frequently asked questions

Is Brett a guy?

Nope! Brett is a beautiful, whip-smart, redheaded lady.

What type of services do you offer?

We are a photography and media makeup studio. We offer both photoshoots and media makeup + hairstyling for headshots, branding sessions, team headshots, editorial, corporate, portraits, families, pets, weddings, and lessons in image strategy for personal branding and styling. You can book one of our many photoshoots that include styling options, or you can book stand-alone photography or makeup and hairstyling for media and events. You can check out the full list of services in detail HERE. If you’re looking for something not listed, please contact us to discuss your needs. We are not a salon, so there are no other beauty services available that do not pertain to only makeup + hairstyling for photoshoots and events.

Who will I be working with for my services?

All styling and photography services are booked with Brett Dorrian Benedict exclusively. Extra staff is rarely brought on board and only if there’s a need for extra helpers for a large project or booking.

How much do services cost?

You can check out all pricing and packages via our online booking system.

How do I book studio services?

We do all our bookings online through our online booking system. Only larger branding photoshoots, team headshots on location, or wedding services require a consultation for planning purposes and possibly site visits prior to services and may require a more custom quote. All smaller sessions at the studio do not warrant additional planning conversations. If you call or email to discuss booking one of those, we are happy to chat through any questions you may have and you will subsequently be redirected to the online booking site to make it official.

How do I book services outside of available appointment hours listed online?

The online booking system is indicative of available dates/times as per the days of the week and hours of the day available for each type of service (i.e. photoshoots are made available for good natural light while styling services will be offered at earlier and later times in the day since the styling stations provide the light needed).

Do you come on-site for styling or photoshoots?

Unless we discuss otherwise, your styling and photoshoot services will take place at the studio in St. Paul (inside and outside weather permitting as desired for photoshoots). Please contact Brett for any special requests before booking online.

How do I prepare for Headshots?

Here is our Headshots Prep PDF that has pointers for wardrobe, styling, and wellness.

What time should I arrive to my appointment at the studio?

Right on time is perfect!  We book all clients by appointment only, so we’ll be ready for you at your start time.  If you arrive early, you can hang tight in your car or go grab coffee/snacks across the street at Rose Street Patisserie or YUM until your appointment time. The front door of our building is unlocked during business hours; however, there is no formal lobby beyond the vestibule entrance, so you wouldn’t have a great spot to hangout while you wait.

Where should I park at the at the studio, located inside the Park Building?

There is free street parking out front and down the block. Please note that the parking is busy if it’s during meal times or peak shopping hours, as we’re located inside of an old Art Deco building that sits among many shops and restaurants.

Can I bring my dog?

Only if our plan is to do your photoshoot outside. The studio is located inside of a building that is not pet friendly unless it is a certified therapy dog.  

Does the studio provide any wardrobe, accessories, or props for my photoshoot?

No, we do not. You will be required to provide all clothing and jewelry (and appropriate undergarments) for your session and bring everything along. If you want to be working on a laptop, holding something, interacting with something, etc., for branding, you need to pack a bag of work-type things. If you are doing any family photos or themes for kiddos, you need to plan to bring that with as well.

What should I wear for my portrait or family photoshoot?

You should think about what makes you most comfortable and what you want to convey in your images.  Some people want to be more conservative and some like to be more casual.  Most importantly, you should feel like yourself in your lifestyle photos. Pick a couple of main colors for the theme of the day, and let the rest be neutral. You can mix up how much you may have solids vs. patterns among family members. We’re also happy to have you bring a handful of favorites and have Brett help you choose at your appointment if you get stuck making final decisions or chat via email ahead of time.  

Can I book a makeup lesson and a quick headshot on the same day and make it one appointment?

We suggest separate appointments since you wouldn’t really want your makeup lesson practice (you do half and Brett does half) to be the makeup in your photos. You’d want Brett to do your media makeup as formally part of a photoshoot package, or you’d want to practice up more before you come in having done your own. Additionally, many of the products used for lessons for the everyday look lesson tend to be a totally different set of consumer brands than the media products Brett uses for photoshoots. Once you have your lesson, you’ll see as well that your brain space and energy will thank you to not try to be present and engaged in having your photo taken after you just absorbed so much information in a 2+ hour long makeup lesson.

Do you still do weddings?

We do a select number of perfect-fit weddings each season. Makeup and hair services can be booked for individuals or small groups at the studio, or on location if Brett is also your photographer for the day. We specialize in smaller events and absolutely love less traditional shorter days of coverage for your wedding.

How many photos will I receive?

All shoots included unlimited edited high-resolution images along with client copyright. Smaller sessions usually yield about 50-80 finished images and larger sessions usually yield 150-300 images. Bigger custom photoshoots for half or full-day branding, corporate, or editorial projects yield typically 300-600.   

When will my photos be ready?

Your initial edit will be ready within 3-5 business days of your session. Then you have two weeks to choose your allotted number of favorites for extra retouching. Your retouched favorites will be delivered 3-5 business days after you submit your image numbers. If you have a rush job request, please contact the studio before booking online as we’d have to discuss the feasibility of your shortened timeline as well as any possible rush fees.

What’s the difference between editing and retouching?

Editing is the basic culling, color correction, and cropping of the digital images. Retouching is where we make you “believably perfect” with things like taking away some skin texture, whitening the teeth, and adding shadows under the jawline, etc. Believably perfect is the real key there since it doesn’t mean social media avatar type filters nor Glamour Shots soft focus. It’s like what we do for editorial and commercial shoots, but we do it for every photoshoot for all studio clients. We cannot change the fit or color of your clothing, nor do any face-swaps or background changes in post-production. You will want to plan ahead for your wardrobe and special requests for backgrounds, and then we just know we’ll all do our best for smiles for everyone at the same time for any group photos.

What if I want more photos retouched than what’s included in my package?

You can request additional retouching at $35/image or $125/bundle of 5 extra photos. It’s not uncommon for clients to love so many favorites that they add on a handful of extra photos for the retouching step. As a reminder, you will get all of your images from your initial edit and they’re yours to use as you please; but the retouching is that extra shzushz we all love so well.

Can you help me pick favorites?

When Brett goes through the initial cull of your session, she has already picked what would be all the possible winners with variety in expressions, backgrounds, and posing. There will be a ton for you to choose from- and what a great problem to have if you love so many that it’s a hard decision! Picking favorites is all about you choosing the ones that feel the most YOU. Since that’s so subjective, it’s really best if you get that list down to the ones you particularly love the most based on your own gut feeling. Plenty of clients share their initial edit with friends or significant others (folks in their inner circle) to get a second or third opinion. If your question is more about what the heck is my brand and what am I trying to say and am I doing it correctly? Then that’s more of an image strategy question that can be handled in a separate branding consultation, ideally before you do your photoshoot.

How do you deliver the photos?

We offer a digital download of your high-resolution edited images via Google Drive so you can download them for permanent storage on your own computer or online storage. After we retouch favorites, we send those over as well in high res via Google Drive. If you’re doing any type of headshots or business photos, we also do a second folder sized for LinkedIn and website use all ready to go whether you are a DIY marketer and designer for yourself, or you have someone hired that you’ll be sending the photos to in order to put them to use. If your organization has specific requirements for sizing, please send those over ahead of time.

Do you offer prints or albums?

We don’t, but we’re happy to provide a referral for printing options or albums. We suggest White House Custom Color for local high quality prints and other products. You can also make great little albums yourself on Blurb online, or any other of the many providers, since you will have client copyright usage of your images.

Do you have liability insurance?

Absolutely.

What is your contract policy?

You can simply book your appointment online.  Pick a date/time that works for you, fill in your information, and remit payment. If you are ill or something comes up, contact us to reschedule. Payments are non-refundable but can be transferable to another studio service at Brett’s discretion. There are thorough terms and conditions listed when you book online (it is a catch-all contract for services big and small) that you can peruse before you book.  

What if I’m sick?

Please contact us immediately via email brett@brettdorrian.com or call or text 651-253-7582 so we can reschedule. If you feel sick during your photos, you’ll look sick in your photos. Also, it is not feasible to do makeup/hair styling or lessons while you’re sick, so please keep the germs home and pick a new day to come into the studio. Feeling sick includes mental and emotional wellness.

What if the weather is bad?

If we’re due to be outside and it’s extremely hot, cold, windy, or wet, Brett will reschedule your session at her discretion. If she deems it necessary to reschedule (as much as it’s a mutual pain in the butt), it’s to give us the best given circumstances for the most successful photoshoot. Additionally, if we’re due to be inside but it’s stormy with dark or extra cloudy poor light (summer rain or winter blizzards), we will reschedule since the light ends up quite dark and sometimes with a green, ominous tone.

What is your payment policy?

We require full payment at the time of booking when you book your service online since all sessions are by appointment only. Contact the studio if your organization requires a more formal invoice for the accounting department to cut a check and do a W-9 and 1099 for tax purposes. If you need to reschedule, we can apply your payment to a future studio service.

Is gratuity included?

No. If you feel gratuity was earned, you can prepare cash or check and bring it to your appointment (or Venmo to @BrettDorrianArtistryStudios, or Paypal it to brett@brettdorrian.com). Industry standard is 20%.