news, I and my team are here exactly for that.
​
The portrait studio is a zero-judgment/ happy vibe zone and we are all part of the same team to create your business portraits. I will guide you all along for you not to have to think a second. It ends up being more of a conversation through which we take pictures, more than a photoshoot per se.
Another thing we often say after seeing so many clients experience it: the least photogenic you feel at the moment (we all have times in life when we feel in bad shape or more down than usual), the better the portrait shoot feeling will be! We know (and have witnessed it so many times) how positively impactful a great portrait of you can be. You will walk out of the studio really boosted & ready to tackle any challenges ahead of you!
​
​
​
I AM NOT A HUGE FAN OF THE TYPICAL EXECUTIVE/CORPORATE HEADSHOTS LOOK, I WANT SOMETHING MORE ‘ME’, MORE CASUAL, WHILE STILL PROFESSIONAL. CAN YOU CREATE THAT KIND OF IMAGES?
Our m.o. (modus operandi … in short: how we do things 😉) is to tailor everything around your needs and your wishes. Alice is fully trained and experienced with professional studio lights, natural light, indoor photo sessions, outdoor photoshoots, in the city, in the green, etc… so we create the photoshoot and portraits depending on what you need and want.
​
If your brand and energy are about being casual, super friendly & trendy: let’s go for it! We love it!
Do not worry, if on the other hand you don’t really know what you want and need, we got you covered with the pre-shoot consultation and a series of questions and discussion over mood boards and other tools.
​
​
​
I AM CONSIDERED DEMANDING AND VERY PICKY IN MY LIFE SO I AM AFRAID I WILL NEVER BE FULLY SATISFIED WITH MY IMAGES…
If you have your own business or are leading the way in your company, chances are that you are demanding with yourself and with your team to achieve your goals. We are all about serving ambitious and bold individuals and we almost expect you to be as picky and demanding as you wish. It pushes us to serve you even better. We aim at excellence and your entire satisfaction. We love clients who are demanding and highly selective.
​
We do offer a 'Happy or start over insurance' (see conditions in our brochure), but truth is that we never had to activate it. 100 %. Of all the people we photograph left the studio beyond satisfied with the executive headshots and portraits we created for them.
​
​
​
I AM NOT A C-LEVEL EXECUTIVE BUT MORE OF A SOLO/MOMPRENEUR.
WOULD A PORTRAIT SESSION WITH YOU ANSWER MY NEEDS?
Totally. You are the c-level executive of your solo business and of your life! You have a brand, you have clients, you have a message to convey through your business portraits: so yes, book a consultation for us to discuss your needs, targets & brand perception, and let’s create the professional photos you deserve!
​
​
​
I REALLY WANT TO HAVE A TAILORED SHOOT AND IMAGES THAT REFLECT MY BRAND, HOWEVER, I WAS NOT PLANNING ON THAT KIND OF BUDGET, WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE?
We understand that it feels a bit of an investment. However, it is an investment, not a cost. And the return is a very positive one: telling you that you will get your dream job tomorrow or reach your 6 figures sales target tomorrow would be lying, however, your portraits will get you noticed & remembered, apart from the rest. It will set your foot at the door. A good strong distinctive foot. The one that your target will remember for sure, feel impressed about and be left with a powerful first impression.
Your executive portraits will very clearly set you apart from your competitors & peers. It will be a solid support to grow your career.
We are all about making things easy, so we can definitely organize with you a payment plan at no extra charge. Let’s discuss, make things work for both of us & get your personal brand off the ground!
I JUST NEED ONE PICTURE, I DON’T NEED MORE. CAN YOU MAKE ME A SMALLER PACKAGE?
We want excellence for the people we work with. We want to go beyond average.
We are more than happy to make things smoother with a payment plan. However, we are absolutely convinced that nowadays, you need more than one portrait if you want your personal brand to have the strong impact it deserves. The ‘beginner’ mistake we all make is to use that one professional headshot for all our needs, whatever the platform, project or target.
Exactly like the fact that you don’t have just one personality trait, just one expertise, and just one skill, you should not have just one portrait. You deserve to have different portraits to show all your personality facets through the different media you choose. You also need several portraits to use like real marketing tool: by adapting their use depending on the project and the target to have a full real impact. (Website, Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, press release, Annual report, business plan, speaking engagement at conferences, podcasts, guest blogging, online articles, etc..)
​
​
​
HOW LONG IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY PORTRAIT SESSION?
Our photoshoot schedule gets busy fast so we would advise booking something like 4 weeks in advance.
However, we do know that executives and business owners have some very hectic & busy lives and sometimes deadlines are much shorter: feel free to get in touch as we might be able to fit you in on an evening or a weekend morning.
​
WHEN DOES THE PRE-SHOOT CONSULTATION OCCUR?
It depends how long in advance we got in touch before your portrait shoot but it can be 1 week before the shoot, to minimum 2 days prior to your session. We want you to have the time to get the clothes you want for your session.
​
I HAVE A PACKED SCHEDULE: HOW LONG IS THE CONSULTATION? IS IT HELD IN YOUR STUDIO OR VIA PHONE/ZOOM?
Don’t worry, we are all about delivering the best experience in an efficient way: the consultation is around 20-30min but if we need more time to discuss all your different needs, messages, etc, we can definitely take the time needed.
As much as we love meeting our clients face to face before their professional photoshoot, time is always the barrier on our client end. So we can organize a face to face meeting, but in real life, we do use more skype, zoom or facetime most of the time.
​
I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT TO WEAR FOR MY SESSION! HELP!
Seat down, breathe… we got you covered.
First, you can head to some tips on what to wear on professional headshots. It will start to give you general guidelines. Then, the outfit is a topic we cover during your pre-photoshoot consultation. Last but not least, we will send you a pdf guide before your portrait session to summarize all you need to know about your outfit choice.
​
​
​
HOW MUCH IS YOUR PACKAGE? HOW MANY IMAGES DOES IT INCLUDE?
We have a base package that includes 4 images to choose among your 20 edited favorite images from your portrait session. The whole Portrait Executive Experience (before, during & after the shoot) starts at 850$. If you would need more than 4 images, there is a purchasing option. Everything is detailed in our pricing menu in the Portrait Executive Brochure that you can receive directly in your inbox.
IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN EXECUTIVE PORTRAIT SHOOT AND A PERSONAL BRANDING SHOOT?
In reality, these are the same type of portrait photoshoot but some people refer to it as ‘executive portrait shoot’, and some other ‘personal branding shoot’. They both answer the same purpose: to create professional photos for your personal brand. Your personal brand is, in short, ‘your reputation’ (offline and online) and whether you are leading a career in the corporate world or leading your own business, you need to differentiate yourself from your peers and competitors, offline and online. That’s where your personal brand enters the scene and that’s where your professional portraits impact your online reputation.
This is not something you want to leave up to chance as nowadays, the first time people see you is through Internet in most of the cases.
​
​
​
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING FOR MY SHOOT?
You will bring different outfits and accessories. All of those depend on the message you want to convey, which we will discuss during your pre-photoshoot consultation.
​
​
​
HOW MANY OUTFITS CAN I BRING FOR MY PORTRAIT SESSION?
There is no real limit to the number of changes as we prioritize results over quantity. We are here to tailor the portrait experience and create the best photos for you. So it can be through 2 outfits, or 5 outfits, it will all depend on your needs, objectives, and project. On average there are about 3,4 outfit changes. But again, we are not here to set some strict rules (you already face enough of those in the other areas of your life !), we are here to get a job done with excellence and care.
​
​
​
IS THERE A MAKEUP ARTIST OR HAIR PROFESSIONAL AT YOUR NYC PHOTO STUDIO?
For women, we definitely recommend booking our hair and make up additional options, to make sure the results are neat from scratch. First, it is very time efficient to have everything done on-site: no need for you to run around getting your hair and makeup done. You are already too busy and your time is precious.
Second, it puts all the chances on your side for the flawless and hyper professional result you expect.
For men, feel free to ask us for a makeup and hair quote if you want that additional service.
​
​
​
CAN I SEE THE PHOTOS DURING MY PERSONAL BRANDING SHOOT?
A personal branding/executive portrait shoot is all about conveying a message and a story. For that particular type of session, we like to shoot ‘tethered’: meaning you see the images directly on a big screen. What it does is to make sure we build together the professional pictures you need through the right body language and expressions… it helps us correct and build up. You will only leave the studio when you are in full satisfaction with your images.
NYC MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT FAQ - EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
BEFORE YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT
THE BEST TIMING
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO DO A MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT ?
The ideal time is usually between 28 and 34 weeks. At this stage, your silhouette is beautifully defined, while you are still comfortable enough to enjoy the experience fully. Every pregnancy is different, of course. Some women prefer to come slightly earlier, others later. When you book, we can advise you based on your timeline. Also, in this article you can discover more details on the best timing for maternity photos.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK A MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER IN NYC ?
Most clients reserve their session 1 to 3 months in advance. This allows time to plan your maternity photoshoot, discuss wardrobe options, and secure a date for your session: To maintain the quality of the experience, Alice photographs a limited number of clients per months. The calendar tends to fill quickly, especially for weekend appointments, so the earlier you inquire, the better it is.
IS 32 WEEKS TOO EARLY FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS ?
Not at all. 32 weeks is often a perfect moment. Your pregnancy is clearly visible, and most women still feel physically at ease. It’s a beautiful balance between form and comfort. Another note: Your belly will have a tendency to show earlier for any subsequent pregnancies after the first one.
IS 36 WEEKS TOO LATE FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS ?
Not necessarily. Many women come at 35 or 36 weeks and the results are stunning. The most important factor is your comfort. We work at a calm pace and adapt the session to how you feel.
CAN I DO A MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT IN THE 3RD TRIMESTER OF MY PREGNANCY ?
Yes, and most maternity sessions take place during the third trimester. At this stage the shape and curves of the pregnancy are so beautiful. And the session is always designed to make you feel comfortable.
CHOOSING YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER
HOW DO I CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER IN NYC ?
Beyond technical skill, it is important to choose a photographer whose aesthetic and approach resonate with you. Maternity photography is personal. You should feel understood, guided, and completely at ease to share what you wish. Consistency, elegance, and experience matter more than trends.
Prioritise photographers that include an online consultation, to get the chance to meet before the maternity session, like that you can assess if it's the right fit for you.
WHY CHOOSE A STUDIO MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT INSTEAD OF AN OUTDOOR PHOTOS IN NYC ?
A studio environment offers privacy, comfort, and complete control over light. This allows us to create timeless, refined portraits without distractions. It also removes concerns about weather, crowds, by standers or any physical strain.
WHAT MAKES MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY LOOK ELEGANT AND TIMELESS ?
Simplicity, soft light, and elegant styling. The clean compositions, posing, and a calm atmosphere allow the focus to remain entirely on you: On this moment of your life with just you, your baby to come and your partner. We do create maternity photos in colours, and that being said, black & white maternity photos give such an elegant and timeless touch. The goal is to create images that will still feel beautiful and relevant decades from now.
DO I REALLY NEED AN EXPERIENCED MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER ?
Experience makes a significant difference. It's what differentiate an average photo to an outstanding one. Knowing how to guide you, pose you beautifuly, and use light to flatter your silhouette requires expertise & experience. When you choose your maternity photographer, ensure that their maternity portfolio is complete and inclusive.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A LUXURY MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHY EXPERIENCE AND A STANDARD ONE ?
Luxury maternity photography is defined by attention to detail, personalisation, and no restraint: Nothing feels rushed, session are not time limited, number of outfit changes are not limited, package already include images and art prints collection. Every element — from light to wardrobe to pacing — is carefully curated to you and what you want, and not designed as a standardised package similar for every client.
MATERNITY PHOTOS: WHAT TO WEAR
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR ON MATERNITY PHOTOS ?
We recommend simple, elegant pieces that highlight your silhouette without too much distraction. Flowing fabrics, fitted dresses, and minimal tones photograph beautifully. We guide you before the session during our online consultation, and provide wardrobe options in the studio as well. You can already check this article that showcase a detailed guide with visual example of what to wear.
DO YOU PROVIDE MATERNITY DRESSES OR WARDROBE AT YOUR NYC STUDIO ?
Yes. The studio offers a curated selection of dresses, casual pieces and fabrics chosen specifically for maternity portraiture. These pieces are selected for how they photograph — flattering, timeless, and refined
WHAT COLORS LOOK BEST FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS ?
It all depends on 3 elements: your skin tone, what is behind you on the photos and also what style of photos you want. You can discover this full guide on what colors to wear for maternity photos. Overall, for elegant maternity photos, you can not go wrong with cream, beige, off-white, brown and black.
SHOULD I WEAR TIGHT OR FLOWY DRESSES FOR MATERNITY PHOTOS ?
Both can be beautiful. Fitted dresses emphasize the shape & beautiful curves of your pregnancy, while flowing fabrics create softness and movement. We often explore both during a session.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO MY MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT IN NYC ?
You can access here a full guide on what to bring for your maternity photoshoot, but overall, you may bring personal pieces if you wish, though most of the essential elements are provided at the studio. If there would be one essential piece not to forget for your pregnancy photoshoot is: nude underwear. Everything else will be provided at the studio.
DURING YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT
HAIR & MAKE UP
DO YOU PROVIDE HAIR AND MAKE UP AT YOUR NYC STUDIO FOR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT ?
Yes. Professional hair and makeup is already included in the Portrait Madame Chic Maternity experience. It is perfect to feel pampered at a time when life can feel overwhelming, and it complements the style of the session and enhance the final result in a natural way.
FULLY GUIDED EXPERIENCE
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING A MATERNITY PHOTO SESSION ?
The experience is calm, guided, and unrushed. After welcoming you into our studio space, we will start with Hair & Make Up. While you are getting pampered, we will finalize together the choice of outfits. We then start to take your maternity photos and gradually explore different looks. You will be completely guided, you absolutely don't have to know how to pose at all. Everything is designed to feel comfortable and effortless.
HOW LONG DOES A MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT TAKE ?
With Hair & Make Up, most sessions last between 2 to 3hrs. This allows time for wardrobe changes and a relaxed pace, without ever feeling rushed.
WHAT IF I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE IN FRONT OF A CAMERA ?
This is very common. Most of our clients feel that way before inquiring. But we are all about making it comfortable: This is a non-judgment space, we are all in one team together with you and to guide you. You are not expected to look or to perform a certain way. The intention is not to transform your body, but to help you see it with more presence, love, and care. The atmosphere is calm and unhurried, and most women quickly feel at ease.
WILL YOU GUIDE ME THROUGH THE PHOTOSHOOT ?
Yes, absolutely. From small adjustments to overall direction, you are guided every step of the way, from the minute you enter our studio, to the minute you leave it.
WHAT IF I DON'T FEEL CONFIDENT IN MY BODY DURING PREGNANCY ?
Pregnancy can feel unfamiliar, and it is completely normal to feel uncertain. The purpose of a maternity session is not to transform your body or to force you to love it, but to bring you to a place where you embrace the change & the uniqueness of this moment & value it for what it is. With the use of light, angles, and careful directions, we will capture the feminine curves of your body in the most beautiful way.
CAN MY PARTNER BE INCLUDED IN THE MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT ?
Yes. Many clients choose to include their partner for a portion of the session. These portraits often feel even more meaningful and intimate.
CAN MY CHILDREN BE INCLUDED IN THE MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT ?
Yes. Including children can create beautiful, emotional images. We typically begin with individual photos of you and then we have your partner and children come for the 2nd part of your pregnancy photoshoot.
CAN I DO MATERNITY PHOTOS ALONE ?
Absolutely. Many women prefer a session focused entirely on themselves. It becomes a quiet, personal moment to honor this transition & milestone.
CAN I DO MATERNITY PHOTOS IN UNDERWEAR OR NUDE ?
Yes, absolutely if you feel comfortable. These portraits can be incredibly elegant and tasteful. Everything is guided with discretion and respect, always according to your comfort level.
AFTER YOUR MATERNITY PHOTOSHOOT
RETOUCHING
ARE MATERNITY PHOTOS RETOUCHED ?
Yes. Retouching is subtle and respectful. It is what gives the finished touch to an image. The goal is not to change you, but to refine the image and ensure it feels polished and timeless.
WILL YOU RETOUCH SKIN, STRETCH MARKS, OR BLEMISHES ?
Temporary elements can be softened if you wish, always with restraint. This is something we discuss together during our online consultation and during your maternity portrait session. The intention is to preserve authenticity while presenting you at your most beautiful, in the way you want.
PORTRAITS DELIVERY
HOW MANY PHOTOS WILL I RECEIVE FROM MY MATERNITY PORTRAIT SESSION ?
The Portrait Madame Chic Maternity experience includes:
- Online private consultation to design your session
- Professional Hair and Make Up
- Access to our studio maternity wardrobe
- Fully guided photoshoot with Alice
- Elegant editorial retouching by professional retoucher
- Delivery of your 15 (or 20* or 25*) favorite images for you to choose among a pre-selection
- Delivery of your favorite images in Art Prints presented in a Premium Folio Frame.
*For access to the full pricing menu, fill in the inquiry form.
WHAT MAKES PORTRAIT MADAME MATERNITY PHOTOS UNIQUE IN NYC ?
The approach is focused on simplicity, intention, and refinement. We are all about keeping the experience calm, private, and empowering. We are not about trend or performance. We are about Creating a moment to pause. The result is maternity imagery that feel both timeless and deeply personal.