Professional Portrait Photographer in Dc

Although photographers may seem to be everywhere you look, it takes a professional photographer with the right training, experience and knowledge to accurately execute professional and flattering portraits for you. We all know, it’s not as easy as point, and click, otherwise, we would all be able to take stunning portraits with our cell phones. 
Many professional photographers in the Washington DC area have experience in photo-journalism since we are one of the news capitals of the world, but a photo-journalist is not allowed to use artificial lighting in their photographs. That means, they have limited knowledge of how to improve the light that hits a face. This is NOT what you want when you are looking to hire a portrait photographer. 

Kristina on the other hand, has spent over 18 years perfecting the craft of portrait photography lighting. She understands how to manipulate light to achieve the most flattering light ratios to illuminate a face. For example, did you ever notice the direction of light hitting the face has a completely different feel if it shines from below rather than above? It immediately makes you think of a villain. Would you like this type of lighting during your professional photo session? I think not. If you choose Kristina for your photographer, you’re guaranteed to be happy with the results. Her vast experience makes her portraits immediately stand out from the sub-par photos on the internet and you’ll want your headshot to be one of the ones that stands out from the crowd.

How much does a professional portrait photographer cost?

Pricing for a high-end professional portrait photographer can vary based on several factors, including location, photographer's reputation, and the level of customization you desire for your photoshoot. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2,000 or more for a session with a reputable portrait photographer. This fee often includes the photographer's time, expertise, equipment, and post-processing work. It's important to remember that high-end portrait photographers like Kristina command higher rates because of their skill and experience.

Kristina charges for her session fee and the images separately. The sitting photo session fee covers the time reserved for shooting her subjects and the time spent preparing the studio and researching the client prior to the shoot. The image price covers each image the client wishes to purchase. The amount of images purchased always depends on the client. Kristina never wants you to leave with more images than you need. It's ultimately up to the client what they choose to leave the session with. To learn more, please visit Kristina’s pricing page.

In addition to the session fee, there may be other costs associated with your portrait photoshoot. These can include location rental fees if shooting in a specific monument in Washington DC, makeup and hairstyling services, and even travel costs for destination shoots outside of Washington DC’s beltway. Kristina always makes it a point to discuss costs before the session to make sure the client is aware of everything involved. 

Regarding the refund policy, we are proud to offer a 100% money back guarantee for the session sitting fee. If you don’t love the photos, you won't be expected to pay for them. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is required to secure your booking. This deposit ensures that we set aside the date and time for your session and may turn down other potential clients. If you need to reschedule or cancel the session, the deposit is not transferable to a future date. While Kristina reserves the right to forfeit the $100 deposit if the client asks to reschedule, she also understands things happen and only very rarely enforces this. Usually this is due to the client rescheduling multiple times. 

In summary, when working with a high-end professional portrait photographer, you're not only paying for their time during the shoot but also their expertise, equipment, and post-processing skills. Be sure to note our refund policy and understand our non-refundable deposit stance. 

Professional portrait photography techniques and retouching

In the world of professional portrait photography, retouching techniques play a crucial role in bringing out the best in every image. Whether it's enhancing skin texture, smoothing out imperfections, or fine-tuning color balance, retouching is a skilled art form that takes years of practice to master. For those looking to delve deeper into the intricacies of portrait retouching, educational resources like sharkpixel.com offer a wealth of training materials, tutorials, and tools to help photographers refine their post-processing skills. SharkPixel.com is Kristina’s own retouching platform which she has spent the last 10 years producing. With a range of courses available for both Photoshop and Lightroom, photographers can gain invaluable insights into retouching, from basic touch-ups to advanced manipulation, ultimately elevating the quality of their portrait work. When you book with Kristina, you not only are hiring an experienced headshot and portrait photographer, but also a world renowned retouching educator who has taught over 1 million people how to better retouch their photos. 

Professional portrait photographers like Kristina are not only skilled practitioners but also passionate educators. She often provides coaching, instruction, and resources to aspiring photographers who seek to understand the entire process of creating stunning portrait images. She does this at multiple photography conferences and shows each year, like AdobeMAX and WPPI (Wedding & Portrait Photographers International). This mentorship can encompass everything from the initial concept and composition to lighting techniques, posing guidance, and the intricacies of working with subjects to capture their unique personalities. By offering a holistic approach to portrait photography, she helps others develop the skills and knowledge needed to produce remarkable final products and achieve success in the industry. Whether through one-on-one sessions, workshops, or her online community, the guidance provided by Kristina is a valuable resource for those looking to excel in portrait photography.