Have Questions?
Below are lots of frequently asked Qs+As

Qs to your As

Below you will find many helpful guides to achieving the best from your shoot. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

My goal is to take genuine, stunning photos of you. Having a strong connection to the camera is vital in a headshot, but being in front of a stills camera makes most people feel quite nervous. My background in photography, directing, performing, advertising and design, means I can draw on a multitude of skills and experiences to help you look and feel your best.

I look forward to working with you!
– Tabitha Arthur, photographer

BOOK YOUR PHOTOSHOOT

“I really want to do this, but I’m worried I won’t get good photos” 

Just between you and me, almost every single person who has stepped in front of my camera started out feeling nervous. Most of my clients have never been photographed professionally before - and they look great, right? I will do that for you, too.

First up, know that you don’t have to know what to do! Getting great photos of you if the photographer’s job - you bring your wonderful self, and I will guide you through posing and expression to capture strong, connected photos of you.

It’s super important to me that I make you look – and feel – damn good. I coach my clients through flattering angles and to get that strong connection that my work is known for. And yes - I can do this for you, too.

My goal is to take the best photo you have ever seen of yourself.

You purchase only what you love. My job is to take absolutely incredible photos of you, so you love them all, you stone cold fox, you.

I'M READY! LET'S CHAT

Personal Branding FAQs

  • If you lead, create or inspire - you are in the right place. If you’re a Consultant, Coach, Entrepreneur, Small, Micro or Creative business owner, Speaker, a service provider ready to next-level their business - and you love the photos I take - then it sounds like you would be a great fit!

    Get in touch and we can have a chat to make sure all your questions are answered, and you feel certain.

  • Most folk book 2-3 months out from when they want their photos, which gives them time to plan strategically with my guidance.

    In saying that, I have photographed people within just a few days of them contacting me!

    I do recommend booking in advance so you can secure your preferred date in our busy calendar.

    A typical session lasts up to 3.5 hours including makeup and hair styling. We also offer a full day option.

    We have your deliciously-anticipated image viewing and selection appointment 1-2 weeks after your photoshoot.

    Your digital images will be professionally edited and this process takes up to 2 weeks.

  • This is the photo experience of dreams!

    You'll receive helpful emails with tips; a digital prep guide; links to curated moodboards for inspiration; a strategy call with me; guidance on what to wear and props to bring; makeup and hair styling at my studio with one of my preferred professional Artists; a fully guided and coached photoshoot session; a much-anticipated image viewing and selection appointment where I take away the overwhelm that a gallery does, makes it more efficient, and supports you in choosing the images you want in your new personal branding image bank; professionally edited high and low resolution digital images ready for you to use; bonus guidance to kick-start using your power-packed new assets.

  • I offer the highest quality personal brand photography experience, and I am supported by my wonderful Studio Manager Amy, my talented H&MU Artists, and my attention-to-detail retoucher who edits just like I do so you can feel that extra level in the quality of your images.

  • To book, I start with a consultation – we can do this on the phone, or or a video call if you prefer. It a good idea to chat and get to know each other – you need to know your photographer feels like a great fit for you!

    When you are ready to book, payment of 50% or full invoice is required within 24 hours to secure your session time and date.

    Packages start from $2500, with clients choosing to invest around $4000 on average.

    My shoot days are office hours during the working week. Saturdays are by special request and attract an additional $350 +GST fee and are rarely available.

  • My clients are extremely important to me. I create a first-class experience, and professionally-crafted portraits. This is an opportunity to invest in yourself – to know that you are enough and embrace your true beauty.

    Your package starts at $2500 and includes; a personal pre-shoot phone consultation to discuss all the questions you might have including guidance on what to wear; a beautiful makeover with a hair & make up artist; your personalised studio photoshoot session; professional editing; the image viewing and ordering appointment for your stunning photos. Images are included in the base package and you may choose to purchase additional images, add on B-roll video, or a personal stylist.

    For more details on what is included, pricing, and more, please click here.

    Additional hair & make up $150 per person per photo session.

    One image viewing and ordering appointment is included. Please ensure all decision makers are there. Additional viewings are $250 per appointment.

    Weekend fee: Weekend sessions are very scare. Weekend sessions attract an additional fee of $350.

    Prices +GST.

  • You can choose to do one of two options to suit you best:

    A. Pay for a photo package in advance. This is cool because you can either pay in one lump sum or 50% deposit and the balance between when you book and when you select your photos.

    B. Use our finance option, Fee Funders. This means you can have longer to pay. Fee Funders charges a normal fee.

  • Once you decide that - heck yeah! - you want the best photo experience ever, you take care of the booking fee invoice to secure your date, and we kick off the process!

    I'll send you helpful emails and links so you will have all your questions answered, and we'll arrange a strategy call where I guide you through a series of savvy questions designed to get clear so we can capture amazing brand photos for you.

  • You just need to rock up with unstyled dry hair, and zero makeup - my professional hair & makeup artist (HMUA) will have a good chat with you to find out what you would like - from natural to glam - and then you can relax and enjoy this pamper time.

    My HMUA stays for your photoshoot to ensure shine control, that your hair is sitting right, and as another cheerleader - we are here to help you get photos you love and the help you feel incredible.

  • When you book to get professional personal branding and headshots, I'll also send you a digital PDF magazine giving helpful advice on what to wear, the packages I offer, and styling tips.

    We can also have a good chat about this on an initial phone call.

    Important and helpful tip: Bring clothes pre-ironed and ready to wear. Transport your clothes on hangers in a suit bag, and hang the bag up in the car to avoid crumpling.

  • Multiple studies have found we have mere seconds to make a good – or bad – first impression. One study even found it took 1/10 of a second! Those must’ve been some judgy-judgy people in that survey…

    Regardless, we’ve all heard the saying “first impressions count”, and while you might be the nicest, most reliable, perfect human that has ever walked this beautiful earth, if your brand photography isn’t capturing this, then that potential client may pass you on by quick-smart.

    Yep, we all have days where we shove our hair into a messy bun (and I’m not talking about a stylish TikTok 30 minute styled version - I mean the get-this-hair-off-my-face-stat version). We are all mooching around in our comfy not-for-public-view clothes when working from home.

    Your personal branding images will help you look like that aspirational version of yourself you aspire to be, and designed to draw your ideal clients to you - this is YOU on a good day, where you’ve had enough sleep, drunk all the water, and your Inbox is zero.

    Be a cool nerd – do your homework. Look through lots of other personal branding imagery to get an idea of what looks best to your eye, and the look/s you want to portray. We will also have an excellent chat about this on our consultation phone call, and I provide links to my curated Pinterest boards and helpful PDF guide to help as well.

    Consider your target audience – who are you wanting to work with, and what do you want them to think? We will go over all of this and more on our consultation phone call.

    I also share details for one of my absolute fav Personal Stylists, if you’d like specialist help.

  • Personal branding requires digital images for brands to use online and offline, from your website to billboards, ads, your profile photo, and so much more. We provide amazing packages especially for personal branding needs, including high resolution files.

    People find that one or two or more of their images give them a particular lift - they feel aspirational seeing that version of themselves.

    Having a framed print of yourself for the wall is something many people choose to do, and I provide this fantastic complete print solution for you, should you wish.

    You do not need to make any decisions until you view your images at your image viewing and ordering appointment, around one to two weeks after your photoshoot.

  • We are pleased to offer simple, beautiful B-roll video content for web use, alongside our signature portrait photography.

    B-roll - especially popular for website headers and backgrounds, reels and stories backgrounds.

  • First up, know that what you are feeling is very human. 99.99% of my clients feel some sort of nerves thinking about having their photo taken: from nervous-excited through to barely even making it to my studio and shaking and sweating so much!

    Now you might be looking at the photos of my clients and thinking they look super relaxed / confident / authentically themselves, there’s no way they were as nervous as you..! Please know that most - almost ALL of them - felt that same way.

    My clients will tell you that they focussed on just getting themselves to my studio on the day of their photoshoot - and that I guided them through everything from there.

    You may not believe it right now, I know with absolute certainty that you will be able to do it, too.

    At some point during their photoshoot, many of my nervous clients find themselves exclaiming “This is so much fun! Everyone should do this!”. I always reply - “Please let them know that, because I could bang on about this all day, but it’s not until they experience it for themselves that they believe it!”

  • Our studio is based in central city Wellington - we are on Taranaki Street. There is generally plenty of parking within a short walking distance.

    Our national clients come to us from all around New Zealand - from Auckland to Christchurch and beyond.

    Our international clients have travelled to us from across Australia, Singapore, and London, England.

Headshots FAQs

  • If you are a professional ready to next-level their LinkedIn profile headshot photos - and you love the headshots I take - then it sounds like you would be a great fit! Especially if you're allergic to stuffy old-fashioned, personality-erasing corporate headshots!

    Get in touch and we can have a chat to make sure all your questions are answered, and you feel certain.

  • My Headshot Session Days are available once every two months. I do recommend booking in advance so you can secure your preferred time in our busy calendar.

    A headshot session lasts up to 1.5 hours including professional makeup application at my studio and up to 30 minutes camera time.

  • You’ll receive:

    helpful emails with tips;

    a digital prep guide;

    a strategy call with me;

    guidance on what to wear - up to three top changes;

    makeup application at my studio with one of my preferred professional Artists;

    $250 credit towards purchasing your images

    a fully guided and coached headshot photoshoot session;

    selection of your favourite headshots immediately after your photoshoot;

    professionally edited high and low resolution digital images ready for you to use;

    bonus guidance to help you get the most out of using your new headshots.

    Additional images will be just $250 +GST each, or take advantage of our on-the-day special and buy two and get one free!

  • The total Headshot Session fee is $590 +GST. This includes $250 credit towards your digital images. Additional images may be purchased separately on the day.

    Images are $250 each, or take advantage of our special on-the-day offer of 2 images for $500.

  • Once you decide that - heck yeah! - you want the best headshot photo experience ever, you take care of the booking fee invoice of $590 +GST to secure your date, and we kick off the process! I’ll send you helpful emails and links so you will have all your questions answered, and we’ll arrange a strategy call where I answer any burning questions so you can feel prepared leading up to your photoshoot.

  • You just need to rock up with your hair already styled, and a clean, moisturised face - my professional makeup artist will have a good chat with you to find out what you would like - from super natural (if you never wear makeup) to a little more glam, this is about how you would like to look in your photos.

    Then you can relax and enjoy this complimentary pamper time while she gets you camera-ready!

    TIP: If it's raining, protect your hair from getting wet by covering it with a hood or scarf, and use umbrella if you can.

  • When you contact me about getting professional headshots, it’s part of my service that I send you a digital PDF magazine giving helpful advice on what to wear, the packages I offer, and styling tips.

    You will have time for up to three changes of top, so you have variety to choose from.

    We can also have a good chat about this on your strategy call if you would like.

    Remember to transport your tops on hangers in a suit bag, and hang the bag up in the car to avoid crumpling. Note that even t-shirts carefully folded up will sneakily get creases.

  • You will receive $250 credit which you book your session for $590 +gst.

    Each image will come as both low and high resolution to suit your various needs, such as updating your LinkedIn profile photo!

    If you love more than one photo (and most people do - I’m really good at getting great photos of you!

    You will have the opportunity to purchase additional photos on the day.

    Additional images will be just $250 +GST each, or take advantage of our on-the-day special and buy two and get one free!

  • So I offer my clients the highest quality service - and I am so hecking proud of the service we provide! - I am supported by my wonderful Studio Manager Amy, my talented Makeup Artists, and my attention-to-detail retoucher who edits just like I do so my clients can feel that extra level of confidence in the quality of their photos.

  • My clients choose to do one of two options to suit them best:

    A. They pay for the full $590 +GST fee on booking to secure their spot..

    B. To secure their spot and spread out their payments a little, they pay 50% of the full fee on booking, with the balance due two weeks before their session to secure their spot. If unable to pay in full two weeks before, we may need to move your headshot session to a future date. Please note Headshot Days are rarely available and scheduled once every few months.

  • Multiple studies have found we have mere seconds to make a good – or bad – first impression. One study even found it took 1/10 of a second! Those must’ve been some judgy-judgy people in that survey…

    Regardless, we’ve all heard the saying “first impressions count”, and while you might be the nicest, most reliable, perfect human that has ever walked this beautiful earth, if your corporate headshots aren’t capturing this, then that potential dream employer may pass you on by quick-smart.

    Yep, we all have days where we shove our hair into a messy bun (and I’m not talking about a stylish TikTok 30 minute styled version - I mean the get-this-hair-off-my-face-stat version). We are all mooching around in our comfy not-for-public-view clothes when working from home.

    Your headshot photos will help you look like that aspirational version of yourself you aspire to be, and designed to draw your ideal employer or recruiter to you - this is YOU on a good day, where you’ve had enough sleep, drunk all the water, and your Inbox is zero.

    Be a cool nerd – do your homework. Look through lots of other headshot imagery to get an idea of what outfits look best to your eye, and the look/s you want to portray.

    Consider your target audience – who are you wanting to work with, and what do you want them to think?

    We can also have a chat about this on our strategy phone call, and I provide a PDF guide to help as well.

    I also share details for one of my absolute fav Personal Stylists if you desire extra help with what to wear.

  • First up, know that what you are feeling is very human. 99.99% of my clients feel some sort of nerves thinking about having their photo taken: from nervous-excited through to barely even making it to my studio and shaking and sweating so much!

    Now you might be looking at the photos of my clients and thinking they look super relaxed / confident / authentically themselves, there’s no way they were as nervous as you..! Please know that most - almost ALL of them - felt that same way.

    My clients will tell you that they focussed on just getting themselves to my studio on the day of their photoshoot - and that I guided them through everything from there.

    You may not believe it right now, I know with absolute certainty that you will be able to do it, too.

    At some point during their photoshoot, many of my nervous clients find themselves exclaiming “This is so much fun! Everyone should do this!”. I always reply - “Please let them know that, because I could bang on about this all day, but it’s not until they experience it for themselves that they believe it!”

  • I will photograph you on a white background and a dark background, like you see in the photos above.

    You will be guided through different poses and expressions so you have a fantastic variety to select from in a short space of time.

    Even if you feel nervous about being photographed, I have tips and tricks to help you get the best headshots you’ve ever had!

  • STUDIO POLICIES: RESCHEDULING + ILLNESS
    The session fee reserves your headshot date, and it is non-refundable. We believe in kindness, and know that sometimes life just happens, so we do allow for one reschedule (to the next available Special Headshot Day spot) with at least two weeks notice.

    If you are unable to provide a minimum of two weeks notice to reschedule, your session fee will be retained to cover costs and the reschedule fee is $150. Note this reschedule fee will give you a $150 image credit prepaid to redeem at your headshot session image selection.

    If we need to reschedule, for example due to illness, we will give you $150 image credit to redeem at our rescheduled headshot session.

    SICKNESS

    If you are sick, it's very important to let us know so we can reschedule you for another date that suits. In the instance of illness we will waive the rescheduling fee as a one time courtesy - because life happens and we need to look after ourselves! 

Portrait FAQs

  • The most important thing is to wear what you feel good in. Bring a variety of outfits for the greatest variety of images: consider silhouette, shapes, style, neckline, texture, and colour.

    Personal consultation and special magazine guide
    I love to discuss with my clients what they want from a shoot, including talking about styling. Get in touch for a chat and I will send you a gorgeous digital PDF magazine giving detailed ideas around what will look great in your shoot!

    Studio wardrobe
    I have a few selected pieces that you may love to try, including an over-sized soft white cotton shirt, and my big, romantic, and super-fun tulle skirts!

  • Absolutely! The photography I create is fine art style artwork for your home. This is a special image to record a moment in time of you and your loved ones together. These images will become more valuable to you as the years go by, making them ideal for special family photos.

    The experience of having your hair and make up done makes this perfect for a girl's day out, or for sisters and mothers to share in a special experience together.

    Couple shoots are also available. I take individual photos of you, as well as of the two of you together.

    These sessions make the ideal gift for mothers, grandmothers, best friends, newly-engaged couples, wedding anniversaries, or as a personal investment in YOU.

    Your session booking fee is $550 covers your hair and make up, with additional people just $150 each.

  • Your hair and make up will be all done for you by an experienced hair & make up artist. They will enhance your features and make you look and feel like a celebrity on a beautiful Vanity Fair photo shoot.

    You will look so stunning you'll want to have a fab night out! Book a hot date or fun night out with your besties for after your shoot to make to most of your gorgeous hair & make up!

  • Breathe a sigh of relief: you do not need to know how to act in front of the camera. Posing is something I take care of!

    I have studied and practised to ensure I capture the most flattering angles for you. No matter your personal concerns – body size, shape, age, limited mobility, whatever your concerns are, I look after you and ensure I position you in ways that look and feel amazing.

    It is my mission to take the best photo you have seen of yourself -to show you your beautiful.

    If you have any concerns, please feel free to talk with me about them – I am here for you.

  • To book, I start with a consultation – we can do this on the phone, or in person over coffee if you prefer. It a good idea to chat and get to know each other – you need to know your photographer feels like a great fit for you!

    If you are wanting to have a portrait shoot, I have lots to talk with you about including what you might wear, what styles you love, pricing and products, and why you want to have this shoot.

    Personalising your photo experience starts here – let’s chat.

    My shoot days for portrait clients tend to be Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, with Saturdays by special request. Saturdays attract an additional $350 fee and are rarely available.

    Tip: As you will be professionally made up and feeling super on top of the world – you will want to book in a night out!

  • My clients are extremely important to me. I create a first-class experience, and professionally-crafted portraits. This is an opportunity to invest in yourself – to know that you are enough and embrace your true beauty.

    Your booking fee of $1890 includes $1000 credit towards purchasing your favourite images from your session, a personal pre-shoot phone consultation to discuss all the questions you might have; wardrobe consult to select what you will wear for the session; a beautiful makeover with a hair & make up artist; your personalised studio photoshoot session; professional editing; the image viewing and ordering appointment for your stunning photos. Images are purchased separately.

    For more details on what is included, pricing, and more, please click here.

    Additional hair & make up $150 per person per photo session.

    One image viewing and ordering appointment is included. Please ensure all decision makers are there. Additional viewings are $250 per appointment.

    Weekend fee: Weekend sessions are very scare. Weekend sessions attract an additional fee of $350.

    Prices exclude GST.

  • You will absolutely love your images, and will be tempted to buy them all! Many clients love the option of paying off over time, so I have introduced the option to pre-pay for a collection.

    Pre-paying makes for a fantastic gift, such as 21st birthdays, graduation, anniversaries, and other milestones.

    By paying in advance of the photoshoot, you may be entitled to some bonuses, from $300 to up to over $7650 value! So it just makes sense to do this.

  • Bringing one friend with you can be helpful if you’re feeling super nervous. As long as that friend will cheer you on behind the scenes, and not take the focus from it being all about YOU.

    My team and myself take care of your touch ups and posing, so if your friend is happy to watch and you feel calmer having her there, that is great!

    If she wants her own session back-to-back with yours, that’s even better! Let’s book her in!

    I allow just the one friend with you. Unless this is specifically booked and planned to be a couple’s shoot, I don’t allow partners, boyfriends, husbands to be in the room the whole time, as this experience needs to be all about you.

    If you want to have a couple of photos with your partner, we can arrange for them to come near the end of your session for your photos together.

  • My philosophy on retouching is: Temporary visitors (aka pimples, bruises, scratches) can go jump in the sea! Permanent features (freckles – face stars! – moles, scars, wisdom lines, etc) can absolutely stay – they are part of what makes us unique and hold our own beauty.

    I am often asked about lines and wrinkles, and body shape. I use flattering light so wrinkles appear very soft and light, and flattering poses to define and shape the body.

    If you have any requests, such as lightning the appearance of wrinkles, or taking care of smoothing out bumps that you don’t love, just let me know.

    While we strive to be feminist body-positive powerhouses, we are very human, and we want to feel bloody great about ourselves! I am onboard with making you feeling bloody great!

  • I provide a thoughtful and comprehensive digital magazine with loads of helpful tips including: book a hair appointment for the week before to get those roots touched up; get your nails done a day or two before; go through your wardrobe and pick out what you want to wear – if that gorgeous dress you never get to wear doesn’t zip up at the back, bring it anyway! You can’t tell in a still photograph! Ask me for my magazine.

    I prefer clients didn’t spray tan especially for the shoot – streaks and orange vibes and tan lines and white hands and feet and white faces/orange bodies are just not worth it! Unless you always get faux tans, embracing the skin you’re in wins, hands down. Give your skin a good buffing, and remember to moisturise before your shoot.

BOOK MY PHOTOSHOOT!

ADDITIONAL FAQs

  • Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington 6011
    Please ensure you arrive 5 to no more than 10 minutes early for your photoshoot to ensure we are ready for you. The exact location will be provided on confirmation of booking.

    Parking
    There is on street parking available, generally close by.

  • Contact me! I will answer your questions, provide you with helpful info, and make the booking process as easy and fun as I can.

    All bookings require a non-refundable retainer fee of 50% of you chosen package, payable upon confirmation of booking.

    Once your photoshoot time and date has been pencilled in, you will be sent an invoice to be paid by the end of the following day to confirm your booking.

  • We take health seriously. We will reschedule if illness, and our client do the same.

    We ensure we work to a high industry standard.

    Please get in touch if you have any questions. Myself and my team look forward to providing a wonderful, safe photo experience for you!

  • The deposit payment reserves your photoshoot date, secures the hair & makeups artist, and it is non-refundable.

    We believe in kindness, and know that sometimes life just happens, so we do allow for one reschedule (within 6 months of original shoot date) with at least two weeks notice.

    If you are unable to provide a minimum of two weeks notice to reschedule, your deposit will be retained to cover costs and the reschedule fee is $150. Note this reschedule fee will give you a $150 image credit prepaid to redeem at your image selection.

    If we need to reschedule, for example due to illness, we will give you $150 image credit to redeem at our rescheduled photoshoot session.

    Sickness
    If you are sick, it's very important to let us know so we can reschedule you for another date that suits. In this instance we will apply the rescheduling fee to your purchase as a one time courtesy - because life happens and we need to look after ourselves, people!

  • My goal is to take genuine, stunning photos of you.

    Having a strong connection to the camera is vital, but being in front of a stills camera makes most people feel quite nervous.

    My background in photography, directing, performing, advertising and design, means I can draw on a multitude of skills and experiences to help you look and feel your best.

    I look forward to photographing you!
    – Tabitha Arthur, photographer

BOOK MY PHOTOSHOOT!