Booking is a super simple process! Once you're ready to start, head to the contact page and fill out your information -- be sure to include your full legal name as that will be in your contract (please be sure to input your true name or preferred nickname in the detail section at the bottom), as well as your phone number and email address so that reaching you is easy. Pick your preferred date for a shoot and then send! Thea will respond within 24-48 hours of your inquiry to either confirm your date and time, or if she's booked on your preferred date, offer some additional options. You are most likely to get your preferred date if you schedule at least two weeks in advance. **Please note that your date will not be reserved if you do not sign the contract and fulfill the initial retainer payment. Once you complete all of the above, you are booked!

A non-refundable retainer is required to complete the booking process. The amount is relative to which package you choose. Once we have solidified your date, you will receive a contract and invoice. You must pay the retainer within 72 hours of receiving the contract or the time slot will be considered forfeit and available to others. The remainder of the session fee is due the day before your session. Payments can be made via Honeybook (credit/debit), Venmo, or Zelle. If you have to pay in cash, please make arrangements in advance.

To reschedule you must send a written request through your client portal in Honeybook: At least one week prior to your session* -- Retainer is applied to a future session. Within one week and up until 48 hours before your session* -- Rescheduling fee of $25. Within 48 hours of your session -- Retainer is forfeit, and a new retainer fee must be fulfilled to hold your new date. *You may only reschedule twice in advance or your retainer is forfeit.

In order to cancel your session you must submit a written notice through your client portal in Honeybook: Cancellations made within 5-7 business days of your session -- Retainer can only be applied to a future session. Retainer fees are non-refundable. Cancellations made within 3 days of your session -- Retainer is forfeit and a new retainer is required to re-book. **The only exception for refunds is if Thea Valerie Photography needs to reschedule. She reserves the right to refuse work from anyone who does not respect her time and effort to serve her clients to the fullest.

Depending on your package you will receive a certain number of retouched photos (Half Session -- 2 retouches | Full Session -- 4 retouches | Shared Session -- 3 retouches each). Thea believes in keeping headshots natural - she will remove blemishes and any glaring distractions, but will not engage in photo manipulation or complete smoothing of skin. She doesn't believe in airbrushing all of your features into nonexistence, and simply wants to edit the image to look like you on your best day. You are so beautiful as you are and you want to be honest with your headshots! You will receive a link to your proofs within 48 hours in an online gallery through Pixieset. You get to keep all of the best unedited images. After you submit your confirmation email of what images you want edited, turnaround is 7-10 business days. All images you receive (including unedited) will be full resolution and free of any watermarking. If you choose to add any retouches on top of the ones included in your package they are $25/photo. ALL IMAGES ARE DELIVERED DIGITALLY. Thea recommends having the photos professionally printed and does not take responsibility for anything beyond the digital versions. **If you need a retouch rushed there will be an additional fee of $10 per photo. Rushed retouches can be ready for download within 24-48 hours.

We suggest checking in with your agent/manager/mentor to know what looks you need prior to coming in. The more organized you are, the more looks we'll be able to fit in! Thea also offers free 10-minute consultation calls to discuss the shoot, what you should prepare, and what roles you'll be auditioning for. She highly recommends scheduling a call so you can get the most out of your session.

While Thea does not handle any scheduling in regards to makeup and hair artists, she can recommend some to you upon your request. You will need to hash out the details on your own and have your first look ready to go upon your arrival. You are more than welcome to have your stylist/MUA accompany you to the shoot, but keep your session's time allotment in mind. If you are handling your own hair and makeup, Thea recommends doing whatever feels most natural to you. Plan your looks from least amount of makeup to the most and from natural hair to styled hair. Always consider ways in which you can tweak your hair/make-up/accessories to achieve different looks. Most importantly, keep in mind that you should always base your headshot off what you look like walking into the audition room.

Thea is based in Newport Beach, California, just down the road from UC Irvine. The exact address and parking instructions will be provided upon booking.