How do I book a session?
Please contact me via the “Contact Me” form on this website for by email at VictorHowardPhotography@gmail.com. I always try to return messages and emails within two business days. Sessions can be reserved up to 3 months in advance.
Is there a contract I need to sign? Deposit?
Yes. After reserving a date for your session, you will be sent an agreement for the session. This agreement will need to be signed and returned to me, along with a $100 non-refundable deposit. Reserved dates will be released after 3 days if the signed agreement has not been returned or the initial deposit has not been paid. The balance of your session fee will be due 10 days prior to the reserved session day.
How to I make payments?
Upon receipt of the signed session contract, I will send you a Paypal invoice. Paypal is my preferred payment methods, however, I will gladly accept personal checks or hand-delivered cash.
How do I prepare for my session? What should I/we wear?
Each session has a unique purpose and will have unique needs for clothing styles, colors, etc. We will discuss clothing prior to your session so you may prepare appropriately. As general guidance, I have put together this tip sheet to prepare for a portrait photo session. I also encourage you to search the web for photos that reflect your desired outcome. Pay attention to clothing style, color, coordination, hair, makeup, etc.
What if I need to reschedule?
The initial deposit is non-refundable, but I will reschedule upon your request. Please let me know at least 24 hours before your scheduled session if you must reschedule. If you do not show up for a session and do not call at least 4 hours before the scheduled session time to cancel or postpone will not be rescheduled and the session fee will not be refunded. I will gladly reschedule for inclement weather that would negatively affect the session and the photos.
Where will you travel?
I am happy to travel to your location and have included travel in the session fee for most places within 25 miles of zip code 77042. This includes downtown Houston to Kat, River Oaks, Tanglewood, Memorial, Spring Valley, Town & Country, Westchase District, Energy Corridor, Sugar Land, and Cypress. There may be a small fee to cover gas and extra time for travel to other locations in the greater Houston areas. Prior to booking the session, I will confirm and travel cost and include it in the session fee invoice.
When will I get to see the photos?
About 7 to 14 days following your session, the photos will be loaded to your online gallery and you will be emailed a link to the gallery. You may view and share this gallery with friends and family. The gallery will remain active for a minimum of 30 days and may be removed anytime after this viewing period. You should be prepared to place your order within this time frame. All prints, albums, digital files and other products will be sold at current prices when the order is placed. Images chosen for the gallery are selected at the photographer’s sole discretion based on the quality, composition, light, and expression of each image. Please be advised that image color, brightness, darkness can vary greatly from monitor to monitor.
Will you professional enhanced the photos?
I will select all final photos and they will be professionally enhanced to meet the needs of the photo session. For portrait or headshot sessions, the objective is to make the photo look natural, just better, and not fundamentally change the image or make it look “photoshopped”. I will adjust color and contrast, smooth skin, and remove distracting objects/items to make the photo look the best it can look. For models or fashion photos, additional enhancing may be applied to achieve the final look desired for the photo’s purpose.
What type of prints are available?
My objective is to provide you with beautiful images that will bring joy and memories to you for a lifetime. Prints, additional digital images, photo books, and other products may be purchased separately. Prints and digital images may purchased directly through the website or through me. Photo books require additional work and will be priced separately based upon your specific needs. I use true professional print labs known for their quality, attention to detail, color management. Prints can be done on a variety of print media including
• Standard Lustre offering the vibrant colors of glossy with a fingerprint-resistant matte finish.
• Canvas Giclée printed directly on to museum-quality canvas material with a protective spray coat to protect it from scratches or other damages. Canvas prints are available as a wrap for stand-alone presentation, as a stretch for presenting your image in a frame, or mounted on Gator Foamboard.
• MetalPrints create a true archival work of art by infusing dyes directly into specially coated aluminum sheets showing incredible detail and luminescence. MetalPrints come ready-to-hang.
Can I print hi-resolution digital images that I purchased?
Absolutely! That is what they are for.
What is providing proper photographer credit?
When you use the photos on various websites and in various media (see below), it is a good and proper practice to provide the photographer credit for the photo. Different websites and media handle providing that credit in different ways. I simply ask that you would either place or request the proper credit for the photo when using it on the website or in approved media. If I see one of my photos on a website without the proper credit, I won’t be mad at you, but I may send you a simple reminder. I love seeing my work published and shared, I just want people to know it is my work. ;-)
Can I use the photos on my website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, or other social media?
Yes. BUT, please give proper credit to Victor Howard Photography. Low-resolution images will have a watermark, however, hi-resolution images you purchase will not have a watermark. Please note photo credit in the comments or description section. It would be awesome if you could even provide a link back to my website or Facebook page. Also, I am happy to do a quick crop if you need a special size for a social media site.
Can I use the photos on profession website for actors and models?
Yes, but, again, please give proper credit where you can. IMDb and ModelMayhem provide the ability to give proper photographer credit. Actors Access does not provide the ability to give proper credit for the photo.
Can I provide the photos to the newspapers, magazines, video or other media outlets to publish with an article or interview about me?
Yes, but they must provide proper photographer credit. The media outlet should maintain the integrity of the photo and not alter it. If they alter the photo or use it beyond an expected purpose for the photo, they must obtain permission from me, provide proper credit, and may be required to pay a fee for the use of the photo.
Who “owns” the rights to the photos? I paid you for the photos and I purchase the image or print, why don’t I own the copyright?
According to Federal Copyright Act of 1976, photographers own the copyrights and photographs are protected by copyright from the moment of creation. Photographers have the exclusive right to reproduce their photographs, create derivative works, distribute copies, sale or lease copies, and display photographs publicly. Unless you have permission from the photographer, you can’t copy, distribute (no scanning and sending them to others), publicly display (no putting them online), or create derivative works from photographs. Please be aware, if any photographer simply hands you a disk of photos and does not provide you a release for the use of those photos, it is a violation of copyright law (ahem, illegal) for you to do anything with those photos. When you work with me, our contract will include a limited release outlining acceptable action you can take with photos you purchase. This contract and release protects both of us. An exception to this law is when the photo falls into the “work-for-hire” category. This is when the photographer is an employee hired to take photos for the employer (e.g. newspaper photographer). I am available for work-for-hire, but it is an exception not the rule for my engagements.