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GENERAL FAQ
BOOKING FAQ
BEFORE YOUR SESSION FAQ
DURING YOUR SHOOT FAQ
AFTER YOUR SESSION FAQ
CORPORATE FAQ
MODELS FAQ
ACTORS FAQ

GENERAL

  • SIGNED is a New York-based photography company specializing in headshots and portraits for actors, artists, models, performers, corporate professionals, startups, teams, and executives. We offer studio, on-site, and outdoor session types, as well as convenient online booking.

  • We currently partner with some of the best natural light studios in NYC, so we don’t have one primary location where shoots take place. Our home base/studio is located in Harlem, at:

    2331 12th Ave Suite 16 NY, New York 10027

    When you book your session, you’ll have the option to request which studio you’d like to shoot in, between Brooklyn and Manhattan, and we’ll do our best to accommodate. Please make sure to refer to your booking and reminder emails to ensure you go to the correct location for your shoot.

  • Yes! We offer on-site headshot sessions for companies, teams, startups, corporations, and even C-suite executives at offices. We carry the appropriate general liability insurance often required by commercial spaces to shoot in their buildings.

    We ask that you obtain the necessary permissions to ensure that shooting is allowed at your requested location. We will do everything in our ability to coordinate with you and any involved parties to ensure a smooth booking and shooting process.

  • You may request for us to shoot at a specific location like a residence, home office, or other specific non-public location.

    Please note: an assistant will be required to attend any shoot at a private or non-standard locations regardless of shoot length or session type, and at an additional fee. We reserve the right to request additional information about the location to ensure the safety and security of our team.

  • Absolutely. We work with people of all identities, backgrounds, and bodies. Everyone deserves great photos, and we are here to serve everyone.

  • Yes! Perfect for graduates, aspiring actors/models, or professionals updating their image. Email us to purchase.

  • Because hair and makeup services are so subjective and specific to each customer, we intentionally do not include them standard in our packages. We do work directly with many talented local artists for an additional fee. When you book your session, you’ll have the option to select an add-on for hair and makeup services. We will coordinate with our HMUA partners and share an invoice with you before the shoot to reserve those services.

  • Yes! We do periodically run specials and discounts. We are currently running a promotional special to celebrate the launch of SIGNED. You’ll see a 25-50% discount on sessions, which runs through April 1st, 2026. Be sure to follow us on Insta and join our mailing list to stay in the loop about upcoming specials and discounts.

  • The short answer: Anywhere from $100-$200 all-in (very cheap, and not likely to give you what you’re looking for), all the way up to $1500-$2000 (for just the photographer’s time) before you purchase images with your session.

    The long answer: Headshots and portrait services vary widely, depending on the photographer and their deliverables. You might pay $100-$200 all-in (very cheap, and not likely to give you what you’re looking for), all the way up to $1500-$2000 (for just the photographer’s time) before you purchase images with your session.

    Every photographer’s style, package offering, deliverables, etc. are different. The most important thing is to look in detail at what is being offered, and if you’re unsure about what you’re getting, always ask lots of questions. (Good) headshots can be expensive, but well worth the investment. The ones who have been in the industry the longest not only know how to take amazing pictures, but understand what the customer’s needs and wants are, and are willing to adapt and offer packages that are appealing and beneficial to their clientele.

    A word of caution: be wary of churn and burn photographers who will charge you minimally for 30m to an hour, take a bunch of shots, then send you all the unedited images to sort and sift through. This is often a disastrous experience for the customer, resulting in money and time wasted. Look for packages and prices that meet your specific needs and wants, and cross reference that with the type of quality presented in the photographer’s portfolio.

    At SIGNED, we believe we are competitively and reasonably priced. Our M.O. is quality and a fantastic experience from start to finish, and we believe this is not only valuable to our clients, but worth the higher price point. If you have any questions about pricing or services, please don’t hesitate to email us at: hello@signed.nyc

  • Outdoor sessions tend to be more loose and flexible, offering natural light and a variety of city backdrops during your session. The vibe: relaxed, approachable energy meets dynamic backgrounds.

    Studio sessions utilize controlled lighting—either indirect natural light or mechanical lighting like flashes. Shoots are generally more structured, with focused attention on lighting, posing, and clean backgrounds. The vibe: sharp, focused energy meets controlled lighting and attention to detail.

    Both deliver professional headshots, regardless of your profession—they just create different styles and feels. Before booking, consider the look you're going for and browse our Pinterest board for inspiration and ideas that resonate with your headshot goals and personal style.

BOOKING

  • Our limited-spot monthly Studio 20 sessions book up 3-4 weeks in advance. Other studio and on-location sessions typically have availability within 1-2 weeks. Team and startup sessions generally require 3-4 weeks minimum (6-8 weeks for large organizations).

    Our booking system doesn't allow same-day or next-day appointments, but if you need a rush session within 72 hours, email us at hello@signed.nyc and we'll do our best to accommodate!

  • We require 72 hours notice to reschedule without penalty. Cancellations within 72 hours of your session forfeit your deposit. We get it—life happens—so just communicate with us as early as possible. For full details, see our Cancellation, Rescheduling, and Deposits policy [link].

  • We'll reschedule at no charge. NYC weather is unpredictable, and we won't shoot in conditions that won't give you amazing photos. You and your headshots deserve the best weather possible.We ask that you obtain the necessary permissions to ensure that shooting is allowed at your requested location. We will do everything in our ability to coordinate with you and any involved parties to ensure a smooth booking and shooting process.

  • We don't currently offer installment payment plans, but we're working on it!

    For most sessions, we require a 50% deposit to book, with the balance due the day of your session. Important: Proofs will not be shared until payment is complete.

    For group sessions (like model Digitals), we allow split payments between participants.

    We accept all major debit and credit cards, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, and cash. For corporate clients, we work as vendors and can accommodate invoice-based payment.

  • Absolutely! We want you to feel comfortable and supported. Bring a friend, family member, agent, or colleague—just let us know in advance so we can accommodate. We ask that guests stay out of the shooting area and let us work our magic without interruption.

    Please note: Anyone under the age of 18 is required to have a parent or legal guardian present throughout the entire shoot.

  • Yes, if the studio allows it. Let us know in your booking notes and we'll confirm based on the location.

    Please let us know in your booking notes if you would like to bring your pet and we will do our best to accommodate.

    Please note: sessions and packages may not be booked as pet photography shoots, or pet/pet-parent sessions. We’ve crafted our sessions around headshots and portraits, which is our specialty. But we are perfectly happy if you want us to snap a couple quick pics of you and your pet!

  • Yes! We have special pricing for teams. Click here to get an estimate for your team headshots.

BEFORE YOUR SESSION

  • Each session includes a specific number of looks—check your package details for how many outfits to bring.

    In general, choose solid colors that complement your skin tone and eyes. Avoid busy patterns, logos, bright whites, and all black. Think: simple, flattering, and "you on a good day."

    Need inspiration? We've curated a Pinterest board of headshots we love (from other photographers) to help guide your styling. Screenshot your favorites and share them with us after booking.

    Have specific wardrobe questions? Email us at hello@signed.nyc—we're happy to help!

  • Hair: Keep it clean, natural, and styled like your everyday look—not drastically different from how you normally wear it. Hair is notoriously difficult to retouch in post-production, so we highly recommend getting it professionally styled before your session.

    For sessions 60+ minutes: We strongly recommend having a hair and makeup artist on standby throughout the shoot to touch up between looks. HMUA services are a separate charge, and we're happy to coordinate this for you.

    Nails: Keep them short and neutral (clear, nude, or light pink) unless you're going for a specific styled look.

  • The best sessions happen when you're calm and confident. Get a good night's sleep, stay hydrated, and do whatever helps you feel relaxed that morning—whether that's a workout, meditation, or just a good breakfast.

    Arrive with clean hair and makeup (natural "you on a good day" makeup, not dramatic). Bring your outfits pressed and wrinkle-free. We'll handle the rest!

  • We typically shoot 1-3 hours before sunset (golden hour) for the most flattering light. That said, New York has plenty of natural shade throughout the day, so we can make beautiful images at almost any time. We'll schedule based on season, weather forecast, and your availability.

DURING THE SHOOT

  • We'll start by spending a few minutes getting to know you. The best photos come from genuine chemistry between photographer and subject—not from rushing straight into shooting.

    We'll also discuss your goals for the session and review any reference photos you shared. Then we'll dive in! We'll guide you through poses, expressions, and angles—no modeling experience needed (even if you're a model).

    For many packages, the camera is tethered to our monitor so you can see shots in real time. We'll adjust lighting, angles, and posing as we go. Between outfit changes, we'll review what's working and plan the next look. It's collaborative, relaxed, and honestly pretty fun. Most clients are surprised by how quickly the time flies.

  • Outdoor sessions are by nature a bit more dynamic than studio. We'll move between multiple backdrops and different background areas within your location—interesting buildings, greenery, urban textures—trying different angles, expressions, and lighting as we go. We'll work with natural light and shadows to create variety. We can review shots on the back of the camera and adjust your look or posing. The vibe is more casual and energetic than studio, and you'll end up with a much more diverse range of images from different settings.

  • Everyone feels this way at first—even seasoned professionals Think of “being photogenic" as a skill—one that we help you to develop this in real-time during the shoot. We specialize in making people feel comfortable and look natural. We'll coach you through everything, give you constant feedback, crack some jokes, and won't stop shooting until you love what you see. That's literally our job. By the end of the session, most clients forget they were ever nervous.

  • Yes! Live Preview is included in most studio packages packages. You'll see shots on our monitor in real-time and we can make adjustments on the fly. Outdoor sessions don't include Live Preview, but you will be able to look at the back of the camera during the shoot.

    All sessions include same-day proofing—you'll get access to your full online gallery by 8pm the same day so you can review everything while the session is still fresh.

  • Definitely. If there's a particular angle that works well for you, or a pose you've seen that you like, let us know! That said, we'll also guide you toward what we know works based on your face shape, body type, and the specific use case for your headshots (theatrical vs. commercial, corporate vs. creative, etc.). Think of it as a collaboration—you know yourself, we know what photographs well. Together we'll create something great.

  • Absolutely! In fact, we encourage it. Before your session, check out our curated Pinterest board of headshots we love (from other photographers)—screenshot your favorites and share them with us after booking. You can also bring any other reference photos you've found that inspire you. We highly recommend sharing any reference imagery with us beforehand, that way we have time to review, discuss, and plan the lighting and backgrounds accordingly.

    During the session, we'll use these references to understand your vision and give us a roadmap for poses, expressions, and lighting styles you're hoping to achieve. We'll use them as inspiration while still making sure the final shots feel authentic to you, not like you're copying someone else's look.

  • Generally, yes! Shorter sessions like our monthly back to back sessions don’t allow for breaks because the sessions are short and efficient. But we can use short breaks to review images and make adjustments.

    Longer shoots, 1-2+ hour sessions certainly allow for breaks. We'll naturally pause between outfit changes and location moves, but if you need a water break, bathroom break, or just a moment to reset mentally, just let us know. Some clients like to keep the energy going without stopping, others prefer more structured breaks. We'll follow your lead and make sure you're comfortable throughout.

  • Guests are welcome to offer encouragement, help you decide between outfits, and give their opinion during review moments. However, during the actual shooting, we ask that they stay out of the shooting area and let us work without interruption. Too many voices giving direction mid-pose can be confusing and break your focus. We'll build in natural pause points where your guest can weigh in—think of them as your second set of eyes during reviews, not a co-director during the shoot.

    We understand that many agents or managers have specific requirements or requests based on casting calls. We welcome that input, but we ask for any specifics to be shared with us before your session. Unfortunately, free reshoots are not allowed if the agent or manager gives feedback after the images are shot.

  • Yes! All of our partner studios have private changing areas and restrooms. You'll have space to change between looks, touch up your hair and makeup, and take breaks as needed. If you're bringing a hair and makeup artist, there will be adequate space for them to work between setups as well.

    For outdoor shoots, we try to select locations that are near a coffeeshop with a restroom or place to take a break.

AFTER THE SHOOT

  • You'll receive your watermarked proofs in a private online gallery by 8pm the day of your shoot. Once you select your favorites, we'll deliver your final retouched images within about 5-10 business days, depending on your package.

    Be sure to reference the details in the specific packages for specific turnaround times.

    Expedited turnaround available as a session add-on.

  • The choice depends on how your headshots will be used and displayed. For print, publications, or large-format website imagery, we recommend mid to top-tier retouching (Tier II or III) to ensure your photos look polished at any size. For digital profiles like LinkedIn or images displayed in smaller formats, Basic Editing through Tier II will work well.

    We offer four editing tiers:

    • Basic Editing (included)

    • Tier I (entry-level professional retouching)

    • Tier II (mid-level professional retouching)

    • Tier III (top-tier professional retouching)

    For executives: Tier II and III are excellent choices for high-profile images.

    For actors and models: Tier II works best for most headshots and test sessions. Model digitals include minimal editing per standard agency guidelines.

    For workplace professionals: Basic Editing or Tier I is sufficient for digital needs like LinkedIn profiles. For publications, print, or press releases, consider Tier II or III.

    You can learn more about our retouching process and packages at signed.nyc/retouching.

  • With 100-1500 images in your proof gallery depending on your package, this is extremely rare. But if it happens, we'll work with you to figure out what went wrong and find a solution. We want you to be happy with your shots.

  • Yes! Additional images are $35 each and includes Basic Editing. Tier I, II, and III retouching is available for purchase. Bulk discounts available. You'll have access to your proof gallery for one year in case you decide you want to purchase additional images in the future.

  • High-resolution and web resolution JPEGs optimized for your intended use (actor submissions, LinkedIn, agency applications, etc.). Files are properly sized and named for easy uploading and organization.

  • Once you purchase your final images, you receive full usage rights and can use them however you need—submissions, websites, social media, prints, etc. SIGNED retains copyright ownership of the photographs per our Terms of Use.

  • Absolutely. 24-hour rush delivery is available to select at checkout at an additional charge. We offer a sliding scale for rush delivery the more images you purchase.