Email please! Please don't text me - only for the ridiculously simple reason that I see the text, read the text, think, 'Ah ok I need to get back to them when I've finished what I'm doing', forget about the text, forget to get back to you, you think I'm aloof. No one wins. If you send me a message on social media (The Facebook/Tweedle/Insta-snap) chances are I almost certainly won't see it If you manage to send me a message via carrier pigeon, the session is instantly free.

Big important question, thanks for asking. Bring a wide selection of tops for us to try throughout the session. I would avoid heavy patterns and stick to solid colours that you know suit you. Mid-tone tops can look bland if you have fair skin, the top needs to help you stand out! Bring your favourite top, even if it's a decade old - it's your favourite for a reason, and it’s certainly not coz it looks rubbish on you. Remember that jacket you bought that a mate said looks awesome on you? Bring that one too. Think about neck lines, which ones work for you? Women - if you have long hair don’t just bring strappy tops as your hair will cover the straps and you’ll look topless, neither of us want that to happen! If in doubt, bring loads and we can pick and choose! I won’t be annoyed if you show up with a massive suitcase-full, however I will be a bit miffed if you show up with only two black tops.

Yep - don’t be. I promise it’ll be relaxed as possible and I won’t make you do anything silly like odd cheesy 90s posing with a weird hat on etc. I hate having my photo taken so I’ll never put you in a situation I wouldn’t want to be in. Think of it as a chat with photos along the way.

Nope, it means you’re totally normal and on the right track. The sessions are always super relaxed and designed to help you get over that

Okay, I hear you - David Bowie's gonna answer this one; Bowie: 'If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.' Cheers Dave. Write that down.

Entirely up to you, if it helps and is constructive then absolutely, but if it makes you feel more self conscious, even if it’s the best shot I’ve ever taken, then probably best to avoid…

You'll pay a deposit via the booking website when you first book and the rest is bank transfer on the day please, my bank details are included on the confirmation email.

Yes - £100 on the booking system to confirm your booking. It will be refunded if you have to cancel unless it is within 48 hours of your session.

Yep - bring lots of aftershave, red rashes and shaving cuts aren’t an ideal look. Please always let me know of this at the beginning of the session so I make sure there's enought time to fit it in!

Yep - I have an area you can plug in tongs etc. Please always let me know of this at the beginning of the session.

Of course! Also, please let me know if you've booked some absurdly expensive train ticket to get here from the Highlands or somewhere so I can make sure there is no chance of me having to reschedule.

Very rarely, but it does happen every now and again for unpredictable reasons. I'll make it up to you if I do have to move your session and you'll receive another few dates as close to your original booking as possible

Yes, very easily, via the online gallery your shoot is up on. Just add your selections to the cart, click on checkout and any additional shots will be charged then.

No, sorry - I don’t offer out unretouched shots.

Ooops. Of course! I'm not happy until you are, just let me know what you want doing. I offer one extra round of retouch requests otherwise do need to charge extra for more, so best to be as detailed as possible!

I would say wear what you would usually wear to an audition. If in doubt, less is more as we can always add as we go along. If you would like to work with a make up artist, I recommend the below contact. You can get in touch with her directly to arrange, and this should be scheduled for about an hour before your photoshoot! Natalie: Info@nataliervella.com https://www.instagram.com/nataliervella/

Ideally not - only if you are so nervous that you feel you absolutely must and couldn’t bear it otherwise. It would be great for there to be no one else distracting you or making you feel self conscious so it’s usually best to come on your own. I promise I’m not scary.

In the cafe next to reception, I'll come down and get you! The coffee there is the best in the area. I'll join you when I'm done.

I’m afraid not, I need my weekends to do usual weekend things.

Every time a session becomes available I offer it out to the top five people on the list on a first come, first served basis via email. If no one claims it, I offer it to the next five and so and so forth...

Very hard to tell I’m afraid, sometimes a couple in a week, sometimes a couple in a month, sometimes none for a while. (Sorry, I know… that’s a rubbish, unhelpful answer.)

The savvy businessman in me should say yes but then I just like taking people’s photos and I'm a bit of a rubbish businessman so, no, unfortunately not. I only have a finite amount of sessions per week and when they’re gone, they're gone.

Yes! Good idea.

NO. Definitely not. No, no, no. Leave it at least a fortnight before your shoot. I have never, ever had a client show up and say, 'Check out my new snazzy haircut - I just got it done before the shoot and it came out exactly as planned, they cut it perfectly, I'm so pleased I did that'...

Nope.

I'll do my best! Glasses usually reflect the light I'm lighting you with and you end up with an odd glare on the lenses - but we can try!

Hmm. I wonder how many blokes have clicked on this question hoping there would be some photographic answer... Ladies, sorry if this sounds obvious but make sure you've got a lighter bra option if you want to wear lighter tops. You'd be suprised how many people bring their favourite white/cream top and a black bra. If you're bringing some off-the-shoudler options then bring a strapless bra too. It's not the end of the world if you forget as I can always paint out bra straps but its takes a little time so easier to get it right in the shoot. Lads, you do not need to bring bras to the shoot. If you do, I'll be seriously f***ing creeped out

Maybe a tiny, tiny bit if it makes you feel better but I can get rid of absolutely anything on Photoshop so it isn't really needed. Also - that’s a common occurrence, you probably have bad skin all of a sudden just because you've booked headshots. If you want a job, then book a holiday and wait by the phone. It'll ring. You’ll have to cancel the holiday. That’s the universe putting even more challenges in an actor's path.

Yep. Bring at least one. Headshots have changed over the past few years and colour can really make a headshot stand out. Even if you borrow a top from a friend/sibling, just bring one. We can always discard it.

Bring it. Why not? Even if it’s for a joke shot to scare the life out of your agent...

Yep. Anything but ABBA.

Ideally not. If you really need to, flag it up and I'll see if I can help.

Brendan Gleeson. The man can floor me by blinking.

Yeah, do it! I can't guarantee my shots will come out like them but it's always handy to have a visual idea of what you like.

Yes! All parking along Martell Rd is free! If you park in the visitors carpark however, you'll have to pay

Yep, we can shoot anything as long as it's not weird, creepy or pornographic... The time is yours, so you can use it for a mix of headshots and more editorial style images if you want!

Well, I'll always offer for you to see them during the session as we go so you can point out anything you arent particularly liking, don't worry I wont be offended! Be honest - and we'll get your perfect headshot quicker! If you've chosen to not look at them, there isn't much I can do once you've left the studio. (I don't offer free re-shoots if you decide you're not happy, sorry, so please do make sure you're happy before you leave! Per terms and conditions: "There is no right to reject on the basis of style, content, composition or editing".)

Images take approx 15 working days to complete but I will endeavour to get them to you as soon aspossible! If you need them quicker then I offer a Expedited Retouching Service with a 48 hour turnaround, please find more info here https://www.shelfordheadshots.com/expedited-retouch-service

The evening of our shoot.

However much I'd absolutely love to meet your dog, my dog Sam can get a little nervous with others so its probably best you leave them at home

Photoshop will hide all your secrets

Don't worry, that's my real name, not my superhero photographer name. There was already a photographer called Michael Barnard so I changed it. I'm only telling you this as once or twice I've accidently emailed clients from my personal 'Michael Barnard' email address saying, 'I'm looking forward to meeting you' and they freaked out - and quite understandably! (that Barnard chap could've been ANYONE!)