FAQ

There are really three answers to this: 1 - For Trent, part of the fun and artistry of a headshot session is finding great light, so he usually shoots headshot sessions outdoors. He works hard to find locations that provide enough versatility to get fantastic images while also meeting your needs. 2 - Studio sessions are also available. Trent has a small home studio in the Arcadia neighborhood of Baltimore, MD, so most individual headshot sessions can happen there. He can also arrange for studio space in other cities on an as-needed basis. Studio rental fees may apply when space is rented. 3 - Your office or other location is also a possibility, especially if you have a group of people who need headshots. If that's the case, let's talk and figure out the best option for you. Equipment fees may apply.

Generally speaking, yes. I actually require chaperones for children under the age of 18, and I'm open to you bringing someone with you to the shoot if you're over the age of 18. The main thing is that your chaperone must not interfere with the shoot. Friends and chaperones who come to the shoot should be prepared to either hang out off to the side, or should be engaged in the session. It can be fun to have a second eye to look out for wardrobe malfunctions, fly-away hairs, and things like that. Some people also find it helpful to have a trusted friend with them to give helpful feedback throughout the shoot. Please let us know if you plan to bring someone with you, and limit them to one friend or up to two parents.

Trent will definitely be there to take the photos. In some cases, our photo assistant, Tobi, will also be there to help out. If you're shooting at the home studio, you may also have the opportunity to meet Troy, our co-owner, and our greeter, Otis.

In general, we recommend solid tops that complement your skin tone, eyes, and hair. But we'll give you a whole preparation guide once you schedule your headshot session. It will contain a lot more tips and tricks.

It depends. If you do wear makeup, Trent recommends very minimal makeup that evens out your skin tone. A natural lip is also fine. Please avoid eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, unnatural lip colors, and other beauty makeup. Actors, please don't try to cover things you see as flaws, such as scars, freckles, or things like that. You never know what a casting director is looking for, so that "flaw" may actually be the thing that gets you an audition. We'll cover makeup in a lot more detail in the preparation guide you'll receive after you book your session.

In general, your hair should look like it normally does on a typical day. Basically, how it might look when you go to an audition or a meeting. If you are lucky enough to have hair that is versatile, you may want to think about wearing it in different ways when you change looks during a Pro Session or a Portfolio Builder. If so, we'll game plan the hair changes before we start shooting to make things efficient. If you plan to get a haircut, please get it at least 4-5 days before your shoot. Never get one the day of the shoot or the day before. Don't tempt fate.

After your session ends, you can expect to receive your proofs within one week. We then ask that you make your selection(s) for retouching within one week. After you make your selections, please allow up to three weeks for your images to be delivered. We strive to retouch them much more quickly, but some weeks are busier than others. All images are delivered electronically. If you are interested, we can have the images printed for you for an additional fee. You may use the proofs and the retouched images for your personal professional purposes.

We usually do a few things when retouching an image. First, we make sure the overall image looks good in terms of exposure, white balance, and so on. Then we go in and really take a look at you and your features. We'll remove temporary blemishes such as pimples, cuts, scrapes, and other things like that. Stray hairs will be removed, as will other distracting bits in the image. Depending on other factors, we may whiten your teeth, highlight your eyes, and a few other things. Basically, retouching is done to make you look your best while being true to how you look in real life. We don't remove permanent features, no matter how much you dislike them. It may be possible to minimize them, but it would be dishonest to remove them altogether. Remember, you should look like yourself in your headshot.

We require a $200 deposit before you may book your session. The remainder of your session fee is due the day of your shoot. Your images will be delivered only after full payment is received.

Trent tends to shoots headshots on Thursday evening, Friday afternoon and evening, and all day on Saturday. Other times are available as his schedule allows. Consultations are usually held on Monday and Tuesday evenings, but other times are available as our schedule allows.

As standard practice in the industry (and law), the person who took the photo owns the copyright. That means Trent Haines-Hopper and THsquared Photography owns the copyright to all images he takes. The images Trent takes for you or your company will be provided to you with the stipulation that you may not sell or otherwise directly profit from the images. Instead, the images may be used by you for personal and professional activities. Among the acceptable uses are posting images to your personal or professional website and social media, and printing the images to use in auditions. Please tag us with "thsquaredphotos" when posting to Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and/or TikTok.

If you are going to be late at all, please text or call Trent to let him know your ETA, even if it just 2-3 minutes. Please be accurate in your assessment of how late you will be; don't say 5 minutes when your GPS say you'll be 15 minutes late. So that we all avoid tempting fate, we recommend that you allow for plenty of travel time in order to arrive 10-15 minutes early for your shoot. Trent tends to give himself about 15-30 extra minutes within Baltimore, and at least an extra hour when traveling to other cities. If you are going to be more than 15 minutes late, you may need to reschedule your shoot and pay a rescheduling fee of $25. In any event, your shoot will end at the appointed time, no matter how late you are.

Professionals know the secret, right? "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable." So if you're early, just let us know that you have arrived. We'll invite you to meet us as soon as we're available. Sometimes we'll be working with another client, sometimes we'll be setting up for you, and sometimes we might even be able to start before our scheduled time. If you arrive quite a bit early, stay in your car or find a coffee shop nearby. Take some time to relax and get your head in the zone. Use the time to think about what you want from the shoot, how you might approach some looks, and things like that. You may also want to look at your notes or listen to your favorite music or podcast.

Yes, and some of them will be coming soon. Trent has shot family portraits, high school senior pictures, personal branding, engagement photos, and newborn photos. Unfortunately, he does not shoot weddings.

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We are based in Baltimore, MD, but we also shoot headshots and theatrical work in Washington, DC, Philadelphia, PA, and New York, NY, along with their surrounding metropolitan areas. We're also willing to travel outside these areas, so let us know when and where!