FAQs

Yes. I completely understand that things get in the way. If you reschedule with more than 72 hours' (three days) notice, there is no charge. Rescheduling within 72 hours of the shoot will mean that the session deposit is lost and will need to be paid again. Cancellation will result in the deposit being forfeited.

It's rare, but it can happen. I'm an actor too - and a human. Sometimes acting gigs may come up or I may be too ill to shoot (nobody wants a photographer coughing all over them for three hours...). If I do ever have to reschedule, I will refund you the cost of your deposit of a gesture of goodwill and get you booked back in asap.

All of my pricing can be found here.

Click here to head to my booking page. Simply select a session and follow the steps to book.

Each session is two hours long. You don't have to use the full two hours, but I'd rather you have the option to try a number of garments, hairstyles and lighting setups than you leave feeling rushed and short-changed...

From time-to-time, I offer discounts and run competitions for free headshot sessions on social media. Give me a follow on Instagram: @whheadshots or X, the artist formerly known as Twitter: @whheadshots to stay in the loop!

Send me an email and I'll look at the diary. I'll squeeze something in if I can!

When completing the booking form, a £25 deposit is required to secure a session. The remainder is payable ay time before 5PM on the day prior to your session. Once a booking is made, an invoice will follow for the remaining balance. Payment by bank transfer is preferred.

I always endeavour to send your contact sheets on the evening of the shoot, or the very next day. Any longer and I'll give you a heads up.

You will receive three professionally edited images. We won't edit them much, as they need to look like you, but they will all receive a basic treatment to ensure they're tip-top.

Once you've chosen your final images and confirmed any notes for the editor, I always say to allow a week. Sometimes it may take a little longer and sometimes they may come back the next day! It all depends on my editor's workload. If there is going to be a delay, I will keep you informed. If you're in a rush, let me know and we can try to get things sped up.

Sadly, no. I want to ensure that all of my work that reaches the public domain is as good as it can be. Unedited images are only a first draft, so to speak.

Yes, additional images can be purchased for £25 each, which covers the editing costs and licensing.

Of course! The studio is fairly basic but there is a mirror, changing area and plenty of plugs and surfaces. We have two hours to shoot, so how you use the time is entirely up to you. On makeup: I tend to suggest a natural amount of makeup as a casting director wants to see a realistic version of you. If you don't wear a lot day-to-day, then there's no need to put extra on for the session. Your pictures need to look like the you that walks through the door at an audition. If you do wear a lot, that's cool, but the camera is incredibly detailed, so it will pick it up. I always say that we want the pictures to look like you, on a good day.

Have a look at other actors’ headshots and see what you like (or don’t) about them. If you have one, speak to your agent and ask about the roles they submit you for. Think about the roles you tend to play and would like to play. Have a look at any previous headshots you've had and think about what did and didn't work for you. In the week leading up to the shoot, rest well and keep hydrated - it’s great for your skin! Ideally, don't go out partying in the days leading up to your headshot session; you want to be looking your best, not exhausted and hungover. Remember, your headshots are an investment in your career; don't short-change yourself.

Don't panic! And don't layer on the makeup to try and hide it. The wonders of technology mean that removing spots from photos is as simple as one click of the mouse in Photoshop. We won't edit the images much at all, but little adjustments won't hurt.

Bring as many options as you want; it’s great to have choice. Try lots of different colours, styles, materials etc. If there is something that you always wear, bring that, but also try things that you wouldn’t normally wear too, you never know how they will look in the photo! Your clothing doesn't need to be immaculate but too much creasing etc can make for a tough edit. I do have a steamer available to tidy up garments but please bear in mind that this may eat into studio time. Really do put some thought into the garments that you bring; there is only so much we can do with three of the same round-neck t-shirt in different shades of blue. The most successful sessions are those where we've been able to experiment with fabrics, textures, necklines and layering. Think about how you feel where you wear a dress or suit compared to how you feel in loose-fitting sportswear - it will definitely have an effect on the photograph. On the day of the shoot, we’ll have a look at all the options and discuss which outfits would work best to achieve our aims.

Of course. You have two hours and how you use the time is up to you. The studio is quite basic, but I do have a mirror and hoover for those that want to dry shave in the studio - or a sink and running water can be used in the toilets for those that wet shave. As an actor who has a beard myself, I would say to really think about how useful having facial (or not) is in your headshots. Is it your casting? Do you normally have a beard day-to-day? Remember, a casting director wants to see an accurate representation of you, so if you're normally clean shaven and it takes you six weeks to grow a beard for a job that is in four, it's probably not ideal!

I would advise against getting your hair cut just before the shoot as there’s always the possibility that it may not turn out quite how you’d hoped, leaving you feeling deflated and self-conscious. If you’re going to have your hair cut, plan to have it done a couple of weeks before the shoot to give the look time to bed in.

Ideally, no. Consider if you will feel self-conscious having your photos taken in front of somebody else. What we want is to create images that are relaxed, natural and radiate personality, so if you find that you censor yourself in front of mum or dad, we may not capture the real you. Swear away! Also, the studio is small and we work in low light, it may be a little boring for them. If you feel that you would be more comfortable with a friend/parent, that's all ok, but please let me know in advance and I'll make sure I've got enough milk in!

I am based in the Universal Building in Ardwick, Manchester. (Google Maps) The studio is a five-minute taxi ride from Manchester Piccadilly train station for those who aren't familiar with the area.

The studio is on the fourth floor of the building, normally accessed by stairs. For those who find stairs tricky, we can access a goods lift; this isn't glamorous, but it does the job. For those who have more complicated access needs, please do get in touch and I can arrange an alternative studio at my own expense in order to ensure you don't miss out on a shoot. Please contact me before booking as my online calendar applies to my studio.

I shoot indoors, using studio lighting. I find this allows for a greater deal of consistency and reduces the risk of cancelling shoots due to the ever-reliable Manchester rain...