FAQ. I get asked a lot of questions so I hope this page will help you…

Updated 11 September 2023

Can I just turn up at your office address for a photoshoot?

No, sorry. All photoshoots and meetings must be arranged in advance. My office is a co-working space and I’m rarely there as I’m often on location or working from home. To avoid disappointment, please do not turn up without an appointment.

Do you have a studio?

No, I don’t work from a photography studio. Similarly, I never use studio lighting on location.

Do you do passport photos?

No. I don’t know anyone who does so I can only suggest using a photobooth.

What’s your Covid protocol?

To protect my health, our families and my other clients, I’m still being cautious about Covid-19. For peace of mind, I'm triple-vaxxed and I am still doing Covid tests when needed. I respectfully ask clients to postpone their shoot if they’re feeling unwell. Being self-employed, ill health and isolation have a huge impact on my income.

Could you come to my office or home? Can we shoot in a fancy hotel?

Yes. Probably. Maybe. Tell me about the location you have in mind and I’ll figure out if it fits my style and your photography needs. Some venues require a fee. Living in Scotland, we’ll also come up with a plan for bad weather. I do have use of a couple of spaces with natural light if needed.

Can you come to Edinburgh or Manchester or London or Paris or Shettleston?

Yes. I'm based in Glasgow but often travel for work. I'll even go all the way to the west end from the south side. I’m so brave! Get in touch and let me know what you need.

What do you charge?

It depends on the work involved. I have several package options available for portrait photography - these depend on the number of edited images you want and what you need them for. For animals, commercial, events, parties and TV/film stills, I have a day rate and half day rate. Please get in touch to tell me what you need and I’ll send you my relevant price guide or give you a bespoke quote.

Do you photograph weddings?

Yes. I am happy to photograph full weddings, half days, wedding receptions, multi-day weddings, tiny weddings, micro weddings and elopements. I have a dedicated website for weddings.

When do I pay you? Can I pay by credit card?

I usually only accept payment via bank transfer. I’ll advise when I send your quote. I no longer accept cheques. International payments can be paid via Transferwise or bank transfer.

How far in advance can I book you?

My diary changes very quickly so get in touch if you have a date in mind. Some of my work is booked months or two years in advance, but some of it comes in at the last minute and I’ll do my best to accommodate you. For the sake of my sanity, it’s easier to have dates in my diary in plenty of time. If I’m not available for your shoot, I have a great network of professional photographers so hopefully I can find someone to suit your needs.

Are you insured?

Absolutely. I have full insurance for my camera kit, along with public liability and professional indemnity insurance, and a basic disclosure from Disclosure Scotland (renewed March 2023). 

How long have you been a photographer?

I have been a full-time, self-employed professional photographer since April 2010. Before that, I taught myself photography while working at events, gigs and festivals during a long career at the BBC, often taking pictures that appeared across the BBC websites and in the press. I’ve done a few professional workshops but I’m pretty much self-taught.

I’m nervous about being photographed and I hate my nose/chin/lips. Can you help me?

I hear this all the time and I know exactly how you feel. I'm very good at putting nervous people at ease so please don’t worry. During a portrait shoot, it can sometimes take a wee bit of time to relax but I’ll work with you. Together we’ll find your best angles that won’t draw attention to anything you hate. And I have tricks to help you avoid the dreaded double chin.

Will you ask me to strike a pose at my portrait shoot? Will I have to do anything uncomfortable?

No. I will ask you to sit or stand in a particular place, where you're in the best light with the most photogenic background. And then we’ll just chat while I shoot. I may ask you to look at the camera or look to the side. I might ask you to move your hand if it’s looking odd in the frame. But I will not ask you to do anything that makes you feel awkward. There’s no posing or cheesy grins.

Will you make me look two sizes smaller? Will you airbrush me?

No. My editing involves tweaking colour, light, and removing the odd stray hair or spot if necessary. I won't undertake any manipulation of the images. I can provide a quote for any additional outsourced Photoshop editing if you wish it but please don’t ask me to make people look skinnier or plasticise their skin.

Can you get rid of the spot that appeared on the day of our shoot?

Yes! As I said, I don’t believe in airbrushing but you shouldn’t have to put up with a spot in all your marketing images just because it turned up on your chin to spite you.

My web designer needs photos to fit into a specific space on my website and I really want pictures with plenty of space for text. Can you do that?

Yes, as long as you tell me before the shoot. Unless otherwise asked, I usually supply a mix of landscape and portrait images. If you need them, I can focus on including shots that feature plenty of negative space or super-wide croppable images for web banners and Facebook cover photos.

I’m not a business owner. I don’t have a ‘brand’. I just want new online dating photos.

No problem! If you're sick of selfies and iPhone snaps on Bumble, Hinge, eHarmony and Match, I can help. Professional photos that show your personality make a great difference to your online dating profile, and I'm always discreet if you don't want anybody to know about your shoot. I’ve done loads of research into how people feel about photos they see on online dating sites, so I can help you figure out the right type of images to use.

You have other people’s photos all over your website and social media. I don’t want anybody to see mine. Will you keep them private?

Of course. I have photographed a lot of teachers, health professionals, well-known faces, vulnerable people, children and sensitive events… and those photos remain private. Obviously the photos I put online help others see my work but there are different levels of privacy and I'm happy to chat them through with you. I won't put any of your photos online without your permission.

Will you do those black and white photos with one colour showing through?

No. No, no, no, no, no. No.

Can you do a family shoot for me?

No. I’ll do a few family photos during a party, event or wedding but I don’t do standalone family photography. I love capturing candid photos of kids running round having fun but I won’t do ‘posed’, formal pictures of them. They hate it and the pictures don’t reflect their true characters. I can recommend brilliant photographer friends if you need names.

Can you take pictures of me with my cat, dog or hamster?

Oh yes, please. Bring it on. I work with animals a lot, professionally and as a volunteer for rescue centres. I always carry dog biscuits around. I have a strong connection with furry creatures and I’m particularly good with nervous pets. Be warned though: if there’s an animal in the vicinity, I might ignore you and focus entirely on them instead.

Do you do product photography?

No. I’ll photograph objects in situ during an event or personal branding shoot, in natural light or in a pretty, photogenic space, but I don’t do white background/studio-style images and I don’t have my own natural light space to work on products.

Do you do food photography?

No. It’s a specialist area I’m not trained in and I’d only be interested in photographing a packet of crisps. I know some excellent food photographers if you need names.

Do you do landscape photography?

No. I don’t feel I have an eye for landscapes. I have brilliant friends who are dedicated to the art of landscape photography so get in touch if you’d like their details.

Do you do interiors/property/architectural photography?

Yes and no. I’ve photographed many building exteriors for clients for commercial purposes - I will add more info about that line of work to my website soon - but I do not do interiors or property shoots. I can, as always, refer you to another amazing photographer.

Can I have the RAW files?

No. One day maybe I’ll expand this to explain why. For now, please accept I only supply finished images.

Will I have copyright of the photos you take for me?

Another no, I’m afraid. I retain copyright of all of my work and it’s very unlikely I’d consider offers to buy copyright from me.

Can you shoot something for me for free? It’ll be great for your portfolio, I’ll give you lots of exposure on my social media, and I’ll give you paid work in the future!

Sigh. No. Please don’t ask. My portfolio is just dandy, thank you. As much as I love photography, I am running a business and can’t pay my mortgage with the much-hyped ‘exposure’. It’s very unlikely I’d do a ‘swap’ either.

Could you come and speak to kids at my school’s careers event?

Maybe! That’s a nice change from a ‘no’, isn’t it? I often do talks at schools so please get in touch and tell me when and where, and I’ll let you know if I can help.

Are you on social media?

I can't keep away from it. It's an unhealthy addiction. You'll find me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. My Insta stories are awful. Sorry about that.

Do I get a prize for reading all of this really long page?

Yes! You win my gratitude and respect. Prizes like that can’t be bought, you know.

I have a new question nobody else has asked. Can you… ?

I’m intrigued. To ask me a question or request a quote, fill in this contact form, call me on 07710 777121, or email julie@juliebee.co.uk. Thanks!

julie@juliebee.co.uk • 07710 777121