Asking For A Friend?
Or just scroll for the FAQ
Our process together:
I. Book the date
This happens either during a consult over video, or after an extended consultation between phone, video and email. Simply put, we can't effectively work if we don't know what we're doing or when, or even how.
II. Make the book
Cathy comes out. And Cathy chats with you. And the more you chat with Cathy, the more your vision takes an actual shape. Maybe you already pinned a thing or two, or bookmarked a tweet or saved a reel on IG. Even if you didn't, Cathy wants to know how you want to feel. And Cathy's gonna organize all those thoughts on the matter. It's me. I'm Cathy.
III. SIT FOR PORTRAITS
Or stand. Or squat or dougie. If you have the moves already, I'll talk less. Just the same, if you're nervous about posing or looking good, I'll talk more. Sessions average four - six hours. Sometimes, definitely less. Sometimes a lil more.
IV. Enjoy Yourself
The average edit window is four - six weeks, during which time you'll receive segmented waves of images. Just like the time of your session, sometimes it's less, sometimes it's more. And, in each case, your portraits are carefully being pored over, with careful attention being paid to as many details as possible.
FAQ
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK MY SESSION?
One month in advance is always ideal -- life is wild for everyone. That said:
For full day sessions , please book no sooner than 2 weeks before your session.
For partial day sessions, please book no sooner than 1 week.
For headshots and mini sessions, please book no sooner than three days.
DO YOU ONLY PHOTOGRAPH WOMEN?
No, I am femme - focused.
While it is true that women do take priority for me, I also love to show as many sides as possible to men and I welcome non-binary identifying folk to approach me for portraits when they feel ready.
DO YOU ONLY PHOTOGRAPH BLACK PEOPLE?
No, and similarly to the previous answer: melanin comes first.
The standards of beauty or otherwise socially acceptable entertainment are still largely Eurocentric.
I want to give a treatment that is Hollywood, magazine and runway -- things that still typify Eurocentricity -- as much as I can to everyone that I photograph, but especially so to people with darker skin tones, or who otherwise might escape the immediate artistic gaze.
DO YOU HAVE A STUDIO?
Yes, I photograph from my modest home studio in Congress Heights, Washington, D.C. Please do not come with a posse. One person is cool. Two is getting cozy.
I am a 5 - 10 minute walk from the metro station of the same name (depending on how long your legs are) and, excluding Sundays, there's almost always a parking spot in front of the building.
DO YOU ONLY PHOTOGRAPH IN STUDIO?
Nope. I don't be in these skreets. But if the project calls for it, of course, I'm there.
DO YOU COVER PARTIES & EVENTS?
No.
Choose Neat Shiny Owl for fine-art portraits, boudoir or non-traditional headshot sessions by appointment.
WHAT IF I NEED A LAST MINUTE PHOTOGRAPHER?
I'm almost guaranteed to not show up or accommodate last minute sessions of any kind.
I appreciate you for understanding.
WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG?
It's not guaranteed to. Some folks have been able to breeze through a session in as little as two hours.
But quality portraits are very intimate, regardless of genre. Some people will take longer to reach ideal vulnerability for their greatest images. And then, a light might need readjusting, just like a shirt needs a safety pin and a quick steam mid-session. Sometimes, there's food. And just about always, there's music. Dancing can't be rushed.
AREN'T PORTRAITS AND HEADSHOTS THE SAME THING?
Headshots are self-defining: they are photographs of a subject's head and/or shoulders, clearly showing the face and, ideally, the personality of the subject.
Portraits, yes, can also be of the head and shoulders, though typically include the entire form.
If a headshot is a resume, a portrait is a C.V.
WILL I LOOK ASHY?
Even if it serves to tell a story........ almost certainly not.
I'm a big fan of moisturized skin. I don't want you out here bringing dishonor to yourself, your family or your cow.
Oil and butter up, fam. I got you.
CAN YOU EDIT MY FAT?
Only if you want me to.
My default setting is switched to: everyone is retouched. Usually it's minimal, sometimes it's stylized.
But if you're thick, you're thick. And if you're skinny, you're skinny. And I want to honour that.
CAN YOU RE-EDIT?
Absolutely! The first one is on the house. After that, we need to feed Seymour.
GOT PAYMENT PLANS?
Yep. Easy is better, isn't it?
DO YOU DO MAKEUP?
Me personally? No. And not everyone's session calls for makeup.
That said, the sooner you secure your session date, the sooner we can secure your makeup artist for said date. I know a few. They're all dope, I promise.