I will give you several recommendations to help you get the most from your photoshoot from my perspective…

Several weeks in advance, you should think about and practice the poses and leaps that best show your lines and skills.

It would be best to consider getting a manicure and pedicure several days before the shoot. If you wear nail polish, consider getting a french manicure or something neutral or nude unless we have a specific plan for the shoot. Make sure you follow a good skincare regime, stay hydrated, shave (if applicable), and get a good night’s rest because dry lips and dark circles under the eyes have never complimented a photograph.

On the day of the shoot, be sure you have all of the changes of clothes you plan to take with you packed. Don’t forget your pointe shoes (bring extra if you have options)! If we plan to pin up your hair for a portion of the shoot, be sure to have a brush and different hair products on hand, but come with your hair down. Although not required, if you choose to bring your own concealer or foundation to match your skin tone, be sure that it is high-quality (we typically use Bobbi Brown in the studio), non-powder based, with a very low or no SPF rating. Other than that, relax and stretch well and often.

Generally, this will be worked out before a photo shoot during our conversation about our ideas for the specific shoot, whether it’s classical, contemporary, or even casual attire. That being said, I encourage you to have as many options as possible and as time will allow during our shoot. My studio also provides a limited assortment of dance costumes, dresses, tutus, and leotards that can also be worn for a shoot. I encourage you to contact the studio for more details.

No. We do not permit escorts of any kind (including significant others) to attend a photo shoot. The only exception to this rule is that one person, either a parent or legal guardian, may attend the photo shoot only in cases where the model is a minor. We require the parent in attendance to refrain from coaching/directing their minor during the photo shoot.

No personal cameras or video recording devices, including cell phones, can be used in the studio during the photo shoot. If you must use your cellphone to make or receive a call, we ask that you do so outside the studio space.

I will not schedule a photoshoot with a dancer until they have completed a minimum of one year on pointe. This is typically at around 12-13 years of age. Traditionally, young dancers are approximately 11-12 years of age or older before advancing to pointe ballet. Some instructors will go so far as to require students to obtain X-rays of their feet to verify the growth plates are closed before allowing them to start pointe training. If your dancer is 12 years or younger, you will be asked to furnish proof of completion of an introductory pointe ballet class before booking your first photoshoot.

I believe in giving my clients access to high-resolution images at no additional cost. The pictures/photos you will receive via download will be high-resolution digital jpg images with reprint rights for non-commercial and personal use.

Many of my shoots are done in the studio, where I control every aspect of the shoot, including lighting, makeup, hair, props, clothing, and color. I’m also a lover of the outdoors and highly comfortable shooting on location. For artistic reasons, from time to time, I may choose to do an outdoor shoot… but always somewhere in a beautiful cityscape or exotic landscape.

Makeup is a necessity for a photo shoot. But perhaps even more important is the proper makeup application for flash photography. Makeup improperly applied can be worse than no makeup at all. If you would like to hire a makeup artist before your shoot, be sure they call the studio to coordinate before your photo shoot. If you prefer, we have several professional makeup artists and hair stylists that we work with whom we can refer you. But rest assured, our packages include the photographer’s choice of makeup.

Please contact the studio at least 72 hours before your photo shoot if you need to reschedule. Otherwise, you may be subject to the loss of your deposit.

I make it a point to show less experienced models pictures during the shoot to make corrections at times, but mainly to boost their confidence. I feel that in seeing how the photos look during the shoot, a model can relax and focus more on the dance poses or the emotion that I am directing them to convey.

My photo studio is located in the mountain resort area of Southern California. I do most of my shoots in my private studio for the greatest amount of control. For on-location shoots, the world is my studio. Still, I almost always choose to shoot in recognizable cityscapes or the types of scenic locations where you might run into a landscape photographer during the shoot.

As a fine art photographer, I require models (or their parent/guardian in the case of a minor) to sign a model release before every photo shoot. This serves as the model’s acknowledgment that I, as their photographer, retain the right to publish the photos taken during the photoshoot. This may be for one or more of the following: viewing on the web, advertisements, social media, fine art, books, magazines, etc.

You can get up-to-date pricing for our packages on our services page. This page details how much an individual session costs and includes a breakdown of the services.

We require a non-refundable 50% booking fee (deposit) due at the time of booking to secure your booking. If you are forced to cancel your shoot for any reason, you forfeit the booking fee in addition to any travel fees that were required to be paid in advance.

Rather than canceling, we suggest rescheduling the photo shoot. We allow you to do so without forfeiting any fees paid if you reschedule at least 72 hours before your scheduled photo shoot.

While your photographer retains ownership of the photos, you will be granted rights to use the photographs for strictly personal use. You will have reprint rights to print the images as originally edited; you can use them in your portfolio, for auditions, etc.

In addition, provided you credit your photographer (through the use of Instagram profile links to @jos.moody and “dofollow” backlinks to https://josmoody.com), you may use the photographs (as edited) to market yourself for use on your webpage and your social media accounts.

You do not have permission to sell the photographs, modify them in any way (this precludes using social media filters), or claim them as your photography. If you need the pictures for third-party use, please discuss this in advance with your photographer.

In most cases, seven to fourteen business days after your photoshoot, you will receive a link via email to download your photographs. You may also choose to have your pictures professionally printed by several photo labs in various formats.

Our billing system accepts cash, checks, Apple Pay, and all major credit cards. If you have questions about using specific or alternative payment methods (such as Venmo or PayPal) or alternative currencies (such as BTC or ETH), please reach out through our contact page.