Here are the answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have a question not answered here or want any more information on a particular topic, please feel free to email portraits@mikemarcus.co.uk. We promise never to give your address to anyone else and you will receive a response from a real human rather than a copy/paste from a standard list of replies.*

Can I book one session for both me and my colleague/partner?

Yes but we charge per person rather than per session so make sure that you book for the correct number of people. You can find details on how to do this on the booking page.

If you take 50 photos of me during the shoot, can I have all of them to do what I want with?

You absolutely can. However it would obviously take a very long time to retouch each one individually and there would be little point in doing so as many of the images will be very similar to each other. For that reason, Its better to pick a few favourites which you feel best present you. These will be retouched and delivered to you in the perfect format for printing and posting online. If you require, in addition to your retouched portfolio of portraits you can request the complete set of raw photographs from the shoot. You will be charged a small fee (£20) for this to cover the cost of time, materials and shipping. To reduce overheads (and therefore the price you are charged) we don't archive data, so we won't be able to supply you with any images at a later date.

Is there a maximum number of photographs that I can select for retouching?

Most clients pick 3 or 4 favourites from the shoot. You can select more but bear in mind that the more images that need to be retouched, the less time can be spent on each. Think quality not quantity. It's better to come away with a few beautiful images rather than many which haven't had the attention they deserve.

You say that during the shoot I can take as much or as little time as I want. Is there a limit?

Most people like to be photographed for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Your session can last up to a maximum of two and a half hours including photo selection. In our experience, this is more time than you'll either want or need in order to get great profile shots.

I live/want to use a location outside London. Can you do this?

For the standard portrait service, any home/office/outdoor location must be within reach of the London Underground Tube. Other locations are possible, but additional travel costs may be charged, so get in touch* to discuss any non-Tube-able locations before booking your shoot.

What should I wear for my portrait session?

If you have white or light skin, wearing black is a good idea for a moody or dramatic look as it leads the viewer's attention right to the face. It also can help make some people look slimmer. Otherwise a plain colour is recommended, either significantly lighter or darker than your skin tone and not too brightly coloured. Keep it simple and avoid patterns. Remember that you want people to concentrate on your face.

Can you give me any ideas to help me decide a style of photo?

Sure. You might prefer darker and enigmatic, or bright and airy. Try googling "high key" and "low key" to get an idea of the difference. Think about whether you want to appear smart and professional or casual and informal. Maybe bring a prop which demonstrates something about your life or you could engage in an activity which is important to you. Are you a chess player or extreme knitter? If your portraits are for a dating website you might want to go for fun, romantic or seductive and scintillating. Think outside the box. Our high-end equipment is entirely portable so no location is out of the question (although underwater might take some planning). For more ideas, visit the gallery.

Do you shoot nude and semi-nude portraits?

Yes but let's keep it tasteful. Email in advance to discuss your requirements before booking. If you want to avoid marks on your skin, don't wear any underwear or tight fitting clothes for an hour or two before the shoot.

*We might put you on our private mailing list to keep you informed of news and special offers. You will only receive mail from us and only regarding photographic services. If you don't wish to be added, just say so in your message.